All New 2011 "Grand" Compass

ALL NEW 2011 Jeep Compass available at Neuwirth Motors of Wilmington, NC! Check our inventory.

Starting price: $19,295

4x4 starting price: $20,995

23 MPG city

29 MPG highway

According to Jeep.com the 2011 Compass is “stunningly sophisticated with an unmistakably Grand styling. Compass Limited is urban capable with a new signature Jeep seven-slot grille, black accent trim and new 18-inch Chrome-clad wheels.” Many, including Jeep, are calling the upgrade the “Grand” Compass.

CarAndDriver.com says the Compass is “more attractive than the gawky look of the outgoing model.” Visual updates include a new hood, fascia, fenders, grille and headlights. The rear is restyled with a new spoiler, LED taillights and bumper. 

All-Wheel-Drive Capability

Not only did the 2011 Compass receive a “face lift,” other changes include the Freedom Drive II all-wheel-drive option, making the Compass trail-rated. The AWD option includes a 1 inch lift, raising the ride height to an impressive 8.4 inches. The Compass features standard 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Additional AWD features include skidplates, tow hooks, continuously variable transmission with low range and a full-size spare tire. 

Motortrend.com wrote “drop the Compass into Low and pull the 4WD Lock handle, which locks the center differential at a 50/50 front/rear power split, and the pulleys in the CVT will be locked into a 19:1 ratio for maximum crawling power.” 

Concerning off-road capability, Scott Evans of Motortrend.com writes, “the result is a surprisingly capable Compass.” Evans goes on to write, “On a test drive outside Jackson, Wyoming, the Compass was able to keep up with the rest of the Jeep lineup on moderately difficult snow-covered trails that saw steep descents, rocky riverbeds, and muddy hill climbs.” 

Photos courtesy of MotorTrend.com.

Available Colors: 

Deep Cherry Red Chrystal Pearl

Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl

Blackberry Pearl

Mineral Gray Metallic

Bright Silver Metallic

Bright White

 

Plug-In Ram Pickup Trucks

Based on the lack of success from General Motors Hybrid truck efforts, Chrysler scrapped efforts to produce a Hybrid Two Mode Hemi. Instead, The Chrysler Group, who manages the Ram brand, is focusing on fuel-efficiency.

Industry analyst Aaron Bragman of HIS Global Insights said the Hybrid Two-Mode is “a good concept in a too-expensive package.”

Because truck buyers tend to want high-torque, Hemi-based trucks, it made no sense to pursue the hybrid system with “sales potentially below 1,000.”

Chrysler will continue Hybrid research, with plans to “build 140 plug-in hybrid pickup trucks for a three-year demonstration program funded by $48 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.”

The plug-in trucks will still have a 5.7-liter V-8 engine, but will use a larger, 12-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion pack rather than the previous 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. This should allow the truck to run up to 20 miles on electricity, improving fuel efficiency by more than 65 percent.

Pickuptrucks.com
Allpickuptrucks.com
GreenCarReports.com

Chrysler Reports Increased Sales Across All Brands

On the first of December Chrysler Group LLC reported that November US auto sales increased 17% compared to the same period last year. Chrysler reported 74,152 vehicle sales against 63,560 units from November 2009. 

Ram truck sales increased 67% and Jeep sales increased 58%. Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales said, “we are pleased with the sales momentum that has been building this year, and elated now that we are showing off the vehicles we’ve been talking about.” 

What are the vehicles talked about? Chrysler will launch 11 new or remodeled Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles during the fourth quarter!

2011 Dodge Charger - An Inspired Icon

Released: October 2010

According to Dodge, the new Charger is “spiritually inspired by the iconic second-generation Charger from the late 1960s, featuring a design that is sure to strike an emotional chord with Dodge performance enthusiasts of all generations.”

2010 v. 2011

 

With many upgrades, the 2011 Charger is a powerful vehicle for the Chrysler fall vehicle lineup. Body-style modifications have bolstered the iconic muscle car image, with a unique style that creates a tapered, silhouette look. The front and rear fenders create a bold, distinct profile. The new tail lamp incorporates 164 illuminating LED lights to form an unmistakable profile.

Among other aesthetic modifications, like the “split crosshair” grille, upgrades to the body-style have created a more aerodynamic model. With a lower hood line, faster windshield, raked headlights and a flat underbody, the new design is more wind resistant. Dual “scallops” in the aluminum hood and on the side deliver an A-line across the doors.

Improvements in the cabin have increased sound quality. Rather than focus on sound-level, the 2011 Charger isolates the powertrain, paired with an acoustic windshield and front door glass resulting in less road and wind noise. Other improvements include body-cavity silencing foam and acoustic wheel-well liners.

Engine
The base engine, a 292 horsepower V6, is estimated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Slightly less than the 2011 Challenger, it has better gas mileage and is more powerful and quieter than the 250 horsepower 3.5 liter, resulting in better acceleration.

The confirmed lineup is:

The Dodge Charger SE with a standard 292 horsepower v6 engine.

The SXT and SXT Plus which adds 18 inch polished wheels, 8.4 inch stereo with Uconnect, heated seats and a leather interior.

The Rallye Group model has 20 inch chrome wheels, a rear spoiler, 9 speakers and a 506-watt amp.

The R/T and R/T Road & Track models house the powerful 5.7 Hemi (with 372 horsepower) a unique grille, 20 inch wheels, spoiler, badging, performance exhaust and more!

The R/T AWD model has the R/T equipment plus 19 inch twin-spoke wheels, a lowered suspension, active transfer case with front axle disconnect for better gas mileage.