It's heeerrreeeee!!

That's right. The 2008 Challenger was released 2/18 at the Chicago Auto Show. As I said in the earlier post, the production model is very similar to the concept. The tail lights are a more conventional setup with standard bulbs instead of the LED panel on the back.



The front is again more conventional, with standard housings rather than the dual projectors. The low beam HIDs have projectors, you can see them on the pic if you look close. The grille is also modified a bit with mesh blackout and a little less chrome.



Creme de la creme. 6.1L V8 making 425hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. 2008 models will only be SRT8s with automatic transmissions. 2009 models begin build in April, which is when the standard and mid-level models will be released.



The interior on the production model is where you see the most changes. No more digital gauges or accelerometer. I doubt we'll see either in the production model. I can't wait to see the pictures of the newer version of the pistol-grip shifter on the 6-speed. Heavily bolstered seats with the SRT logo are the same ones you see on the Magnum and Charger SRT models.

Pricing for the current SRT8 is around $40,000. Add the few options that are available, and you'll hit about $45,000. Pricing for the 2009 models will be released with the new model in April.

Let's talk about global warming......

Alright, all this talk about "global warming" and "reducing our carbon footprint" has got me spewing steam. Let's elaborate a little bit.

According to these so-called experts studying our climate, our carbon emissions have created a warming effect that is slowly increasing the average yearly temperature across the globe. This is all well and good, but show me some concrete evidence. All I've seen so far is that temperatures are slightly rising, and we're getting less snow in the Northeast. The scientific information I have seen hasn't shown that the increase in CO2 has actually had an effect on average global temperature.



And where does Al "I invented the internet" Gore get off spouting all of this propoganda about Global Warming? If you watch his documentary, he is cruising around the country in his nice, comfy, Lincoln Towncar. The Towncar is statistically the most polluting sedan on the market. Mr. Gore, don't you think if you're making a documentary on global warming, shouldn't you be driving around in something a little less polluting? Let's say, maybe, a Prius? Or some other hybrid? Way to help the cause, asshole.

Anyway, let's get some specifics. At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the level of carbon dioxide in the air was 0.28%. In the 200 years since, the level of carbon dioxide has increased to 0.36%. That's a 0.08% increase, which is much less than the government and Mr. Gore will have you believe. People think that this is a substantial problem, but in reality, the levels of CO2 aren't "drastically" increasing. Sure, we're contributing, but it really doesn't seem to be a dire situation.

I will agree that the climate is getting milder, and that the ice caps are melting, and all the rest of the information that has been released. However, this is part of NATURAL climate change. Everyone is just unhappy because it's the first time it's happened to us. We have been tracking weather for about 200 years, so this is the first time that we have actually recorded it. Approximately 1000 years ago, the same thing happened as well. This is about the time that the Vikings and Nordic people inhabited Greenland and Iceland. What happened next? A smaller-scale ice age. This climatic rotation has been happening for millions of years. The earth will warm and cool as it pleases, and there is nothing that humans can do.

The point is, people will always have a necessity for fossil fuels. We love our toys: snowmobiles, boats, jet skis, dirt bikes, etc. We will always have a need for SUVs and trucks that consume a large amount of gasoline. Do I agree with creating hybrids and engines that consume less? Absolutely. Anything to help slow the deterioration of our fuel supply. No matter what, people will buy gasoline, whether it's $1/gallon or $5/gallon. (Of course, why do we need hybrids when Chevy produces a 430hp V8 that gets 28mpg on the highway? Small tolerances and high compression ratios.....)



Maybe we should have our congressmen spend their time on something to help the cause, like investigating why it's OK for ExxonMobil to have a $13.5 Billion QUARTERLY profit and still charge $3+ for a gallon of gas here and over $7/gallon in Europe. Why are we wasting their time with steriods in the MLB? Their steroid use has such an insignificant effect on the greater people compared to these skyrocketing gas prices!

Oh well. I guess I'll just drive my Jeep and GTO, tow my snowmobile and boat, and pay $3 per gallon for gas, and take it until the day something is done. Perfect. :)

2005-Current Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)

The newest variation of Jeep's iconic Grand Cherokee is a true winner.

Introduced in 2004, the newest Grand sports an independent front suspension and 2 new engines for 2005. The 3.7L V6 has been used in the Liberty since it's induction, and DC brought over the 5.7L HEMI V8, most commonly seen in Dodge's Ram pickup.

Three different 4wd systems are available: The no-frills Quadra-Trac I, with a full-time 4wd transfercase and no 4Low option, it is truly an on-road biased system. The NV-147 transfercase is the brains behind the system. It uses a hydraulic gerator pump to transfer torque from the rear axle to front axle. The BTCS is equipped on these as well.

Quadra-Trac II is the next step up, a full-time 4wd system with the 4Low option. It utilizes the NV-247 transfercase, which uses a similar gerator pump as the 147. However, along with the 4Low option, it comes with BTCS or Brake-controlled Traction Control System. This system modulates brake pressure to a slipping wheel to maximize traction. The system can modulate traction to a single side up to about 70%

Quadra-Drive II is the creme de la creme of 4wd systems. It has the same NV-247 transfercase, but to modulate traction from side to side, it uses electronically controlled Limited Slip Differentials. This system can transfer 100% of torque to a single wheel. It is the most advanced 4wd system that Jeep offers.

On-road capabilities on this Jeep are hands-down the best ever for a Jeep. Having driven one, I can attest to this fact. I wouldn't want to take a long trip in any other vehicle. The suspension absorbs bumps and body roll is quaffed by some beefy anti-sway bars. Through the twisties, this is definitely an SUV at heart, and handles as such. On the highway, though, this is one smooth ride.

During the search for my father's new vehicle, I drove the Honda Pilot and Ridgeline, GMC Yukon, and Toyota 4Runner. The Jeep was, by far, the best SUV on the market.

Off-road capabilities are limited now due to lack of aftermarket support and that dang Independent Front Suspension. Here's a pic of a lifted Commander (same platform) flexing on a rock.



The rock is about 15" tall. If you look, you can see that the passenger side tire is off the ground. Any other vehicle with a solid front axle would have that tire planted firmly on the ground. Even though these Jeeps are good off-road, they are not as good as previous Grand Cherokees.

Here's a couple pics of the 2008 upgrades. The front fascia has been modified a little bit, along with the headlights. New options include HID headlights, the new MyGig multimedia system, and updated seats and interior amenities have made this a much cushier ride.




Overall, I give the new Grand Cherokee a B+, mainly because of the plastic-like interior components and some other small amenity issues, as well as the decreased off-road capabilities. This is still truly a Jeep, though.

Superbowl commercials

Audi's comeback to the Superbowl commercial stage made a huge impact on many car guys all over. The use of the famous "Godfather" scene had me curious from the beginning, and laughing my ass off when it was the front end of a car (Mercedes, maybe?)



But when that drool-inspiring R8 came into view, everyone in the room went quiet, and the awesome tones of the exhaust was all you could hear. It was truly a great commercial, especially for the first Superbowl commercial for Audi in 20 years.

However, I believe the greatest commercial to come out of last weekend has to be the new Porsche Cayenne GTS commercial. If you haven't seen it, here it is.



Truly the perfect car commercial. I have no words to describe the thoughts and feelings that come through me when this airs. Every car buff in the world can relate, along with anyone who has the slightest interest in cars. This commercial could have shown any car with any type of following or history and rang true for that company.

The absolutely perfect commercial to portray Porsche's committment to their vehicles and storied history in racing and road cars.

"Wow" is right.