diamonds cars: November 2010

cool 2012 Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Lending an exclusive automobile an even more dominant presence is the domain of Brabus. The new Brabus Widestar wide version represents a custom-tailored designer suit for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In addition to the extravagant high-tech carbon-fiber body program for the gullwing the tuner also offers ultralight forged wheels, an electronically adjustable Ride Control smooth-ride suspension, a titanium high-performance exhaust system with electronically controlled sound management and custom Brabus interiors.

To give the SLS an even more muscular appearance the Brabus designers have developed custom-tailored Brabus Widestar components for the rear axle. Like all other body components they are made from extremely light yet very strong carbon fibers identical to the ones used in Formula 1 racing. The add-on parts for the rear fenders and the rear fascia create an even more spectacular look and make room for special wheels that widen the rear track by 20 millimeters for even further improved driving dynamics.

The suspension engineers developed custom-tailored versions of the ultralight Brabus Monoblock F Platinum Edition forged wheels in sizes 9.5Jx20 in front and 11Jx21 on the rear axle for the wide version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. These wheels are available with a brushed-design or ceramics-polished surface and can also be painted in any desired color. The staggered wheels with 20- and 21-inch diameters on front and rear axles further emphasize the wedge-shaped look of the sports car.

2012 Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG interior

2012 Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

new dodge charger srt8

cool dodge charger srt8

Pontiac GTO And Dodge Charger SRT8
NEW SECOND-GENERATION E-SEGMENT SUSPENSION DELIVERS WORLD-CLASS RIDE AND HANDLING

As the Dodge brand's performance flagship, the chassis of the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger is designed, engineered and fine-tuned to deliver a level of quality, capability and refinement that rivals the very best European, Asian and North American E-segment sedans.

Performance handling requires maximum grip, and the all-new Dodge Charger now holds a 0.90 g. Aiding in the fastback four-door coupe's improved road-holding capabilities is a more aggressive front- and rear-camber geometry. Set at -1.0 degrees in the front and -1.75 degrees in the rear, Dodge Charger is set up for high-speed cornering with its tires leaning inboard at the top relative to the body.

All-new premium hydrobushings combined with new monotube shock absorbers, spring rates and redesigned front and rear multi-link suspension geometries provide the 2011 Dodge Charger with exceptional performance handling dynamics, smooth braking characteristics and a comfortable, smooth ride.

No matter what the road conditions, the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger R/T AWD looks even newer with a 0.5-inch (13 mm) tighter tire-to-fender fitment, a 0.15-inch (4 mm) lowered overall ride height and larger 19-inch wheels with P235/55R19 all-season performance tires. Beyond its lower center of gravity, the Dodge Charger R/T AWD features improved handling with new upper- and lower-control arms and shock-absorber bushings. In addition new half shafts feature high-precision bearing units that are sealed for added quality and durability.

Transmitting the 2011 Dodge Charger's maximum grip and responsiveness to the driver is an all-new electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) system that features 25 percent quicker steering, precision road feel and improved on-center tracking while reducing steering noise and fuel consumption.

WORLD-CLASS STRUCTURAL STIFFNESS PROVIDES A QUIET, CONFIDENT AND SECURE RIDE

Engineered and executed to deliver world-class sport sedan characteristics, the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger features a solid, stable and true "command-of-the-road" feeling, while delivering world-class structural stiffness, exceptional interior quietness, 15 percent improved visibility and is capable of achieving high crashworthiness ratings.

The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger combines advanced steels, nylon composites and Chrysler Group's new second-generation rear-wheel-drive E-segment architecture for maximum structural stiffness. This world-class torsional strength contributes to the seventh-generation Dodge Charger's tighter and stiffer characteristics and provides the driver with an added sense of confidence and control during higher speed maneuvers.

Maximizing its rigid body structural design, Dodge Charger engineers were able to tune the cabin for sound quality (rather than sound level) by isolating powertrain, road and wind noise. In addition, Charger's unibody packages material and structural design improvements, including dual-pane acoustic windshield and front-door side glass, body-cavity silencing foam, under-flush rolled-framed door with triple seals and new acoustic wheel-well liners to absorb road noise and quiet the cabin. Combined, these design improvements place the all-new Dodge Charger's interior sound quality among the best in the E-segment.

STATE-OF-THE-ART CONNECTIVITY AND INFOTAINMENT

The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger's Uconnect Touch integrates world-class infotainment and convenience technologies to keep passengers connected, comfortable and secure.

The all-new Uconnect Touch illustrates tangible results from the company's extensive research and development. During the development of the all-new Uconnect Touch, Chrysler Group engineers visited, observed and recorded more than 4,100 owners of the best E-segment vehicles from Europe, Asia and North America to see how they interacted with their in-vehicle audio and navigation systems, as well as find out what they really want and need from a multimedia and infotainment system. The result: four high-quality next-generation infotainment models that are easy to use and simplify how passengers interact with different radio, media, climate control and navigation technologies.

From touchscreen navigation to dual-zone climate controls, to the ability to check fuel prices, Uconnect Touch makes life in the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger an excellent experience for the driver and passengers. Dodge Charger offers four Uconnect Touch (4.3, 4.3S, 8.4 and 8.4N) models, all featuring easy-to-use controls to provide class-leading technology. With its touch-screen display and user-friendly touch-key categories, information on the Uconnect Touch is clearly displayed and connecting and controlling personal mobile devices is simple.

The premium Uconnect Touch 8.4N model enables more customer-convenient amenities than ever before, including the integration of segment-leading Garmin navigation and SIRIUS Travel Link with real-time fuel prices, movie listings, sports updates and weather.

Turning the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger into a mobile "hot spot," available Uconnect Web provides instant access to websites, e-mail, personalized music, online gaming, photo albums and more. The wireless system provides high-speed data transfer and flexibility, combining Wi-Fi and 3G cellular connectivity for a new level of wireless technology.

MORE THAN 65 SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES PROVIDE ENHANCED DRIVER CONFIDENCE

The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger features more than 65 safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and electronic stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling and performance both on and off the track.

Safety and security features available for the first time on the Dodge Charger include adaptive-cruise control (ACC) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection and ParkView® rear backup camera with grid lines, all designed to give the driver added confidence while behind the wheel.

In addition, standard front-row reactive head restraints, standard full-length side-curtain air bags, driver's knee bag and standard front seat-mounted side-thorax air bags offer enhanced occupant protection to passengers in the event of a collision.

WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE, EXECUTION AND REFINEMENT

As the Dodge brand's all-new flagship four-door coupe, the 2011 Charger exemplifies how Chrysler Group is applying strict targets for world-class performance, quality, technology and refinement.

As Chrysler Group defines it, performance quality measures how well a vehicle performs compared with its competition. Dodge Charger engineers evaluated more than 320 physical characteristics of best-in-class sport sedans from Europe, Asia and North America, and then established criteria for the four-door fastback to compete as a world-class performance sedan. Criteria such as acceleration, braking, handling, seat comfort, quietness, storage space and fuel economy were benchmarked in the team's research.

The Dodge Charger's world-class structural stiffness provides the foundation for its world-class handling and dynamic driving performance. With respect to ride quality, precision steering and performance handling, the Charger was designed and validated to meet or exceed the performance standards of premium brands such as BMW and Lexus.

In addition, the Charger team used Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) principles and more than 4,100 customer "wants," which were integrated in the vehicle design and performance quality targets. Consumer products designed using DFSS generally are expected to better match customer desires and offer higher quality.

Significantly refined compared with its predecessor, the 2011 Dodge Charger was designed to match the noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH) performance of the benchmark vehicle in its class, the BMW 5-Series - a vehicle that costs thousands of dollars more. Evaluations in Chrysler Group's state-of-the-art aerodynamic and acoustic test facilities showed that Dodge engineers not only met their goal, but achieved quieter levels than other E-segment competitors.

To validate the design, Dodge engineers tested the Charger for more than 7 million miles during its reliability and durability evaluation in the company's scientific labs, at the proving grounds and on public roads in various climates.

Engineers also studied and set performance quality targets for more obscure vehicle attributes such as tire wear, door sound, windshield-wiper performance, trunk lighting and outward visibility — among hundreds of other things.