Chrysler Town & Country set to reclaim minivan sales crown from Honda Odyssey

Is the real swagger wagon of 2010 built by Chrysler? If you go by total sales, it is. The Chrysler Town & Country has been a player in the minivan market since its arrival in 1990. Now in its fifth generation, the Town & Country has just been refreshed after a comprehensive redesign in 2008. It’s not alone in getting an upgrade, however, as some serious competition arrived from Japan in 2010.

All-new minivan models for 2011 include the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Nissan Quest, with each of them stuffing a ton of features into modern packages. The Odyssey, which has been the segment’s best-seller for the last two years, has had a strong year. Yet despite serious pressure in a surprisingly strong minivan market (2010 will see the segment’s first volume uptick since 2005), the Town & Country has climbed the sales board and is poised to take out Japan’s finest.

According to The Detroit News, the T&C is sitting on 102,495 sales through November, while its closest competitor, the Honda Odyssey, has sold 98,035 units. Trailing further behind those two is the Sienna with 89,509 sales so far this year. There is one month left but Chrysler’s, familymobile seems to be sitting pretty.

Porsche Boxster, Cayman to be built alongside VW Golf?

It’s good to know that even as the year winds down, the rumormill is still cranking along at full capacity. Auto Bild is suggesting that Volkswagen may be looking to share a production facility between models like the Golf, Boxster and Cayman. According to one insider, the company’s factory in Osnabrück is being geared up to take overflow production of the two sports cars should the need arise. That would mean that the Osnabrück plant would only start minting Caymans and Boxsters once the production at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen facility has maxed out.

The news comes courtesy of Ludger Teeken, CEO of the Osnabrück plant. Teeken says that steps have already been made to prepare the plant to be able to produce Porsche models should the need arise. Meanwhile, Golf production is set to kick off at the plant in early 2011.

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 is all we really want for the holidays

Listen, General Motors. We know you’re kinda busy getting back on track, jump-starting your IPO, and generally getting your house in order. We appreciate it and everything. But could we ask just one favor? You see this Vauxhall? Could you bring it over to this side of the Atlantic, please? You don’t have to bring Pontiacback to do it, no matter how many people are still looking it up on Google. You can slap a Bowtie badge on the nose – heck you can make it a Buick if you want. Call it a Daewoo for all we care. Just bring it here.

What we’re talking about is the new Vauxhall VXR8, and it could very well be the best performance sedan The General offers this side of the Cadillac CTS-V. And it’s just undergone a series of updates, complete with a restyled front end, tail and interior, along with some new gizmos to keep all the power in check.

The VXR8 is based on the Holden Commodore, but instead of the hot ClubSport R8 model on which the previous Vauxhall was based, the new model starts with the new E3 GTS just launched in Australia. That means a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 with 425 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque – kept in line by new Magnetic Ride Control and Launch Control systems, driving through a six-speed transmission (automatic or manual) and a mechanical diff – for a 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

There are plenty more reasons to want this muscle sedan on American shores, pronto, and you can read all about ‘em in the press release after the jump. We just hope someone at the RenCenter is listening.

National Automotive History Collection dubs Chevy Camaro ‘Collectible Car of the Future’

If you’re looking for the most collectible American-made vehicle on sale right now, you might want to stop by your local Chevrolet dealer. According to the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is the most collectible car on sale right now. Each year, members of the organization get together to vote for the single domestically produced car or truck that’s bound to be a good return on investment later down the line. There’s no arguing that the 2010 Camaro is a hot piece of metal, but we could think of a few other vehicles that could have nabbed the honor.

Such as? We’re glad you asked.

If it were us picking, we’d lay a finger on the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. With the amount of abuse those trucks are designed to take, we can imagine that the future won’t exactly be littered with operational examples, much less show-room quality trucks. Throw the simple fact that Ford will only build a small number of the desert pounders compared to the fleets of Camaro models rolling out of Canada, and you’ve got an even better case for a future moneymaker. But hey, who are we to argue with the group that picked theChrysler Sebring Convertible as a winner in 1996? Hit the jump for the full press release.

GM may let Euro drivers switch Opel Ampera to gas power to save batteries

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt made major media waves when it was first revealed that its engine could power the drive wheels independently under certain circumstances. According to a report from HeadlineAuto in the UK, though, General Motors’ European division is actually considering adding a switch for the Opel Ampera (the Volt’s more attractive European cousin) that would allow the driver to control how the drivetrain operates.

For instance, when driving longer distances, such as when traveling from city to city, the driver could potentially switch the car into its so-called charge sustaining mode so that the gasoline-powered engine would run constantly in order to maintain a full charge of the battery. Then, after the speeds slow back down and the driver re-enters an urban area, the car could be put back into its normal battery-first mode.

At this point, this report appears to be little more than speculation based on statements made by GM’s Lars Peter Thiesen, who is overseeing the process of tuning the Opel Ampera for the European market. There’s currently no reason to believe that GM would make such a modification to the U.S.-spec Volt.

Opel debuts 53-mpg Corsa ecoFLEX at Bologna Motor Show

Opel’s upcoming 2011 Corsa ecoFlex model, powered by a 1.3-liter CDTI turbodiesel, boasts an impressive fuel economy rating of 53 miles per gallon (U.S.) and an equally noteworthy CO2 emissions of 98 grams per kilometer. Credit the 95-horsepower, 140-pound-foot engine; stop-start technology; and an optimized five-speed transmission with taller gearing for the ecoFLEX model’s fuel-sipping status.

The Corsa ecoFLEX accelerates from 0-62 miles per hour in 12.3 seconds and hits a top speed of 110 mph. That won’t exactly light the pavement on fire, but it’s 28 percent more powerful and ten percent more fuel efficient than the model it replaces. Despite the ecoFLEX’s impressive numbers, the VW Polo BlueMotion – a competing model in Europe – is slightly more fuel efficient; returning 59.4 mpg (U.S.) and emitting 87 g/km of CO2.

The Corsa ecoFLEX made its debut at the Bologna Motor Show on December 4. To read more, check out the official press release after the jump.

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 dyno’d – is the 392 underrated?

Hemi. The mere mention of the word is enough to strike fear into the hearts of lesser powerplants… or at least images of a pair of scrubby-looking bottom-feeders that really love themselves some Ram Trucks. In any case, we’re keenly interested in the latest Hemi engine from the Dodge Boys, in this case displacing a heady 392 (or so) cubic inches and placed gently inside the engine bay of the 2011 Challenger SRT8.

Not only is this new Hemi larger than the already oversized version it replaces, it’s also considerably more potent. The Pentastar says that its new 392 kicks out 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque – substantial improvements over the outgoing SRT8′s 425 hp/420 lb-ft. But those are factory ratings, and we all know those don’t necessarily match what’s actually under the hood of production models.

Thankfully, the crew over at Inside Line managed to score enough time with a 2011 Challenger SRT8 to strap it down to a proper dyno. And the results? How about 452 horses at 6200 RPM and 443 lb-ft at 4400? Yep, that’ll do nicely, and it means that Dodge may actually be underrating its potent performer just a tad. Oh, and for what it’s worth, IL managed to record 370 horses and 343 lb-ft from its 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS on the same exact dyno. Chevy’s answer ought to be coming in the form of a Z28 with over 500 supercharged ponies… Stay tuned, the horsepower wars are clearly still in full swing.

McLaren New Edition

You heard right; McLaren has officially priced its MP4-12C at €200,000 in Germany and £168,500 in the UK. So far, there’s no word on U.S. pricing. For that low price, buyers can expect to slide into a carbon-fiber body structure with a 592-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V8 nestled in just the right spot. 

As you might have guessed, those with the means will be allowed to a certain level of customization, especially in the cabin. McLaren says that it will offer a total of 14 different trim variations indoors along with a host of performance upgrades. You know, in case that kind of power in a 2,866-pound chassis just isn’t enough for you.

The go-faster tricks include a sports exhaust system, carbon-ceramic brakes and a slew of lightweight wheels. McLaren is only planning on cranking out 1,000 MP4-12C models in the first year of production, each of which will be turned out of the company’s new manufacturing facility that’s expected to be up and running by the middle of next year. That gives us just over six months to start sticking away our lunch money for one of these beasts. Hit the jump for the full press release.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL

The Jetta has always disguised its cost controls beneath a veneer of high quality materials and tidy manners. Interiors have been like Audis in training, with suspensions so supple the world’s largest automakers dissect the bushings to learn their secrets. This long view emphasizes the recent disappointment with this new larger, U.S.-centric Jetta.

Early reports sounded the alarm; the new Jetta is shockingly cheap. That’s a positive statement regarding the $15,995 base price, down from $17,735 for the 2010 model, and Volkswagen is touting it prominently with its “Great for the price of Good” advertising tagline. While some cry foul, sales are up. For its first month on the market, the 2011 Jetta posted 12.6 percent better numbers than the old model managed for the same month a year prior.

To achieve that sub-$16,000 number, things had to go, though good stuff remains. We wanted to give der neue Jetta a chance to wow us, so we spent a week with a Jetta 2.5 SEL to find out if it’s been overwhelmed by a too-intense focus on price.

Hyundai CEO targets 50 mpg by 2025, but that figure isn’t as high as you think

The U.S. government is investigating the possibility of raising fuel economy standards to 62 miles per gallon by 2025. The Detroit Free Press reports that Hyundai isn’t yet endorsing that number, but CEO John Krafcik feels 50 miles per gallon is well within reach. The Korean automaker already features two vehicles capable of 40 miles per gallon in the Sonata Hybrid and the new Elantra, and the next 15 years promises to show further gains in efficiency.

And that’s not the only reason Krafcik is optimistic. CAFE fuel economy is actually figured out differently than the formula used by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Freep points out that while the monroney on an Elantra will show 29 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, the compact’s CAFE number will be 44 mpg. What a difference a formula makes. The outspoken chief executive says that taking a hard look at the CAFE numbers makes 50 mpg seem “a heck of a lot more doable.”

Doable, yes, but 50 mpg still isn’t an easy task. Hyundai’s two best vehicles are still under that number, and the rest of the company’s fleet is far below the magic total. But 15 years is a long time in research and development years, and we’re thinking most automakers will have at least a fighting chance to reach the big five-oh by 2025.

Entire 2012 Hyundai Elantra line to hit 40 MPG on highway

Hyundai has just announced that the 2012 Elantra, which will debut next Wednesday at the LA Auto Show, will achieve 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. The engine behind these impressive numbers will be a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder producing 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. We’re checking on transmissions options, but a five- or six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are the safe bets.

40 mpg highway ratings are “the new black” for small cars these days, with other vehicles like the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze achieving 40 mpg or more on the highway and letting everyone know about it in their marketing material. 

The difference between those American small cars and the new Elantra is that only particular models of the Cruze and Fiesta can reach 40 mpg – more specifically the Cruze Eco, whichtops out at 42 mpg, and the Fiesta with a special SFE package. Hyundai tells us that every Elantra model will achieve 40 mpg, from the base model on up, which means that you won’t have to pay extra for the privilege of joining the 40 mpg club.

Fantasies: Sexy Car Sport Automoive New Edition

Motor Show is the place where automotive legends are revealed to the world.  From the lustiest Lamborghinis to the fastest Ferraris, the boldest BMWs to the meanest Maseratis– they first see the light of the press in Frankfurt.  To get the jump on their competition, most manufacturers show their cards before the Motor Show even kicks off.  To show you what is going to be hot at this year’s Motor Show, here are the sexiest cars that will be shown at one of the greatest auto shows on the planet.

Mercedes SLS AMG

It’s about time Mercedes renewed their passion for gullwing glory.  Mercedes will be showing off their new Mercedes SLS AMG, a gullwing roadster with all the muscle and magnificence you can pack into a two-door sports car.  The new SLS AMG has a 563HP , 6.3L V8 under its hood, getting this red rocket to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, on its way to a top end of 197mph.  While we are entirely enamored, we wish Mercedes had put just a tiny bit more muscle into this one.  Just 3 miles per hour away from a genuine supercar?  Come on!

Brabus SV12 R BiTurbo 750 Mercedes S Class

This list would not be complete without Germany’s greatest tuner.  Brabus will be introducing its latest Mercedes upgrade, the Brabus SV12 R BiTurbo 750 Mercedes S Class.  It’s hard to imagine, but this tuned up Mercedes squeezes a full 750 horsepower out of the S Class, giving this legitimate supercar a top end of 211 mph.  If you’ve got the money to pick up an S Class, why not save just a bit more to let Brabus do its dirty work?  It’s like the difference between masturbation and sex…

Audi E-Tron Electric Car Concept

Audi couldn’t leave well enough alone, not being satisfied to simply release a bad ass convertible R8.  Nope.  They had to up the sexy stakes with an R8-inspired electric car concept called the Audi E-Tron.  While little is known about the E-Tron just yet, these images leaked out early this week leading up to the motor show.  Will we see this one in the flesh ?  We hope so, we’re dying to hear all the dirty details…

BMW Efficient Dynamics Concept

Sadly, this BMW beauty is only a concept.  While it’ll be seen in skin , the BMW Efficient Dynamics Concept should be a lot closer to production.  Why?  It’s the greatest merging of green and performance we’ve seen out of an established automaker yet.  The Efficient Dynamics Concept is powered by three units: a 1.5L three-cylinder turbodiesel engine and two electric motors, one per axle.  Together, these systems output 356hp and a fuel efficiency pushing 62.6 mpg.  While this BMW may not have much of a competitive edge over a Fisker Karma or a Tesla Roadster, it is a welcome addition to the world of plug-in hybrids.

Peugeot RCZ

For those who prefer futurism and efficiency, well, now-ish, the new Peugeot RCZ is actually coming to a Peugeot dearly near you.  If you’re lucky enough to actually have a dealer near you, this Peugeot promises 43 mpg and up to 200HP out of a 1.6L turbocharged engine similar to the Audi TT.  Additionally, you can expect to see the RCZ within the price range of the mid-to-upper class, as this one has the looks of the supercar– and the engine of a fuel efficient import.