Unlimited Fun in the Sun This Summer

2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Summer is just around the corner, and the weather is starting to warm up! You know what that means… it’s time for “top-down” driving, and what better vehicle to enjoy the Summer Sun in than the iconic Jeep Wrangler Unlimited!

With seating for up to five and a unique open-air design meant to make your off-road outdoor experience even better, the 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited is the perfect vehicle for summer. And thanks to its fuel-efficient engine, you can Go Anywhere, Do Anything™ for longer.

Under the hood of every Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine, new for 2012. It delivers 285 horsepower –40% more HP than the previous year. With 260 pound-feet of torque (10% more), the Wrangler Unlimited is 26% faster at 0-60 mph*.

The best part of all? The new engine makes the Wrangler Unlimited considerably more fuel efficient, so you can enjoy an EPA estimated 21 MPG HWY. In other words, you can go the extra mile whether you’re on or off-road this summer.

Make this summer the summer of Unlimited fun. Visit Carl Hogan Automotive for more and come take a test drive today!

First Dodge Dart Purchased by Customer Hits The Road

Dodge’s Belvidere, Illinois factory recently had a fond send-off for the first 2013 Dodge Dart to be produced for a customer.  The Rallye Model, featuring a 1.4L turbocharged inline 4 cylinder engine, was completed this week, and left to be delivered to its new owner.

The Dodge Dart is Dodge’s new entry into the compact car segment, and stands out as one of, if not the most stylish of the group.  With a sporty interior inspired by the racetrack, the Dart shows off splashes of color throughout the interior which make the driver feel immersed in a race day environment.  Optional to ramp up the technological quotient of the interior is a multimedia screen and digital gauge cluster.

The 2013 Dart is available in 5 trim levels, from SE to Limited, starting at $16,790, and topping out at $23,290 (each of those include a $795 destination charge).  The Dart also comes with three available options, most notably a 4 cylinder developed by Fiat that will sport a thrifty 41MPG.

There is no set date yet, but hopefully Carl Hogan Automotive will be seeing a few Darts hit the showroom within the next few months!

2013 Dodge Dart

 

Chrysler Group Takes Home Eight Awards at Auto Show in Texas

Improved quality, craftsmanship, powertrains and handling help Chrysler Group vehicles pull ahead of the pack in head to head competition in Texas.

Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, and SRT brand vehicles all competed this year at the Texas Auto Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). 58 total vehicles participated in 18 different categories, and after a full day of test driving at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, journalists voted on their favorites and the Chrysler Group secured eight of the possible 18 awards – the most of any participating manufacturer at the event.

Reid Bigland, the President and CEO of Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales said, “We’re truly honored to receive such a significant number of awards from TAWA. It’s a testament to our hard work and our desire to gain market share in every class of vehicle. Our current vehicle line-up has never been better and we’re pleased that TAWA gave our brands their vote of confidence.”

Sneak Peek: The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude has debuted to journalists in Santa Monica in advance of an ad campaign featuring Chris Paul and USA Basketball. This Wrangler Unlimited Altitude model joins other Altitude special edition models like the Compass, Grand Cherokee, and Patriot.

Like the other Altitude special edition Jeeps, the Wrangler Unlimited’s updates are only cosmetic, meaning it retains the 2012 Wrangler’s 3.6-liter V-6 producing 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

The Wrangler Unlimited’s characteristic removable hardtop trades in the grained black plastic for a smooth body-colored top. Front and rear bumpers now have body-colored center sections as well. Added features include a Mopar black fuel cover, black Jeep grille badge, and black hood graphics. In addition, Jeep added black trim to the steering wheel spokes, door pulls, and passenger-side grab handle.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude’s joint ad campaign with USA Basketball will debut during the NBA Finals on April 28, and will be limited to 4500 units when it goes on sale in May.

Chrysler 300 Takes Top Spot in 10 Most Comfortable Cars

Kelley Blue Book announced earlier this week their 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000 – At #1 was the 2012 Chrysler 300.

The Chrysler 300 is a quiet, comfortable, stylish, well-appointed luxury sedan missing just two things: the snooty badge and the sticker shock.

As the Chrysler website puts it, “True Beauty Comes From Within”, and that’s exactly how we would describe the Chrysler 300 as well. Premium finishes and soft-touch materials give the 300 a dramatic depth throughout the interior. Updated technology keeps drivers connected and comfortable, with heated front seats, 8-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats, and more, including heated and cooled cup holders for your drinks.

Want to explore the Chrysler 300 a little further, stop by Carl Hogan Automotive and take a test drive in one of our several NEW 2012 Chrysler 300s.

 

 

Chrysler Adds Wireless Charging System to Dart

You’ve probably seen them before, those wireless charging mats that look like small plastic floor mats. Well these small mats can actually fully charge your cell phone by simply laying your phone on the mat. No more wires!

Chrysler’s Mopar aftermarket division is now the first automaker to offer in-vehicle wireless charging for your mobile devices. Yes, for just $199.99 (plus installation cost), you can get a Powermat for your car.

In a press release, Chrysler says they’ll first make the accessory available on the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart arriving in dealerships in the second quarter of this year.

A seamlessly integrated power bin — measuring 8.27 inches by 9.5 inches by 3.25 inches — is slapped just below the center stack and in front of the center console. The bin has a built-in charging grid that activates when drivers drop their battery-powered mobile in the Powermat once the vehicle is started.

There is one catch – you’ll need a special phone case — but, it’s included with the price and it supposedly works with “a variety of smartphones.”

Refreshed 2013 RAM 1500 at NYIAS

The 2013 Ram 1500 made a shiny appearance at this year’s New York Auto Show, but at first glance, the Ram favorite doesn’t seem to look much different than the 2012 model at all. Actually, the 2013 Ram debuts several updates, including features to increase power and reduce fuel consumption and emissions with a new “TorqueFlite 8″, Chrysler’s 8-speed automatic transmission.

The previous 3.7-liter V-6 has been replaced by a new 305-horsepower 3.6-liter DOHC Pentastar V-6 engine producing about 295- lb-ft. of torque, which is about 42 percent more horsepower and 13 percent more torque. And the 395-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 option with cylinder shut-off and variable valve timing increases efficiency with added power.

Engineers also improved the Ram 1500’s drag coefficient thanks to massaged bodylines and active aerodynamics including active grille shutters and air suspension. Oh, and with the 2013 model you can lock the doors, RamBox, and tailgate all at once with the keyfob.

On the inside, the 2013 Ram 1500 upgrades to a bigger and better integrated grille, bumpers with vertically mounted fog lights, new quad-beam projector headlamps, and five new colors on the color palette.

Last, and definitely not last, the 2013 Ram gets the latest Uconnect system with color 8.4-inch touch screen with display themes.

Can’t wait for the 2013 model? No worries, we have plenty of New 2011 and 2012 Ram 1500 trucks available for you to check out. Visit our lineup Online.

Dodge Dart to Compete in Global RallyCross Championship

Announced today, Dodge stated its New 2013 Dart would be compete in the Global RallyCross Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This race, which started as an X-Game demonstration, combines X-Games-inspired stunts and includes events on dirt and asphalt tracks and even showcases a 70-foot gap jump.

The Dodge Dart will be driven by 28-year-old Travis Pastrana, a four-time Rally America champion.

Built for the occasion, the Dart feature’s a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 600 horsepower production and can go from stop to 60 mph in about 1.9 seconds! Not your usual compact sedan.

The Global RallyCross is scheduled to take place on May 26th at Charlotte Motor Speedway and will broadcast on ESPN. Dodge will formally unveil the rally car at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible HARD TOP Coming Soon

The 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible will now be available with a “class-exclusive” retractable hardtop. Now drivers have the option to still have the fun and exciting driving experience of a convertible but with the practicality and safety of the hardtop.

Chrysler doesn’t stop there. The Chrysler 200 Convertible combines convenience and function as well. Raising and lowering the top is as easy as pressing a button in the center console or on the key fob. The power hard top cover nicely hides the lowered top, while a luggage protector in the trunk protects the cover and your trunk belongings.

Whether you are looking for the cloth top or the new hardtop option, the Chrysler 200 Convertible is as versatile as it is fun!

Browse our selection of new 2012 Chrysler 200 models at Carl Hogan Automotive!

Chrysler 300 Named 2012 Connected Car of the Year

There was a time when the thought of communicating with your vehicle was something only seen on The Jetson’s cartoon, but Chrysler has broken that barrier and is now awarded for the Uconnect technology in the Chrysler 300.

Chosen by the editorial team at Connected World magazine, the Chrysler 300 was awarded the company’s first annual Connected Car of the Year for 2012.

The Uconnect Touch™ system includes an 8.4-inch interactive touch-screen display that allows drivers to access their cell phone, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, MP3 player, HVAC and more.

Chrysler’s Uconnect Web features connects to any WiFi-enabled device to the internet, making the Chrysler 300 a mobile Hotspot. And the entertainment feature gives the driver several different ways to access audio including SiriusXM Satellite Radio, iPod Control with Voice Command, auxiliary jack, SD card slot, DVDs, and Bluetooth streaming.

In today’s market, drivers are looking for ways to stay connected while on the road and without jumping through hoops and connecting cords throughout the vehicle. The Uconnect system in the Chrysler 300 allows freedom of cords with wireless technology and simple touch-screen options for little disturbance while driving.

Visit Carl Hogan Automotive and take a test drive in the Chrysler 300 and navigate through the updated Uconnect Touch™ system.