The numbers are in for last week's Super Bowl event and they show that the winner is General Motors with its Chevrolet’s spot, “Miss Evelyn’s Wild Ride”. According to Nielsen, an estimated 119,628,000 viewers watched two guys describing a woman’s wild ride in a silver Chevrolet Camaro making it the most-watched commercial ever. The previous record holder was a Doritos ad from 2010 with 116,231,920 viewers. GM's winning streak continued with the Chevy Cruze ad that came in second with 119.3 million views.
However, despite the record viewing number, Chevy's lovely ladies couldn't beat Volkswagen's little Darth Vader in the Passat ad for the most favorite commercial of the game with a Nieslen likability index of 186 (the average score for the Super Bowl ads is 100, meaning VW's Passat ad was almost twice as liked as the average commercial).
The German firm's second TV spot starring the Beetle was the 6th most favorite ad [146 score], while Chrysler's 200 with Eminem, 8th [138 score] and Audi's A8 10th [127 score]. You can watch the ads after the jump.
The numbers are in for last week's Super Bowl event and they show that the winner is General Motors with its Chevrolet’s spot, “Miss Evelyn’s Wild Ride”. According to Nielsen, an estimated 119,628,000 viewers watched two guys describing a woman’s wild ride in a silver Chevrolet Camaro making it the most-watched commercial ever. The previous record holder was a Doritos ad from 2010 with 116,231,920 viewers. GM's winning streak continued with the Chevy Cruze ad that came in second with 119.3 million views.
However, despite the record viewing number, Chevy's lovely ladies couldn't beat Volkswagen's little Darth Vader in the Passat ad for the most favorite commercial of the game with a Nieslen likability index of 186 (the average score for the Super Bowl ads is 100, meaning VW's Passat ad was almost twice as liked as the average commercial).
The German firm's second TV spot starring the Beetle was the 6th most favorite ad [146 score], while Chrysler's 200 with Eminem, 8th [138 score] and Audi's A8 10th [127 score]. You can watch the ads after the jump.
We've already had our first in-depth look at the revised Sebring Convertible, which has been renamed to 200 Convertible, but now, Chrysler has releasing pricing a couple of months ahead of its market launch in the States. The new 200 Convertible is available in three trim levels (Touring, Limited and S), two engine choices including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6, plus the option of a traditional soft top or a retractable metal hard top.
The range begins with the entry-level Touring model powered by a 173HP 2.4-liter four-banger matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, which is priced at $27,195 including a $750 destination fee. That brings the 200 Convertible in the same price range as Ford's 305HP Mustang Convertible V6, which starts at $27,495 (including destination and a $500 cash back).
Standard features on the Touring model include a cloth soft-top, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated controls for audio and speed control; leather-wrapped shifter knob; air conditioning; MP3 radio with six speakers; front and side air-bags, electronic stability control with brake assist and traction control; automatic headlamps with LED light pipe accents; LED taillamps; power windows and locks; remote keyless and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Next up is the 200 Limited that is powered by the 283HP-strong 3.6-liter Pentastar engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It has a starting MSRP of $31,990 including a $750 destination fee.
On top of the standard features of the Touring, the Limited adds leather heated front seats; remote start; Media Center 730 touchscreen with 30 gigabyte HDD/CD/DVD/MP3 radio; Uconnect handsfree phone with Bluetooth; USB port for iPod/MP3 connectivity; electrochromatic rearview mirror; universal garage door opener; fog lamps; exterior chrome details and 18-inch alloy rims.
Following the launch of the Touring and Limited variants, Chrysler will further enhance the 200 Convertible's range with the addition of the 'S' model. Offered exclusively with a V6 engine, the 'S' will come with several unique styling features such as a special finish on the grille, dark headlamp surrounds, bespoke 18-inch "tuner-inspired" aluminum wheels, black leather seats with suede inserts and a Boston Acoustics speaker system. The Detroit automaker did not announce pricing details on the 200 Convertible S.
From our 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon "Strange But True" files comes this custom creation of what appears to be a second generation (judging by the interior door panels) Toyota Prius hybrid wearing a...Chrysler 300 front end. The show car also features sliding rear doors, lowered suspension, larger five-spoke alloy wheels, Chrysler 300-style tail lights and a high-end audio-visual system that replaces the rear seats. More pictures after the break. Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop
In its latest commercial, Chrysler takes a trip down memory lane, showcasing some of its vintage models and wonders what ever happened to the glamour and style that these cars represented. And you guessed it; according to Chrysler, good 'ol American style is making a comeback on the firm's new models like the recently launched 300 sedan. Video available after the jump.
Chrysler and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a new partnership to explore the possibility of adapting the EPA's hydraulic hybrid system for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. Developed by the EPA, the hydraulic hybrid system is currently used in industrial applications, including large delivery trucks and refuse trucks, but Chrysler, keen on developing a new portfolio of hybrid vehicles, wants to adopt it for use on passenger vehicles.
“The EPA and Chrysler are working together to explore the possibilities for making this technology affordable and accessible to drivers everywhere," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "This partnership is further proof that we can preserve our climate, protect our health and strengthen our economy all at the same time”.
The focus will be on adapting the technology to a Chrysler Town & Country minivan powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The hydraulic system includes a 117 cc engine pump, a 45 cc drive electric motor and 2-speed automatic transmission, with an additional 14.4-gallon high-pressure accumulator storing the fluid for the system.
Power is produced as the engine torque drives the hydraulic pump, which, in term, charges the accumulator up to 5,000 psi. The pressure energy is then directed through the axle hydraulic motor to the driven wheels. As long as there’s enough pressure, the thermal engine remains off, thus reducing fuel consumption.
“In this hydraulic hybrid project, the Chrysler Group and EPA will evaluate and, hopefully, validate fuel-efficiency gains and greenhouse gas reductions”, Marchionne said. “One of the aims of Chrysler Group’s integration efforts will be to meet driver expectations for smooth and quiet operation, so that Americans will want to buy and will enjoy driving vehicles with this technology”.
Chrysler and the EPA plan to have a running demonstration vehicle by 2012. The automaker also announced that it would introduce 150 Ram 1500 trucks with a plug-in hybrid system in the near future, as part of a project with the U. S. Department of Transportation.
The video below shows an industrial application of the hydraulic hybrid system.
On the sidelines of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that hybrids will make a comeback to Chrysler’s line-up, with one such model being a gasoline-electric version of the Chrysler 300 sedan. “We will offer a hybrid variant of the 300 equipped with an eight-speed automatic in 2013”, Marchionne said last week.
Besides the new Chrysler 300, Lancia's re-badged version of the car called Thema, which will debut at the forthcoming Geneva Salon alongside three more models, will also get the eco-friendly technology. However, it remains to be seen if the Thema hybrid will make its world premiere in Geneva or if Lancia will reveal it at another show.
According to a report from Automotive News Europe, the hybrid system is expected to share several components including the control software with a similar project that is currently being developed by Maserati for the next generation Quattroporte sports sedan, while the 8-speed automatic gearbox will be sourced from German supplier ZF.
Since it emerged from bankruptcy in June 2009, Chrysler significantly scaled down an ambitious hybrid strategy conceived under previous owners DaimlerChrysler and Cerberus Capital Management, but it seems that this is about to change.
Chevy's lovely ladies couldn't beat Volkswagen's little Darth Vader in the Passat ad for the most favorite commercial of the game with a Nieslen likability index of 186 (the average score for the Super Bowl ads is 100, meaning VW's Passat ad was almost twice as liked as the average commercial). 
