Anthony

Road and Track article and Video

It would take long to recoup development costs for the Challenger. Lots 'o parts underneath that are no different from the LX trio. They can sell this as a niche product and get away with it.

Not sure how the GM DoD sytem works, but here's DaimlerChrysler's tips on how to achieve the best MPG with MDS: Maximizing MPG with MDS Tips from the Chrysler Group on Getting the Most Fuel Savings with its Multi-Displacement System Chrysler Group MDS improves fuel economy up to 20 percent Standard equipment on almost all HEMI 5.7L engines Auburn Hills, Mich., Sep 1, 2005 - Just a few simple tips can help owners of Chrysler Group engines with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) get the most fuel mileage possible from their 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine. The customer does not need to drive in a certain way to realize a fuel economy improvement with MDS, but these driving habits can maximize their fuel savings with this technology. Keeping speeds to 65 mph or below – MDS uses four cylinder mode most at these speeds Use cruise control – this helps maintain a steady speed, generally allowing the HEMI to run on four cylinders for longer periods Accelerate more gradually – the HEMI will provide V8 power whenever it is requested by the driver Use a steady throttle whenever possible – this maximizes four cylinder mode The Chrysler Group MDS is standard equipment with the 5.7L HEMI on seven vehicles: the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger R/T, Durango, Magnum R/T, Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander. With the addition of MDS to HEMI-equipped Dodge Durango and Ram, MDS-equipped vehicles through the end of the 2007 model year will save more than 60 million gallons of fuel each year. The Chrysler Group MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7L HEMI engine is in demand. This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability. Chrysler Group was the first to offer modern, large-volume vehicles in North America with cylinder deactivation - the HEMI-powered 2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum R/T went on sale in the of spring 2004 with the Chrysler Group Multi-Displacement System, or MDS. Chrysler Group was also the first to offer cylinder deactivation in an SUV with the introduction of MDS in the 2005 HEMI-powered Jeep® Grand Cherokee. Chrysler Group is the first to offer MDS in a pickup truck - the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. MDS is a fuel-saving technology that is here today - customers get the power and capability of the HEMI V-8 that they desire with the fuel economy of a less powerful engine.

Yes, it did. Just re-spinning. B) I've been a big proponent of the D3 cars as well as the LX cars. I'm still not too keen on the GM mid/large sizers though.

Subtracting out your percentages, the LX cars still slightly outsold the D3's... LX 241,359 minus 25% = 181,019 D3 211,678 minus 15% = 179,926 Add in the fact that the Charger only had a half year of sales (whereas all three D3 cars had full year sales) and it's not even close.

Detroit News Article

http://www.challengerforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24

Well, being that style is, for the most part, in the eye of the beholder (as this thread is proving with the differing opinions on the looks), there are some interesting features the car has for a sub-$30k vehicle (yes the Chicago cars do have many of these as well)... * Electro-luminescent instrument panel * Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel (tied into memory features) * Power-adjustable pedals (tied into memory features) * Power windows with illuminated switches More * Power rear sunshade (interesting in a sub $50K car) * Automatic dual-climate control system * Air Quality System * Infinity® premium audio system More * Rain-sensing wipers (again, becoming more standard on premium vehicles) * LED taillights (Mercury has them though, but everyone made a big deal about them) * Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls * More total interior volume than the Toyota Avalon or the Nissan Maxima * Electronic Stability Control / 4 Wheel ABS / Traction Control / Brakeforce * 263 hp / 255 tq Surprisingly...they are pretty equal in interior size.... Here's the interior dimensions of both the Azera and the Five Hundred: Five Hundred / Azera Seating (Standard) 5 / 5 No advantage Seating (Optional) N/A / N/A No Advantage Headroom (Front) 39.4 / 40.2 Advantage Hyundai Headroom (Row 2) 38.7 / 38.2 Advantage Ford Hiproom (Front) 53.7 / 55.5 Advantage Hyundai Hiproom (Row 2) 53.7 / 55.1 Advantage Hyundai Legroom (Front) 41.3 / 43.7 Advantage Hyundai Legroom (Row 2) 41.3 / 38.2 Advantage Ford Shoulder Room (Front) 57.8 / 57.9 Advantage Hyundai Shoulder Room (Row 2) 57.6 / 57.1 Advantage Ford Seating (Maximum) 5 / 5 No Advantage Cargo Volume 21 / 17 Advantage Ford ...and for those thousands who tow with their Five Hundreds and Azeras :rolleyes: Tow Capacity (Standard) 1000 / 1000 No Advantage Tow Capacity (Maximum) 1000 / 2000 Advantage Hyundai

Honestly, the Freestyle IS a great vehicle. How did Ford manage to give up on a vehicle that had such promise?

...all what you all said and... It'll sell.

Only thing I can say about the extended Trailblazers were that they looked exactly like a pregnant hippo. No offense to expecting hippos.

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