USA - Chevrolet takes the ZR2 and rewrites the rule book to make this pick up the best off road truck there is.

• New performance variant of the Chevrolet Colorado excels in tight two-tracks, technical rock-crawling, fast desert running and on pavement

Just as introduction of the Chevrolet Colorado reset the bar for mid-size trucks, the new Colorado ZR2 is poised to reset expectations for off-road trucks. Chevy’s new performance halo for the Colorado lineup will feature more off-road technology than any other mid-size pickup when it goes on sale.

The ZR2 is effectively a segment of one, combining the nimbleness and maneuverability of a mid-size pickup with a host of new off-road features and the most off-road technology of any vehicle in its segment.

Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features a much wider track and a lifted suspension. Functional rockers have been added for better performance over rocks and obstacles, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for better off-road clearance.

Class-exclusive features include front and rear electronic locking differentials, available diesel engine, and the first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV^TM) damper technology.

As a result, the Colorado ZR2 delivers exceptional performance in a variety of scenarios – from technical rock crawling to tight two-track trails to high-speed desert running to daily driving.

“Our engineers have been incredibly successful developing Corvette and Camaro performance variants with broad performance envelopes,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. 

“The ZR2 applies that same philosophy to off-road performance. You can go rock crawling on Saturday, desert running on Sunday, and comfortably drive to work on Monday. This truck can do it all, and do it all well.”

First off-road application of Multimatic DSSV dampers

To achieve this unprecedented balance of on- and off-road performance, the Chevy engineering team turned to a surprising partner in creating the ZR2’s dampers, which are the heart of any off-road truck.

Multimatic Inc., based in Markham, Ontario, is a renowned maker of high-performance Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers as used in championship-winning motorsport vehicles, including recent Formula One winners.

The first volume production vehicle to use DSSV dampers was the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will be the first application of Multimatic DSSV damper technology to an off-road vehicle.

“From our experience on Z/28, we knew the performance advantages offered by DSSV dampers, “ said Mark Dickens, executive director, Performance Variants, Performance Parts and Motorsports Engineering, Chevrolet. 

“We also know that Multimatic’s motorsport development mentality would allow us to bring a uniquely precise and repeatable custom damper to market even more quickly than a traditional damper system.”

Compared to deflected-disk valving common on most dampers, the ZR2 employs spool valves that offer increased precision and manufacturing repeatability along with enhanced ride and handling performance both on- and off-road.

The Colorado ZR2’s DSSV dampers are position-sensitive. Their aluminum bodies each house two spool valves providing both compression and rebound damping optimized for everyday driving. 

During extreme off-road use, a third, piston-mounted spool valve delivers additional, uniquely tuned, compression damping. The front dampers also employ a separate rebound valve, which comes into play when the suspension approaches full extension.

“A traditional, deflected-disc damper only offers two force-velocity curves for tuning,” Dickens said. “The ZR2 dampers offer six tuning curves for the front, four at the rear. For the driver, this translates to greater confidence and control in a wider range of driving experiences.”

Design meets mud, sand and rock

Visually, the production version of the Colorado ZR2 closely resembles the concept shown at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Consumer response to that concept was so overwhelming, the team knew they needed to carry as much of the original design into production as possible.

“For both the concept and the production versions of ZR2, the exterior design was shaped by the desire to improve capability driving over mud, sand and rock,” said Rich Scheer, director of design for Chevrolet Truck. 

“The wider, more aggressive stance, modified front and rear bumpers, and even the bed-mounted, spare-tire carrier all improve performance driving over rough terrain.”

Compared to a Colorado Z71, the ZR2 has a more aggressive side profile, with the suspension lifted two inches for greater ground clearance. 

The steel-tube, functional rocker protectors will be standard equipment on the ZR2, and are strong enough to protect the body side while dragging the truck against a rock face.

The ZR2 also features 17 x 8 inch aluminum wheels, in a pattern exclusive to the ZR2, wrapped in 31-inch Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires for exceptional traction. 

The front and rear track has been widened by three-and-a-half inches, with new cast-iron control arms for greater durability in off-road situations. As a result, the ZR2 offers greater wheel travel and stability while traversing steep grades.

The front bumper of the ZR2 has tapered ends, to increase the tire clearance when approaching obstacles. The bumper also integrates a thick, aluminum skid plate protecting the radiator and engine oil pan, while the transfer case is protected by an additional shield. 

Above the bumper, the ZR2 features a more aggressive grille and hood – with black insert – to complement the other exterior changes.

A bed-mounted spare tire carrier, seen on reveal vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will be available as an accessory. “The bed-mounted spare tire adds a rugged look to ZR2, and serves a functional purpose. 

By relocating the spare to the bed, ZR2’s departure is improved and prevents any damage to the spare when you’re crawling over obstacles,” said Scheer.

Class-exclusive electronic lockers, available diesel engine

The ZR2 also features the most sophisticated four-wheel drive system in the segment. With class-exclusive, electronic-locking differentials front and rear and Chevrolet’s AutoTrac transfer case, the ZR2 offers nine drive configurations:

• 2WD
• 2WD, locked rear differential
• Auto 4WD
• Auto 4WD, locked rear differential
• 4WD Hi, locked transfer case
• 4WD Hi, locked transfer case and locked rear differential
• 4WD Lo, locked transfer case
• 4WD Lo, locked transfer case and locked rear differential
• 4WD Lo, locked transfer case, locked front and rear differentials

Extensive work was done to integrate the electronic lockers and allow them to seamlessly interact with the traction control, stability control, and hill-descent control. In addition, a new “Off-Road Mode” button, in combination with the traction control switch, allows the anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control calibrations to be tailored to different driving conditions. 

Off-road Mode also alters the throttle progression and shifts calibrations to give the driver better control and responsiveness.

The ZR2 shares its powertrains with the 2017 Colorado, and it will be the only extreme production off-road truck to offer the choice of gas or diesel engines.

The all-new 3.6L V-6, mated to a class-exclusive Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed automatic transmission, yields 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, while the class-exclusive Duramax diesel engine produces 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and will provide excellent range to overland drivers.

Even with all of the off-roading upgrades over the base truck, the ZR2 can still tow up to 5,000 lbs. – enough to pull a camper, trailer dirt bikes, jet skis, snow mobiles and other toys – or carry 1,100 lbs. of payload.

As such, the Colorado ZR2 offers a distinct position in the market: Compared to other midsize trucks, the Colorado offers an unrivaled suite of powertrain technologies; compared to full-size off-road trucks, the ZR2 is about a foot narrower and 500 pounds lighter, enabling greater agility over obstacles and better trail access.

“It’s amazing what a difference a foot of width makes off road,” said Dickens. “The smaller size of the Colorado is a huge enabler for taking the ZR2 more places, and getting it through tighter spots than you could access with a full-size truck.”

New, off-road development track at GM’s Yuma Proving Ground

For the development of the Colorado ZR2, Chevrolet developed new off-road test areas at General Motors’ Yuma, Arizona Proving Ground.

The Yuma Proving Ground is located on 2,400 acres of land in southeastern Arizona. Opened in 2009, Yuma features a range of tracks, laboratories and courses. 

The new off-road facility features a multitude of off-road simulations, including high-speed desert sand trails; low-speed, loose river rock crossings; and steep, technical hill climbs and descents.

Yuma Proving Ground’s new off-road course allowed the team to test multiple iterations of components on the ZR2 is a single day. These components were then tested a real-world facilities like Moab, Johnson Valley, and Rubicon to ensure the ZR2 is trail-ready right from the factory.

Jeep and Dodge both take Autopacific awards for consecutive years, 65000 people can't all be wrong can they !

• For the sixth consecutive year, Jeep® Grand Cherokee wins AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) for the Mid-Size SUV segment
• For the fourth year, Dodge Challenger out-points its competition winning the IVA in the Sporty Car segment
• Based on 65,000 responses from a national survey, AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Awards measure the changes owners desire in their vehicles

FCA US LLC announced today that the automotive research group AutoPacific has named Jeep® Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – and Dodge Challenger "Most Ideal Mid-Size SUV" and "Most Ideal Sporty Car" in their respective segments.

 

Owners of the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2016 Dodge Challenger indicated they are driving a vehicle that meets or exceeds their expectations. 

This is the sixth consecutive year the Jeep Grand Cherokee has won AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Award for the Mid-Size SUV segment and the fourth year the Dodge Challenger has won the award in the Sporty Car segment.

 

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a consistent winner in AutoPacific’s Ideal Vehicle Award research. For the last six years, Grand Cherokee owners have rated the vehicle as the SUV best targeted to its owners’ wants and needs,” said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. “Grand Cherokee owners want very little changed. 

This is a testament to the excellence Jeep planners, designers and engineers have in understanding exactly what their customers want.”

 

Surveyed owners placed the 2016 Dodge Challenger at the top of the Sporty Car segment for its best-in-class ideal vehicle. 

The Dodge and SRT brands offer the most complete lineup of muscle cars in the market, including the 2016 Dodge Challenger SXT with its standard powerful and fuel-efficient Pentastar V-6 engine combined with the standard TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission that delivers 305 horsepower and an estimated 30 miles per gallon on the highway; the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T with the high-torque 5.7-liter HEMI® paired with the TorqueFlite eight-speed or six-speed manual transmission; and the 6.4-liter HEMI Challenger R/T Scat Pack that delivers 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque (the most horsepower and torque available for less than $40,000) with the TorqueFlite eight-speed or six-speed manual. 

The 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 adds six-piston Brembo® front brakes, adaptive damping suspension and SRT Drive Modes to the same 6.4-liter naturally aspirated HEMI powerplant, while the Challenger SRT Hellcat with its 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 engine is the most powerful and fastest muscle car ever.

 

“The Dodge Challenger has a wide product range that provides what Sporty Car drivers want. Challenger has hit its target out-pointing Sporty Car competitors in Ideal Vehicle attributes,” said Peterson.

 

The 2016 awards are based on responses from over 65,000 owners of new model year 2015 and 2016 vehicles across all major manufacturers. Surveyed after 90 days of ownership, respondents were asked what changes they would make to their car or truck in 15 key categories, including ride and handling, interior storage, safety features, power and acceleration and technology.

USA - Nissan US Best seller gets Significantly refreshed for the 2016 Model Year.

• Significantly refreshed mid-size sedan is Nissan's top seller
• Altima is third best-selling passenger car in the U.S. in 2015 with five consecutive years of sales growth
• Class-leading standard 39 mpg highway, sportier SR trim level offered
• Expanded Safety Shield technologies available
• Canton, Miss. 2016 Altima production begins Nov. 2

Production begins today in Smyrna for the updated 2016 Nissan Altima, Nissan's top-selling vehicle.

Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant boasts production of two of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the hot selling Rogue compact crossover that was redesigned for 2014, and the Altima that starting today is getting a mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 model year.

"Altima is Nissan's bellwether vehicle in North America, so we take great pride in getting it right and continually improving," said John Martin, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Nissan North America. 

"All of our North American teams are aware of how important the mid-size sedan segment is to this region, and having five straight years of continuous sales growth in such an intensely competitive segment has become a point of pride for us."

The first Altima launched in Smyrna in 1992, and the popular mid-size sedan has been built there ever since. Brisk sales by 2004 prompted Nissan to expand production to Smyrna's sister plant in Canton, Mississippi. To date, over 5.5 million Altimas have rolled off the two U.S. plants' production lines. Canton will launch production of the 2016 Altima in one week.

Just three years after its total redesign for the 2013 model year, the Nissan Altima has been transformed again in one of the most extensive mid-cycle product makeovers in Nissan history. 

Updates include a refreshed exterior following the new Nissan "Energetic Flow" design language introduced initially with the MY15 Murano and followed by the all-new Maxima. 

Design is highlighted by a redesigned front and rear fascia, grille, headlamps, lower and wider taillights, new 17-inch and 18-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheel designs, refined interior design, class-leading* standard fuel economy of 39 miles per gallon highway (2.5-liter engine, except 2.5 SR), addition of a new, sportier Altima SR grade and much more.

Nissan Safety Shield technologies available on the 2016 Altima include Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and class exclusive available Predictive Forward Collision Warning.

In 2014 the Smyrna plant became the highest-producing automotive assembly plant in North America, with more than 648,000 vehicles assembled. The operation employs more than 8,400 people and produces the all-electric Nissan LEAF, Pathfinder, Maxima and Infiniti QX60 in addition to the Rogue and Altima.

"I was here when the very first Altima came off the line, and we knew Altima was going to play an important role in Nissan's future in this region,” said Nissan Smyrna's vice president of manufacturing Randy Knight. "I don't know if any of us who were here back then had any idea just how successful or how important Altima would become. It just keeps getting better, and it is a credit to the talents of our North American teams in Engineering, Design and Manufacturing that it continues to appeal to car buyers in North America.”

The new 2016 Altima will go on sale at U.S. Nissan dealerships in November.