Repair Cars

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Jeep Patriot
It seems that Jeep is having quite a busy year. First we got a redesigned Grand Cherokee; then an updated Wrangler with a new interior and now this. The Patriot, the brand’s entry level trail rated vehicle is receiving some improvements of its own. On the outside, the most obvious change is a revised front fascia, with driving lights now integrated into the lower bumper assembly, a body colored grille, new exterior colors, plus newly styled 17-inch wheels. Suspension changes include retuned shock absorbers and higher rate springs, a thicker rear sway bar, plus on 4×4 models an inch increase in ride height for better clearance out on the trail.

But like hardcore brother Wrangler, the changes on the inside are perhaps even more significant. Chrysler products in general have long been criticized for chintzy interiors and the Patriot, first introduced in 2006, was no exception. In response, the automaker has made significant strides for 2011, including better quality upholstery for the seats, soft touch door panels and a new steering wheel that incorporates audio, hands free communication and cruise control functions (the last now standard on all Patriots we might add). Other inside upgrades include backlighting  for power window and mirror switches, plus on the Latitude X trim level, standard automatic climate control.

Although the Patriot is getting on in years, Chrysler is hedging its bets that these upgrades will give this little rig a few more bragging rights. And given that it’s one of the few, affordable car based SUVs that can actually work properly off-road, it’s not a bad strategy.
INTERIOR
The Patriots cabin gets upgraded materials on the door panels and center console this year, but that does little to offset the rest of the hard plastics and poor fit and finish that give the interior a distinctly cut-rate feel. About the best we can say about this design is that the gauges and controls are straightforward and the front seats are reasonably comfortable.

There are a few bright spots, however, including a cargo area lamp that doubles as a removable LED flashlight and available premium audio systems with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold thousands of your favorite songs. Another clever idea is the optional Boston Acoustics speakers mounted in the liftgate that can be flipped down to provide a soundtrack to your next picnic.

Loading up the grub and other supplies for that alfresco dining adventure will be a bit of a challenge, though, due to the fact that the Patriots cargo hold offers just 54 cubic feet of room. Thats on par with smaller crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, but far less than a GMC Terrain or Subaru Forester. An available fold-flat front passenger seat at least allows you to carry long items, while the removable easy-clean cargo floor should make life a little easier.

The midrange Latitude model includes the Power Value Group and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning (available on base), heated front seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, 60/40-split-folding rear seats with recline, keyless entry, remote ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a 115-volt AC power outlet, a trip computer and an upgraded sound system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio (available on base). The Latitude X adds the bigger engine standard, plus chrome-like exterior trim, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, manual driver lumbar adjustment and a six-CD changer (optional on base).

The Latitude trims are available with a number of option packages. The Security and Cargo Convenience Group adds front side airbags, adjustable roof crossbars, remote ignition, daytime running lamps, a cargo cover, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth (available separately) and an iPod/USB audio interface. The Sun and Sound Group adds a sunroof and a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system with satellite radio (base), subwoofer and two fold-down speakers in the tailgate. This sound system is available separately. There is also an upgraded stereo head unit that includes a touchscreen interface and 30GB of digital music storage.
EXTERIOR
Available on all 4x4 models is the Freedom-Drive Off-Road Group, which includes a more advanced four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing, skid plates, hill descent control, hill start assist, all-terrain tires and tow hooks. On the base model, this Group includes 17-inch alloy wheels and a height-adjustable driver seat.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is a compact SUV thats offered in three trim levels. The entry-level base model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, foglamps, rear privacy glass, roof rails, cruise control, outside temperature display, a tilt-only steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack. The Power Value Group adds keyless entry, full power accessories and heated fold-away mirrors.
 ENGINE
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is offered with one of two four-cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter version, which is standard on two-wheel-drive Sport and Latitude models, puts out 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque. The 2.4-liter engine, which comes under the hoods of Sport and Latitude models equipped with four-wheel drive and all Latitude X models, ups that output to 172 hp and 165 lb-ft.

Both engines come fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox; a continuously variable automatic (CVT) is available as an option. Front-wheel drive is standard, but there are two different four-wheel-drive systems offered. The Freedom Drive I system is intended for light-duty conditions like snowy roads, whereas the Freedom Drive II is a more traditional 4WD system with a low-range transfer case that makes it much more capable off-road.

In Edmunds testing, a 4x4 Patriot with the 2.4-liter and a CVT went from zero to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds, a slow time for this vehicle type. Patriots with the smaller 2.0-liter will be slower still.

EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined for the 2.0-liter FWD Patriot with the manual transmission and 23/27/24 with the CVT. The 2.4-liter engine gets almost the same fuel economy with front drive and CVT (21/27/24), and 21/26/23 with all-wheel drive. Those with the Off-Road package return a relatively poor 20/23/21.

SAFETY
All 2011 Jeep Patriots comes standard with stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, whiplash-reducing active front head restraints, and side curtain airbags. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on all 4WD models and the Latitude X, while others have antilock front discs and rear drums. Front-seat side impact airbags are optional on all models. In Edmunds brake testing, a 4x4 Patriot came to a stop from 60 mph in a poor 143 feet, which is about 20 feet worse than average.

While it hasnt been rated using the governments new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedure, the Patriots 2010 frontal crash test scores (which arent comparable to the new tests) were four stars out of five for driver protection and a perfect five stars for passenger protection in frontal impacts, and five stars for both front and rear passengers in side impacts with the optional front-seat side-impact airbags.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Patriot its top "Good" rating in its frontal-offset crash test. The Patriot was deemed "Good" in side impact testing when equipped with the optional side impact airbags, but without those bags, it was rated a second-to-worst "Marginal."

PRICE
Pricing for the 2011 Patriot has not yet been set, but a Chrysler spokesperson tells us to expect “a surprising amount of content at a good value.” We take that to mean base prices won’t deviate too far from last year’s range of $15,995 to $25,180. The new Patriot will arrive in Jeep dealerships by the end of 2010.
reference:www.autoguide.com,www.edmunds.com,www.caranddriver.com

All New Maserati Ghibli will be on displaying at Auto Shanghai 2013. The Maserati Ghibli is a four-door sports executive sedan. Maserati manufacturer guarantees Maserati Ghibli character more sporty and modern. New Maserati Ghibli will offering two engine options; V6 3,0 liter turbo. Thi engine combined by eigth-speed transmission. There will be a choice of RWD system and "Q4"
Maserati Ghibli will be the first Maserati car that used engine diesel, V6 3,0 liter turbodiesel. Maserati automaker prepared Ghibli for executive premium buyers, but with a more affordable price. Trust, Maserati Ghibli will playing a very important role for Maserati to achieve the sales target of 50.000 units / year.

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I got a chance to drive something I wasnt expecting. I think this is a most curious car that many are wondering whether they should bother with.



Introduction: The Fiat 500 was originally introduced in 1957 as a sort of peoples car in the same vein as the Volkswagen Beetle. A very inexpensive and small city car thats affordable to most people regardless of income. Back then it was equipped with a various selection of 2-cylinder engines all smaller than 600cc but weighing less than 500 kg. Ever since this car, Italys mobility increased significantly and to this day focus heavily on making good small cars while also making todays fastest supercars. Todays car is a essentially a look back at the historical significance of the original 500. This new car was first introduced in 2007. Major changes have been made, first its based off the platform of the Fiat Panda making it front engined and front wheel drive, not like the original cars rear engine and rear wheel drive. The size differences are noticeable as well, while nobody will call the new 500 big, compared to its namesake its actually massive. Lastly, the original car was meant to be the least expensive choice for the Italian driver todays 500 isnt really the least expensive car out there. Fiat decided to bring over this 500 as a symbol of their return to the North American market after leaving in the 1980s. Over here, the Fiat 500s main competitor is BMWs MINI, hoping to replicate that success for the 500.

I wasnt expecting this car to show up at all. I know a few places that used them as fleet cars but I wasnt expecting this car, let along the Sport model. This is the very first Italian designed car Ive been given the chance to drive, leaving only British and French cars are the only major automotive nations I havent driven a car from. Anyways, when seeing this new 500, it definitely is a lot smaller than majority of cars sold here. So, this test was really to determine whether this car is all about style with no substance or whether there really is something to this car that justifies its price.


Performance: The Fiat 500 for North America is given a different engine compared to those in Europe. We are given the 1.4L Multiair engine. This engine produces 101 hp and 98 lb.ft of torque, which seems like a very small number considering most cars available today produce more power than that. However the Fiat does weigh less, this is one of the few cars available in North America that is less than 1000 kg or 2200 lbs. Its acceleration times as a result from 0-100 km/h is 9.7 seconds. Not blisteringly quick but if youve seen some of my reviews particularly of Dodges, Ive driven slower before. So if youre worried about highway merging, you could do worse. This engine is equipped with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, I was given the auto and its fuel economy was acceptable. Being the sport model, it does matter if you use the sport button it as the engine revs higher in sport mode. When driven hard, this engine is a bit noisy, that said its not as annoying as other engines are...so you might like it.

My Score: 7/10 - It does its job reasonably well. A bit noisy but overall not too bad.

Handling: Once again heres another car where the focus is on how it handles. Its given a big advantage due to its light weight and small size. There are also differences if you have sport mode on or off. When you have the car running in normal mode, the steering is very light and very easy. My guess is this is what the regular user is going to use and in this mode the mundane tasks of parking are made much easier with this cars good maneuverability. However in this mode its not all that fun. When you turn on the sport mode, this changes. The steering is suddenly stiffened and the car all the sudden feels more alive, its difficult to explain. The car starts to feel sharper and more eager to tackle the corners compared to normal mode. This button really seems to make a big difference. As an enjoyable small car, I cant fault its handling since during normal mode all the stuff you need to do while driving is made very easy, with sport mode you get to enjoy driving which is nice after a hard day. I could go into depth about the rest of the handling characteristics but I find its easier to say that the cars handling faults dont matter because this car is fun.

My Score: 10/10 - Easy to drive, and with a touch of a button fun too.


Interior: This is another area where Italian car design tends to be different from other automotive nations. From a normal persons perspective this seems like any other small car, kind of cheap and the interior is very small. However, when you look at the details more carefully there are some things that were done rather well. First off, one of the large dash trim pieces will be coloured the same as the exterior of your car. If you picked a bright colour, your interiors atmosphere improves greatly over the typical dull grey boredom were used to seeing in most cheap cars. Next is the gauges, it looks like it has one dial but a careful look shows both speedo and tach are in the same place. As a result, as you drive along your revs attempt to catch up to the speedo, lovely touch. Lastly the controls, no theyre not metal but Fiat has deliberately avoided to use of too many ugly knobs to avoid spoiling the look of the dash. As for the practical stuff, the seats are fine for someone of my size. I get the feeling an obese person will not like it at all as youre likely to bother the passenger because of how close the seats are to one another. There are two seats in the back, but  realistically unless your as short as I am, nobody else will fit in the back. This may be a hatchback but because of its small size, youre not going to be taking a lot of shopping back with you. Rear visibility in this car is pretty good. The build quality so far is difficult to determine, this is after all made in the same factory as the PT Cruiser in Toluca, Mexico but that car wasnt made well. My example seemed to be fine so far, I may update this entry later.

My Score: 7/10 - Neat styling touches and nice atmosphere, but significantly reduced practicality due to its size.

Styling: This car takes most of its inspiration from the original 1957 Fiat 500. However its given that rather ordinary small car and turned it into a cute one. Youre given rather nice rims for the Sport model. It also manages to integrate all of todays automotive exterior necessities like fog lights and so on, rather well. This is the sort of car a child would like as a anthropomorphic character like Herbie the Beetle. I see this car appealing particularly to female drivers and children. Men might not want this sort of image.

My Score: 10/10 - An excellent modern take on a ordinary city car. 

Value for money: This is the area of scoring that troubles me. This sport model Ive been driving costs $18,500 and thats for the manual, the automatic is another $1000. The fuel economy is not great to justify this cost. Its got very little practicality as a daily driver, unless you drive alone. Now, compared to the Mini it competes against, its still cheaper. However it also has to compete with rather ordinary cars and its hard to justify the value. This sport model puts this Fiats price where the Subaru Impreza starts. On most tangible levels the Fiat doesnt do well. If you care a lot about styling and cheap fun, then youll like the Fiat. If however you need more out of a car than that, look elsewhere because thats all the Fiat focuses on.

My Score: 2/10 - Style with a bit of substance, but thats it really.

Overall: 36/50 - A very likable car, does certain things brilliantly but its as limited in practicality as many sports cars and its a bit pricey.