Chrysler 200 S sedan and 200 S convertible

The 2011 Chrysler 200 S sedan and 2011 200 S convertible appear to be edgier than their non-S counterparts, which is because Chrysler has given them a shot in the styling arm, upping the visual appeal by a few degrees.
The 2011 200 S gets an S-specific Chrysler wing badge on the nose, body-colored side mirrors and door handles and a pair of headlamps with black backgrounds. Sitting underneath the fenders are four 18-inch aluminum wheels, which also all wear the S badge. Inside, the 200 S gets embroidered front headrests, heated leather front seats with suede inserts, suede door trim and a 276-watt Boston Acoustic audio system.Under the hood, the 200 S gets the now-familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which is good for 283-horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an automatic transmission, the duo is good for 29 miles per gallon on the highway. The fixed-roof 200 S will set you back $26,790

Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible

You know you can't think of Chrysler these days without thinking it. Imported From Detroit is the tagline for, believe it or not, the 2011 Chrysler 200. At least, that's where it started. Sure, Chrysler probably would have loved to tag the more popular, fully revised 300, but alas, that car's made in Canada while the Chrysler 200 nee Sebring is bolted together by red-blooded Americans in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
But we're not here to talk about manufacturing processes or debate what is/is not an American car. We're here to talk track numbers, specifically those for the refreshed 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible.
Follow the jump to see what this 4,022-pound (with 57% up front), 283-horsepower convertible can do on an empty testing facility.

Vehicle: 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible
Odometer: 2,603
Date: 3/15/11
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $34,470

Audi Reportedly Says No To RS Model SUVs

Audi Reportedly Says No To RS Model SUVs, Crossovers

Let’s see: Audi TT-RS and RS5 heading to the United States, S7 and RS7 Sportback in the works, R8 GT and the possible (make that likely) production of the Quattro Concept.

Those are a few of the Audi performance products we’ve seen recently. With that list, is there any Audi performance project they will say no to? Apparently, yes – if it has to do RS SUV or crossover models.

BMW held out on this issue for quite some time, never affixing its M badging onto a SUV or crossover until the X5 M and X6 M. Audi’s RS badging is reserved for the upper crust of its performance lineup, taking it even further than S-Line or S.

The report comes from Autoblog.it who says the policy at Audi, set by technical chief Stephan Reil, is that its crossover models will not wear the RS badge.

This has to do with the decision that these large and inherently non-performance vehicles will never offer true performance. Apparently Porsche, which is now under the same roof, didn’t get the memo with the Cayenne.

Normally we would think it could have something to do with the desire to eliminate competition between Audi and Porsche. Given the recent approvals of performance models at Audi though (such as the R8 GT) we would have to rule that out.

If true, do you think Audi has made the right decision on this? Will an SUV or crossover ever be fun to drive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Vauxhall Presents Astra VXR 240HP Arctic

The Astra VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) will soon be replaced by an all-new model based on the next generation of the firm's C-segment hatch, but for now, Vauxhall is adding to the allure of the current version with the presentation of a limited production model called "Arctic Edition".

Only 500 units of the Arctic Edition are offered in the UK with prices set at £23, 595 on the road, or £720 more than the standard Astra VXR.

All are painted in Olympic White with a contrasting black painted roof, mirror covers, front V-grille and tailgate trim. Each Arctic Edition also gets £1965 worth of options including heated leather Recaro front seats, tinted glass and Black 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

In addition, for the first time on a VXR product, customers can also specify their Arctic Edition with the Panoramic Windscreen that costs £920.

There are no changes under the hood with the Astra VXR Arctic Edition featuring a 240HP 2.0-liter turbo engine that propels the hot hatch from 0-60mph (96km/h) in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 152mph or 244 km/h.

the 2011 335i is fitted with BMW's new twin scroll single turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six

A little after a leaked brochure gave us our first taste of the lightly refreshed 2011 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models, BMW rushed out an official release and a whole bunch of pictures. For the 2011 model year, the Bavarian automaker's bread-and-butter coupe and cabriolet models receive some minor cosmetic touches and updated powerplants.

The most notable - that is, if you're a hardcore bimmer fan- changes on the outside concern the widened kidney grille, reshaped LED headlamps, front and rear bumpers with restyled lower fascias, new exterior mirrors and finally, reworked tail light cluster with a new color scheme.

According to BMW, these modifications slightly extend the front and rear overhangs by 1.14 and 0.12 inches respectively.

The only change in the cabin concerns the convertible models and the use of sun-reflective technology to mitigate temperatures on leather seating, armrest surfaces, headrests, and gear shifter. BMW says that this new treatment is able to reduce surface temperatures on dark interior colors by up to 20 Celsius degrees (36 Fahrenheit degrees) and by as much as Celsius degrees (27 Fahrenheit degrees)on light-colored upholstery.

In North America (we'll bring you details on the Euro spec models shortly), the 2011 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models will be offered once again in two flavors, the 328i and 335i.

As noted in our previous post, the 2011 335i is fitted with BMW's new twin scroll single turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six, designated N55, that replaces the previous model's N54 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six.

BMW says that even though output has remained the same as before at 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, the new single turbo engine is more responsive, more fuel efficient, and cleaner-running than its predecessor.

The rear-wheel drive 335i Coupe and Convertible accelerate from 0 - 60 mph (96km/h) in just 5.3 (5.5 coupe automatic) seconds and 5.5 (5.7 cabrio automatic) seconds, respectively, when equipped with a six speed manual gearbox.

The all-wheel drive 335i xDrive coupe is slightly faster at 5.2 seconds (5.3 sec for the automatic model).

The 328i's 230 horsepower, 200 lb-ft, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine has been carried over unchanged from the 2010 model.

No word yet on the sporty 335is variants with a tweaked 3.0-liter twin-turbo churning out 322HP that were mentioned in the leaked sales leaflet (click here for details).

In the U.S. and Canada, the 2011 3 Series Coupe and Convertible models will go on sale in Spring 2010, with pricing set to be announced closer to the on-sale date.