Jeep Liberty CRD Sales Strong
The '05 Jeep Liberty CRD has experienced strong sales since its launch and has been met with great customer response in its role as a guinea pig for the Chrysler Group's continued expansion of the U.S. diesel market. The Liberty CRD is the first diesel-powered midsize SUV to be released in the U.S. and features a 2.8L four-cylinder turbo common-rail diesel engine that offers impressive torque and towing capacity, improved fuel economy, and lower emissions. In a further push toward sales, the Chrysler Group has extended the warranty on diesel engines in all '06-model-year vehicles, covering engine parts and components for as long as five years or 100,000 miles. The company also supports the clean-fuels movement by fueling each new Jeep Liberty CRD leaving the assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, with B5 fuel, which is made with 5 percent biodiesel made from Ohio soybeans. Jeff Bell, vice president, Chrysler & Jeep, noted, "The '05 Jeep Liberty diesel has gotten off to a strong start, demonstrating that there is a latent interest in modern, clean-running diesels - an interest that we believe can be nurtured and expanded."
VW Touareg Prepped for DARPA
Built alongside a sister model that will compete in the '05 Grand Challenge staged by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a driverless prototype Volkswagen Touareg dubbed Stanley demonstrated its autonomous driving skills in a dress rehearsal for the big event. The DARPA Grand Challenge takes place October 8, 2005 in the California desert. Unmanned vehicles must navigate a 175-mile route without driver or operator assistance. Both Stanley and its sister Touareg are more or less the same as production-model Touaregs, except for the addition of a full-length underbody protection plate and reinforced shock absorbers. The vehicles use countless sensors and a combination of four laser detectors to collect the data that allows the driverless car to move about quickly and safely. The vehicles were created in a collaboration between the Volkswagen research department; Volkswagen Group's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) in Palo Alto, California; and Stanford University.
Superlift Introduces New Product Videos
Superlift is taking installation instructions to the next level. The company recently launched its first Product Presentation Video, designed to demonstrate the benefits of specific Superlift suspension systems as well as offer highlights of their installation. The first kit covered in the new video is the company's 5- to 6-inch F.I.T (Frame Integrated Technology) Series replacement knuckle system for '99-and-newer GM 1/2-ton 4x4 trucks and SUVs. Trent McGee, host of Superlift's "Off-Road Adventures" TV show, takes viewers through the kit's features and installation, and demonstrates performance characteristics of the suspension system, including overall geometry, system rigidity, and compression travel control. The video is intended for consumers and industry professional alike and is available on DVD and VHS. Also, each segment can be viewed and downloaded individually for free at Superlift's Web site. For more information, contact: (800) 551-4955, www.superlift.com.