2011 Chrysler 200 Fully Revealed Inside and Out in Video. What Do You Say? [with Poll]

Over the past few weeks, we've shared all the details and shown you a variety of photos of the Chrysler's Sebring replacement which has been reborn as the not-so-new 200 sedan. However, due to Chrysler's dappled photo tactics, many questions remained on the new 200's exterior as well as interior looks. Well, time has come to provide answers to all those questions with the first video of the car, which gives us a complete and unobstructed view of the 200 inside and out.

After you finish watching watch the video below, voice your opinion on Chrysler's refreshed mid size sedan, which will be officially introduced at this week's LA Auto Show, in our comments section.

As a reminder, the 200 will go on sale in December with prices starting from $19,995. Engine choices are limited to a base 2.4-liter I-4 engine producing 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque, and an available new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivering 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque to the front wheels. The V6 is teamed up to a six-speed automatic transmission, while buyers of the four-cylinder model have the choice of a six- or four-speed automatic transmissions (yes, some things never change...).

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What do you think about the new Chrysler 200?

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2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Fully Revealed with: Photos, Videos and Details

The Los Angeles Auto Show this week will see the long-awaited 2011 Camaro Convertible getting its first public outing before going on sale in February of 2011 with an estimated starting price $30,000. Today, General Motors released more photos and details as well as a couple of new videos of the soft-top variant of the Camaro, which has been in the works ever since the introduction of the coupe model but was constantly delayed due to the firm's financial troubles.

GM says the conversion from coupe to convertible comprised of four strategic reinforcements to enhance the body structure including, the addition of a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, underbody tunnel brace and, front and rear underbody "V" braces. The company's goal was to match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance.

Additional safety structural reinforcements include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

"To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn't change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe."

According to GM, the result of the structural changes to the convertible body give it better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

The Camaro Convertible comes equipped with a standard power-folding top that retracts in about 20 seconds. Furthermore, a folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS.

Other changes over the coupe model include the relocation of the radio antenna to the boot and the trunk lock cylinder from between the taillamps to an area between the rear seat back cushion and driver's side interior panel.

The soft-top four-seater will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe, meaning buyers will have a choice of two engines, a 312HP 3.6-liter V6 delivering 29 mpg highway and an 6.2L V8 with 426 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

Finally, nine production exterior colors will be available available, with tops offered in black or tan. All models will be equipped with rear parking assist as standard.

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In Making the latest Cadillac Escalade More High-Tech, GM Actually Made it Easier to Steal...

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the Cadillac Escalade is numero uno when it comes to stolen car claims here in the US. The group says that for the first three years of the third-generation Escalade's production (2007-2009) there have been an average of 10.8 claims - from stealing the rims up to the entire car - for every 1000 insured Escalades. That's approximately five times more claims than the average car.

This surge in Escalade theft isn't just because Cadillac's big SUV is many celebrities' vehicle of choice, however. After 2006, the SUV was actually made easier to steal than most cars because GM did away with the simple yet effective steering wheel lock. Instead, it was replaced by some electronic nannies that were supposed to be "better". Don't worry, the lock's back for 2010, so all you up and coming pimps will have harder-to-jack rides. Watch the report in the video below.

By Phil Alex

Source: NYTimes & WXYS

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VIDEO: Learn how to Drive the Porsche 911 GT3

So, you bought your first Porsche 911 GT3. Good for you, but can you handle this beast? The Germans refined their rear-engine setup for decades, making each generation of the iconic 911 better than before. Still, there are moments when Stuttgart's best can be a handful.

To avoid this, you can take the GT3 to the Porsche Experience Center at Silverstone and learn from chief driving consultant Gordon Robertson how to tackle tight bends, low friction surfaces and, overall, significantly improve your driving skills. Check out the video after the break to see what Mr. Robertson can teach you. For more information visit "porsche.co.uk/experiencshop".

By Csaba Daradics

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Bugatti Veyron Replica Crafted from BMW 6-Series Coupe [Video]

Discovered by one of our regulars on Youtube is this walk-around video of a Bugatti Veyron replica. Even though we've seen a ton of Ferrari and Lamborghini replicas, for some reason, the VW Group's flagship supercar hasn't been a hit among enthusiasts of the sort, so it's not very often that we stumble upon generic Veyrons.

The poster of the video claims that this faux Bugatti is based on the BMW 6-Series Coupe. While we can't be 100 per cent sure about the claim due to the low quality of the video, the interior of the replica does indeed look like its sourced from the Bavarian model. Watch the video right after the jump.

Hat tip to Ed!

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Mercedes Builds the World’s Most Advanced Driving Simulator [with Video]

If you're a fan of realistic driving games likes the Gran Turismo, then you're really going to dig this one. Meet Mercedes-Benz's professional driving simulator that comes with a 360o, precise landscape imagery and a twelve-meter long rail for transverse movements. The driving simulator, however, was not made for racing games but to help the German manufacturer to "research the behavior of the driver and vehicle in road traffic even more intensively".

Shaped like a hexapod, the simulator cell contains a real Mercedes model inside and is mounted on six mobile legs. A 360 degree projection screen simulates a realistic traffic scene, with oncoming vehicles, moving pedestrians and urban surroundings.

The vehicle controls are linked to a computer capable of calculating the behavior of the car more than 1,000 times per second, so whatever the test driver does the effects are the same as in real traffic situations. Accelerate hard and the noise of the car rises. Brake hard and it dives.

I'm not sure what happens when you try to drift, but hydraulics and electric motors can move the cell transversely by up to twelve meters – and at a maximum speed of 36 km/h (22 mph) – so at least double lane-changes can be simulated.

Scroll down to watch a video of grown men playing in the name of science.

By Csaba Daradics

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