Auto News 5

2013 Chevrolet Spark First Impressions

2013 Subaru Outback First Impressions

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class First Impressions

Other very interesting topics:

• Subaru's new EyeSight driver assistance system
• Blog: Your insurance
• 2013 Subaru Legacy First Impressions
• 2013 Honda Accord: first images revealed
• Blog: A dinner with racing legends

Press release from TMG

TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will return to rallying with the entry-level TMG Yaris R1A car, which will be showcased in public for the first time at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland held August 24-26.

TMG has developed the TMG Yaris R1A specifically to provide an affordable entry into rallying for competitors young and old. TMG is taking orders immediately, with donor car and upgrade kit (excluding tax and installation) priced at approximately 22,500 euros.

Toyota Yaris TMG R1A. (Photo: TMG)

The FIA's R1A regulations permit only limited performance modifications to the standard 1.33-litre petrol-engined, three-door Yaris. TMG's upgrade kit includes racing exhaust and catalytic converter system, shorter final drive gear, motorsport suspension with adapted springs and adjustable ride height.

In addition, comprehensive safety equipment features bolt-in roll cage, guards for sump, fuel tank and fuel lines, fire extinguishers, rally seats and safety harness plus power cut-off switch.

Toyota Yaris TMG R1A. (Photo: TMG)

Before the end of the year, the TMG Yaris R1A is expected to become the first car in the world to be awarded FIA R1A (up to 1400cc) homologation. This qualifies the car to compete on regional, national and international competitions all the way up to World Rally Championship events.

The TMG Yaris R1A represents the first stage in a wider plan from TMG to supply cost-effective and fun motorsport cars to private entrants.

Transport Canada published a safety recall on certain GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express vehicles equipped with a cargo door on the left side and originally sold or currently operated in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months.

The fuel filler pipe could corrode and become perforated, allowing fuel to leak onto the ground while refuelling the vehicle. In the presence of an ignition source, this could result in a fire.

A total of 926 units from the 2003 and 2004 model years are being recalled.

GM dealers will simply replace the fuel filler pipe.

Source: Transports Canada

2003 GMC Savana (Photo: General Motors)

2004 Chevrolet Express (Photo: General Motors)

Take some oil and a lot of last lap aggression that added up to Marcos Ambrose in Victory Lane at the Finger Lakes 355 at Watkins Glen.

"It was absolutely chaos at the end," remarked the genial Australian after battling Kyle Busch, then beating, banging and passing Brad Keselowski - on the last lap - for his second-straight victory at the legendary former Formula One circuit's “short course.”

Busch set up the exiting finish by taking the lead by going three-wide into turn one on the final restart. That left Ambrose and Keselowski to skirmish with each other.

Kyle Busch loosing his lead against Brad Keselowski and Marcos Ambrose. (Photo: NASCAR)

As the final lap approached the Bobby Labonte's car apparently blew its' engine and left a coat of oil on the undulating track. As the first car to race in the oil Busch slowed and Keselowski caught him first.

On the final lap Keselowski tapped Busch sending him spinning (he would finish seventh). Then it was all Ambrose Keselowski's battle to end.

“The track was complete oil,” Keselowski said. “Neither of us was going to make it out of to corner. That was unfortunate.

I think he knows I had to make that move. No different than the move he had to make on the restart with his position. He made a very, very aggressive move on the restart that was going to wreck both of us if I didn't let him in. I could have held the position and wrecked us all, but I didn't.”

Ambrose agreed. “I was the first one to slip in the oil,” said the winner. “And it was just getting worse and worse.  You could tell the car was staying out there because the oil was moving around the race track and you just take your chances.  You've got to commit at that point in the race and it was great racing with Kyle and Brad. ” Ambrose said of the last lap battle for the win.

Brad Keselowski leading Marcos Ambrose during the final lap. (Photo: NASCAR)

Jimmie Johnson finished third and took the points lead from Dale Earnhardt Jr. who spun before the oil issue. “Those last two laps were just out of control with the oil down. You are studying the road trying to see if you can see an oil trail and there really wasn't a large visible one to dodge. But you could feel the oil on your tires and slipping and sliding and then guys are spinning all over.”

Clint Bowyer, winner at Sonoma finished fourth “That was some slick racing the last few laps. You watch these road racers race in the rain and find traction. It kind of reminded me of the old motocross days. It was real slick in that oil and you had to find grooves around it.”

Juan Pablo Montoya, who took his second pole in two weeks, had a mechanical problem.

“I think it was the lower control arm,” the Columbian ex-Formula One driver said. Everybody on this Target Chevy has been doing an amazing job. We got the last two poles and I did think we had a car to win today. I rode behind Kyle (Busch) we kind of bogged down at the start and Kyle got us. The car started getting really tight and all of a sudden I hit a curb and the car went completely left on me.”

Afterwards Ambrose added the win was better the second time around. “Last year was relief. This year it was pure joy. “

When I pulled up at home with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, my husband practically threw the baby at me in his rush to get out the door and see the beast up close. Each time a GC SRT8 growls past us on the street, it's all he can do to pick his jaw up off the ground and stick his tongue back in his mouth. He has a full-on man-crush on the in-your-face SRT8 -- and he's not the only one.

In all honesty, I didn't think I'd be as impressed with the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 as I was. Seeing the previous generation on the road always made me smirk at its pompous demeanour and look-at-me road presence. But, once behind the wheel, my smirk quickly turned into an ear-to-ear grin.


Powerful peacocking
While some vehicles out there are all bark and no bite, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a whole lot of bark with a death-grip bite to match.

If nothing else, the GC SRT8 gets some serious looks on the road. There's no denying that the new 2012 look is a winning one. Jeep has taken the Grand Cherokee to a new level of sophistication with classier lines, smoother edges and an overall cleaner look.

Then the SRT8 cures are added and the Grand Cherokee takes on a whole new persona. From the front, the SRT8 is aggressive through and through: with a fat bottom lip beneath the signature Jeep seven-grille grin and enormous hood nostrils above, it's clear this Grand Cherokee means business.

Angular wheel arches house 20" SRT8 wheels with Brembo brakes (which are needed to bring this monster to a stop when things really get going). A muscular shoulderline draws your attention to the back where Jeep chose to move the previous-gen dual tailpipes to the outer corners and house them in a fancy, black SRT8-labelled bumper lip.

Angular wheel arches house 20" SRT8 wheels with Brembo brakes. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Some might see the upgrade as less brute-ish and common compared to the middle-mounted look. However, by moving the exhaust to the outer corners, Jeep has given GC SRT8 owners the ability to tow (up to 5,000 lb), something that was previously impossible.

Inside, the GC SRT8 is just as impressive. Brushed chrome accents abound, and the sport-shaped steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters and handsfree control buttons is oh-so inviting. Simple is perhaps the best way, and Chrysler keeps the middle console just that with a familiar onboard computer system and easy-use-entertainment system. And, of course, looking at a speedometer that hits 300 km/h in an SUV is always pleasing.

In Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl, my GC SRT8 tester could not go quietly into any night, or day for that matter. Coupled with the barking (read: roaring) exhaust note when pushed, the SRT8 is a beacon for attraction.

Brushed chrome accents abound, and the sport-shaped steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters and handsfree control buttons is oh-so inviting. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

I wanted the apocalypse
But I didn't get it. Sure, the Jeep SRT8 has a fantastic exhaust note... but only once you've hit the open road (in a straight line). It has a nice, deep rumble when turned on, but it's not enough. I wanted children to run scared, housewives to close their curtains frantically and men to go weak in the knees with envy as I rolled by. But, unless I was pushing the GC SRT8 past the 4,500 rpm mark, such reactions were not to be seen.

There's no denying that the 6.4L V8 HEMI engine is brutish and powerful, pumping out 470 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, but I wanted to hear it more. That might seem petty, but I think it's something one expects from the GC SRT8 experience. Sure, it's felt throughout the vehicle (front seats or back), but aurally, it's just not as apparent.

Speaking of brute strength, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a monster in a straight line. Leave the cornering for those lower to the ground, but have all the fun you want on straight stretches (and make sure you keep both hands on the wheel).

I managed 0-100 km/h sprints in the 5-second range which, for a vehicle weighing in at the 5,000-lb mark, is more than damn impressive (to think, it could rival the 2013 Nissan GT-R I'd had the same week). And when you get it up to speed, you'll be happy the SRT8 is equipped with Brembo brakes that are more than adequate to bring the beast to a stop.

The 6.4L V8 HEMI engine is brutish and powerful, pumping out 470 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Driving devil
Piloting the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is exciting, no matter what the environment. On the open highway, the GC is an expert cruiser. With more than enough room throughout the cockpit and rear seats, all passengers and driver will revel in the Jeep's comfort on long journeys.

On busy city streets, the GC SRT8 is just as at home, with its sleek design and lower-to-the-ground stance that make for easy entry and exit. The steering-wheel mounted shifters make for spirited driving and shifts are responsive, save for a lack of rev matching when downshifting which makes for a jerky drive every now and then.

On those back-country roads, the Jeep GC SRT8 is just as capable thanks to the Selec-Trac 4x4 system.

However, thanks to a sportier suspension set-up, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 can be quite rough, especially on uneven terrain. One might expect such a feel from the GC's nature-loving brother, the Jeep Wrangler.

One annoyance that plagued me all week was a massive blind spot thanks to the A pillars. They are so wide all the way up that it's almost impossible to see oncoming traffic at an intersection without moving your body to see around them. I thought perhaps it was just my small stature that caused the inconvenience, but my 6'0" husband had the same issue when seated in the driver's seat.

On those back-country roads, the Jeep GC SRT8 is just as capable thanks to the Selec-Trac 4x4 system. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Luxury at a "bargain" price
If you're still not sold on the idea of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, consider this: for just over $50,000 you'll get yourself an SUV that's not only capable of towing the family boat up to the cottage on weekends, but one that's also sporty enough to take a few laps around the local track with a bunch of coupe cars -- and possibly win.

This 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

The NAPA Auto Parts 200, round 22nd of 33 of the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide series will be staged this weekend at the Gilles Villeneuve road circuit of Ile Notre-Dame in Montreal.

Here is a short teaser of this highly exciting stock car race produced by Auto123.com's multimedia department.

From GMM

Magny Cours, France's last grand prix host, is still in the running to secure the country's return to the F1 calendar.

Le Figaro daily is reporting that the circuit in central France, having hosted the French grand prix between 1991 and 2008, is set to formally present its case to become the country's new grand prix venue from 2013.

Prior to France's general election this year, Paul Ricard looked set to host the grand prix in 2013.

But the new government is not ruling out Magny Cours, having mandated the French motor racing body FFSA to look into the options for 2013.

Citing officials, Le Figaro reports that Magny Cours' "official presentation" of its bid will take place at the circuit, located some 250 kilometres from Paris, on September 4.

Photo: Magny-Cours

From GMM

Organisers of the 2012 US grand prix have begun to lay the crucial racing surface at the brand new Circuit of the Americas.

Watching the progress at the bespoke venue in Austin, Texas, was Alexander Rossi, Caterham's 20-year-old Californian test driver.

"I was blown away," he told local broadcaster YNN, "I was almost speechless with how impressive it is because seeing it on paper is one thing, but to be able to actually drive around it, and feel the flow of it and the rhythm of it, and to see the spectacle that is turn one."

Circuit spokeswoman Julie Loignon said work at the venue is "on schedule" for the inaugural race in mid November, "We're beginning the process known as echelon paving."

She explained that, to ensure a uniform racing surface, three separate paver machines are making three separate laps around the 5.5 kilometre layout.

"The end result is going to be a grade one race track for formula one racing," Loignon added.

From GMM

Mercedes' 2012 car is good enough to be the basis of next year's silver challenger, team boss Ross Brawn has revealed.

Although Nico Rosberg won April's Chinese grand prix from pole, and Michael Schumacher set the fastest qualifying lap in Monaco, the W03 has otherwise delivered a mixed performance.

The Brackley based team, world champions in 2009 as 'Brawn GP', is fifth in the constructors' standings at present, 26 points ahead of Sauber and more than 80 behind Ferrari.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W03. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

But Brawn told Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper that the 2012 car is not bad.

"We've had some difficulties, but we have improved compared to last year. And we have a good basis for designing next year's car, when the regulations will be essentially the same as this season," he added.

"So we are going to continue to develop the current car because that knowledge can be passed on to 2013," said Brawn.

From WRC

FIA World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Loeb has led the tributes to ex-factory Citroen driver Philippe Bugalski, who died on Friday, aged 49.

Bugalski gave Citroen its first win in the WRC and helped to develop the firm's rally cars. He was a factory driver from 1998 to 2003 and was regularly called upon to test and shakedown Citroen's competition machinery.

Philippe Bugalski, Citroen. (Photo: WRC)

Loeb said: “I feel really upset by this tragic news. We've just lost somebody who was incredibly special. Beyond his consummate professionalism and talent, I will always remember his human values. ‘Bug' was a person with huge spirit, who had time and warmth for everyone. We will all miss him.”

Citroen Racing head Yves Matton added: “We have just lost one of our own family and our sadness is at the same level as everything Philippe gave to us: immense. We all knew him and he knew everybody. He was always in a good mood and loved life more than anybody else. That makes his sudden passing all the more shocking, and above all our thoughts go out to his family and everyone close to him. The whole of the rally community is mourning his loss.”

Thierry Neuville, whose Junior World Rally Championship campaign in 2010 was overseen by Bugalski, said on Twitter: “I cry, all you have made for me, all advices you have given me, all the moments we spend together, all the victories we took together, all the way you followed me. I didn't have the time to say goodbye. Merci à toi Philippe.”

A highway safety group's new crash test that emulates offset head-on collisions could prompt automakers to make front-end modifications that add to vehicle weight and cost.

Off the back of a second straight win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Benoît Tréluyer is confident he can get the jump in the championship over his own teammates.

Audi drivers Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen are all three standing on top of the World Endurance Championship drivers' standings thanks to their win in Sebring. Tréluyer, along with his co-drivers Andre Lotterer and Marcel Fässler, is second thanks to a win in Le Mans.

Loic Duval, Romain Dumas and Marc Gené are not far behind either, thanks to their own win, in Spa.

Tréluyer therefore expects the battle to go down to the wire.

"Fans of endurance motor racing can look forward to a thrilling battle," he says.

"The championship is still wide open, at Le Mans the drivers in car numbers 1 and 2 staged a battle for victory for a long time, and in the WEC season up to now three different Audi driver line-ups have won. So, anything is possible."

Times are difficult at HRT, but Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa only has good words for his teammate Narain Karthikeyan.

In Australia, both de la Rosa and Karthikeyan failed to comply with the 107% rule, meaning the were excluded from the race. In Valencia, where they stood within 103.4% of the pole, the team had its best qualifying result.

De la Rosa and Karthikeyan both share set-ups, which has prompted the former McLaren driver to rank his current teammate among the "most sincere ones".

"My relationship with Narain is very good," the 41-year-old admits in a team press realse. "There's a lot of sincerity and we both want what's best for the team."

Having also driven for the likes of Arrows, Jaguar and Sauber, accumulating 93 race starts, de la Rosa is in a good spot to assess the Indian.

"We fight hard on the track but in an honest way and, out of the teammates I've had, he's one of the most sincere ones.

"One of the characteristics of Narain and the engineers is that there is total transparency and no bad intentions, we're aware that we're last and if one of us finds something that can improve the car he shares it with the other because the objective is to progress. We're team players."

If you've heard of Toronto-based Conquest Vehicles, you probably know the Knight XV, the ultra-high luxury assault vehicle-like armored super SUV. This unique hand-crafted all-conquering truck has now been joined by a nice-guy version.

Photo: Conquest Vehicles

The unarmored EVADE is the urban assault version of what Conquest thinks a super-luxury SUV is. According to the company, the new truck is elegant, intelligent and utilitarian. It may be the latter two but we're not sure about the elegant part.

Be that as it may, the EVADE's cabin is spacious, well appointed and features a number of composite materials, metals, leathers and alcantara. Despite the truck's rugged exterior, the interior is very cozy.

The EVADE is built on a Ford F-550 Super Duty Chassis and can be powered by a 6.8L V10 or 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8.

Pricing starts at US $579,000.

Source: Conquest Vehicles

While Olympic judges might not give Carl Edwards a gold medal for his backflip; his late race pass of Brad Keselowski brought him back into Victory Lane.

With ten laps to go Edwards' Ford made an outside pass, on Keselowski's Dodge who, until then, had complete control of the Nationwide Race at Watkins Glen.

"We went down into turn one, I was having a little trouble on my restarts," Edwards said, continuing "so I decided - if anything - I was gonna be a little too aggressive down there into turn one and Brad gave me enough room on the exit to run beside him. "

Only Keselowski wasn't ready to give up when the final caution of the day came out for the blown tire on Austin Dillon's car.

On the final restart, on lap 81, Edwards had a little bobble and Keselowski took his shot. "Obviously, he missed that last left-hander," Keselowski said. "I pulled up beside his left-side door and went into on Carl's outside, and he got loose and came up the track and hit me and put me in the wall there."

It was enough to knock some speed off of his rival."That kind of [move] took away all my momentum. I didn't have a chance at it from there, " added Keselowski. "

The two Sprint Cup stars, who have had their run ins in the past, raced, basically, cleanly. And rather than retaliate Keselowski, who led a race-high 42 laps explained in a tweet "Feel bad for my guys on 22 team, but sometimes you gotta play nice... I want the cup championship."

Meaning he was thinking he might be near Edwards during the Chase.

It was Edwards' first Nationwide Series race of the year. The win put him third on the all-time win list in the series.

Pole sitter Sam Hornish Jr. finished third followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ontario's Ron Fellows.

Edwards made contact with Kyle Edwards and Joey Logano, and although Edwards apologized on television, Logano said he wasn't convinced.

With Elliott Sadler finishing 12th he continues to lead the series by 13 points over Stenhouse, 24 over Hornish and Austin Dillon, who fell to fourth 29 points back.

GT runner Team Sahlen has announced its transition up to the top ranks of Grand-Am: the Daytona Prototype category, as it will now be running two BMW/Riley prototypes.

The No. 42 will be led by Dane Cameron, a former open-wheel racer. He will share the wheel of his DP with Wayne Nonnamaker, a long-time racer in the Grand-Am fold. Team owner Joe Sahlen, Joe Nonnamaker and Will Nonnamaker will be trusted with the wheel of the No. 43 entry.

Team Sahlen is the perfect incarnation of the Grand-Am ladder, as it started right at the bottom in the Continental Series, winning the ST class title in both 2001 and 2002, and then proceeding to the GS category, winning titles there as well.

Earlier this year, Team Sahlen was running Mazda entries in the GT class, meaning the DP debuts of the team will mark the end of its ascension.

Well, Domino's Pizza thinks you can.

Known for its innovation in the pizza-delivery world (corrugated pizza boxes, magnetic car topper, and the Heatwave Bag are just a few things we can thank them for), Domino's Pizza is taking pizza delivery to the next level with its latest invention: consumer-designed delivery trucks.

Beginning Monday, August 13, 2012, Domino's Pizza will ask the general public to help them design the ultimate delivery truck from the wheels up.

In a partnership with Local Motors -- a Phoenix-based, community-driven automobile designer and manufacturer -- Domino's Pizza will take design suggestions from consumers for the exterior, packaging, interior and surfacing of the car. Over $50,000 in prizes will also be awarded throughout the competition for those who submit ideas.

To submit design ideas and get more details on the contest, head to www.ultimatedeliveryvehicle.com. Because customizing your own pizza just isn't cool enough anymore.

If you're into cars, and pizza, this might be the ultimate contest for you.

Ryan Dalziel and Lucas Luhr, two rivals in the American Le Mans Series, won in Grand-Am out on their first race as a pairing, at the Watkins Glen International.

Their great run for Starworks Motorsport at the Continental Tire 200 was doubly rewarding, as teammates Sébastien Bourdais and Alex Popow brought the sister car home in second place, for a first 1-2 finish.

“It was an unbelievable job,” Dalziel said. “We definitely felt in Indy that we could have had a 1-2 and after a couple of seasons of knocking on the door of a double podium, this is excellent. I don't think it was just a podium for both cars. I think it was a pretty dominating performance.”

Championship leaders Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas (No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley) hold on to their position in the standings thanks to a third place finish at the Glen.

In GT, Bill Auberlen and Canadian Paul Dalla Lana (No. 94 Turner Motosport BMW M3) got the jump on pole-sitters Boris Said and Eric Curran (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Corvette) who led a race-high 42 laps before giving up the lead.

Defending champions Leh Keen and Andrew Davis (No. 59 Brumos Companies Porsche GT3) recovered from a poor seventh on the grid to a podium at the checkered flag.

Next up for the series is the only Canadian venue on the calendar, the Montreal 200 held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.



Race results* - Grand-Am (Watkins Glen)
1 - Dalziel-Luhr (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 91 laps 2.00'47"712

2 - Popow-Bourdais (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 0"817

3 - Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 1"980
4 - Angelelli-Taylor (Corvette DP) - SunTrust - 4"003
5 - Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP) - Stallings - 4"870
6 - Donohue-Borcheller-Taylor (Corvette DP) - ActionExpress - 41"098
7 - Negri-Pew (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 1 lap

8 - Auberlen-Della Lana-Johnson (BMW M3) - Turner - 4 laps

9 - Curran-Said (Corvette) - Marsh - 4 laps

10 - Davis-Keen (Porsche 997) - Brumos - 4 laps
11 - Lally-Potter (Porsche 997) - Magnus - 4 laps

12 - Barbosa-Law (Corvette DP) - ActionExpress - 5 laps

13 - Espenlaub-Putman (Mazda RX8) - Dempsey - 5 laps

14 - Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 5 laps
15 - Assentato-Segal (Ferrari458) - AIM - 7 laps

16 - Baughman-Davison (Corvette) Baughman - 8 laps
17 - Sahlen-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 8 laps

18 - Cameron-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 10 laps
19 - Foss-Lindsey (Porsche 997) - Horton - 15 laps

20 - Bomarito-Tremblay (Mazda RX8) - Speedsource - 18 laps
21 - Norman-Von Moltke (Audi R8) - APR - 21 laps

22 - Edwards-Liddell (Chevy Camaro) - Stevenson - 25 laps
23 - Kauffman-Aguas (Ferrari 458) - AF Corse - 68 laps

24 - Long-Foster (Mazda RX-8) - Dempsey - 74 laps

25 - Garcia-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - Spirit of Daytona - 90 laps

*Unoffical

Pricey, European posh-sedans take note: Chrysler's now created a worthy low-buck competitor in the market for four-wheeled statements of success.


Dubbed the 300 S, it's a high-value variant of the new 300 that puts great design, high-tech goodies and classy-as-heck luxury well within the reach of value-minded shoppers. It looks, acts and feels the part of a world-class achievement accessory -- but without an appendage-severing price tag.

In a nutshell, this Detroit-developed cruiser has “everything,” looks fantastic, and represents a cost-effective way to show your family and friends that you've made it.

Bang for the Buck
At the very least, the 2012 Chrysler 300 S is a hell of a lot of machinery for the money. At the most, it's a very good reason to question anyone's need to spend double or more on a luxury car. BMW 535i with all the goodies or a Chrysler and a speedboat? Hmmm.

The 300 S builds on the recent do-over of Chrysler's flagship sedan, and it's helping turn it into one of the most desirable mainstream American cars in the affordable world. It's now a bigger threat to competing Cadillac and Lincoln models than it ever was before.

Dubbed the 300 S, it's a high-value variant of the new 300 that puts great design, high-tech goodies and classy-as-heck luxury well within the reach of value-minded shoppers. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

An Affordable Head-Turner
The fresh look of the 2012 Chrysler 300 S turns heads, attracts attention and sees passersby slowing down for a closer look. The glitzy bits, huge exhausts, massive wheels, thin windows, and chunky proportions generate that stately, handsome presence that debuted -- although more geriatrically -- in the first-gen “new” 300.

But now, it's all more modern, youthful and up-to-date.

Edges are rounded, more sculpted and more athletic. The whole thing is more cohesive and focused. It's all richer and more detailed. It even looks a bit Bentley-ish from some angles, which will make it a hit with pop-artist hopefuls.

Most guessed the tester's price about $12,000 too high thanks partly to designers fitting a level of chrome that rivals the square footage of Rihanna's forehead.

And anyone can drive the 2012 Chrysler 300 S without worry of jokes regarding grandkids, Fixodent and vacationing in Florida thanks to youthful, street-smart touches like LED headlight accents, xenon lighting and a dual-pane sunroof.

The fresh look of the 2012 Chrysler 300 S turns heads, attracts attention and sees passersby slowing down for a closer look. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

One of America's Best Cabins
Inside, red leather seats are embossed with the “S” logo and contrasting stitching, metallic accents abound, and it's hard not to look at the huge touchscreen and a gorgeous set of chrome-trimmed instruments with ice-blue backlighting. Passengers will run their hands over numerous surfaces within the car and gush unanimously about the seats. Extra points for the abundant at-hand storage.

The whole thing is assembled nicely and feels dense, solid and robust. Thoughtful, functional little design touches that exceed the norm abound, too. Day or night, the look and feel of much of the 300 S cabin defies expectations set by its price.

Inside, red leather seats are embossed with the “S” logo and contrasting stitching. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

World Class High Tech
Ditto for the list of features. Radar monitoring of blind spots, guided cruise control and rear-bumper parking proximity was included -- as was remote start, ambient lighting, a rear-window sunshade and memory seating. Cupholders are heated and chilled, and both rows of seating are heated, as is the steering wheel. The 2012 Chrysler 300 S even has the same “shift by wire” gear lever as an Audi A8 L.

Full multimedia connectivity puts any music device a touch or two away via the infotainment screen, which itself boasts one of the best interfaces on today's market.

There's even a “Beats by Dr. Dre” stereo -- endorsed and tuned by the millionaire rapper and producer responsible for artists like Eminem and 50 Cent. It packs some punch, stays mostly clean at high volume, and handled playback of my favourite alternative rock tracks just fine. Your friends who use Dr. Dre's Beats headphones will get a kick out of the cross-branding.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 S even has the same “shift by wire” gear lever as an Audi A8 L. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Cruising, Accelerating in Style
Some drivers will wish for a slightly softer ride on the 20” wheels, though the 300 S virtually always feels composed, planted, comfortable, and slightly sporty. The overall experience is long-distance worthy without riding like its got shocks made of creamed spinach.

Chrysler's new 3.6L Pentastar engine sent 292 hp to the rear wheels. Chrysler's new do-it-all powerplant is mellow, relaxed and potent, and it packs strong off-the-line torque and a healthy dose of high-rpm thrust thanks to a slick cam-timing system.

The Pentastar howls delightfully when pushed, and feels natural and un-strained in any situation. With 8 forward gears, highway revs are pegged under 2,000 rpm while cruising a little north of the speed limit. Doing so put regular unleaded away a rate of 8.5L/100km on my watch.

Chrysler's new 3.6L Pentastar engine sent 292 hp to the rear wheels. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Complaints? Wind and road noise were higher than expected, rear-seat headroom is on the tight side, and the electronic gear shifter can feel a bit klutzy and imprecise at times. Additionally, the front doors open so widely that an uncomfortable reach to close them is sometimes required.

Overall, the refreshing feel of advancement and success styled and engineered into the 300 S will be its strongest asset; followed closely by its price.

The V6-powered, rear-drive tester came in around $43,000 with all the options. That's a bargain for what looks and feels like a million bucks.

GM is recalling about 36,000 Chevrolet Impala police cars to replace part of the suspension that may fracture and cause loss of control of the vehicle.