Franklin Sussex Auto Mall Blog

I came across an interesting post about an unusual Chrysler model called the PT Bruiser. While it’s not 100% Chrysler made, it is unique in its own way. Someone on eBay decided to join a PT Cruiser together with a 29-yr old Chevy Blazer.

Here are some photos of this incredibly different vehicle …

If you’ve got a crazy idea like this and would like to completely customize your own vehicle, give the Franklin Sussex Automall Part Department a call and we’ll be more than happy to assist you with locating the parts and accessories that you need for your “creation”!

From the KickingTires Blog at Cars.Com … 

Minivans and cars with all-wheel drive are two of the most popular topics over at Ask.cars.com. In keeping with the popularity of both, Chrysler is adding two new safety systems to its 2009 minivans, the Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, as well as adding a fuel-saving feature on the all-wheel-drive 2009 Chrysler 300C.

Two new detection systems, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Path, will keep Chrysler minivan drivers aware of what’s happening outside their vehicle. Blind spot detectors are commonly found on luxury and near-luxury cars, not necessarily minivans. Like the current systems available, Chrysler’s will warn drivers with an icon that illuminates in the side-view mirrors when a passing vehicle enters their blind spot.

The Rear Cross Path feature also warns drivers of passing vehicles, except it does so when a vehicle is crossing the rear bumper in tricky situations, like exiting a parking space with poor visibility.

On the all-wheel-drive front, a new device on Chrysler’s rear-wheel-drive-based cars — starting with the 300C and potentially moving to the Charger — will disconnect the front drive wheels from the all-wheel-drive system when not needed, transferring power 100% to the rear wheels and saving fuel. Chrysler claims an additional 1 mpg can be gained on the 300C AWD’s 15/22 city/highway mpg rating.

Another feature slated to appear before the end of 2008 is an aftermarket wireless internet system — as if Chrysler’s minivans needed one more multimedia outlet on top of their dual-rear LCD screens, in-dash audio storage, DVD player and satellite television. Available through Chrysler’s accessories division, the system will create an internet hot spot for laptops and other devices.

The sister vehicle to the 2008 Chrysler Town And Country, the Dodge Grand Caravan, was recently reviewed by Harvey Schwartz over at AutomotiveAddicts.Com. His opening line is the perfect statement for this incredible vehicle …

The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan re-writes the book on minivans.

Over the years, Dodge’s hauler has faced increased competition from import-brand minivans. In some ways, it has risen to the challenge, offering groundbreaking features that have served to separate it from the pack. The Chrysler/Dodge minivans were the first to offer driver-side sliding doors. They are also the only vans on the market to offer Stow ‘n Go seating. Eliminating the need to remove the seats and then find someplace else to store them when not in use, this system enables owners to quickly and easily fold both the second- and third-row seats into the floor, or flip the third-row split bench completely rearward to provide tailgate seating. New Swivel ‘n Go allows you to turn the middle captain’s chairs around to face the third row for a family-friendly conversation seating setup.

To continue reading his outstanding review, be sure to check out his blog post. If you are interested in finding out more about the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, check out our inventory on the website for Franklin Sussex Automall.

In an effort to target owners who want to customize their vehicles, Chrysler annouced that they would begin offering in-car Internet access, an industry first.

This new feature will be added to existing vehicles by dealers beginning this year and will later be installed on the assembly line. The technology will allow passengers to search web sites utilizing signals from mobile phone towers. The idea is to make every one of its vehicles a WiFi hub.

For more information, check out the Chrysler Blog!

Smooth, quiet operation, tight handling, space, luxury: The Chrysler 300 sedan has it all, at attractive prices. Yet what the 300 has more than anything is bold, appealing styling. The Chrysler 300 delivers impressive value, but emphasizing the cost/benefit ratio may minimize its other strengths. The 300s are good, appealing cars, and they’ve set the benchmark for Detroit’s car builders.

For 2008, Chrysler added several features and tweaked the interior and exterior design. New features include adaptive cruise control, Sirius Backseat TV and Chrysler’s MyGig, a 20-gigabyte hard drive that holds songs, pictures, and navigation system map information. Chrysler’s UConnect hands-free cell-phone link has been upgraded with an integrated iPod interface. The interior has a new instrument panel and center console, and the arm rests, center console and door trim benefit from soft-touch surfaces. Outside, the front and rear fascia, grille, decklid, and side moldings are updated.

Safety features include multi-stage front airbags. Curtain-style head protection airbags for outboard passengers and torso-protecting front side-impact airbags are optional. An Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist are standard on all but the LX model, where they are optional. Other safety-related options include rear obstacle detection, high-intensity discharge headlamps, a tire-pressure monitor, and all-wheel drive. The Chrysler 300 has earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for front-impact crash protection.

With its rear-wheel-drive architecture, the Chrysler 300 might be a case of back to the future. Yet there’s little about it that’s retro, except maybe the giant grille, which clearly draws on 300s from the past. The first Chrysler 300 was introduced in 1955. It was called the C300 and its engine had hemispherical combustion chambers earning the Hemi nickname. It had two four-barrel carburetors, and it achieved fame as the most powerful engine of the day, winning the NASCAR championship in the C300’s first year and setting top speed records on the beach at Daytona.

The current Chrysler 300 is just as bold. Its styling makes no apologies. It has a look that appeals to young and old alike.

The Chrysler 300 looks dramatic in profile because its rear-wheel-drive layout allows a distinctive shape. The wheelwell cutouts, wrapping around rims up to 20 inches in diameter, are striking. The wheelbase is long but the overhangs are short, offering a visual sense of power. The roofline, a sort of ’30s gangster tease, beautifully complements the long, low lines, which appear to be carved from a big horizontal block of metal. The roof rakes thickly down to a short deck, and the sides are like large slabs.

The high-performance SRT8 may be the coolest-looking 300 of all. Its unique features include body-color front and rear bumper inserts, mirrors and door handles. The modifications are more than aesthetic: The front and rear ends direct air flow through unique ducts that cool the brakes, while a specially designed rear spoiler increases rear downforce by 39 percent, helping keep the rear tires firmly planted at high speed without increasing drag. Yet the coolest thing about the SRT8 might be its 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and asymmetrical high-performance tires. These maximize that visual power, and they’re staggered in the classic track-performance tradition, with the rear tires slightly wider than the fronts.

The Chrysler 300 delivers bold styling. It’s smooth and quiet, with a great ride and tight handling. Getting in and out is easy, and it’s roomy inside. Models are available for all tastes and budgets. Its traction and stability electronics work well, but buyers who want to be prepared for bad weather should opt for all-wheel drive. The base 300 is a lot of car for the money, with a proven V6 that has adequate power for many drivers. We prefer the Touring and Limited models, with their more powerful V6 and higher levels of features. The 300C comes with a Hemi V8 that can dust expensive luxury cars in performance and value. The SRT8 delivers outstanding performance in civilized style at a price that’s hard to beat.

Chrysler just annouced that it will be recalling 2007-2008 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avengers. Vehicles sold during that time need to have an electrical defect fixed that affects unused connectors on the tire pressue monitoring system. Apparently, corrosion can cause a short, and owners could experience their vehicles failing to start, stalling once underway, or some other affectations of the electrical components, including the cruise control. Formal notices are going to be sent out later this month.

When you receive your notice, be sure to give the Franklin Sussex Automall Service Department a call so we can schedule a time for you to bring your vehicle in and have the problem corrected!

Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the number 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Charger for NASCAR, is a new face to many Americans, but is well known in Europe because of his Formula 1 days. With this, Chrysler Corporation thought it was fitting to have him introduce and track test the new Dodge Caliber SRT4 at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month. Here is the video of that test …

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Chrysler recently announced that they’ve developed an innovative new system that will increase the fuel economy of their 2009 AWD Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger to rival the current mileage of their existing RWD platform.

This system was one of several new technologies that Chrysler revealed at its Auburn Hills technical center.

Over the last year, product development teams at Chrysler have been working extremely hard to improve their current model lineup. With over 500 improvements already made, Frank Klegon (VP of Product Development) promises that there are even more on the horizon including reduced engine noise for the Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber and soft-touch materials in some of the vehicles’ interiors.

This new and innovative all-wheel drive system improves fuel economy by disconnecting the front axle from the drivetrain until the all-wheel drive system becomes necessary for safety and control.

As I check out our current inventory, we’ve got a little over two dozen Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger vehicles that are a blast to drive and boast great fuel mileages already!

During the entire month of April, you can save up to $10,000 off MSRP on brand new Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Vehicles!

Chrysler has also make 0% financing available for all new purchases!

Here is April’s TV Commercial …

Chrysler recently released a video interview of Brian Nielander, the Exterior Design Manager for the Challenger, and Jeff Gale, the Lead Exterior Designer for the Challenger. During the clip, Brian and Jeff discuss the various elements of the new Challenger that are reminiscent of the original Dodge Challenger as well as the concept car seen at many of the auto shows around the world.

Here is the clip from that interview covering the challenges of bringing the concept car to life while retaining that original muscle car look and feel!