Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid

2008-04-12T16:44:46Z

Americancar: /* External Links */

[[Image:Chevy Silverado Hybrid001.jpg|thumb|right|450px|2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid]]
The [[Chevrolet]] Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] was introduced in the 2005 model year as an optional engine configuration on this hugely popular truck. The [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] configuration is expected to produce an increased fuel economy of 10% by simply stopping the Vortec 4800 [[V8|V8 engine]] in idle and deceleration but without impeding power performance.

See WikiCars' comprehensive '''[[Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid Review]]''' Page.

==Recent Changes==
[[Image:Frontend.jpg|frame|New front end design.]]

The 2007 model Silverado has had many small changes both inside and out. [[Chevrolet|Chevy]] has strayed from its trend of sharing similar from ends across vehicle lines like the Tahoe to produce a new and very pleasing looking vehicle. The 2007 Silverado seems as to have gained some size and girth but has borrowed elements from its little brother the Colorado which may make this seem skewed at first glance. Other options that seem to have been normally limited to the mid-size market vehicle have found their way onto the 2007 Silverado such as roof rails, fog lights and nerf bars.

==Styles and Major Options==

=====Models=====
* 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5' box 143.5" WB 1LT
* 4x2 Extended Cab 6.5' box 143.5" WB 2LT

* [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] Extended Cab 6.5' box 143.5" WB 1LT
* [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] Extended Cab 6.5' box 143.5" WB 2LT

Optional equipment on the Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] is for the most part identical to the regular Silverado’s with some minor variations. When all is said and done [[Chevrolet]] believes that consumers who are interested in the new technology would shy away if there were large sacrifices to make.

Even though fuel savings are limited, [[Chevrolet]] has found another attractive feature that can be utilized from the [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] power system. A pair of 110V outlets are available located in the rear bed sidewall and under seat which can prove very useful when power outlets are unavailable such as on a job site or a fishing/camping trip.
[[Image:Silverado.JPG|thumb|Silverado]]

=====Options=====

1LT Factory Options:

* Upgraded audio system to CD or 6-disc CD changer.
* Dual zone climate control.
* OnStar or OnStar Plus Package.
* Leather seat trim.
* Bucket seats with a power seat adjuster.
* Steering wheel controls.
* XM Satellite Radio.
* Fog Lamps.
* Exterior power or camping style mirrors.
* High capacity air cleaner.
* Heavy duty locking differential.
* Skid plates ([[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] only).
* Trailering package.

2LT Factory Options:

* Upgraded audio system to CD or 6-disc CD changer.
* OnStar or OnStar Plus Package.
* Leather seat trim.
* XM Satellite Radio.
* Exterior power or camping style mirrors.
* High capacity air cleaner.
* Heavy duty locking differential.
* Skid plates ([[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] only).
* Trailering package.

==Pricing==
* 4x2 Extended Cab 1LT : $25,960 MSRP
* 4x2 Extended Cab 2LT : $28,705 MSRP
* [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] Extended Cab 1LT : $28,410 MSRP
* [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] Extended Cab 2LT : $31,665 MSRP

Adopters of [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicles usually expect to pay quite a premium price for the new technology. [[Chevrolet]] has decided that placing the fuel saving technology in some of their more fuel hungry vehicles at a lower cost then a more efficient purer [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle would also be beneficial. Even though fuel savings is at a minimum customers can expect to pay only another $1500 or so compared to their conventional counterparts without sacrificing power and performance. This line of trucks should fair well with consumers.

==Gas Mileage==

The 2007 [[Chevrolet|Chevy]] Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] uses what is considered a Light [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] System utilizing three fuel saving methods:

* Engine off at idle.
* Deceleration fuel cutoff.
* Regenerative braking.

[http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm FuelEconomy.gov] lists the 2007 Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] 4x2 average fuel economy at 18 MPG City/ 21 MPG Hwy.

==Reliability==

Reliability information unavailable at present time although last years Silverado ranked highest in initial quality in the large pickup segment in the [http://www.jdpower.com/autos/content/reviews/review.asp?id=165 J.D. Power and Associates]2006 Initial Quality Study.

==Safety==
Crash test information unavailable at present time.

Safety and security features included standard:

* Driver and [[Airbag#Advanced airbag design|passenger air bags]].
* Vehicle anti-theft.
* Remote power door locks.

==Photos==
[[Image:QuarterSilv.jpg|frame|Rear View]]

[[Image:SilveradoInt.jpg|frame|Siverado Interior]]

[[Image:RearSilverado.jpg|frame|Siverado Truck Bed]]

[[Image:Badge2.jpg|frame|Siverado Hybrid]]

[[Image:SilveradoEngine.jpg|frame|Vortec 5.3L V8 SFI]]

==Colors==
[[Image:Black.JPG|Black]] Black

[[Image:Blue_Granite_Metallic.JPG|Blue Granite Metallic]] Blue Granite Metallic

[[Image:Dark_Blue_Metallic.JPG|Dark Blue Metallic]] Dark Blue Metallic

[[Image:Dark_Green_Metallic.JPG|Dark Green Metallic]] Dark Green Metallic

[[Image:Graystone_Metallic.JPG|Graystone Metallic]] Graystone Metallic

[[Image:Sandstone_Metallic.JPG|Sandstone Metallic]] Sandstone Metallic

[[Image:Silver_Birch_Metallic.JPG|Silver Birch Metallic]] Silver Birch Metallic

[[Image:Sport_Red_Metallic.JPG|Sport Red Metallic]] Sport Red Metallic

[[Image:Summit_White.JPG|Summit White]] Summit White

[[Image:Victory_Red.JPG|Victory Red]] Victory Red

==Unique Attributes==

* With an unhindered powertain under the hood few would even recognize the 2007 Silverado as a [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle. This reaction was expected and celebrated by [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] as they themselves refer to the Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] as "mild [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] technology".

* Portable generator on wheels. This is the kind of technological common sense that will usher new users to this technology. Where saving the environment for generations to come sometimes is reason enough, others just really need someplace to plug in their circular saw.

==Criticisms==

Are they kidding? 18 mpg?

==Current Generation: (2006-present)==

The 2006 Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] came to market with technology [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] called a Flywheel Alternator Starter [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] System (FAS). Even though the system did not power the truck at lower speeds or offer up more power in overtaking such as future [[General Motors Corporation|GM]] [[Hybrid Cars|hybrids]] would, there is still merit to stopping the spewing of pollution at stop lights during idle.

For 2007 very little has changed on the Silverado [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]], most likley new technology with a larger impact on fuel economy is in the works for future generations.

==Specifications==

* OHV [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] Vortec 5.3-Liter [[V8]].
* 295 [[HP|hp]] @ 5200rpm.
* 335 torque lbs/ft @ 4400rpm.
* 26 gallon fuel capacity.
* 4-speed electronic [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] with overdrive.
* Gross weight 6200 lbs.
* Seating capacity 6
* Towing capacity 6700 lbs.
{{-}}
==See Also==
{{Chevrolet}}

==External Links==
* [http://autoblogs.autoanything.com/public/blog/130825 2007 Chevy Silverado Revealed]
* [http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/ Chevrolet Homepage]
* [http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/06/12/2008-chevy-silverado-uncovered/ 2008 Silverado?]
* [http://www.hybridcars.com/silverado-sierra.html Low-Cost Approach]
* [http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/300_hybrids/pht_050103.html No Comprimises]
*[http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/chevrolet/gm-launches-chevrolet-silverado-hybrid-pickup/ GM launches Chevrolet Silverado hybrid pickup]
*[http://www.americancarimports.com UK based independent importer of Chevrolet Silverado models]

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:GMC vehicles|Sierra Hybrid]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Hybrid vehicles]]
[[Category:Trucks]]
[[Category:Full-Size Trucks]]

Ford Edge

2008-04-12T16:20:51Z

Americancar: /* External Links */

Ford Escape

2008-04-12T16:01:34Z

Americancar:

[[Image:08 Escape.jpg|right|2008 Ford Escape Limited|thumb|300px]]
The [[Ford]] '''Escape''' is built on the [[Ford]] CD2 platform, which is in turn based on the [[Mazda]] GF platform, which was used by the [[Mazda 626]]. It was introduced for the 2001 model year. The Escape is one of the leading vehicles in the compact [[SUV]] segment, and it has been continuously updated throughout its model run to keep it atop the pile of competition. The Escape is filled with content that makes it easy to like. The 3.0-liter [[V6]] engine gives strong acceleration performance. Buyers will not be looking for more power in a [[V6]] Escape. The four-speed [[automatic transmission]] works well with this engine. Shifts are smooth, both on upshift and down. The transmission always seems to know the best ratio for the given driving conditions. The [[V6]] engined Escapes never seem to struggle. Reviewers don't believe this engine to be the smoothest on the market, but they certainly don't call it the roughest. It remains more satisfying than the four-cylinder engines found in most compact sport-utilities. Noise, vibration and harshness go up a level on 4 cylinder equipped Escapes. Noise and vibration reduction measures were taken in fitting the engine with a balance shaft, but further efforts should be made in future to further reduce interior noise. The 2.3-liter Duratec 4-cylinder engine became available on XLT models for 2006 model year. Snow doesn't seem to be a problem for the Escape. [[Automatic transmission|Automatic]] [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] system equipped Escapes provide excellent traction in slippery conditions, not to mention stability.

The Escape treats occupants to a comfortable ride over a variety of road surfaces, although off the road the Escape seems to be lacking. The [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] system is based on a [[front wheel drive]] platform. Any serious gradients will leave this sport utility spinning its wheels. The suspension does not have the articulation needed in real off road conditions. For everyday road travel, however, the Ford Escape is an excellent choice.

==High Points==
* [[V6|V6]] gives satisfying power and never seems to be lacking
* Clean styling
* Rides better, out handles most of its competition

==Low Points==
* I4 has anemic performance on highway
* [[Jeep Liberty]] is more capable off road.
* Fuel consumption ([[V6|V6]] [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]])

==Performance and Handling==
[[Anti-lock brakes]] operate smoothly. Pedal response has been praised. Drum brakes are used on the rear except on [[V6]] [[4WD]] models and [[Ford Escape Hybrid]], which have with four-wheel [[4-wheel disc brakes|disc brakes]]. [[Brake Assist]] helps handling, allowing full braking power when it senses the driver has mistakenly relaxed pressure on the brake pedal in an emergency stopping situation. In addition, [[electronic brake-force distribution]] provides more effective, more stable braking.

==Gas Mileage==
<table border=1 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#ccccc>
<td colspan=6>
'''Trim'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=ffffcc>
<td>
FWD 2.3L manual
</td>
<td>
FWD 2.3L [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
FWD 3.0L
</td>
<td>
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] 2.3L manual
</td>
<td>
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] 2.3L [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] 3.0L
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=6 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''Engine'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
2.3L [[I-4]]
</td>
<td>
2.3L [[I-4]]
</td>
<td>
3.0L [[V6]]
</td>
<td>
2.3L [[I-4]]
</td>
<td>
2.3L [[I-4]]
</td>
<td>
3.0L [[V6]]
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=6 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''MPG (City/Highway)'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
24/29
</td>
<td>
22/26
</td>
<td>
20/24
</td>
<td>
22/26
</td>
<td>
21/24
</td>
<td>
19/23
</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Reliability and Maintenance==

==Interior and Comforts==
The interior of the Escape has been enhanced with the facelift from mid 2005. A flow-through console and bold-looking gauges are the key improvements. The Escape has a 60/40 split rear bench seat to make it fast and easy to reconfigure the rear cargo area. They fold down, but not perfectly flat. Inside space is competitive, but not class leading. The mid-range XLT offers premium cloth seats which are pleasant to look at and sit on. Base model XLS Escapes definitely look it.

==Exterior==
The Escape has 12 configurations in XLS, XLT, XLT Sport and Limited trims. Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] should be considered differently, in its own light. A freshening for 2005 added new headlamps (with crystal lenses), fog lamps, front and rear fascias, aluminum wheel designs and a new honeycomb grille. In 2006, three new clearcoat metallic colors, Titanium Green, Dark Stone, and Blazing Copper came available.

==Styles and Options==
The Escape is available in one 4-door body style. [[Front wheel drive]] is standard with [[four wheel drive]] being optional.
==See Also==
{{Ford}}

==Main Competitors==
* [[Mercury Mariner]]
* [[Toyota RAV4]]
* [[Honda Element]]
* [[Jeep Patriot]]
* [[Dodge Nitro]]
* [[Kia Sportage]]

==[[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]]==

In 2004, the [[Ford Escape Hybrid]] was released. This [[hybrid electric]] vehicle is 75% more fuel-efficient than the regular Escape according to Environmental Protection Agency tests and was the first [[SUV]] available to the public with [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] technology.

==External links==
* [http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escape/ Ford's Escape page]
* [http://www.MixedPower.com [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid Cars]] and Vehicles - MixedPower.com]
* [http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/ Ford's Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] page]
* [http://www.escape-central.com/ Escape Central: Escape/Mariner/Tribute Enthusiast site]
* [http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080123.014/2009-ford-escape-and-mercury-mariner-get-upgraded-engine 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner get Upgraded Engine]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com UK based independent importer of the Ford Escape Hybrid]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escape Ford Escape], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ford_Escape&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Ford Vehicles|Escape]]
[[Category:All Wheel Drive Vehicles]]
[[Category:Front Wheel Drive Vehicles]]
[[Category:SUVs]]
[[Category:Compact SUVs]]
[[Category:Hybrid Vehicles]]
[[Category:2000s Automobiles]]

Ford Flex

2008-04-12T15:59:18Z

Americancar:

Lincoln MKX

2008-04-12T15:57:23Z

Americancar:

Lincoln Navigator

2008-04-12T15:52:46Z

Americancar:

Dodge Durango

2008-04-10T12:45:33Z

Americancar:

Dodge Viper SRT10

2008-04-10T12:43:31Z

Americancar:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Large-dodge-viper-00.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Viper SRT10'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Dodge]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Assembled
| n/a
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 2008-Present
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Supercar
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-door, 2-seat Coupe<br>2-door, 2-seat Roadster
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 175.6 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 61.6 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
| 75.2 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 98.8 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3450 lb (Coupe)<br>3436 lb (Roadster)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Manual
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 8.4 liter [[V10]], 20 valves
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 600 hp @ N/A rpm<br>560 lb-ft @ N/A rpm
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Chevrolet Corvette Z06]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| n/a
|}

{{stub}}
The '''Dodge Viper SRT10''' is Dodge’s flagship [[supercar]] model. It is a two-door, two-seat vehicle based on the [[Dodge Viper]]. The Viper SRT10 originated in 2003 as a roadster boasting an 8.3 liter V10 producing a staggering 500 HP. Three years later in 2006, Dodge unveiled the Viper SRT10 hardtop coupe. Engine output was also re-rated to be 510 HP. Skipping the 2007 model year completely, Dodge introduced the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. Although the exterior received only a minor change, (a more aggressive looking hood), the Viper’s engine was given an extra .1 displacement increase to 8.4 liters, adding an extra 90 HP, totaling it’s output to 600 HP.

See Wikicars' comprehensive '''[[Wikicars:Model Review Template|<MODEL> Review]]'''.

===Recent Changes===
*For 2008 the Dodge Viper was given an 8.4L V10 with 600 HP along with a more aggressive hood.

*In early November 2007, Dodge unveiled on the internet a track-ready (and street-legal) performance kit for the Viper SRT10. Dubbed, the '''Viper SRT10 ACR''' ('''American Club Racer'''), the car's 8.4L V10 600hp, 560lb-ft (760Nm) of torque powerplant remains the same. What changes, however, are the weight and tuning. Adjustable coil-over racing dampers from KW Suspensions now graces this snake and roll stiffness is increased with a new front stabilizer bar. Downforce is up to race-car levels with 1000lbs (455kg) downforce at 150mph. Braking is now handled by Two-piece slotted StopTech rotors mated to Brembo calipers. This alone saves 60lbs from the car's total weight. Adding the "Hard Core" package will see you deleting another 40lbs by substituting door speakers for carbon fiber panels, deleting the radio and a significant portion of silencing material and carpet and getting rid of the tire inflater. The tranny has also been ripped out and replaced with the Tremec T56 (TR6060) 6-speed Manual while the GKN ViscoLok speed-sensing limited-slip differential makes sure to keep all that power under control. This all, of course, not forgetting to mention that the vehicle gets a distinctive livery and fascia details as well as a large stonking rear wing deflector. [http://news.windingroad.com/car-buying/2008-dodge-viper-srt10-acr-photos-and-info/][http://news.windingroad.com/motorsports/new-viper-acr-shows-its-face-early/]

<gallery>
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 001.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 002.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 003.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 004.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 005.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 006.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 007.jpg
Image:2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 008.jpg

</gallery>

===Styles and Major Options===
[[Image:08_Viper_Red_Rear.jpg|thumb|250px|right|08 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe]]The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

Eight exterior colors will be introduced throughout the model year – five of which are all-new including Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue. Racing stripes continue to be an option with six dual painted stripe colors available: white, black, silver, graphite, blue and red.

Several exterior differences exist between the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe. In fact, the only body panels they share are front fascia and fenders, hood and doors. However, all of the iconic Viper SRT10 design cues have been maintained including the signature crosshair grille, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe’s hard top with its “double bubble” styling makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster. The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Plus, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.

===Pricing===
''Add more fields as necessary.''

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0em 1em; width:collapse; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:85%; line-height:2.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#000000; background:#cccccc; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=3 |'''MODEL Trims'''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | Coupe
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | Roadster
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | ACR
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#fff; background:#811b33; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=3 |''MSRP''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | $83,895
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | $83,145
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | $98,110[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/2008-dodge-viper-srt-10-acr-prices.html]
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#fff; background:#811b33; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=3 |''Invoice''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | $Price1
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | $Price2
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | $Price3
|}

===Gas Mileage===
''Add more fields as necessary.''

As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0em 1em; width:collapse; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:85%; line-height:2.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#000000; background:#cccccc; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=2 |'''Trim'''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | Coupe
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | Roadster
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#000000; background:#cccccc; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=2 |'''MPG'''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | 15 mpg
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;"| 15 mpg
|}

===Engine===
[[Image:84L_V10.jpg|thumb|250px|right|8.4L Viper V10]]
When SRT powertrain engineers set out to get more venom from the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10’s powerplant, their objectives included not only increasing performance, but also complying with stringent regulatory requirements, such as federal Tier 2, Bin 5 and California’s Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) 2 mandates.

Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer’s basic formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing and higher engine speed.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10’s deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water jackets for better cooling, the block includes pressed-in iron cylinder liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength and durability.

The Viper SRT10’s 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to “breathe” cleaner and more efficiently.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 V-10’s two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.

The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum-tip spark plugs fired by new individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head covers.

Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with larger-diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability. Forged powder-metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength.

Engine lubrication is managed by a larger oil pump and a swinging oil pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to improve oil pressure in high-rpm and hard-cornering conditions.

Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved emission control. The headers’ stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.

SRT engineers didn’t stop there. Upgrades were developed to handle the 8.4-liter V-10’s increased horsepower and torque levels, while improving traction, driveability – and durability.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10’s V-10 channels its power through a new, smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch (a change from the previous larger-diameter, single-disc setup). The new clutch reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, resulting in reduced clutch-pedal effort and improved engagement feel.

The transmission is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060. It features 10 percent wider gears for higher torque capacity and a new synchronizer package. A new shifter system results in reduced shifter travel. Club racers will applaud a new provision for adding an external transmission cooler.

===Performance===
'''Acceleration'''
*0-60mph: 3.6 seconds
*1/4 mile: 11.6 seconds @ 123 mph
*0-100-0 mph: 12 seconds
'''Benchmark Braking'''

Stopping power is another key attribute of the Dodge Viper SRT10 formula, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking. This system results in a benchmark braking performance of 60-to-0 mph in less than 100 feet.

'''World-class Ride and Handling'''

The ride and handling of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is defined by a race-bred, fully independent, four-wheel suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers.

Where the power goes right to the road, SRT engineers retained the tried-and-true Dana M44-4 rear axle and outfitted it with a new GKN Visco-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 rides on polished, forged aluminum, 18 x 10-inch front and 19 x 13-inch rear wheels now available in three styles: the five-spoke, the H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes. The wheels are clad in Michelin® Pilot® Sport PS2 tires. The four-groove tread-design tires provide maximum grip, reduced road noise and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.

===Reliability===
Warranty options and scheduled maintainence information should be mentioned here.

===Safety===
The following safety and security technologies are featured on the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10:

*Adjustable Pedals: Allow brake and accelerator pedals to move toward or away from the driver to help driver achieve a safe and comfortable seating position for improved control
*Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags with Occupant Classification System (OCS): Inflates with a force appropriate to the severity of the impact. The OCS measures the conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger side front air bag based upon the weight of the occupant
*Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Senses and prevents wheel lockup, offering improved steering control under extreme braking or slippery conditions
*BeltAlert: Periodically activates a chime and illuminates an icon in the instrument cluster to remind the driver and front passenger to buckle up if a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted
*Center High-mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL): The shelf-mounted center high mounted stop lamp uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) for longer life
*Constant Force Retractors (CFR): Distribute force or load exerted on a seat belt, and then gradually release the seat belt webbing in a controlled manner
*Crumple Zones: Designed to compress during an accident to absorb energy, decreasing transfer of that energy to the occupants
*Energy-absorbing Steering Column: The manual-adjust steering column uses two hydroformed coaxial tubes that can move relative to each other to allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash. The power-adjust steering column employs a calibrated bending element that deforms during column stroke for optimal energy management
*Interior Head-impact Protection: Interior pillars above the beltline and instrument panel – including areas around windshield and rear window headers, roof and side rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops – specifically designed to limit head-impact force
*Knee Bolsters: The lower instrument panel and the glove-box door are designed to properly position the occupant, enabling the air bags to work effectively
*Remote Keyless Entry (RKE): System enhances personal security by locking and unlocking doors and turning on interior lamps. The system also arms and disarms the Vehicle Theft Security Alarm
*Three-point Seat Belts with Pretensioners: Three-point lap and shoulder belt retractors incorporate a pretensioning feature to enhance occupant protection in an impact by managing occupant energy
*Tire-pressure Monitoring (TPM): Pressure-sensor modules within the valve stems of all four wheels send continuous radio-frequency signals to a receiver, and the system informs occupants when the pressure is too low

===Photos===

<gallery>
Image:08 Viper Red Front.jpg
Image:08 ext viper phtgal 01.jpg
Image:Viper exterior.jpg
Image:Viper handling.jpg
Image:Viper interior.jpg
Image:Viper power.jpg
Image:Dodge-viper-srt10-2008.jpg
Image:Prnvepir.jpg
Image:2008dodgeviper.jpg
Image:Dg008 020vp.jpg
</gallery>

Add ''Photos'' of the [[automobile|vehicle]] here.

'''''Please make sure not to use copyrighted photos.'''''

===Colors===
'''Exterior'''

*Venom Red
*Snakeskin Green
*Viper Violet
*Viper Orange
*Bright Blue

'''Racing stripes'''

*White
*Black
*Silver
*Graphite
*Blue
*Red

===Main Competitors===
Create links to other <MAKE> <MODEL> pages in this section.

==Hybrid Models==
If there are [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] versions of this vehicle manufactured, then please elaborate a little bit on it here.

==Unique Attributes==
If there are any features of this [[automobile|vehicle]] that sets it apart from other [[automobile|vehicles]] in its class, then mention those ''unique attributes'' here.

==Interior==

[[Image:08_Viper_Red_INT.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Viper Red Interior]]The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe cockpit retains its characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented, highly functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and 220-mph speedometer.

Five interior colors will be available in 2008: black, and four new color combinations in black/red, black/blue, black/slate or black/natural tan. A choice of bezel finishes on the center instrument panel and console adds to the increased level of customization.

“The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 delivers die-hard performance enthusiasts a perfect combination of outrageous power, exceptional performance and stunning good looks,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Motorsports and SRT Marketing and Product Planning, Chrysler Group. “And now with a whole new range of interior and exterior colors and options to choose from, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 redefines how a customer can personalize their Viper.”

==Resale Values==
''Add more fields as necessary.''

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0em 1em; width:collapse; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:85%; line-height:2.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#000000; background:#9e9784; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=4 |'''<MODEL> Year'''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | Year X
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | Year X-2
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | Year X-3
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | Year X-4
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="text-align:left; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="color:#000000; background:#9e9784; font-size:larger; font-style:bold; text-align:left;"
! colspan=4 |'''Resale Value'''
|-
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | $
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | $
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#ddb;" | $
! style="text-align:left; font-weight:large; background:#f4f4da;" | $
|}

==Criticisms==
Please make sure to '''''keep critiques in a third-person point of view'''''. If using criticisms from a reputable automotive source, then '''''please make sure to cite the quote'''''.

==Generations==
Fill in as many as appropriate. Add more if necessary and pictures wherever applicable.

'''''Please make sure NOT to use copyrighted pictures'''''.

==Current Generation: (2008–present)==

'''Even More Venom: Dodge Unleashes New 600-horsepower 2008 Viper SRT10'''

*Additional 90 horsepower on tap from new 8.4-liter Viper SRT10 V-10 engine
*Dramatic new hood features restyled, functional air extractors
*0-60 mph in under four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in just over 12 seconds, braking in under 100 feet
*New exterior, interior colors provide customers with increased customization options

Detroit - The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.

While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.

“A legendary big-game hunter once said, ‘Bring enough gun!’ – and with the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, we’ve created some very powerful artillery for sports-car enthusiasts,” said Kipp Owen, Director – Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Engineering, Chrysler Group. “With 600 horsepower – 90 more than before - and 0-to-60 performance in less than four seconds, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 sets a new benchmark for the ultimate American sports car.”

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North America this summer with a new level of customization options, including five new exterior colors, four new interior color combinations and a new wheel design.
{{-}}

==== Manufacturing ====

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will be hand-built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.

Street and Racing Technology
SRT creates some of the Chrysler Group’s boldest, most distinctive products by single-mindedly following its core vision: Deliver benchmark performance at the lowest price, and deliver it with absolute integrity and credibility.

Every SRT vehicle showcases five key aspects: Exterior styling that resonates with the brand image; race-inspired interiors; world-class ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range; benchmark braking; and standout powertrain.

*Roadster - $83,145
*Coupe - $83,895

===First Generation/Origins (2006–2007)===

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:06 Viper Blue Front.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Viper SRT10'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Dodge]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Assembled
| n/a
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 2003-Present
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| [[Supercar]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| Coupe
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 175.5 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 75.2 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
| 48.6 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 98.8 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3380 lbs.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| Six-Speed Manual
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 8.3L V10 (505 cu. in.)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 510 hp @ 5600 rpm
535 ft-lbs. @ 4100 rpm
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Chevrolet Corvette Z06]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
|
|}

The 2006 '''Dodge Viper SRT10''' Coupe "Tops Off" Viper Line, Continues [[Dodge Viper|Viper]] Tradition of Power and Performance

*500/500/500 cubic inches, horsepower and torque on tap - with a top
*SRT Performance: 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, 60-0 mph braking in less than 100 feet, 0-100-0 mph in low12-second range
*Hardtop 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 offers racing, autocross enthusiasts new alternative
The Dodge Viper legend began with the 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster and grew with the introduction in 1996 of the Dodge Viper GTS Coupe.

History is repeating itself.

When the third-generation Dodge Viper made its debut in 2003, it did so in the form of a convertible. For 2006, the Dodge Viper SRT10 debuts in an all-new Coupe form - to the acclaim of "Viper Nation," the community of die-hard Viper owners throughout the world.

"Demand for a Dodge Viper Coupe started the day we introduced the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible for 2003," said Dan Knott, Director, [[Street and Racing Technology]] (SRT), Chrysler Group. "The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is a natural evolution of the heritage of the Dodge Viper, and gives enthusiasts exactly what they're looking for in the ultimate American sports car.

"Dodge Viper SRT10 customers want to go beyond the level of the regular enthusiast, to the level of outrageous performance," said Knott. "Our all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe gives our customers that performance in a stunning new package."

Dodge Viper SRT10 is about uncompromising performance and stunning looks. With an 8.3-liter 500-horsepower V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), and a bold appearance marked by Dodge's signature crosshair grille design, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible had no equal. Until now.

==== 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Exterior ====

[[Image:06 Viper Blue Rear.jpg|thumb|250px|left|06 Dodge Viper Coupe]]The exterior design of the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, with its "double-bubble" roof and dramatic, unique rear styling with wrap-around taillamps reminiscent of the Viper GTS Coupe, is what sets it apart from its Convertible sibling - and connects it to the Viper heritage.

"It was important for us to sustain the emotion in the design," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Design, Chrysler Group. "We wanted the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design to include a nod to the original Viper GTS Coupe, but in a contemporary way.

"The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe owner is often a racer, and the car has to scream that, even when it's idling at the stoplight," Creed added. "The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's design says a lot about its unique character, and the car's performance is the payoff."

In many cases, a convertible is derived from a coupe. After the coupe's top is removed, structural reinforcements must be added to regain torsional stiffness lost with the deletion of the roof structure.

In the case of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, the starting point was the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible - which has a stout structure to begin with. With the addition of the roof structure, the Viper SRT10 Coupe becomes even more torsionally rigid than the Convertible.

From an aerodynamic standpoint, the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is designed for increased downforce and high-speed stability, with a sloping roofline and decklid spoiler.

The only bodywork that the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe shares with the Convertible is the front fascia and fenders, hood and doors. In addition to the new canopy and decklid, the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has a special windshield surround, door side glass, rear fascia, quarter panels and taillights.

The decklid for the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe was designed for customer convenience as well as structural integrity. The decklid opening is deeply integrated into the rear fascia, which offers a low lift-over height for stowing cargo. Gas struts hold the decklid in place when open; when closed, the decklid is secured with a lock that meets federal regulations for latch safety.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design also took some of its cues from Dodge Viper's heritage. For example, the Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) on the decklid, although all-new for 2006, looks similar to the "snake-head" design on the Viper GTS of 1996-2002.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe will be available initially in Viper Blue with twin Stone White racing stripes, harkening back to one of the most popular Vipers ever, the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS.

==== 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Interior ====
[[Image:06_Viper_Blue_INT.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Viper Coupe Interior]]The form-follows-function strategy continues inside the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe.

"For helmet clearance, we brought back the 'double-bubble' roofline from the original Dodge Viper GTS," said Creed. "In fact, we began the process by utilizing a mannequin with a helmet to determine the height and shape of the roof."

Another functional interior feature for the many owners who will take their 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe racing is the roof and headliner structure that offers room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.

Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe-unique interior pieces also include various weatherstrip pieces, headliner, carpet and trim panels.

A result of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's configuration is more usable trunk space - 4 cubic feet more than the Viper SRT10 Convertible, for a total of 6.25 cubic feet.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe also features a unique two-tone interior color scheme.

==== 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Powertrain ====
The magic numbers for the Dodge Viper SRT10 are 500/500/500 - representing 500 horsepower, 525 pound-feet of torque and 505 cubic inches of displacement.

An aluminum-block 8.3-liter (505 cu. in.) V-10 engine powers the 2006 Viper SRT10 Coupe, generating 500 horsepower (372 kW) and 525 lb.-ft. (712 Nom) of torque. Ninety percent of the torque is available to the driver across a wide band -- the 1,500-5,600 rpm range.

Transferring the Dodge Viper SRT10's power to the rear wheels is a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.

==== 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Braking ====

Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe braking power is defined by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear, gripping four 14-inch rotors. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking.

This system results in a world-class braking performance of 60-0 mph in less than 100 feet, and completion of SRT's signature 0-100-0 mph test in the low 12-second range.

==== 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Ride and Handling ====

Handling and ride characteristics for the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is derived from a race-bred, four-wheel independent suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers. Power is delivered to the pavement via a Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe rides on unique forged aluminum wheels -- 18" x 10" front and 19" x 13" in the rear. Each is clad with a Michelin zero pressure run-flat tire, and each tire includes a low-pressure sensor in the valve stem.
{{-}}
==Worldwide==
If the [[automobile|vehicle]] is sold in other markets worldwide, then this is the section to mention that information. Also, mention if the <MODEL> goes by another name in these other markets.

==Design quirks and oddities==
The lack of traction control causes this beast to exhibit a raw, monstrous feel.

==Awards==
List out notable ''awards'' that the model has recieved while in production. '''Boldface''' the company or organization that gives out the award, and ''Italicize'' the name of the award.

==See Also==
{{Dodge}}
==External Links==
{{commonscat|Street and Racing Technology}}
* [http://www.drivesrt.com Official SRT Website ]
* [http://www.dodge.com/srt/ Official Chrysler SRT website]
* [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/11/2008-viper-srt10-acr-street-legal.html 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR: Street-Legal, Racetrack Version]
* [http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/08/la-2007-preview-dodge-viper-srt10-acr-drops/ LA 2007 Preview: Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR drops]
* [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/11/video-dodges-street-legal-2008-viper.html Video: Dodge’s Street Legal 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR]
* [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/2008-dodge-viper-srt-10-acr-prices.html 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR: Prices Start At $98,110]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com UK based independent importer of the Dodge Viper SRT-10]

[[Category:Pages with the First Anniversary Infobox Upgrade]]

Dodge Magnum

2008-04-10T12:41:40Z

Americancar:

Dodge Charger SRT8

2008-04-10T12:40:19Z

Americancar:

Dodge Challenger SRT8

2008-04-10T12:38:40Z

Americancar:

Dodge Ram 1500

2008-04-10T12:36:44Z

Americancar:

[[Image:2009DodgeRam.jpg| '''All New 2009 Dodge Ram'''|right|thumb|450px]]
The '''Ram''' is a fullsize pickup truck from [[DaimlerChrysler]]'s [[Dodge]] brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned D Series, though it came from the hood ornament used in the 1930s and 1940s trucks.

The Ram was ''Motor Trend'' magazine's Truck of the Year for 1994, and the Ram ''Heavy Duty'' won that award for 2003.

The Ram is built at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, Saint Louis Assembly North in Fenton, Missouri, and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan.

See Wikicars' comprehensive '''[[Dodge Ram 1500 Review]]'''.
===Quick Year-to-Year Changes===

*'''2003''' - On SLT models, the "SLT" badges are moved from the bottom of the C-pillars to the right side of the tailgate. "Sport" badges on Sport models are eliminated altogether. The famed 5.7L (345 cid) Hemi V8 debuts as a mid-year option with the 545RFE 5-speed automatic transmission as a mandatory option.

*'''2004''' - Special edition Rumble Bee, Daytona, GTX and SRT-10 models debut, the latter with the 8.3L (505 cid) 500 hp V10 and 6-speed manual transmission.

*'''2005''' - The DODGE nameplate on the tailgate is eliminated, replaced with a rams-head symbol below the tailgate latch. Quad-Cab versions of the Daytona, GTX, Rumble Bee and SRT-10s are added, the latter with a mandatory 4-speed automatic borrowed from the 2500/3500 Cummins diesel engine series.

*'''2006''' - A restyled front end which some derided as being too Dakota-like. One notable new version is the '''Mega Cab''', featuring a 6-foot cargo box and 20 inches of extra cab space, allowing seating for six with rear recliners. Also, a full screen mapping in-dash [[Navigation System|navigation system]] in a restyled dashboard is now an option. The Rumble Bee, Daytona and GTX models are discontinued, but the SRT-10s hang on for one more year. Another change for 2006 is Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System on the Hemi V8 engine in the Ram. A new center console with built-in cup holders and side pockets is a new option on Quad Cabs. Inferno Red became a new extra-cost color. The standard cab SRT-10 received an all new center console that contained a shorter, more direct 6-speed shifter. Also Inferno Red and Mineral Gray became available on the SRT-10 in addition to Black, replacing Flame Red and Bright Silver. "Sport" badges reappear on the Sport models, now on the tailgate. The optional 20" rims got a new 5-spoke design, and were now available in polished as well as chrome.

*'''2007''' - Taillights are redesigned to look more like the [[Dodge Durango|Durango]]'s. The ultra-hot SRT-10 is unfortunately discontinued.

*'''2008''' - Dodge unveiled the '''Dodge Ram Mega Cab Resistol Edition'''.[http://www.worldcarfans.com/9070928.004/dodge-ram-mega-cab-resistol-edition-revealed]. The 4.7L (285 cid) V8 gets a most welcome power boost to 303 hp. Side door badges no longer read RAM 1500, the now say simply RAM. Big Horn editions now get a unique tailgate badge.

===Styles and Major Options===
There are an overwhelming number of decisions to make when purchasing a Dodge Ram. [[Dodge]] has seemingly left no possibile combination of features unexplored, so if you're considering one of these, plan on spending some quality time with the brochure.

The Dodge Ram 1500 comes in three different body styles: the Regular Cab, Quad Cab, and new Mega Cab. The difference between the body styles has mostly to do with cabin space and truckbed length. The Regular Cab has only a front bench seat, the Quad Cab has a back seat with independent doors, and the Mega Cab boasts the largest back seat of any pickup.

Each of the styles is then available in a number of different trims. The Regular Cab is available in ST, SLT, Sport, or TRX Off-Road trims, and the Quad Cab is available in all of those as well as a Laramie trim. The Mega Cab, however, is only available in SLT and Laramie trims.

Some of the features on the ST, the most basic trim, include rear wheel [[anti-lock brakes]], 17" steel wheels, AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD, air conditioning, and front [[airbag]]s. With the SLT, you get a more powerful engine, front-seat center armrest/console, 17" cast aluminum or chrome wheels, remote keyless entry, and floor mats. The Laramie gets a 5.7L 345[[hp]] engine, five-speed [[automatic transmission]], leather trimmed seating, dual zone temperature control, and power adjustable pedals. The Sport has body-colored grille with chrome accents, a body-colored rear bumper, fog lamps, 20" chrome clad wheels, and SIRIUS satellite radio. Lastly, the TRX Off-Road version comes with unique color shocks, a body-colored grille, TRX4 Off-Road decals, fog lamps, and also SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

===Pricing===
Today's actual prices for the [[Dodge]] Ram 1500 can be found at [http://www.carsdirect.com/dodge/ram_1500/prices CarsDirect].

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; margin:1em 0 1em 1em" style="border:2px solid #AAAAAA"
!2006 [[Dodge]] Ram 1500 Trim
!MSRP
!Invoice
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 ST 4x2 Regular Cab 120.5 in. WB||align="center"|$21,150||align="center"|$18,769
|-
|1500 ST 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$21,435||align="center"|$19,014
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 120.5 in. WB||align="center"|$24,250||align="center"|$21,435
|-
|1500 SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$24,535||align="center"|$21,680
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 Laramie 4x2 Regular Cab 120.5 in. WB||align="center"|$29,320||align="center"|$25,795
|-
|1500 Laramie 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$29,605||align="center"|$26,040
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 ST 4x2 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$25,220||align="center"|$22,319
|-
|1500 ST 4x2 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$26,285||align="center"|$23,235
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$27,740||align="center"|$24,486
|-
|1500 SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$28,020||align="center"|$24,727
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 Laramie 4x2 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$31,720||align="center"|$27,889
|-
|1500 Laramie 4x2 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$31,800||align="center"|$27,958
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 SLT 4x2 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$32,060||align="center"|$28,337
|-
|1500 Laramie 4x2 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$37,155||align="center"|$32,718
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 ST 4x4 Regular Cab 120.5 in. WB||align="center"|$25,405||align="center"|$22,478
|-
|1500 ST 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$25,745||align="center"|$22,771
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 SLT/TRX4 Off Road/Sport 4x4 Regular Cab 120.5 in. WB||align="center"|$27,820||align="center"|$24,555
|-
|1500 SLT/TRX4 Off Road 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$28,160||align="center"|$24,848
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 Laramie 4x4 Regular Cab 120.5 in. WB||align="center"|$32,890||align="center"|$28,915
|-
|1500 Laramie 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$33,230||align="center"|$29,208
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 ST 4x4 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$29,355||align="center"|$25,900
|-
|1500 ST 4x4 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$29,685||align="center"|$26,184
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 SLT/TRX4 Off Road/Sport 4x4 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$30,960||align="center"|$27,281
|-
|1500 SLT 4x4 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$31,290||align="center"|$27,564
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB||align="center"|$34,940||align="center"|$30,683
|-
|1500 Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$35,070||align="center"|$30,795
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|1500 SLT 4x4 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$35,280||align="center"|$31,141
|-
|1500 Laramie 4x4 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB||align="center"|$40,375||align="center"|$35,523
|- bgcolor="#F2F2F2"
|}

===Gas Mileage===
As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

<table border=1 tablecolor=#000000 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#cccccc>
<td>
</td>
<td>
[[2WD]]
</td>
<td>
[[4WD]]
</td>
</tr>

<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
3.7L [[V6]] [[manual transmission|manual]]
</td>
<td>
16/21
</td>
<td>
N/A
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
3.7L [[V6]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
16/21
5.9L [[I6 Cummins]] [[manual transmission|manual]]
</td>
<td>
20/26
</td>
<td>
N/A
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
5.7L [[V8]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
15/19
</td>
<td>
14/18
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
4.7L [[V8]] [[manual transmission|manual]]
</td>
<td>
14/19
</td>
<td>
14/18
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
4.7L [[V8]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
14/19
</td>
<td>
14/18
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
4.7L [[V8]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
<br>
[[Flexible Fuel Vehicles|flex-fuel]] gas
</td>
<td>
12/15
</td>
<td>
12/15
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
4.7L [[V8]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
<br>
[[Flexible Fuel Vehicles|flex-fuel]] E85
</td>
<td>
9/11
</td>
<td>
9/11
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
8.3L [[V10]] [[manual transmission|manual]]
</td>
<td>
9/15
</td>
<td>
N/A
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
8.3L [[V10]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
9/12
</td>
<td>
N/A
</td>
</tr>
</table>

===Reliability===
The major recent model available for reliability ratings, the 2003 version, was given a Green rating in all major categories by Automotive Information Systems. A Green rating signifies "Minimal Problems," and the categories inspected include Engine, Transmission, and Accessories, among others.

===Safety===
In safety tests performed by the [http://www.safercar.gov NHTSA,] the Ram 1500 performed extremely well. Front-Impact tests for both the driver and passenger sides yielded 5-star ratings, while tests for rollover earned the Ram 4-star ratings for both its [[2WD]] and [[4WD]] models.

Some of the standard safety features are:
*Rear/four wheel [[anti-lock brakes]]
*Front-impact [[airbag]]s
*Side impact bars

In addition, overhead curtain airbags are available on all trims, and the availability of items such as a security system and ignition disable are standard for most trims and only optional for the rest.

===Photos===
<gallery>
image:2006_Ram1500_blueleft.jpg
image:2006_Ram1500_5.7hemi.jpg
image:2006_Ram1500_blackright.jpg
image:2006_Ram1500_interior.jpg
image:2006_Ram1500_dashboard.jpg
</gallery>

'''2009 Dodge Ram'''
<gallery>
Image:RAMD 8.jpg
Image:RAMD 14.jpg
Image:RAMD 17.jpg
Image:RAMD 19.jpg
</gallery>

===Colors===
Colors will vary according to trim, and a full list can be viewed at [http://www.carsdirect.com/dodge/ram_1500/colors CarsDirect.com.] Here are some of the available colors:

'''Exterior'''
*Black Clearcoat
*Flame Red/Bright Silver Metallic
*Light Khaki Metallic
*Mineral Gray/Bright Silver Metallic
*Patriot Blue Pearlcoat/Bright Silver Metallic

'''Interior'''
*Khaki
*Medium Slate Gray

===Main Competitors===
*[[Ford F-150]]
*[[Nissan Titan]]
*[[GMC Sierra 1500]]
*[[Honda Ridgeline]]
*[[Lincoln Mark LT]]
*[[Toyota Tundra]]
*[[Chevrolet Silverado 1500]]

==Hybrid Models==
Dodge announced a [[hybrid car|mild hybrid]] version of the Ram, dubbed the '''Contractor's Special''', in 2003. However, the schedule for delivery slipped as Dodge backed away from the vehicle. The press currently reports that the [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] Ram will be available only for fleet purchasers and will not enter mass production. It offered an AC electrical outlet panel for running an entire jobsite worth of power tools.

==Unique Attributes==

==Resale Values==
[http://www.autos.com/autos/rankings_resale?cat=trucks&segment=fullsize_trucks&rank=resale&year=2006 Autos.com] has the Ram 1500 tied for 2nd in its Resale category for Full-Size Trucks. This ranking is a bit misleading, however, as the Ram 1500 shares this honor with 9 other trucks, while 1st place itself is shared by 6 trucks. As reported by [http://www.kbb.com Kelley Blue Book,] "the Dodge Ram 1500 holds its value just slightly better than average, with HEMI-powered short-bed models at the top of the projected residual values list. The Ram is expected to hold its value better than the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] by a few percentage points, but not as well as the [[Nissan Titan]]."

==Criticisms==
*"Frame's stiffness makes the ride quality limitations of rear leaf springs more obvious." — The Car Connection
*"Engines could be better. The big 5.9-liter V-8 is crude." — USA Today
*"Needs lots of room to park." — Carpoint.com
*"Those who like the idea of a big truck but commute through the suburbs on a daily basis may want to try something a bit smaller, such as the mid-size Dodge Dakota." - Kelley Blue Book

==Current Generation: (2002–present)==
[[Image:800px-2005_Dodge_Ram_Rumble_Bee.jpg|right|350px|2005 Dodge Ram Rumble Bee]]
The third-generation Ram 1500 debuted for 2002 (the 2500 and 3500 versions would carry on for one more year with the previous bodystyle). This represented a major update including all new frame, suspension, power teams, interiors, and sheetmetal. It included an even larger grille, and special models kept interest up as most competitors had adopted the Ram's separate-fender look. The Cummins ''ISB'' [[Diesel]] was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2004. The four wheel drive light duty trucks (1500 series) lost their live axles in trade for an [[independent suspension|independent front suspension]], but the heavy duty (2500 and 3500 series) retained the live axles for maximum durability and load capacity.

The redesigned DR trucks reignited sales, with 400,000 sold in 2002 and nearly 450,000 sold in 2003, a new high point for the Ram name. At the same time, both Ford and GM trucks were declining from a 2001 peak over 900,000 to the 850,000 area. But the Ram's sales could not keep up with the eleventh-generation [[Ford F-Series|F-150]] and the strong [[Nissan Titan]] in 2004 and 2005, with 400,543 Rams sold that year. The [[Toyota Tundra]] had never posed much of a threat, but a much larger 2007 model may erode Dodge sales further.

=====Special Rams=====
[[Image:800px-2005_Dodge_Ram_SRT-10.jpg|right|thumb|350px|2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10]]
* '''SRT-10''' This version is a regular or quad-cab body with the [[Dodge Viper]]'s [[Chrysler LA engine#Viper V10|V10 engine]], massive Pirelli 22" rimmed tires, custom lowered suspension, unique bucket seats, full body kit, and a spoiler. The 2004 version was available only in a single cab with a 6 speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. For 2005, Dodge debuted a Quad Cab version of the Viper V10 powered truck. It now has a 48RE four speed auto transmission that was taken from the Heavy Duty Rams with the Cummins engine. In 2004, the truck won the Guinness record of "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck" of 154.587mph (247,3 km/h).
* '''Power Wagon''' - Introduced for 2005 on the 2500 series, the Power Wagon comes with the 5.7 L new Hemi engine, locking differentials, disconnecting anti-roll bars, oversized off-road tires and a winch.
* '''Daytona''' - Introduced for 2005, the Ram Daytona features 20 in chrome wheels, custom paint, the ''Hemi'' engine, and a tall rear spoiler reminescent of the famous Dodge Charger Daytona from the late 1960s.
* '''Rumble Bee''' - The Rumble Bee edition was mainly a trim package on the Hemi Ram. It was only available on regular cab/short-box pickups and included lower body cladding, a hood scoop, and a specially-trimmed interior. On the rear of the box was a stripe with a "Rumble Bee" picture, meant to be reminiscent of the Super Bee.
* '''GTX''' - In 2004-2005, this package was very similar to the Rumble Bee in that it shared the Hemi engine, 20" wheels, hood scoop and specially-trimmed interior, but didn't have the lower body cladding and the stripes were different. These were available in Mango Green, Hemi Orange and Plum Crazy Purple, all with black tonneau cover and unique black-accented stripes and decals. In 2004 this was available only in a standard cab but a Quad Cab version became available in 2005.

*'''Thunder Road''' 2003-Present The Thunder Road has unique 20" Wheels and Trim inside and out. Comes in Regular Cab and Quad Cab, and has a unique Thunder Road Badge. The Thunder Road is a trim package for the Hemi Rams.

=====Engines=====
{| class=wikitable
!Model
!Years
!Engine
!Power
!Torque
|-
|rowspan=4|1500||2002-2005||3.7 L ''[[Chrysler PowerTech engine#3.7|PowerTech]]'' [[V6]]||215 [[HP|hp]] (160 kW) at 5200 rpm||235 ft·lbf (319 N·m) at 4000 rpm
|-
|2002-2005||4.7 L ''[[Chrysler Magnum engine#4.7|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||235 [[HP|hp]] (175.2 kW) at 4400 rpm||300 ft·lbf (407 N·m) at 3500 rpm
|-
|2002||5.9 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 5.9|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||245 [[HP|hp]] (183 kW)||
|-
|rowspan=2|2003-2005||rowspan=2|5.7 L (346 in³) ''[[Chrysler Hemi engine#New Hemi|Hemi]]'' [[V8]]||rowspan=2|345 [[HP|hp]] (257 kW) at 5400 rpm||rowspan=2|375 ft·lbf (508 N·m) at 4200 rpm
|-
|rowspan=2|2500/3500
|-
|2002-2005||5.9 L ''[[Cummins B Series engine#ISB|Cummins ISB]]'' [[Diesel]] [[Straight-6|I6]]||325 [[HP|hp]] (242 kW) at 2900 rpm||610 ft·lbf (827 N·m) at 1600 rpm
|-
|SRT-10||2004-2005||8.3 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Viper V10|Viper V10]]'' [[V10 engine|V10]]||500 [[HP|hp]] (373 kW)||525 ft·lbf (712 N·m)
|}

==Previous Generations==
===Second generation (1994-2001)===
[[Image:DODGE_RAM.jpg|right|350px|1994 Dodge Ram]]
The Ram line was redesigned for 1994 and was an instant hit. It featured a semi truck-look front end with separate fenders and an oversized grille; but it was the 8.0 L [[V10 engine]] and its 450 ft.lbf (610 Nm) of torque that was noticed by serious users. Models were now the 1500 (half-ton), 2500 (¾-ton), and 3500 (one-ton).

A natural gas version of the 5.2 L engine debuted for 1995, as well as an extended-cab version. In 1998, Dodge introduced the "Quad-Cab", which used rear-hinged pillarless doors in the back for a wide cab opening on its extended-cab. The Cummins ''ISB'' engine, introduced in 1999, was an unusual multi-valve pushrod engine.

The redesigned 1994 Ram was a tremendous sales success, with sales rocketing from only 70,000 units in 1993 to 240,000 in 1994, 280,000 in 1995, and nearly 400,000 in 1996. Sales of this generation peaked at just over 400,000 in 1999 before declining against the redesigned [[Ford]] and [[General Motors Corporation|GM]] trucks. By 2000, the Ram was back to 350,000 sales.

=====Engines=====
{| class=wikitable
!Years
!Engine
!Power
!Torque
|-
|1994-2001||3.9 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 3.9|Magnum]]'' [[V6]]||175 [[HP|hp]] (131 kW)||
|-
|1994-2001||5.2 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 5.2|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||220 [[HP|hp]] (164 kW)||
|-
|1994-1997||5.9 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 5.9|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||245 [[HP|hp]] (172 kW)||
|-
|1994-1995||5.9 L ''[[Cummins B Series engine#B5.9|Cummins B5.9]]'' 12-valve [[Diesel]] [[Straight-6|I6]]||175 [[HP|hp]] (131 kW)||
|-
|1994-2001||8.0 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Ram Tough V10|Ram Tough]]'' [[V10 engine|V10]]||300 [[HP|hp]] (224 kW)||
|-
|1996-1998||5.9 L ''[[Cummins B Series engine#B5.9|Cummins B5.9]]'' 12-valve [[Diesel]] [[Straight-6|I6]]||215 [[HP|hp]] (160 kW)||
|-
|1998-2001||5.9 L ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 5.9|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||250 [[HP|hp]] (186 kW)||
|-
|1999-2001||5.9 L ''[[Cummins B Series engine#ISB|Cummins ISB]]'' 24-valve [[Diesel]] [[Straight-6|I6]]||230 [[HP|hp]] (172 kW)||
|}

===First Generation/Origins (1981-1993)===
[[Image:1990Ram.jpg|right|350px|1990 Dodge Ram D150]]
The first-generation Ram trucks, introduced for 1981, kept the previous generation's model designations: "D" meant [[rear wheel drive]] while the "W" '''Power Ram''' meant [[four wheel drive]]. Like other domestic makers, Dodge used 150 to mean a half-ton truck, 250 to indicate a ¾-ton, and 350 for one-tons. Standard cab, "Club" extended cab, and crew cab versions were offered along with 6.5 ft and 8 ft bed lengths and "Utiline" and "Sweptline" styled boxes. Externally, the first-generation Rams were facelifted versions of the previous generation Dodge D Series pickups (known as the Adventurer) dating back to 1972 with wraparound taillights and square headlights.

'''100''' models were added for 1984, replacing the previous "Miser" trim on low-output [[manual transmission]] Slant-6 trucks. A "Ram-Trac" shift-on-the-fly transfer case was added for 1985, and both the crew cab and Utiline flared bed were dropped for 1986. Also for 1986, a new crosshair grille appeared. The 5.2 L engine received [[electronic fuel injection]] for 1988.

The engines were updated for 1989. The Slant-6 was dropped in favor of a 3.9 L [[fuel injected]] [[V6]] with 25% more power. The 5.9 L V8 also received fuel injection that year for 20 [[HP|hp]] (15 kW) more power. Rear [[anti-lock brake]]s were also made standard.

The Ram 100 models were renamed "150S" for 1990, and the exterior was redesigned the next year. The engines wore the "Magnum" name for 1992 and 1993 with much higher output.

The D Series trucks sold poorly compared to the [[Ford F-Series]] and the General Motors C/K trucks, with just under 100,000 units sold most years of their production.

=====B-Series Cummins arrives=====
A [[Cummins]] [[turbo]][[diesel]] option was added for big (400 ft.lbf / 542 Nm) torque needs. This engine, part of the Cummins ''[[Cummins B Series engine|B Series]]'', is [[list of automotive superlatives|the largest]] straight-6 engine ever produced for a passenger vehicle. These early B Series engines have been known to go 350,000 miles before their first [[overhaul]].

=====Engines=====
{| class=wikitable
!Years
!Engine
!Power
!Torque
|-
|1981-1988||3.7 L (225 in³) ''[[Chrysler Slant 6 engine#225|Slant-6]]'' [[Straight-6|I6]]||95 [[HP|hp]] (71 kW)||
|-
|1981-1987||5.2 L (318 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#318|LA]]'' [[V8]]||125 [[HP|hp]] (104 kW)||
|-
|1981-1988||5.9 L (360 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#318|LA]]'' [[V8]]||170 [[HP|hp]] (127 kW)||
|-
|1988-1991||5.2 L (318 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#318|LA]]'' [[V8]]||140 [[HP|hp]] (104 kW)||
|-
|1989-1991||3.9 L (238 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#238|LA]]'' [[V6]]||125 [[HP|hp]] (93 kW)
|-
|1989-1992||5.9 L (360 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#360|LA]]'' [[V8]]||190 [[HP|hp]] (142 kW)||
|-
|1989-1993||5.9 L (360 in³) ''[[Cummins B Series engine#B5.9|Cummins B5.9]]'' [[diesel]] [[Straight-6|I6]]||160 [[HP|hp]] (119 kW)||
|-
|1992-1993||5.2 L (318 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 5.2|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||230 [[HP|hp]] (172 kW)||
|-
|1992-1993||3.9 L (238 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 3.9|Magnum]]'' [[V6]]||180 [[HP|hp]] (134 kW)||
|-
|1993||5.9 L (360 in³) ''[[Chrysler LA engine#Magnum 5.9|Magnum]]'' [[V8]]||230 [[HP|hp]] (172 kW)||
|}

==Worldwide==

==Design quirks and oddities==

==Awards==
*''Truck Of The Year'' - '''Truckin''''
*''2006 4x4 Of The Year'' - '''4-Wheel and Off-Road'''
*''2006 Pickup Truck of the Year'' - '''Four Wheeler''' (RAM SLT TRX4)

==See Also==
{{Dodge}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.dodge.com Dodge.com] Official Dodge Website
*[http://www.srt10forum.com Dodge Ram SRT10 Forum] Forums dedicated to the discussion of the Dodge Ram SRT-10 variant.
*[http://www.BigBoys-CustomToys.com/Daytona Dodge Ram Daytona Parts and Accessories] Parts for 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona
*[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/update-2009-dodge-ram-picture-is.html Update: 2009 Dodge Ram Picture Is Official!]
*[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/01/detroit-show-2009-dodge-ram-official.html Detroit Show: 2009 Dodge Ram Official Details & Pics]
*[http://www.americancarimports.com UK based importer of the Dodge Ram 1500]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram Dodge Ram], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dodge_Ram&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Dodge vehicles|Ram]]
[[Category:Flexible-fuel vehicles]]
[[Category:Pickup trucks]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]

Ford Escape Hybrid

2008-04-10T12:25:02Z

Americancar:

[[Image:escape-front2.jpg|right|frame]]
The [[Ford]] '''Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]]''', launched in 2004, is a gas-electric [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] powered version of the Ford Escape sport utility vehicle developed by the Ford Motor Company. Built in Kansas City, Missouri, it is the first [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] [[SUV]] to hit the market. A similar vehicle, the [[Mercury Mariner Hybrid]] is sold by Ford's Mercury marque, and a third variation, the [[Mazda Tribute Hybrid]], is expected to be available for the 2008 model year.

As of 2006, the Escape [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] system is among the most advanced available on the market. It is a "full" [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] electric system — meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Escape's [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] system uses regenerative braking — where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. The [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] Escape with 155 [[HP]] has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional 200 [[HP]] [[V6]] Escape.

[[Ford]] built 17,000 Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] in the first model year. Consumer demand has been strong, as it was with the Toyota Prius. Ford plans to produce 4,000 Mariner [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] and 20,000 Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] for 2006.

Ford has also displayed the worlds first ethanol-fueled [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle - running on [http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=22474 E85] (85% ethanol / 15% gasoline).

See WikiCars' comprehensive [[Ford Escape Hybrid Review|'''Ford Escape Hybrid Review''']]

===Recent Changes===
Ford has lowered MSRP pricing for the 2007 model year Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]].

===Styles and Major Options===
The 2007 [[Ford]] Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] has one four-door body style and offers [[front wheel drive]] or [[four wheel drive]] variants.

'''Standard Equipment'''
* 6-way power adjustable driver's seat
* Air conditioning
* AM/FM stereo with in-dash 6-CD changer
* 16" aluminum wheels

* Power door locks with remote keyless entry

* Power windows with driver one-touch down

* Variable intermittent windshield wipers

* Cruise control
'''Safety Package - $595'''
* Safety Canopy™ System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor
* Front-seat side-impact airbags
'''Appearance Package - $695'''
* Silver Metallic finished fascias, side cladding and wheel lip moldings
* Body color painted door handles and lift-gate surround
'''Leather Comfort Package - $695'''
* Driver and passenger leather trimmed map pockets (front & rear)
* Leather wrapped steering wheel
* 6-way power driver's seat
'''Premium Package - $3,995'''
* Heated leather seating surfaces with perforated leather inserts
* [[Navigation System|Navigation system]] with [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] energy flow display, 7-speakers & MP3 capability
* Safety Canopy™ System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor
* Front-seat side-impact airbags
* Reverse sensing system

'''Optional Equipment'''
* Power [[sunroof]] (requires Premium Package) - $585
* Audiophile 6-disc in-dash CD changer with 7-speakers & MP3 capability - $595
* [[Navigation System|Navigation system]] with [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] energy flow display, 7-speakers & MP3 capability - $1,995

===Pricing===
2007 Base [http://nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2006_Ford_Escape&ReviewID=1862 MSRP] Pricing (excludes delivery charge of $640). The U.S. [[Hybrid Tax Credits|Federal Income Tax Credit]] on 2005-2007 vehicles is $2,600 for FWD models & $1,950 for [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] models purchased prior to December 31, 2010. The U.S. [[Hybrid Tax Credits|Federal Income Tax Credit]] on 2008 vehicles is $3,000 for FWD models & $2,200 for [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] models purchased prior to December 31, 2010.
<table border=1 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#ccccc>
<td colspan=8>
'''Trim'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=ffffcc>
<td>
Base FWD
</td>
<td>
Base FWD w/Safety Package
</td>
<td>
Base FWD w/Appearance Package
</td>
<td>
FWD w/Premium Package
</td>
<td>
Base [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]]
</td>
<td>
Base [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] w/Safety Package
</td>
<td>
Base [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] w/Appearance Package
</td>
<td>
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] w/Premium Package
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=8 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''Price'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#66ccff>
<td colspan=8>
''MSRP''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
$25,600
</td>
<td>
$26,195
</td>
<td>
$26,295
</td>
<td>
$29,595
</td>
<td>
$27,205
</td>
<td>
$27,800
</td>
<td>
$27,900
</td>
<td>
$31,200
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#66ccff>
<td colspan=8>
''Invoice''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
$24,137
</td>
<td>
$24,643
</td>
<td>
$24,728
</td>
<td>
$27,533
</td>
<td>
$25,613
</td>
<td>
$26,119
</td>
<td>
$26,204
</td>
<td>
$29,009
</td>
</tr>
</table>

===Gas Mileage===
<table border=1 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#ccccc>
<td colspan=4>
'''Trim'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=ffffcc>
<td>
FWD CVT
</td>
<td>
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] CVT
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''Engine'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
2.3L I-4
</td>
<td>
2.3L I-4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=4 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''MPG (City/Highway)'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
36/31
</td>
<td>
33/29
</td>
</tr>
</table>

===Reliability===
[[Ford]] Motor Company set durability and reliability objectives for the Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]]. Field tests continued until the objectives were acheived. The Escape and [[Mercury Mariner Hybrid]]'s power system is the product of 170 prototype test mule vehicles, tested in five climate extremes on three [http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/marinerhybrid/microsite/howitworks.asp continents.]

===Safety===
* [[Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)|Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)]]
* Dual front [[airbag]]s (SRS) (Dual-stage driver and single-stage front passenger)
* Front and rear crumple zones
* Front passenger occupancy sensor
* Front [[Seatbelt Pretensioners|3-Point safety belts with automatic tensioning]] system
* SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system with ignition immobilizer
* Remote keyless-entry system with illuminating feature
* Optional side-impact [[airbag]]s (Premium Package)
* Tire pressure monitoring system
* 3-point safety belts for all seat positions
* Lower Anchors, tether anchors for children (LATCH) on rear outboard seat
* Optional overhead side-curtain [[airbag]]s (Ford's Safety Canopy™ System)
* 4 Star front/5 Star side National Highway Traffic Safety Agency [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ NHTSA] crash test rating

===Photos===
[[Image:Escape Hybrid engine.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Image:Escape Hybrid interiorII.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Image:Escape Hybrid interiorIII.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Image:Escape Hybrid battery.jpg|right|300px]]

===Colors===
'''Exterior'''
* Titanium Green Clearcoat Metallic
* Redfire Clearcoat Metallic
* Vista Blue Clearcoat
* Dune Pearl Clearcoat
* Tungston Grey Clearcoat
* Black Clearcoat Metallic
* Silver Metallic Clearcoat
* Oxford White Clearcoat
'''Interior'''
* Medium/Dark Flint

===Main Competitors===
* [[Toyota Highlander Hybrid]]
* [[Saturn VUE Green Line]]

==Unique Attributes==
The Ford Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]], along with its sister model [[Mercury Mariner Hybrid]] and cousin [[Mazda Tribute Hybrid]], are known as full [[Hybrid Cars|hybrids]]. They can run purely on electric power in many urban driving conditions. This is reflected in their higher city MPG rating (compared to highway). The [[Ford Escape]] [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] version of this trio debuted in 2004 (as a 2005 model), the first [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] [[crossover SUV]] available for sale in North America.

==Resale Values==
'''Kelley Blue Book''' offers a range of resale value information, with mileage and equipment levels factored [http://www.kbb.com/ in].

==Criticisms==
Buyers who purchase the [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] Energy Audio & [[Navigation System|Navigation System]], either by selecting the Premium Package or ordering it as a stand alone option, will likely find the [[Navigation System|navigation]] screen a little too small to use easily.

==Current Generation: (2001–present)==
The [[Ford Escape]] (Code U204) debuted in 2001 as a [[crossover SUV]], priced below the [[Ford Explorer]]. It was jointly developed with [[Mazda]], in which Ford owns a controlling interest, and was released a few months after the nearly-identical [[Mazda Tribute]]. A more upscale version, the [[Mercury Mariner]], was introduced for Ford's [[Mercury]] marque in the 2005 model year.

==2005==
The Escape and Tribute were updated for 2005 with a new base engine (the 2.3 L Duratec), added [[airbag]] and seatbelt safety systems, an intelligent [[all wheel drive]] system, and exterior changes. 2005 was the first model year an [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] transmission was available on the base four-cylinder models. [[Ford]] also deleted the recline feature on the rear seats.

==2008==
North American Escape and its corporate siblings [[Mazda Tribute]] and [[Mercury Mariner]] will receive a much needed update in order to stay competitive against [[Toyota RAV4]], [[Honda Element]] and [[Jeep Liberty]] among others. There had been a rumour that the Escape will use the CD3 platform, however, Ford appeared to retain the CD2 Platform. Another report suggested that the Escape and its siblings could be based on EUCD platform.

The Escape received some of the styling cues from [[Ford Explorer|Explorer]], [[Ford Edge|Edge]] and [[Ford Expedition|Expedition]]. The changes include a new grille with larger headlamps, while the sides had been revised with cleaner lines and rounder wheel arches. The interior was also upgraded with higher quality materials because it had been criticised for having dull and cheap interior.

==Worldwide==
[[Image:Newescape.jpg|right|300px]]
The Escape is also offered in some Asia Pacific markets and is sold in Europe as the [[Ford Maverick]]. The Asia Pacific Escape is now built in Taiwan, instead of Japan. A significantly updated Escape went on sale in Australia on July 1st, 2006, and is expected in other markets in the following months. Major external changes include a redesigned front bumper, grille, headlights and bonnet, as well as new LED tail-lights and rear bumper.

Interior changes include a new floor mounted [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] transmission shifter, in place of the old column shifter, as well as a redesigned centre stack comprising of audio and climate controls. The latter is [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] on all models except the XLS. The Limited model also features full colour-coded bumpers, wheel arch and side moldings, as well as side mirrors with integrated LED indicators.

Rear drum brakes have been replaced by [[4-wheel disc brakes|disc brakes]] all round.
The 3.0L [[V6|V6]] has been modified to reduce fuel consumption by over 10%, while the 4-cylinder has improved mid-range torque and an electronic throttle, as well as a slight increase in power to 109 kW (146[[HP|hp]]). Both engines had been certified to meet Euro III emission regulations.

==Design quirks and oddities==
Visually, the Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] is barely different from the standard Escape. Exterior cues are limited to some [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] badges flanking the front doors and rear hatch and a vent built into the left rear quarter-panel glass (which helps to cool the battery pack). On the inside, the tachometer in the Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] has a sub-zero setting that it uses to indicate that the car is running only on electric power, such as while sitting at a stop or even while traveling down the road in certain urban driving conditions.

An optional [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] Energy Audio & [[Navigation System|Navigation system]] provides instant fuel economy on a display screen that resembles a thermometer. Average economy is indicated by a stock market-style chart of fuel use for the past 15 minutes, which happens to fill most of the screen.

The Escape [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]]'s gasoline engine is a 2.3-liter, inline four-cylinder that operates under what is known as the Atkinson cycle, a technology designed to enhance the quality of fuel combustion. The Atkinson cycle sacrifices low end torque for higher fuel efficiency through a system of levers between the connecting rods and the crankshaft. This gives a longer power/exhaust stroke and shorter intake/compression stroke. The lack of low end torque in the gas engine is compensated by the flat torque curve of the electric motor.

==Awards==
[http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=19952 North American Truck of the Year 2005]
==Specifications==
* 2.3L four-cylinder atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with 133 [[HP]] and 124 lb-ft of torque
* 87 [[HP]] electric traction motor
* 38 [[HP]] generator motor (for battery pack)
* [[Continuously Variable Transmission]] (CVT)
* [[Battery Technology|Nickel-metal hydride]] battery pack with DC converter
* Digital fuel mileage indicator
* Remote entry system
* Immobilizer theft-deterrent system
* Electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering
* 16" aluminum wheels
* 1000 lbs. towing capacity

==See Also==
{{Ford}}

==External Links==
* [http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escape/ Ford Escape - Official Site]
* [http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/ Ford Escape Hybrid - Official Site]
* [http://www.MixedPower.com Hybrid Cars and Vehicles - MixedPower.com]
* [http://www.escape-central.com/ Escape Central: Escape/Mariner/Tribute Enthusiast Site] Not updated since 2005 MY
* [http://www.americancarimports.com UK Based independent importer of the Ford Escape Hybrid]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escape_Hybrid Ford Escape Hybrid], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ford_Escape_Hybrid&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Ford Vehicles|Escape Hybrid]]
[[Category:All Wheel Drive Vehicles]]
[[Category:Front Wheel Drive Vehicles]]
[[Category:SUVs]]
[[Category:Compact SUVs]]
[[Category:Hybrid Vehicles]]
[[Category:2000s Automobiles]]

Saturn

2008-04-10T07:19:45Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Saturn Models}}
[[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] began manufacturing '''Saturn''' [[automobile]]s in 1990, largely in response to the success of Japanese small-car imports in the United States. Saturn's headquarters and primary manufacturing facility are located in Spring Hill, Tennessee, which was chosen in 1985, after a highly publicized nationwide search for a site. Since 2005, Jill Lajdziak has been the General Manager of Saturn.

Saturn is known for its company-wide "no-haggle" sale policy. Saturn dealers (called "retailers" by the company) are encouraged to sell vehicles at list price. Customer satisfaction with dealer service is among the highest of any car brand in the U.S. The company also won praise for its environmentally-conscious manufacturing processes and for its innovations such as using flexible plastic side panels on its cars to avoid minor dents.

==History==
When it was launched, Saturn was a significant departure for GM. The company's products used a dedicated platform (Z-body), a dedicated engine (the 1.9 L [[Saturn I4 engine]]), and were made at a dedicated plant (in Spring Hill). In fact, the company's three car models (SL, SC, and SW) were all just a single car in three different body styles, and the company referred to all three as ''Saturns''. All of the original Saturns featured dent-resistant plastic body panels which were also touted as allowing the company to change the look of the vehicles at will. However, in practice, the company kept the vehicles mostly unchanged for years.

[[Image:Saturn_logo.png|left|100px|thumb|Original Saturn logo]]

The first real change came with the 2000 [[Saturn L-series]] [[mid-size car]]. It shared the GM2900 platform with the [[Opel Vectra]], along with its engine, and was built at a GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware. The [[Saturn Sky]] is now being produced in the Wilmington facility.

Today, the company shares GM's [[GM Delta platform|Delta]] and [[GM Theta platform|Theta]] automobile platforms, along with the company's [[GM Ecotec engine|Ecotec]] engine, and vehicles are built at many GM plants along with the Spring Hill factory. The [[Saturn VUE]] even uses a [[Honda]] engine, and the plastic body panels will be discontinued on most future vehicles.

In recent years, Saturn has been criticized for not keeping pace with the rest of the automotive industry, most recently for the low quality of the new ION model. Sales have been declining, and the ION production lines were halted for two weeks in 2003 to allow dealer inventory to reduce. The L-series was canceled after production of the 2005 models.

==Future==
Saturn is currently in transition. General Motors has given Saturn a wealth of new products including the [[Saturn Sky|Sky]] roadster, [[Saturn Aura|Aura]] sedan, redesigned [[Saturn ION|ION]], redesigned [[Saturn Relay|Relay]], concept [[Saturn PREVUE|PREVUE]], and [[Saturn Outlook|Outlook]] large SUV built off of the [[GM Lambda platform]]. To save money, GM decided that Saturn and [[Opel]] will share numerous models that differ only slightly. For example, the VUE will be the same as the [[Opel Antara]], the Sky is the same as the new [[Opel GT]], the next ION will be the same as the next [[Opel Astra]], and the Aura is very similar to the [[Opel Vectra]].

The Saturn brand will be repositioned in the upper-end of the family car market, stopping just south of entry-level luxury. [[Volkswagen]] is in the same market position that GM wants to take Saturn (only going as high as the [[Volkswagen Passat|Passat]]). Saturn faces a struggle in achieving a premium image. When GM showed the Aura to a focus group with no badge on it, participants gave it a rating of 5/5 in terms of desirability and style. When they discovered that they were looking at a Saturn, the average rating dropped to 2.5/5.

The company's independent manufacturing operations are in doubt, however. GM has begun moving Saturn production away from Spring Hill, and announced that that plant would be integrated with the company's regular plant mix, producing products for all GM brands. It is currently being retooled for larger cars, and the shop to produce Saturn's iconic plastic body panels is being dismantled as the company moves to conventional steel panels.

The company will soon offer two sub-lines of vehicles: "Redline" Saturns are performance-oriented, while "Greenline" cars will be more environmentally friendly. The VUE and ION Redline models, launched in 2004, will be joined by a Greenline VUE and Aura and Redline Aura and Sky in 2007.

== Saturn models ==
*[[Saturn S-series]] (1991-2002)
*[[Saturn L-series]] (1999-2005)
*[[Saturn ION]] (2003-present)
*[[Saturn VUE]] (2002-present)
*[[Saturn Aura]] (2007-present)
*[[Saturn Outlook]] (2007-present)
*[[Saturn Relay]] (2005-present)
*[[Saturn Sky]] (2007-present)

== Saturn timeline ==
{{Saturn}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.saturn.com/ Saturn official website]
*[http://www.saturnfans.com/ Saturn fans website]
*[http://www.saturnmotorsports.com/ Saturn Motorsports website]
*[http://www.turbosaturns.net/ [[Turbo Engine|Turbo]] Saturns]
*[http://www.americancarimports.com UK based independent importer of new Saturn Sky Redline and all other new Saturn models]
*[http://www.qksltwo.com/ The best saturn site]
{{General Motors brands}}

[[Category:Automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:General Motors]]
[[Category:Saturn]]
[[Category:Makes]]

Pontiac

2008-04-10T07:17:44Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Pontiac Models}}
'''Pontiac''' is a marque of [[automobile]] produced by [[GMC|General Motors]] and sold in the United States from 1926 to the present. In the GM brand lineup, Pontiac is a mid-level brand featuring a more sporting, performance-driving experience for a reasonable price, and a youthful feel to its advertising.

The Pontiac brand was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the 'companion' marque to GM's Oakland Motor Car line. The Pontiac name was first used in 1906 by the Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works. The Oakland Motor Company and Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works Company decided to merge together in November 1908 under the name of the Oakland Motor Car Company. The operations of both companies were joined together in Pontiac, Michigan to build the Cartercar. Oakland was purchased by General Motors in 1909. The first General Motors Pontiac was conceived as an affordable [[V6|six cylinder]] that was intended to compete with more inexpensive four cylinder models. Within months of its introduction, Pontiac outsold Oakland. As Pontiac's sales rose and Oakland's sales began to decline, Pontiac became the only 'companion' marque to survive its 'parent'.

A Native American Headdress was used as a logo until 1956. The current Pontiac logo represents a Native American arrowhead. An alternate slang term for the marque among performance enthusiasts includes ''Poncho''. Another slang term used in the early stages of brand was "Indian" due the subject matter of its logo.

[[Image:ClassicCar5.JPG|left|thumb|250px|1948 Pontiac Streamliner Sedan Coupe]]

==Middle years==
For an extended period of time, prewar through the early 1950's, the Pontiac was a quiet and solid car, but not especially powerful. A flathead (side-valve) straight eight offered both the quietest and smoothest possible operation, with an appropriately soft suspension and quiet muffler offering the feeling of luxury without the expense. These combinations proved attractive to the vehicle's target market - a reserved lower middle class that was not especially interested in performance or handling and was seeking good value and a roomy vehicle in a step up from the entry-level [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]]. This fit well within parent GM's strategy of passing an increasingly prosperous customer up through the various divisions.

==Performance heritage==
Since the 1957 introduction of the [[Pontiac Bonneville|Bonneville]], Pontiac marketing has emphasized performance; the division's slogan for many years was ''"We Build Excitement"''. Traditionally, each GM division had its own market niche - [[Chevrolet]] was equated with value, [[Oldsmobile]] with technology, [[Buick]] was marketed affordable luxury, [[Cadillac]] as ultimate luxury and Pontiac embraced performance.

After the introduction of the Bonneville in 1957, Pontiac's next success was the introduction of its '''Wide-Track''' suspension layout in 1959. Wide-Track gave the car a broader stance by increasing the width between the wheels, providing greater stability and increased traction.

The [[Pontiac GTO]] was introduced in 1964 by Pontiac's John DeLorean as an option package on the [[Pontiac LeMans]]/[[Tempest]] (GM A-body) car. It was the first intermediate GM vehicle to be powered by the Pontiac division's 389 in³ V8. By being the first brand to feature a large engine in an intermediate car, Pontiac is often credited with launching the [[muscle car]] era. Throughout the 1960s, GTOs were well known for their combination of stunning looks and incredible performance.

The [[Pontiac Firebird|Firebird]], introduced in 1967, was an F-body car that closely mirrored the styling and motor offerings of the LeMans/Tempest cars but was placed on a smaller, sportier platform. This body style and its underlying [[Chevrolet Nova]] chassis were shared with the [[Camaro]], but the Firebird's engines and trim were totally different. As upscale competition for sporty cars like the [[Ford Mustang]] or the [[Dodge Challenger]], the Firebird was perfectly positioned. After reaching record sales levels in the 1970s, in part due to such publicity as the Smokey & the Bandit movies and in part due to being one of the very few performance cars on the market, Firebird sales slowly began to fall in the 1990s and GM pulled the plug on the Camaro/ Firebird lines in 2002, after 35 years of continuous production.

Even more famous was the limited-edition Firebird [[Pontiac Firebird|Trans Am]], which was first offered in 1969 and continued through the end of the Firebird in 2002. Early on, the Trans Am was most notable for having the same high-performance 400 in³ and 455 in³ V8 engines as the GTO but in a smaller, lighter body. This pattern continued through the late 1970s, after which the Trans Am became more of a luxury model than a real performance machine.

Just about the time that these muscle cars were getting big attention, emissions regulations and oil shortages quickly ground them to a halt. While production first started in the late 1950s, it did not hit its stride until the late 1960s. By 1972, few were left on the market. Most telling was the fate of the GTO - originally conceived as a powerful mid-size coupe, by 1974 the GTO option was offered only on the compact [[Pontiac Ventura|Ventura]]. And then, it too was gone.

From the late 1970s on to the late 1980s, while downsizing its North American operations, General Motors had little funds to spend on independent brand-specific performance platforms. That was, until the [[Pontiac Fiero]] was introduced in 1983 as a 1984 model. Drawing heavily from GM's parts bin, the Fiero was initially billed as a commuter car. While it was not performance oriented in its initial release, its final versions with improved suspension geometry and available 2.8L [[V6|V6]] made the Fiero a potent [[MR layout|mid-engined]] sports car. With the demise of the Fiero in 1988, Pontiac only offered badge engineered products from other GM divisions.

In 2001, Bob Lutz, the former Vice Chairman of the [[Chrysler|Chrysler Corporation]] was hired to help turn GM around. One of his first ideas was to bring back the GTO in order to revive Pontiac's performance heritage in light of the Firebird's demise. Finding limited numbers of smaller rear wheel drive coupe platforms, Pontiac looked to [[Holden]], a GM division of Australia, for the platform of their GTO.

Beginning late 2004, GM's [[Holden]] division produced a version of their [[Holden Monaro|Monaro]] coupe with Pontiac trim and all the attitude of the original 1960s editions. Debuting with the potent 350 [[HP|hp]] [[LS1]] V8 and a world-class chassis, the new GTO is at least as good as its predecessors. But its lackluster styling turned off many buyers and forced GM to add hood scoops and other styling touches in order to make the GTO look like the originals. GM increased the Performance of the GTO in 2005 by adding the [[Corvette]] derived [[LS2]] V8 producing 400 [[HP|hp]].

In the summer of 2005, the [[Pontiac Solstice]] sports roadster arrived, and with it the renewed promise of style and driving fun. It was launched on an episode of The Apprentice; the following day the first thousand Solstices were sold in just 41 minutes. Solstice became one of hottest car America's throughout 2005 as Pontiac reported orders far beyond their ability to produce the car, and dealer mark-ups of thousands of dollars over sticker price, a rarity for GM in this time of deep incentives. Pontiac is upping the ante even more for 2007 with a high-performance version of the Solstice, the Solstice GXP, drawing its power from a [[Turbo Engine|Turbocharged]], Direct Gas Injection, 2.0L 4 cylinder [[Ecotec]] producing 260 [[HP|hp]].

Also in 2005, Pontiac put a V8 under the hood of the [[Pontiac Grand Prix|Grand Prix]]. Called the Grand Prix GXP, it would give the Grand Prix its first V8 since 1987.

A majority of Pontiac dealerships also sell [[GMC]] trucks - the trade name used by GM executives is the Pontiac/GMC division.

==Engines==
Pontiac's second generation V8 engines were nearly identical, allowing many parts to interchange from its advent in 1955 to its demise in 1981. Sizes ranged from 265 in³ to 455 in³. This similarity (except the 301 & 265) makes rebuilding these engines particularly easy, as almost any Pontiac engine one can find will contain useful parts. This dimensional similarity between engines of various capacity also made it possible for Pontiac to invent the modern [[muscle car]], by the relatively simple process of placing its largest engines into its mid-size cars, creating the [[Pontiac GTO]].
The non-traditional Pontiac V8 was the 301 and the smaller displacement 265 in³. Produced from 1977 through 1981, this motor has the distinction of being the last Pontiac V8 produced by PMD. The 301 has a 4 inch bore and 3 inch stroke, identical to the vaunted [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] and Ford 302 motors.

Pontiac engines were not available in Canada, however, but were replaced with [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] engines of similar size and power, resulting in such interesting and unusual (at least to American car fans) models as the Beaumont SD-396 with a [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] big-block 396  in³ V-8.

All Pontiac Motor Division (PMD) engines (pre-1980 unified GM) were designed around a low-RPM/high-torque model, as opposed to the ubiquitous [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] Small-Block engine known for its smaller displacement and high RPM/high power design. PMD engines were unique for their rear distributor, integrated water pump and timing chain cover, and separate valley pan and intake.

==Carburetors==
PMD originally used Rochester 1-barrel [[carburetor]]s for many years, but by the time of the second generation engines had switched mostly to the 2-barrel offerings. These were the basis for the [[Tri-Power]] setups on the engines.

The Tri-Power setup included one center carburetor with idle control and two end carburetors that did not contribute until the throttle was opened more than half way. This was accomplished two ways, mechanically for the [[manual transmission]] models, and via a vacuum-switch on the automatics. This went through various permutations before being banned by GM.

PMD also had a square-bore 4-barrel at the time, but this was rated at a lower power than the Tri-Power. This carburetor was later replaced by the [[Quadrajet]], a spread bore. 'Spread-bore' refers to the difference in sizes between the primaries and secondaries.

By the end of the muscle car era, the QuadraJet setup had become the nearly-ubiquitous choice on PMD engines, due to its excellent economy and power characteristics. While QuadraJets have been occasionally derided as being poor performers, with proper understanding and tuning it can compete at most levels with other designs.

This design proved good enough to last well into the 1980s with emissions modifications while most others carburetors were dropped for the easier to build fuel injection when economy mattered.



==See also==
*[[List of Pontiac vehicles]]
*[[:Category:Pontiac vehicles]]
*[[Pontiac V8 engine]]

==External links==
* [http://www.pontiac.com/ Pontiac web site]
* [http://www.firebirdnation.com FirebirdNation.com, a site dedicated solely to the Pontiac Firebird, all models and years.]
* [http://www.chuckstoyland.com/potpourri/conceptcars/generalmotors/ Pontiac Concept Cars]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com UK Based Independent importer of Pontiac Solstice and all other new Pontiacs]
* [http://www.omcea.be/517290,pontiac,trouble/ Pontiac problems], is that over of GTO ?
* [http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Pontiac/ DMOZ.org: Pontiac]
* [http://pontiac.naszapaczka.com/ Pontiac Gallery] - Pontiac Images
* [http://www.scripophily.net/pospwawo.html Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works made the 1st Pontiac Car] Pontiac, Michigan
*[http://www.poci.org Pontiac-Oakland Club International],a site dedicated to the preservation, and enjoyment, all models and years of Pontiacs, Oaklands, and GMC vehicles
*[http://www.pontiacregistry.com PontiacRegistry.com]an Internet based Pontiac Club, designed to provide the Pontiac enthusisat with THE most up to the minute Pontiac information and resources, plus 'Discussion Forums.'

[http://bencar.freeyellow.com/76TAPage.html Ben's 1976 Pontiac-Firebird Trans Am Homepage]A personal Website for those who own and admire the 1976 Pontiac Trans Am, with 'Links' to other Pontiac related and automotive related Websites.

{{Pontiac}}
{{General Motors brands}}

[[Category:Automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:General Motors]]
[[Category:Pontiac]]
[[Category:Makes]]

Lincoln

2008-04-10T07:15:22Z

Americancar:

[[Image:Lincoln_logo.png|right]]
'''Lincoln''' is an American luxury automobile brand, operated under the [[Ford Motor Company]]. Founded in 1917 by [[Henry M. Leland]] and acquired by Ford in 1922, Lincoln has been manufacturing vehicles intended for the upscale markets since the 1920s. Lincoln's prevalent competitor Cadillac, was also founded by Henry M. Leland having acquired the assets of the Henry Ford Company, Ford's second company. While Lincoln was the best selling luxury marque in the United States as recently as 1998, Lincoln lost ground to its competitors. To combat this recent slide in sales Lincoln has unveiled three new models, the [[Lincoln MKZ|MKZ]] sport sedan, [[Lincoln MKS|MKS]] luxury sedan, and [[Lincoln MKX|MKX]] crossover sport utility vehicle.

==History==
[[Image:445px-31_Lincoln.jpg|thumb|190px|right|1931 Lincoln with greyhound hood-ornament]]
[[Image:800px-30s_Lincoln.jpg|thumb|240|left|30s Lincoln front half detail]]
[[Image:800px-Lincoln_Zephyr.jpg|right|thumb|1937 Lincoln Zephyr]]
[[Image:800px-1998LincolnTownCar.jpg|thumb|right|2000 Lincoln Town Car]]

The company was founded in 1917 by [[Henry M. Leland]]. Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac (originally the Henry Ford Company), left the [[Cadillac]] division of [[General Motors]] during World War I and formed the Lincoln Motor Company to build Liberty aircraft engines. After the war, the company's factories were retooled to manufacture luxury automobiles.

The company encountered severe financial troubles during the transition, and was consequently bought by Ford Motor Company in 1922, who still owns and manufactures cars under the Lincoln marque in its [[Lincoln-Mercury Division]]. The purchase of Lincoln was a personal triumph for Ford who had been forced out of his second (after Detroit Automobile Company) company by a group of investors led by Leland. Ford's company, renamed Cadillac in 1902 and purchased by rival General Motors in 1909, was Lincoln's chief competitor. Lincoln quickly became one of America's top selling luxury brands alongside Cadillac and Packard. In 1927, Lincoln adopted the greyhound as their emblem, which was later replaced with diamond that is currently in use.

In 1932, Lincoln introduced the V12-powered KB. The same year, Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie (1908-2002), at the styling studio created by [[Edsel]] Ford, began designing what became the Continental, eventually the most important car made by Lincoln. It started as a one-off project car for Edsel, who wanted a European-style car unlike the boxier designs his father's company produced, to drive around on vacations in Florida.

The [[Lincoln Zephyr|Zephyr]] gave Gregorie his chance. Introduced for the 1936 model year, the sportier Zephyr featured a 1.8 liter (110ci) V12, and was so successful it almost became a brand name, rather than just a model. Its first year increased Lincoln sales almost nine-fold[1]. Gregorie simply sectioned a 1938 Zephyr Coupé 10cm (4"), allowing most of the existing dies and tooling to be retained (a trick that would be repeated in the 1953 Buick Skylark), adding the hallmark vertically-mounted spare tire. This became the Continental, eventually the most important car made by Lincoln; by the time it ended production in 1948, 5322 were built, almost entirely by hand. The Zephyr, on which it was based, stopped production in early 1942 when Ford converted to war work, and was not revived. The Continental's spare tire mount was so distinctive, those who work on custom cars still call adding a similar mount a "Continental kit".

The Continental Mark II revived the concept. It was produced by the short-lived Continental division from April 1955 to July 1956 before it was returned to the Lincoln marque. The Mark II had a basic list price of $10,000, the same as a Rolls-Royce that year. The Edsel division merged with Lincoln-Mercury in January 1958 to form the Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln division until the Edsel was discontinued in 1960.

The [[Lincoln Continental|Continental]] became Lincoln's flagship model until 1981 when the [[Lincoln Town Car|Town Car]], previously the Continental's top trim level, became its own model and took over that role.

As recently as 1998 Lincoln was the best-selling luxury brand in the United States, helped by the massive success of the [[Lincoln Navigator|Navigator]] SUV, and a redesign of the [[Lincoln Town Car|Town Car]] as well as the Continental. The company was also part of the Premier Automotive Group from 1998 to 2002, but was pulled out due to Ford's new marketing strategy to separate its "import" brands from its domestic marques. In recent years, however, the company has fallen behind Japanese, European, and American competitors for a lack of new models. The company is working to remedy this, however, and is sharing parts and platforms with other Ford divisions worldwide in an attempt to bring more new models to market faster. The company promises five new models in the four years 2004-2008, and has already begun with the new 2006 [[Lincoln Mark -LT|Mark -LT]] truck, [[Lincoln Zephyr|Zephyr]] (upgraded and renamed [[Lincoln MKZ]] for the 2007 model year) and the [[Lincoln MKX|MKX]] Crossover SUV.

Lincoln vehicles are currently available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, South Korea, and the Middle East.

==Presidential Cars==
[[Image:1924LincolnLimosine.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|Lincoln Limousine used by President Calvin Coolidge, c. 1924]]

Leland named the brand after his longtime hero Abraham Lincoln, for whom he had voted in the first presidential elections for which he was eligible.

Lincoln had a long history of providing limousines for the U.S. President. The first car specially built for Presidential use was the 1939 Lincoln V12 convertible called the "Sunshine Special" used by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It remained in use until 1950. A 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan called the "Bubble Top" was used by Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and once by Johnson. It was retired in 1965. The Kennedy car was a 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible. It was in use from 1961 to 1977, having undergone extensive alterations which made it an armor-plated sedan after Kennedy's assassination. A 1969 Lincoln was used by Nixon and a 1972 Lincoln used by Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush. A 1989 Lincoln was the last Presidential Lincoln as of 2004. Cadillac supplied Presidential limousines in 1983, 1993, 2001, and 2004.

==Lincoln Automobiles==

{| class=wikitable
|+'''2007 Lincoln Model Line-up'''
|-
!Model!!Type!!Price Range
|-
|[[Lincoln Town Car]]||Luxury Flagship||$43,045 - $56,220
|-
|[[Lincoln Navigator]]||Full-size Luxury SUV||$50,775 - $73,475
|-
|[[Lincoln MKX]]||Crossover Luxury SUV||$34,795 - $36,445
|-
|[[Lincoln Mark LT]]||Luxury Pick-up||$39,050 - $42,450
|-
|[[Lincoln MKZ]]||Mid-size Luxury Sedan||$29,950 - $31,820
|}

==Current and near future models==
Lincoln is currently switching to a new naming system based around the "[[Lincoln Mark|Mark]]" name used since the 1950s. Most Lincoln models will be given a three-letter name starting "MK" (originally standing for "Mark," but now simply pronounced em-kay) starting in 2007. The [[Lincoln Navigator|Navigator]] and [[Lincoln Town Car|Town Car]] name will remain, but all other models are expected to use this convention by the end of the decade.
[[Image:Irearuswiug.jpg||thumb|right|200px|1956 [[Continental Mark II]], 137 th car produced, made in August of 1955.]]
*[[Lincoln Mark -LT]] (2005–)
*[[Lincoln MKS]] (2008–)
*[[Lincoln MKX]] (2007–)
*[[Lincoln MKZ]] (2007–)
*[[Lincoln Navigator]] (1998–)
*[[Lincoln Town Car]] (1981–)
*[[Lincoln MKZ|Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ]] (2006–)
{{-}}

==Recent models==
*[[Lincoln LS]] (2000–2006)
*[[Lincoln Aviator]] (2003–2005)
*[[Lincoln Blackwood]] (2002)
*[[Lincoln Continental]] (1961–2002)
*[[Lincoln Mark|Lincoln Mark Series]] (1956–1998)
*[[Lincoln Zephyr]] (2006)

==Historical==
[[Image:800px-1970_Lincoln_Continental_Mark_III_rear.jpg|thumb|right|The 1970 Lincoln Mark III, along with others in the series, used a rounded "Continental"-style trunk lid, designed to suggest that the spare tire was stored there]]

*Lincoln L-series (1920–1930)
*[[Lincoln K-series]] (1931–1939)
*[[Lincoln-Zephyr]] (1936–1942), a car line priced between Ford and Lincoln
*Lincoln-Zephyr Continental (1940–1942, 1946–1948), later [[Lincoln Continental]]
*[[Lincoln Custom]] (1941–1942)
*Lincoln (no other name) (1946–1951)
*[[Lincoln Sport]] (1949–1951)
*[[Lincoln Cosmopolitan]] (1949–1954)
*[[Lincoln Lido]] (1950–1951)
*[[Lincoln Custom]] (1955)
*[[Lincoln Capri]] (1952–1959)
*[[Lincoln Premiere]] (1956–1960)
*[[Lincoln Versailles]] (1976–1980)

==Recent Lincoln models timeline==

{{Lincoln Timeline}}

{{Lincoln vehicles}}

{{Lincoln}}

==External links and references==
*[[Lincoln-Mercury Division]]
*[http://www.lincolnvehicles.com/ Official Website]
*[http://www.lincoln.com/lifestyle/heritage.asp Heritage page at Lincoln.com]
*[http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com Lincoln vs Cadillac] A site dedicated to the Lincoln Mark VIII and other Lincoln Automobiles and a good source for repair and modification information
*[http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.com/ Lincolns of Distinction]- Lincoln Automobile History and information
* http://www.classiclincolns.com/
*[http://www.americancarimports.com UK based Independent Importer, importing new Lincoln Navigator and all other new Lincoln vehicles]
*[http://www.lincolnforums.com/ Lincoln Owners]- Website with live community, pictures and technical information for owners and enthusiasts of Lincoln luxury automobiles

{{Ford Motor Company}}

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Ford]]
[[Category:Lincoln vehicles|*]]
[[Category:Luxury car manufacturers]]

Infiniti

2008-04-10T07:13:06Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Infiniti Models}}

'''Infiniti''' is [[Nissan]]'s luxury brand in the United States, Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean (first dealership opened in July 2005) and Taiwanese markets. [[Nissan]] also has plans to release Infiniti into many European markets (Russia & Ukraine in 2007, United Kingdom in 2008), China (10 dealerships by 2007), as well as in Japan sometime after 2008.

Infiniti vehicles are traditionally based on the same automobile platforms as [[Nissan]] models. In some cases, similar vehicles are sold as upscale [[Nissan]]s in the same market, while other Infinitis are rebadged models from the Japanese market, where [[Nissan]]'s model range includes high-end luxury vehicles. More recently, the differentiation between [[Nissan]] and Infiniti vehicles has become greater, and even where two models may share a similar platform, Infinitis tend to feature more powerful [[engine]]s, tuned [[suspension]]s, [[steering systems]], and more luxurious interior appointments.

Infiniti's model name designation includes one letter for [[coupés]] and [[sedans]] (two letters for [[SUV]]s) and a number reflecting [[engine]] displacement. For example, the [[Infiniti QX56|QX56]] is an [[SUV]] featuring a 5.6 L engine and the [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]] is Infiniti's flagship sedan, featuring a 4.5 L engine. The one exception to this was the [[Infiniti QX4|QX4 SUV]], which featured a 3.3 L engine (1997-2000) and later a 3.5 L engine (2001-2003). An 'x' following the engine displacement of Infiniti sedans denotes an [[Four Wheel Drive|all wheel drive]] model (e.g. [[Infiniti G35|Infiniti G35x]]).

===History===

Infiniti was introduced in the United States by [[Nissan]] in 1989, to rival [[Toyota]] and [[Honda]]'s introduction of their own luxury brands, [[Lexus]] and [[Acura]], respectively. A series of Zen-inspired advertisements, which became known as the "rocks and trees" campaign, aimed to bring about brand awareness. The advertisements, however, neglected to feature any of Infiniti's models, and thus failed to generate adequate sales. Better advertising and the introduction of award-winning models eventually made Infiniti a chief contender in the luxury vehicle segment of the American market. Since 1989, sales have consistently grown.

Infiniti began to take part of the luxury market mostly thanks to its popular [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]]. The vehicle included a class leading (at the time) 278 [[hp]] (207 kW)[[V8]] [[engine]], [[four-wheel steering]], the first [[active suspension]] system offered on a motor vehicle, and numerous interior luxury appointments. These made it competitive against the comparatively uninspiring engines and interiors found in German imports like [[BMW]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]], which by the time of Infiniti's release had overtaken [[Cadillac]] and [[Lincoln]] in dominating the luxury segment of the American market.

In 1997, Infiniti released the [[Infiniti QX4|QX4]], a modified and more luxurious version of the [[Nissan Pathfinder]], making Infiniti the first maker (apart from [[SUV]] specialists, [[Jeep]] and [[Land Rover]]) to offer a mid-sized luxury [[SUV]] - predating the release of the [[Lexus RX 300]] and the [[Mercedes-Benz ML320]]. Like a traditional [[SUV]], it was based on a truck platform, which gave it a competitive edge against the aforementioned competitors for its off-roading abilities.

By the late 1990s, however, Infiniti was consistently behind [[Lexus]] and even near-luxury rival [[Acura]], in sales due to [[Nissan]]'s struggling financial situation. The [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]] had retreated considerably from its focused, taut rendition of an executive sedan, having become a barely recognizable, ponderously-handling sedan that earned the nickname "The Japanese Lincoln." In 1999, Infiniti reintroduced the [[Infiniti G20|G20]], a compact sporty sedan that was sold between 1991 and 1995. The car had hopes of challenging [[BMW]], but with an underpowered four cylinder [[engine]], fell short. Infiniti's other offerings, the [[Nissan Maxima|Maxima]]-based [[Infiniti I30|I30]] and the strange-looking [[Infiniti J30|J30]] never garnered strong followings, and the company, bereft of an image or a following, floundered.

By the early 2000s, Infiniti was facing extinction. Its own impending doom being perhaps the best motivator, the company rededicated itself to developing a dynamic and powerful line-up of sporty luxury cars. Car and Driver reported that Infiniti executives invited members of the motoring press to a meeting where they "swore never again to take their eyes off [[BMW]]." Although this effort began with a completely redesigned [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]] flagship for the 2002 model year, it was the [[Infiniti G35|G35]] that finally turned sales around for Infiniti in 2003. A compact sports sedan far exceeding the capabilities of its [[Nissan Primera]]-based predecessor (the [[Infiniti G20|G20]]), the [[Nissan Skyline]]-based [[Infiniti G35|G35]] became an instant hit. The release of the sport tuned [[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] [[sport utility vehicle]] piggybacked on the [[Infiniti G35|G35]]'s success. The [[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] combined sports-car handling and performance with station wagon-like versatility and all-weather capability. In 2004, Infiniti graced the [[Infiniti G35|G35]] with an [[all-wheel drive]] ([[AWD]]) option in an effort to sway buyers from [[all-wheel drive]] mecca [[Audi]].

Today, Infiniti's sales and reputation continue to increase impressively as Carlos Ghosn follows through on his vision to break Infiniti away from its [[Nissan]] roots. The [[Infiniti G35|G35]] series helped re-define Infiniti as the "Japanese BMW", an image it continues to cultivate. This reputation has been enhanced by the [[Infiniti FX35|FX35]]/[[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] [[SUV]], and the redesigned [[Infiniti M35|M35]]/[[Infiniti M45|M45]] for the 2006 model year. The [[Infiniti M35|M35]]/[[Infiniti M45|M45]] has already garnered impressive acclaim from the automotive press, winning an eight-car comparison test in Car and Driver, and has proven very popular in its first few months of sales.
----

===Models===
{{Infiniti}}

===Current Models===

*[[Infiniti FX]] ([[Infiniti FX35|FX35]] and [[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] variations)
*[[Infiniti G35]] ([[sedan]], [[AWD]] [[sedan]], and [[coupe]] derivations)
*[[Infiniti M]] ([[Infiniti M35|M35]]/[[Infiniti M35|M35x]] and [[Infiniti M45|M45]] variations)
*[[Infiniti Q45]]
*[[Infiniti QX56]]
*[[Infiniti EX]]

===Past Models===

*[[Infiniti M30]]
*[[Infiniti G20]]
*[[Infiniti J30]]
*[[Infiniti I]] ([[Infiniti I30|I30]], [[1996]]-[[2001]]; [[Infiniti I35|I35]], [[2002]]-[[2004]])
*[[Infiniti QX4]]
----

===Future Models and Concept Vehicles===

*[[Infiniti Kuraza]] (concept vehicle, no current plans for production)
*[[Infiniti EX Concept]]
----

===External Links===

*[http://www.infiniti.com/ Infiniti.com]
*[http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/index.html Nissan Motor Corporation]
*[http://www.infiniti.co.kr/ Infiniti Korea]
*[http://www.infinitihelp.com/ Infinitihelp.com]
*[http://www.infiniti-forum.com/ Infiniti Forum]
*[http://www.americancarimports.com UK based Independent Importer of all Infiniti models]
*[http://www.zercustoms.com/ Custom Auto]

[[Category:Makes]]

HUMMER

2008-04-10T07:10:30Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Hummer Models}}

'''Hummer''' is a marque of vehicles sold by [[General Motors]]. For the military vehicles on which the trademark is based see [[HMMWV]]. In May 2006, GM announced that it is discontinuing the H1.

==History==
Hummers were traditionally built by [[AM General]] Corporation, formerly the heavy industries division of [[American Motors Corporation|American Motors]], in its Mishawaka, Indiana assembly plant. AM General had planned to sell a civilian version of the Hummer as far back as the late 1980s. In 1990, two matching white Hummers were driven from London, UK to Beijing, People's Republic of China over the rough roads of the central Soviet Union. The Hummers made the drive with ease, and highlights of this journey were broadcast on ESPN in the United States. The publicity would pale in comparison to the attention that the [[HMMWV]] received for its service in Operation: Desert Storm the following year.

In 1991, [[AM General]] began selling a civilian version of the M998 [[High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle]] (HMMWV or Hum-Vee) vehicle to the public under the brand name '''Hummer'''. According to legend, they began doing so after Arnold Schwarzenegger asked them to; apparently, he was impressed by a convoy of Hum-Vees that drove by while filming "Kindergarten Cop" in 1990. In 1999, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors but continued to manufacture the vehicles. GM is responsible for the marketing and distribution of all Hummers produced by AM General. In the next few years, GM introduced two new homegrown models, the [[Hummer H2|H2]] and [[Hummer H3|H3]], and renamed the original vehicle to H1. AM General continues to build the H1 and is contracted by GM to produce the H2. The H3 is built in Shreveport, LA.

As of 2004, Hummer has gone international with selected importers and distributors in Europe and other markets. It has only been sold in small volumes, but some celebrities and business people have bought Hummers to satisfy their curiosity. Markets such as Australia have shown interest in Hummers with importers converting the latest H3 to right hand drive despite GM not officially selling the brand in Australia.

From 2006, GM will be building/assembling the Hummer H3 at the Port Elizabeth plant in South Africa to make Hummers internationally available. Hummers at the Port Elizabeth plant will be built for local South African consumption and exported to Australia, the United Kingdom and Japan.

The H2 is also assembled in Kaliningrad, Russia, by Avtotor, starting in June 2004. The plant produces a few hundred vehicles annually, and its output is limited to local consumption only (five dealers in Russia initially).

On May 12, 2006, [[GM]] announced it would cease production of the original [[H1]] Hummer.

Recently [[Rick Wagoner]] said at the [[Los Angeles Auto Show]] said that the Hummer Brand of trucks will be on Biodiesel

==Evaluation==
The first two Hummer models are large, heavy vehicles with large engines and complex drivelines. The [[Hummer H3|H3]] is smaller and geared more towards people who want an everyday SUV. They also feature aggressive styling and advertising, setting them apart from competing models. This has made them a target of criticism, as many people view Hummers as ill-suited for use as a passenger vehicle on public streets. As fuel prices have risen, detractors have also singled out the Hummer as an egregious waster of resources—a charge based largely on the Hummer's fuel consumption and size.

Since both the H1 and H2 can weigh over 8,500 lb (3855 kg)(GVWR), the United States fuel economy regulations do not apply to them. GM does not disclose their expected fuel economy ratings, and the company is not required to display a Monroney sticker on the vehicles, although that is to change by 2011 under regulations announced in March 2006. However, expected [[Miles per gallon|mpg]] ratings can be derived from their fuel capacity and range ratings. These metrics show that the [[Diesel]] H1 is expected to reach 16 [[Miles per gallon|mpg]] (U.S.), while the H2 should get 9.6 mpg. ''Car and Driver'' magazine observed 12 mpg with their H2 SUV.

When GM discontinued the H1 in May of 2006, the Sierra Club's Daniel Becker remarked, "It's one thing if it's carrying soldiers to and from a fight, it's another if it's hauling lattes home from Starbucks." Becker maintains the Sierra Club's Hummerdinger website.

==Hummer H1 vs HMMWV==
The Hummer H1 is basically a HMMWV built for civilian use, hence it has no armor or weapons. However, the drivetrain, frame, body, suspension, etc, are exactly the same. The H1 differs from the HMMWV in the fact that it has a civilian interior, including trim, comfortable seats, stereo, and Air Conditioning as standard options. Innovations introduced in the civilian Hummer to satisfy the demanding consumer have been later incorporated into improved military versions.

==Models==
[[Image:800px-2006_Hummer_H3_H1_and_H2.jpg|right|thumb|400px|2006 Hummer lineup: [[Hummer H3|H3]], [[Hummer H1|H1]], and [[Hummer H2|H2]] (L-R)]]
There are three current and possibly two future models in the Hummer line:
* [[Hummer H1]]
* [[Hummer H2]]
** Hummer H2 [[Sports Utility Truck|SUT]]
* [[Hummer H3]]
** [[Hummer H3x]]
* [[Hummer H4]]
* Hummer Hx

==Licensing==
General Motors has been very active in licensing the Hummer brand. Various companies have licensed the Hummer trademarks for use on colognes, flashlights, bicycles, laptops, apparel, jewelry, CD players and other items.

==Hummers in popular culture==
*California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the first private citizen to own a Hummer and continues to own several.
*Additionally, many rappers enjoy driving Hummers, namely 50 Cent.
*In the car chase scene in The Rock, Sean Connery's character drives a Hummer H1.
*Hummer H2s can be seen on CSI Miami. The investigators, most notably Horatio Caine, drive them to the crime scenes.
*The character Vincent Chase on the HBO television series ''Entourage'' owns a yellow H2.
*Nearly a decade before the Hummer was available to the general public, Car and Driver named the Humvee as the #1 vehicle to own in New York City, citing its ability to handle uneven terrain.

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:Laser-avenger.jpg
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Jeep]]
*[[High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle]] (Hum-Vee)
*[[Lamborghini Cheetah]]
*[[Lamborghini LM002]]

==External links==
''' Official Site '''
* [http://www.amgeneral.com AM General official site]
* [http://www.hummer.com GM's HUMMER homepage]

''' Enthusiast Forums and Sites '''
* [http://www.humvee.net A HUMMER enthusiast site]
*[http://www.hummerguy.net Hummer News and Opinion] Hummer News and Opinion from and experienced off-road instructor
* [http://www.hummernetwork.com The HUMMER Network] - HUMMER enthusiast site, Parent site of above
* [http://www.amghummer.com A Hummer Technical Info site]
* [http://www.i3ds.com/hummer/index2.html Hummer License Plates, Jokes and much more]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com Independent UK Importer based in London, importing Hummer H2 SUV,H2 SUT and H3T Pickup]
* [http://bloggeroffline.blogspot.com/2005/12/most-environmentally-friendly-military.html Shadow RST-V Humvee Diesel/electric]
* [http://www.roadtests.com/research/hummer/ RoadTests.com - Hummer] Reviews, specs, and pictures.

''' Criticism Sites '''

* [http://www.blogsnotbombs.com/leftwingnut/hummerhome.htm A Hummer criticism site] 
* [http://greenhummerproject.org/ Green Hummer Project]
* [http://www.sierraclubplus.org/hummerdinger/ HummerDinger], maintained by the Sierra Club.
* [http://www.fuh2.com/ FUH2], which catalogs contributed photos of people flipping off hummers.
* [http://www.flipoffhummers.com/], a creative and interesting site aimed at flipping the beasts off.

{{General Motors brands}}
{{Hummer}}

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:General Motors]]
[[Category:Hummer]]
[[Category:Indiana]]
[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]
[[Category:Prestige vehicles]]

HUMMER

2008-04-10T07:09:11Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Hummer Models}}

'''Hummer''' is a marque of vehicles sold by [[General Motors]]. For the military vehicles on which the trademark is based see [[HMMWV]]. In May 2006, GM announced that it is discontinuing the H1.

==History==
Hummers were traditionally built by [[AM General]] Corporation, formerly the heavy industries division of [[American Motors Corporation|American Motors]], in its Mishawaka, Indiana assembly plant. AM General had planned to sell a civilian version of the Hummer as far back as the late 1980s. In 1990, two matching white Hummers were driven from London, UK to Beijing, People's Republic of China over the rough roads of the central Soviet Union. The Hummers made the drive with ease, and highlights of this journey were broadcast on ESPN in the United States. The publicity would pale in comparison to the attention that the [[HMMWV]] received for its service in Operation: Desert Storm the following year.

In 1991, [[AM General]] began selling a civilian version of the M998 [[High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle]] (HMMWV or Hum-Vee) vehicle to the public under the brand name '''Hummer'''. According to legend, they began doing so after Arnold Schwarzenegger asked them to; apparently, he was impressed by a convoy of Hum-Vees that drove by while filming "Kindergarten Cop" in 1990. In 1999, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors but continued to manufacture the vehicles. GM is responsible for the marketing and distribution of all Hummers produced by AM General. In the next few years, GM introduced two new homegrown models, the [[Hummer H2|H2]] and [[Hummer H3|H3]], and renamed the original vehicle to H1. AM General continues to build the H1 and is contracted by GM to produce the H2. The H3 is built in Shreveport, LA.

As of 2004, Hummer has gone international with selected importers and distributors in Europe and other markets. It has only been sold in small volumes, but some celebrities and business people have bought Hummers to satisfy their curiosity. Markets such as Australia have shown interest in Hummers with importers converting the latest H3 to right hand drive despite GM not officially selling the brand in Australia.

From 2006, GM will be building/assembling the Hummer H3 at the Port Elizabeth plant in South Africa to make Hummers internationally available. Hummers at the Port Elizabeth plant will be built for local South African consumption and exported to Australia, the United Kingdom and Japan.

The H2 is also assembled in Kaliningrad, Russia, by Avtotor, starting in June 2004. The plant produces a few hundred vehicles annually, and its output is limited to local consumption only (five dealers in Russia initially).

On May 12, 2006, [[GM]] announced it would cease production of the original [[H1]] Hummer.

Recently [[Rick Wagoner]] said at the [[Los Angeles Auto Show]] said that the Hummer Brand of trucks will be on Biodiesel

==Evaluation==
The first two Hummer models are large, heavy vehicles with large engines and complex drivelines. The [[Hummer H3|H3]] is smaller and geared more towards people who want an everyday SUV. They also feature aggressive styling and advertising, setting them apart from competing models. This has made them a target of criticism, as many people view Hummers as ill-suited for use as a passenger vehicle on public streets. As fuel prices have risen, detractors have also singled out the Hummer as an egregious waster of resources—a charge based largely on the Hummer's fuel consumption and size.

Since both the H1 and H2 can weigh over 8,500 lb (3855 kg)(GVWR), the United States fuel economy regulations do not apply to them. GM does not disclose their expected fuel economy ratings, and the company is not required to display a Monroney sticker on the vehicles, although that is to change by 2011 under regulations announced in March 2006. However, expected [[Miles per gallon|mpg]] ratings can be derived from their fuel capacity and range ratings. These metrics show that the [[Diesel]] H1 is expected to reach 16 [[Miles per gallon|mpg]] (U.S.), while the H2 should get 9.6 mpg. ''Car and Driver'' magazine observed 12 mpg with their H2 SUV.

When GM discontinued the H1 in May of 2006, the Sierra Club's Daniel Becker remarked, "It's one thing if it's carrying soldiers to and from a fight, it's another if it's hauling lattes home from Starbucks." Becker maintains the Sierra Club's Hummerdinger website.

==Hummer H1 vs HMMWV==
The Hummer H1 is basically a HMMWV built for civilian use, hence it has no armor or weapons. However, the drivetrain, frame, body, suspension, etc, are exactly the same. The H1 differs from the HMMWV in the fact that it has a civilian interior, including trim, comfortable seats, stereo, and Air Conditioning as standard options. Innovations introduced in the civilian Hummer to satisfy the demanding consumer have been later incorporated into improved military versions.

==Models==
[[Image:800px-2006_Hummer_H3_H1_and_H2.jpg|right|thumb|400px|2006 Hummer lineup: [[Hummer H3|H3]], [[Hummer H1|H1]], and [[Hummer H2|H2]] (L-R)]]
There are three current and possibly two future models in the Hummer line:
* [[Hummer H1]]
* [[Hummer H2]]
** Hummer H2 [[Sports Utility Truck|SUT]]
* [[Hummer H3]]
** [[Hummer H3x]]
* [[Hummer H4]]
* Hummer Hx

==Licensing==
General Motors has been very active in licensing the Hummer brand. Various companies have licensed the Hummer trademarks for use on colognes, flashlights, bicycles, laptops, apparel, jewelry, CD players and other items.

==Hummers in popular culture==
*California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the first private citizen to own a Hummer and continues to own several.
*Additionally, many rappers enjoy driving Hummers, namely 50 Cent.
*In the car chase scene in The Rock, Sean Connery's character drives a Hummer H1.
*Hummer H2s can be seen on CSI Miami. The investigators, most notably Horatio Caine, drive them to the crime scenes.
*The character Vincent Chase on the HBO television series ''Entourage'' owns a yellow H2.
*Nearly a decade before the Hummer was available to the general public, Car and Driver named the Humvee as the #1 vehicle to own in New York City, citing its ability to handle uneven terrain.

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:Laser-avenger.jpg
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Jeep]]
*[[High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle]] (Hum-Vee)
*[[Lamborghini Cheetah]]
*[[Lamborghini LM002]]

==External links==
''' Official Site '''
* [http://www.amgeneral.com AM General official site]
* [http://www.hummer.com GM's HUMMER homepage]

''' Enthusiast Forums and Sites '''
* [http://www.humvee.net A HUMMER enthusiast site]
*[http://www.hummerguy.net Hummer News and Opinion] Hummer News and Opinion from and experienced off-road instructor
* [http://www.hummernetwork.com The HUMMER Network] - HUMMER enthusiast site, Parent site of above
* [http://www.amghummer.com A Hummer Technical Info site]
* [http://www.i3ds.com/hummer/index2.html Hummer License Plates, Jokes and much more]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com Independent UK Importer based in London, importing Hummer H2 SUV and SUT]
* [http://bloggeroffline.blogspot.com/2005/12/most-environmentally-friendly-military.html Shadow RST-V Humvee Diesel/electric]
* [http://www.roadtests.com/research/hummer/ RoadTests.com - Hummer] Reviews, specs, and pictures.

''' Criticism Sites '''

* [http://www.blogsnotbombs.com/leftwingnut/hummerhome.htm A Hummer criticism site] 
* [http://greenhummerproject.org/ Green Hummer Project]
* [http://www.sierraclubplus.org/hummerdinger/ HummerDinger], maintained by the Sierra Club.
* [http://www.fuh2.com/ FUH2], which catalogs contributed photos of people flipping off hummers.
* [http://www.flipoffhummers.com/], a creative and interesting site aimed at flipping the beasts off.

{{General Motors brands}}
{{Hummer}}

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:General Motors]]
[[Category:Hummer]]
[[Category:Indiana]]
[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]
[[Category:Prestige vehicles]]

GMC

2008-04-10T07:03:03Z

Americancar:

{{List Of GMC Models}}
'''GMC''', formerly known as '''GMC Truck''', is a Canada-based branch of General Motors' brand name of [[truck]]s, [[van]]s, and [[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]]s. Its vehicles are marketed in North America and the Middle East.

==History==
[[Image:GMCTrucks1919.jpg|thumb|left|250px|GMC Truck, from a 1919 advertisement]]
In 1900, Max Grabowsky established a company called the "Rapid Motor Vehicle Company", which developed some of the earliest commercial trucks ever designed. The trucks utilized one-cylinder engines. In 1909, the company was purchased by [[GMC|General Motors]] to form the basis for the General Motors Truck Company, from which GMC Truck was derived.

Another indepedent manufacturer purchased by GM that same year was Reliance Motor Car Company. Rapid & Reliance were merged in 1911, and in 1912 the marque "'''GMC Truck'''" was first shown at the New York Auto Show. 22,000 trucks were produced that year, though GMC's contribution to that total was a mere 372 units.

In 1916, a GMC Truck crossed the country from Seattle to New York in thirty days, and in 1926, a 2-ton GMC truck was driven from New York to San Francisco in 5 days and 30 minutes.

During the Second World War, GMC Truck produced 600,000 trucks for use by the U.S. military. In 1996 GM dropped the word 'truck' from the GMC Truck name, thus creating the GMC name as we know it today.

In 2002, GMC released a book entitled, ''GMC: The First 100 Years'', that explained the company's complete history.

GMC currently manufactures [[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]]s, [[pickup truck]]s, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty trucks. In the past, GMC also produced [[fire truck]]s, [[ambulance]]s, heavy-duty trucks, [[military vehicle]]s, [[motorhome]]s, and transit [[bus]]es.
GMC is positioned as an outlet for the same trucks available under the [[Chevrolet]], and occasionally [[Isuzu]] or Suzuki, usually
for Buick or Pontiac dealers, typically at lower volumes. The [[Envoy XUV]] was a unique body style. The [[Denali]] is
an alternative to the [[Cadillac Escalade]], but it does not sell the popular [[Chevrolet Avalanche | Avalanche]] or minivan based SUVs. The [[Sprint]] (later [[GMC Caballero|Caballero]]) was a rebadged [[El Camino]] and is
a rare alternative. A consumer would choose on the basis of styling details and dealer preference.

[[Image:Snap0430.jpg|thumb|250px|RTS Bus]]

In 2007, the company will introduce the [[GMC Acadia|Acadia]], a [[crossover SUV]], which will be the company's first [[unibody]] vehicle.

==GMC models==
*[[Pickup truck|Pickup]]
**[[GMC Caballero|Caballero]] (1978 - 1987)
**[[GMC Canyon|Canyon]] (2004 - Current)
**[[GMC Sierra|Sierra]] (1999 - Current)
**[[GMC Sonoma|Sonoma]] (1982 - 2003)
**[[GMC Sprint|Sprint]] (1971-1977)
**[[GMC Syclone|Syclone]] (1991)
*[[Van]]
**[[GMC Handi-Van|Handi-Van]] (1964-1970)
**[[GMC Handi-Bus|Handi-Bus]] (1964-1970)
**[[GMC Safari|Safari]] (1985 - 2005)
**[[GMC Savana|Savana]] (1996 - Current)
**[[GMC Vandura|Vandura]] (1970 - 1996)
**[[GMC Rally|Rally]]
*[[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]]
**[[GMC Acadia|Acadia]] (2007)
**[[GMC Envoy|Envoy]] (2002 - Current)
**[[GMC Jimmy|Jimmy]] (1970 - 2001)
**[[Geo Tracker|Tracker]] (Sold in Canada only)
**[[GMC Typhoon|Typhoon]] (1992 - 1993)
**[[GMC Suburban|Suburban]] (1937 - 1999), renamed [[GMC Yukon XL|Yukon XL]] (2000 - Current)**
**[[GMC Yukon|Yukon]] (1992 - Current)
**[[GMC Terrain|Terrain]] (2008 - Current)
*[[Truck#Heavy|Heavy duty trucks]]
**[[GMC DLR/F/Crackerbox|DLR/F/Crackerbox]] (1959 - 1968)
**[[GMC HM 9500|HM 9500]] (1965 - 1976)
**[[GMC JH 9500|JH 9500]] (1971 - 1978)
**[[GMC Astro|Astro]] (1968 - 1988)
**[[GMC General|General]] (1977 - 1988)
**[[GMC Brigadier|Brigadier]] (1977 - 1988)
*[[Truck#Medium|Medium duty trucks]]
**[[GMC C-Series|C-Series]]
**[[GMC TopKick|TopKick]] (1980 - 1996; 2003 - Present)
**[[GMC L-Series/Steel Tilt Cab|L-Series/Steel Tilt Cab]]
**[[GMC B-Series|B-Series]]
**[[GMC T-series|T-series]]
**[[GMC W-series|W-series]]
**[[GMC Forward|Forward]]
**[[GMC P-Chassis|P-Chassis]]
*[[Transit bus]]
**[[GMC Old Look|Old Look Coaches]] (1945 - 1968)
**[[New Look Coaches/Fishbowl]] (1959 - 1986)
**[[GMC RTS bus |RTS]] (1977 - 1987)
**[[GMC Classics|Classics]] (1982 - 1987)
*Intercity bus
**PD-4501 Scenicruiser (1950s)
**"Buffalo" Buses
***H8H649 (1979 - 1980)
***PD4107
***PD4108
***P8M4108A
***PD4903
***PD4905
***P8M4905A
***H8H649
*[[Motorhome]]
**[[GMC motorhome]] (1973 - 1978)

==External links==
* [[GMC Denali]]
* [http://www.gmc.com GMC Homepage]
* [http://www.gm-trucks.com GM-Trucks.com]
* [http://www.oldgmctrucks.com Old GMC Trucks]
* [http://gmtblog.blogspot.com Blogspot GMC Truck]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com Independent UK Importer, based in London, importing new GMC Yukon, GMC Sierra and all other GMC models]
* [http://www.6066gmcguy.org/ The 60-66 GMC Guy]

{{GMC}}
{{General Motors brands}}

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:General Motors]]
[[Category:GMC|*]]
[[Category:Bus manufacturers]]
[[Category:Truck manufacturers]]

Cadillac

2008-04-10T06:40:11Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Cadillac Models}}
'''Cadillac''' was born from Ford's second failed venture. Today, it is a brand of luxury automobile, part of the [[GMC|General Motors Corporation ]], produced and mostly sold in the United States and Canada; outside of North America, they have been less successful. In the United States, the name became a synonym for "high quality", used in such phrases as "the Cadillac of clocks." This is less prevalent, though still known, in other English-speaking countries (who are more likely to use [[Rolls-Royce]] in such phrases).

== History ==
=== Founding ===
Cadillac was formed from the Henry Ford Company upon Henry Ford's departure along with several partners. Ford wanted to build cheap cars but the investors wanted to build the most expensive. With the intent of liquidating the firm's assets, Ford's financial backers, William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen called in engineer Henry M. Leland to appraise the plant and equipment prior to selling them. Instead, Leland persuaded them to continue in the automobile business. Henry Ford's departure required a new name, and on August 22, 1902, the company reformed as the Cadillac Automobile Company.

The Cadillac automobile was named after the 17th century French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, founder of Detroit, Michigan in 1701.

=== Early vehicles ===
[[Image:Cadi-1903.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Cadillac, 1903 (courtesy the Smithsonian).]]
Their first car was completed in October 1902, the 10 [[HP|hp]] (7 kW) Cadillac. It was practically identical to the 1903 [[Ford Model A]]. Many sources say the first car rolled out of the factory on October 17; in the book Henry Leland — Master of Precision, on p.69, that date is shown to be October 20; yet another reliable source shows car #3 to have been built on October 16. In any case, the new Cadillac was shown at the [[New York Auto Show]] the following January, where it impressed the crowds enough to gather over two thousand firm orders. The Cadillac's biggest selling point was precision manufacturing and, therefore, reliability; it was simply a better made vehicle than its competition.

In February to March 1908, three [[Cadillac Model K|Model K]] Cadillacs (1907 production) were released from the stock of Frederick Bennett (UK agent for Cadillac) at the Heddon Street showroom in London to compete in the annual Royal Automobile Club's Standardization Test. They were driven 25 miles to the Brooklands race track at Weybridge where they completed another 25 miles (40 km) before being put under lock and key until Monday March 2, 1908 when they were released and disassembled completely. Their 721 component parts were scrambled in one heap; 89 parts requiring extreme accuracy were withdrawn from the heap,locked away at the Brooklands club house and replaced with new parts from the showroom stock. Using only wrenches and screwdrivers the 3 cars were re-assembled and on Friday March 13 they completed a mandatory 500 mile (800 km) run. On completion of the test, one of the cars was placed under lock and key where it remained until the start of the 2,000 miles (3,200 km) Reliability Trials, several months later. It came out the winner of the R.A.C. Trophy! Parts interchangeability could not have been proven in any other more appropriate way. As a result of these tests, the Cadillac Automobile Company was awarded the [[Dewar Trophy]] for 1908 (actual award date was February 1909). The [[Dewar Trophy]] was an annual award for the most important advancement of the year in the automobile industry.

=== General Motors ===
Cadillac was purchased by the [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] conglomerate in 1909.

Cadillac became General Motors' prestige division, devoted to the production of large luxury vehicles. The Cadillac line was also GM's default marque for "commercial chassis" institutional vehicles, such as ambulances, limousines, hearses, and funeral home flower cars. The latter two of which were custom made by aftermarket manufacturers, GM does not produce any such vehicles on its own.

In 1911, Cadillac was the first gasoline [[internal combustion engine]] auto to incorporate electric start, as opposed to earlier crank start. Originally marketed as a convenience device for female drivers, the [[electric starter]] developed by Charles Kettering was first used on the production models of 1912. Other innovations included the first [[V8 engine|V8]] engine in mass production in 1915; shatter-resistant safety glass in 1926; and the first fully synchronized [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] (with gears "locked" in relation to one another to prevent clashing upon execution of a shift) in 1928. About this time, automobile stylist, Harley Earl, whom Cadillac had recruited in 1926 and who was to head the new Art and Color section starting in January 1928, designed for 1927 a new, smaller "companion" car to the Cadillac which he called the [[La Salle (automobile)|La Salle]], after another French explorer, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. That model remained in production until 1940.

Pre-World War II Cadillacs were well-built, powerful, mass-produced luxury cars, aimed at an upper class market, below that of such ultra-exclusive marques such as [[Pierce-Arrow]] and [[Duesenberg]]. In the 1930s, Cadillac added cars with [[V12 engine|12-]] and [[V16|16-cylinder]] engines to their range, many of which were fitted with custom coach-built bodies; these engines were remarkable at the time for their ability to deliver a combination of high power, silky smoothness and quietness.

=== 1932- The year it could have ended ===
In 1932, after Cadillac suffered from record low sales and charges of discrimination against black customers, Alfred Sloan created a committee to consider the discontinuation of the Cadillac line. At a fateful board meeting, Cadillac president Nicholas Dreystadt heard that legendary boxer Joe Louis could not go into a dealership to buy a car, because he was black, and resorted to having a white friend make the purchase for him. Dreystadt gave the GM Board of Directors a 10 minute speech in which he advocated advertising to black consumers so as to increase sales. The Board agreed to give Dreystadt 18 months to produce results. By 1934, Cadillac had regained profitability. It is significant to note that after this decision, Cadillac was the only American automobile manufacturer to remain profitable during the Great Depression. By 1940, Cadillac sales had risen 1,000 percent compared to 1934, thus saving Cadillac from extinction.

The year 1934 brought about a revolution in assembly line technology. Henry F. Phillips introduced the Philips screw and driver onto the market. He entered into talks with General Motors and convinced the Cadillac group that his new screws would speed assembly times and therefore increase profits. Cadillac was the first automaker to use the Phillips technology, which was widely adopted in 1940.

=== Postwar ===
[[Image:Cadillace1947Series75.jpg|thumb|250px|Promotional art of the 1947 Cadillac Series 75 Sedan]]

Postwar Cadillacs, incorporating the ideas of General Motors styling chief Harley J. Earl, innovated many of the styling features that came to be synonymous with the classic (late 1940s-late 1950s) American automobile, including tailfins and wraparound windshields. Cadillac's first tailfins, inspired by the twin rudders of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, appeared in 1948; the 1959 Cadillac was the epitome of the tailfin craze, with the most recognizable tailfins of any production automobile.

Cadillac's other styling attribute was its front bumper designs which became known as Dagmar bumpers or simply ''Dagmars''. What had started out after the war as an artillery shell shaped bumper guard became an increasingly important part of Cadillac's complicated front grille and bumper assembly. As the 1950s wore on, the element was placed higher in the front end design, negating their purpose as bumper guards. They also became more pronounced and were likened to the bosom of 1950s television personality Dagmar. In 1957 the bumpers gained black rubber finials which only heightened the relationship between the styling element and a stylized exaggerated breast and nipple. For 1958 the element was toned down and was completely absent on the 1959 models.

[[Image:Cadillac_at_car_show.jpg|right|thumb|250px|1960 Cadillac]]
In 1960 William Mitchell succeeded Harley Earl as styling chief, and his preference for more austere design combined with changing buyer tastes caused the excess to be rapidly toned down, beginning with the 1960 and 1961 models. Nevertheless, Cadillacs retained their tailfins through 1964, and suggestions of them remain in the peaked rear fenders of many models even to this day. The tailfin style gave birth to the enduring vertical-taillight pattern, which is a subtle trademark of the Cadillac line (the opposite of the horizontal taillight pattern which is a likewise subtle trademark of rival Lincoln.) The vertical taillight design also made Cadillac a favorite of the Professional car industry which easily converted them into hearses for funeral homes. Because the Cadillac tail light was vertical, these firms could bypass the expense of retro-fitting rear bumpers to accommodate the rear swing doors favored on hearses.

Somewhat surprisingly for a marque with such a strong design heritage, Cadillac has resisted the temptation to produce any "retro" models such as the revived [[Ford Thunderbird]] or the [[VW New Beetle]], and has instead pressed ahead with a new design philosophy for the 21st century called "art and science" which it says "incorporates sharp, shear forms and crisp edges — a form vocabulary that expresses bold, high-technology design and invokes the technology used to design it."

===Low points, and the beginning of a recovery===
Cadillac suffered from the malaise that set in to the American auto industry in the late 1970s to the late 1980s. There were high points, such as the launch of the [[Cadillac Eldorado|Eldorado]] two-door personal luxury car in 1967, with its simple, elegant design—a far cry from the tail-fin and chrome excesses of the 1950s. However, the 1970s saw vehicles memorable for other types of excess: engine size, for one (the new generation 472 cubic inch V8 [7.7 liter] that debuted with the 1968 models was designed for an ultimate capacity potential of 600 cubic inches. It was stroked to 500 cubic inches [8.2 liter] for the 1970 model Eldorado, then adopted across all models for 1975 [note: the compact Seville introduced in 1975 as a 1976 model used only a fuel-injected version of the Oldsmobile 350]. For the 1977 large models (all but the Seville), the 500 was replaced with a small-bore 472 for a 425 cubic inch displacement. The bore was further reduced for 1980-1981 to provide 368 inches, again sharing the stroke of the original 472), weight, and physical bulk. The build quality also became poorer when measured against German rivals.

As with most American brands, Cadillac was forced to downsize its offerings between the 1973 and 1979 fuel crises. Its staple [[Cadillac DeVille|De Ville]] and [[Cadillac Fleetwood|Fleetwood]] lines were downsized for 1977 and again for 1985. It launched a smaller car around the size of the [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class]], the [[Cadillac Seville|Seville]], based on a [[Chevrolet Nova]] platform, which became a success for the marque.

Due to gasoline shortages, Cadillac offered an [[Oldsmobile]] "[[diesel]]ized" (converted from [[gasoline]] use) [[LF9]] 350-cubic-inch (5.7L) [[V8 engine|V8]] engine, in its full-size cars from 1979 to 1981. This was a disaster for GM. The engine was notoriously unreliable and smoky. Ironically, GM's other division, [[Detroit Diesel]] had had decades of experience building [[Diesel]] engines.

However, in an attempt to extend its brand further downward to appeal to younger buyers, Cadillac launched in 1981 (for the 1982 model year) the compact [[Cadillac Cimarron|Cimarron]], which shared the [[GM J platform|J platform]] with the [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] to rival the [[BMW 3-series]]. As the Cimarron was rushed to production about three years ahead of schedule, only a four-cylinder engine was available (though a [[V6|V6]] arrived in 1985) and at first, minimal styling differences were made to distiguish it from the considerably cheaper [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] version, and buyers dismissed it as a "warmed-over Cavalier". Though Cimarron came with a hefty list of standard equipment and options (several of which being unavailable on Cavalier) and styling became much more in tune with other Cadillacs in its later years, sales never did significantly improve after its initial rejection, and it was discontinued in 1988. Although the motoring press lauded the first Cadillac [[manual transmission]] in decades, the [[automatic transmission|automatic]]'s extra cost also rankled buyers.

Another low point during the early 1980s was the [[variable displacement]] engine, branded the '''[[Cadillac V8 engine#L62 V8-6-4|L62 V8-6-4]]''' engine. Introduced in 1981, this 368 in³ (6.0 L) engine sequentially shut down cylinders as demand dropped. Company marketing hailed the engine as cutting-edge technology, but it proved unreliable with no tangible gas mileage benefit and was dropped the next year in favor of a family of smaller aluminum V8 engines rushed into production. The HT 4100 (4.1 L) [[V8 engine|V8]] engine was used widely in Cadillacs in the late 1980s. This proved to be one of the worst engines ever built. It suffered from coolant leaks, warped intake manifolds and warped heads. The 4100's problems cost Cadillac the loyalty of many customers.

The mid-1980s saw Cadillac try to rebuild its image, aware that European and Japanese imports were on a rise, and with [[Honda]] launching its American luxury division, [[Acura]]. Some new design approaches were tried: the Seville, for instance, had gracefully rounded wheel arches with a hint of chrome. The greatest challenge to the imports was the [[Cadillac Allante]], a convertible designed by Pininfarina of Italy, and built on what was touted as the world's longest production line—with the car's bodies fabricated in Italy and flown by Boeing 747 to the United States to meet their transmission and engine. The car was, sadly, not a commercial success, but today stands out as a modern classic and more than able to hold its own, image-wise, next to its [[Mercedes-Benz SL]] rival.

The Allante's styling influenced other Cadillacs, especially the Seville, which adopted its sharper, tailored lines. Indeed, Cadillac was so confident of the Seville that it was exported to Europe, but it faced stiff opposition.

The Cimarron and Seville models marked a beginning of "smaller" cars for the Cadillac line. Throughout the 1980s, American auto makers downsized most of their models, and the Cadillac was no exception. By the late '80s, the Brougham was the only Cadillac model that retained the style and size of the "big" DeVilles and Fleetwoods of the '70s. It was discontinued after the 1996 model year (the Brougham was rebadged as the Fleetwood Brougham).

After GM phased out the [[GM D platform|D platform]] in 1996, Cadillac was left with a completely front-wheel drive lineup until the importation of the European-based Catera in 1997. Although not a rear wheel drive passenger car, the introduction of the [[Chevrolet Tahoe]]-based [[Escalade]] filled the void after the demise of the Fleetwood Brougham.

=== The Art and Science era ===
The latest incarnation of Cadillac styling — Art and Science (A&S) was previewed with the 1999 [[Evoq|Cadillac Evoq]] concept roadster at that year's [[Detroit Auto Show]]. With its crisp lines, hard creases, and sharp corners, the Evoq not only had a striking presence of its own, but also marked a departure from the softer design of previous Cadillacs.

Distinctive characteristics of Art and Science design include stacked headlamps, vertical taillamps, angular grille, and creased body lines in addition to alphanumeric model names.

The DeVille sedan and 2002 Escalade sport utility were the first executions of the Art and Science design philosophy, though they should be appropriately noted as more transitional vehicles since they combine A&S with the last era of styling and tested the waters for public acceptance.

Cadillac's 2003 [[Cadillac CTS]] was the first ground-up incarnation of A&S and was an instant hit, partly due to product placements in the cyberpunk Matrix trilogy. Following in its success was the [[Cadillac SRX]] sport utility wagon and the Evoq-inspired [[Cadillac XLR]] roadster. The 2005 [[Cadillac STS]] is the latest in the A&S lineup and will complete the transition between the old school of design and the new. The new [[Cadillac V-Series]] was also introduced to provide sporty models based on Cadillac production cars, with very extensive chassis and engine upgrades.

A slight evolution of A&S was shown at Detroit's 2003 Auto Show with the [[Cadillac Sixteen]] concept, which had a rounded body with crisp A&S features. This version of A&S will probably see itself debuted on models that appeal to more conservative demographics, such as the DeVille's replacement and a possible ultraluxury sedan.

The 2006 Presidential limousine first shown at the second inauguration of President George W. Bush features A&S design cues, and is said to foreshadow the 2006 [[Cadillac DTS]], which is the replacement for the DeVille.

In late 2005, Cadillac introduced the new DTS, the replacement of the DeVille, completing the full lineup of A&S models.

Also in 2005, [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] announced the first '''Cadillac''' designed exclusively for the European market, a model called the BLS, to be built by [[Saab]] in Sweden.

== Cadillac models ==
{{Cadillac timeline}}

=== Historical and Classic ===
* 1902-1903 [[Cadillac runabout and tonneau]] — 72 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1903-1904 [[Cadillac Model A]] — 72 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1904 Cadillac Models A and B
** [[Cadillac Model A|Model A]] — 72 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model B|Model B]] — 76 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1905 Cadillac Models B, C, D, E and F
** [[Cadillac Model B|Model B]] — 76 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model C|Model C]] — 72 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model D|Model D]] — 100 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model E|Model E]] — 74 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model F|Model F]] — 76 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1906 Cadillac Models H, K, L, and M
** [[Cadillac Model H|Model H]] — 102 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model K|Model K]] — 74 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model L|Model L]] — 110 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model M|Model M]] — 76 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1907 Cadillac Models G, H, K, and M
** [[Cadillac Model G|Model G]] — 100 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model H|Model H]] — 102 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model K|Model K]] — 74 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model M|Model M]] — 76 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1908 Cadillac Models G, H, M, S and T
** [[Cadillac Model G|Model G]] — 100 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model H|Model H]] — 102 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model M|Model M]] — 76 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model S|Model S]] — 82 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
** [[Cadillac Model T|Model T]] — 82 in wheelbase [[Piston engine|single-cylinder engine]]
* 1909-1911 [[Cadillac Model Thirty]]
** 1909 — 106 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]]
** 1910 — 110 in wheelbase; 120 in wheelbase (limousine) [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
** 1911 — 116 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1912 — [[Cadillac Model 1912]]; 116 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1913 — [[Cadillac Model 1913]]; 120 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1914 — [[Cadillac Model 1914]]; 120  and 134 in wheelbase [[Straight-4|four-cylinder engine]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1915 — [[Cadillac Type 51]]; 122  and 145 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1916 — [[Cadillac Type 53]]; 122  132  and 145 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1917 — [[Cadillac Type 55]]; 125  and 145 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1918-1919 [[Cadillac Type 57]]; 125  132  and 145 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1920-1921 [[Cadillac Type 59]]; 122  and 132 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1922-1923 [[Cadillac Type 61]]; 132 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1924 — [[Cadillac Type V-63]]; 132  and 145 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]]
* 1925 — [[Cadillac Type V-63]]; 132  138  and 145 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1926-1927 [[Cadillac Series 314]]; 132  138  and 150 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1928 — [[Cadillac Series 341]]-A; 140  and 152 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1929 — [[Cadillac Series 341]]-B; 140  and 152 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1930 Cadillac Series 353, 370 and 452 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 353|Series 353]] — 140  and 152 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 370|Series 370]] — 140  143  and 152 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac V-16|Series 452]] — 148 in wheelbase [[V16]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1931 Cadillac Series 355, 370-A and 452-A [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 355|Series 355]] — 134  and 152 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 370|Series 370-A]] — 140  143  and 152 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac V-16|Series 452-A]] — 148 in wheelbase [[V16]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1932 Cadillac Series 355-B, 370-B and 452-B [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 355|Series 355-B]] — 134  and 156 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 370|Series 370-B]] — 140  and 156 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac V-16|Series 452-B]] — 143 and 149 in wheelbase [[V16]] [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
* 1933 Cadillac Series 355-C, 370-C and 452-C [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 355|Series 355-C]] — 140  and 156 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 370|Series 370-C]] — 134  140  and 156 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]]
** [[Cadillac V-16|Series 452-C]] — 143  and 149 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1934 Cadillac Series 10, 20, 30 and 452-D [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 10|Series 10]] — 128 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 20|Series 20]] — 136 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 30|Series 30]] — 146 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 370|Series 370-D]] — 146 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]]
** [[Cadillac V-16|Series 452-D]] — 154 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1935 Cadillac Series 10, 20, 30 and 452-D [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 10|Series 10]] — 128 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 20|Series 20]] — 136 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 30|Series 30]] — 146 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 370|Series 370-D]] — 146 and 160 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]]
** [[Cadillac V-16|Series 452-D or 60]] — 154 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1936 Cadillac Series 36-60, 36-70, 36-75, 36-80, 36-85, 36-90 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 60|Series 36-60]] — 121 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 70|Series 36-70]] — 131 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 36-75]] — 138 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 80|Series 36-80]] — 131 and 160 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]]
** [[Cadillac Series 85|Series 36-85]] — 138 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]]
** [[Cadillac Series 80|Series 36-80]] — 154 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1937 Cadillac Series 36-60, 37-65, 37-70, 37-75, 37-85, 37-90 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 60|Series 37-60]] — 124  and 160.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 65|Series 37-65]] — 131 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 70|Series 37-70]] — 131 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 37-75]] — 138  and 156 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 85|Series 37-85]] — 138 in wheelbase [[V12 engine|V12]]
** [[Cadillac Series 80|Series 37-80]] — 154 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1938 Cadillac Series 38-60, 38-60S, 38-65, 38-75, 38-90 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Series 60|Series 38-60]] — 124  and 160 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 38-60S]] — 127 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 65|Series 38-65]] — 132  in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 38-75]] — 141  and 160 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 90|Series 38-90]] — 141 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1939 Cadillac Series 39-60S, 39-65, 39-75, 39-90 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 39-60S]] — 127 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 39-61]] — 126  and 162.25 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 39-75]] — 141  and 161.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 90|Series 39-90]] — 141 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1940 Cadillac Series 40-60S, 40-62, 40-72, 40-75, 40-90 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 40-60S]] — 127 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 40-62]] — 129 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 72|Series 40-72]] — 138  and 165.25 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 40-75]] — 141  and 161.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 90|Series 40-90]] — 141 in wheelbase [[V16]]
* 1941 Cadillac Series 41-60S, 41-61, 41-62, 41-63, 41-67, 41-75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 41-60S]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 41-61]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 41-62]] — 126  and 163 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 63|Series 41-63]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 67|Series 41-67]] — 139 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 41-75]] — 136  and 163 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1942 Cadillac Series 42-60S, 42-61, 42-62, 42-63, 42-67, 42-75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 42-60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 42-61]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 42-62]] — 129 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 63|Series 42-63]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 67|Series 42-67]] — 139 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 42-75]] — 136  and 163 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1946 Cadillac Series 60S, 61, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 61]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 129 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 136 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1947 Cadillac Series 60S, 61, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 61]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 129 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 138 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1948-1949 Cadillac Series 60S, 61, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 61]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 136 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]

=== Finned Fifties ===
* 1950-1951 Cadillac Series 60S, 61, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 61|Series 61]] — 122 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 146.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1952 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 147 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1953 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 146.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1954-1955 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 129 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 149.8 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1956 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 129 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 149.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1957-1958 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 70, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 133 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 70|Series 70]] — 126 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] "Eldorado Brougham"
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 149.7 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1959-1960 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 63, 64, 69, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 63|Series 63]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]"De Ville" sub-series
** [[Cadillac Eldorado|Series 64]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]"Eldorado" sub-series
** [[Cadillac Eldorado Brougham|Series 69]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]] "Eldorado Brougham"
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 149.75 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]

=== Sixties and Seventies ===
* 1961-1964 Cadillac Series 60S, 62, 75 [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Sixty Special|Series 60S Fleetwood]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 62|Series 62]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Series 75|Series 75]] — 149.8 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1965-1966 Cadillac "Calais", "De Ville" and "Fleetwood" Series [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Calais|Calais]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac DeVille|DeVille]]/[[Cadillac Coupe de Ville|Coupe de Ville]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Fleetwood|Fleetwood]] — 133  149.8  and 156 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1967-1970 Cadillac "Calais", "De Ville" and "Fleetwood" Series [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Calais|Calais]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac DeVille|DeVille]]/[[Cadillac Coupe de Ville|Coupe de Ville]] — 129.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Fleetwood|Fleetwood]] — 120  133  149.8  and 156 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1970-1973 Cadillac "Calais", "De Ville" and "Fleetwood" Series [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Calais|Calais]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac DeVille|DeVille]]/[[Cadillac Coupe de Ville|Coupe de Ville]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Fleetwood|Fleetwood]] — 126.3  133  151.5 &bnsp; and 157.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1974 — Cadillac "Calais", "De Ville" and "Fleetwood" Series [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Calais|Calais]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac DeVille|DeVille]]/[[Cadillac Coupe de Ville|Coupe de Ville]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Fleetwood|Fleetwood]] — 126  133  151.5 &bnsp; and 157.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
* 1975 — Cadillac "Calais", "De Ville", "Seville" and "Fleetwood" Series [[Fisher Body|Fisher]] [[Fleetwood Metal Body|Fleetwood]]
** [[Cadillac Calais|Calais]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac DeVille|DeVille]]/[[Cadillac Coupe de Ville|Coupe de Ville]] — 130 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Seville|Seville]] — 114.3 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]
** [[Cadillac Fleetwood|Fleetwood]] — 126.3  133  151.5 &bnsp; and 157.5 in wheelbase [[V8 engine|V8]]

=== Alphabetical Model Summary ===
* 1987-1993 [[Cadillac Allante]]
* 1985-1993 [[Cadillac Brougham]]
* 1965-1976 [[Cadillac Calais]]
* 1994-1996 [[Cadillac Catera]]
* 1982-1988 [[Cadillac Cimarron]]
* 1935-1983 [[Cadillac commercial chassis]]
* 1949-2005 [[Cadillac DeVille]]
* 1949-1993 [[Cadillac Coupe de Ville]]
* 1953-2003 [[Cadillac Eldorado]]
* 1956-1962 [[Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz]]
* 1957-1960 [[Cadillac Eldorado Brougham]]
* 1956-1960 [[Cadillac Eldorado Seville]]
* 1963-2003 [[Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado]]
* 1927-1996 [[Cadillac Fleetwood]]
* 1976-2004 [[Cadillac Seville]]
* 1938-1993 [[Cadillac Sixty Special]]
* 1975-1976 [[Cadillac Castilian Station Wagon]]

=== Current ===
* 2006-present [[Cadillac STS V-Series]]
* 2004-present [[Cadillac CTS V-Series]]
* 2006-present [[Cadillac BLS]] (Europe only)
* 2003-present [[Cadillac CTS]]
* 2006-present [[Cadillac DTS]]
* 1999-present [[Cadillac Escalade]] (ESV/EXT) 
* 2004-present [[Cadillac SRX]]
* 2005-present [[Cadillac STS]]
* 2004-present [[Cadillac XLR]]

==See Also==
{{Cadillac}}

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:757px-1931_Cad.V-8.jpg|'31 Cad. V-8
Image:800px-Classic_Cad.jpg|
Image:437px-Cad.jpg|
Image:Abslide-5.jpg
</gallery>

==External links==
* [http://www.cadillac.com/ Cadillac.com] — official site
* [http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/ Lincoln vs Cadillac Forums] — website and community for owners and enthusiasts of Lincoln and Cadillac automobiles
* [http://www.cadillacforums.com/ CadillacOwners.com] — online community for Cadillac owners and enthusiasts
* [http://www.caddyedge.com/ the Caddy Edge] - community of modern Cadillac fans, product information, and image gallery of Art & Science Cadillac design
* [http://graphic-design.tjs-labs.com/gallery-view?product=CADILLAC&log=Q Gallery of classic graphic design featuring Cadillac automobiles]
* [http://www.americancarimports.com Independent UK Importer of new Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT, in addition to all other Cadillac models]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CadillacOwners Cadillac Owners Yahoo group]
* [http://web.bryant.edu/~history/h364material/cars/cars_40.htm Cadillac history]
* [http://100megsfree4.com/cadillac/ Cadillac history] — extensive fan site with many photos from earliest to current models
* [http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/resources-cad.html Cadillac Owner's Resources] — accessing the onboard diagnostic trouble codes, online service manuals, etc
* [http://www.pink-cadillac.de/ Classic Cadillac Community] — community site that captures and documents a large slice of the history of classic Cadillacs
* [http://www.car-nection.com/yann/ The Cadillac Database] — thousands of facts, figures and images that attempt to retrace the history and styling of Cadillac automobiles from 1902 up to 2002
* [http://www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/ Cadillac-LaSalle Club] — an international organization of Cadillac and LaSalle owners
* [http://www.1958cadillac.com/ 1958 Cadillac Owners Association] — an association of owners of 1958 Cadillacs
*[http://www.autoswalk.com/cadmod30.html The first Cadillac was designed by none other than Henry Ford]
*[http://www.scopecreep.com/Rhapsody/2005/01/ode-to-cadillac-cadillac-is-uniquely.html Playlist of Songs About The Cadillac]
*[http://www.automotoportal.com/ Automotive industry portal with Cadillac news]
*[http://www.topspeed.com/cars/cadillac/index23.html Cadillac] from TopSpeed
*[http://caddy-photo.blogspot.com/ Cadillac Auto Blog - Images]
*[http://www.caddyinfo.com/ Caddyinfo.com Cadillac Discussion and Technical Information]

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:Cadillac]]
[[Category:Automobile manufacturers of the United States]]
[[Category:General Motors]]
[[Category:Luxury car manufacturers]]

Buick

2008-04-10T06:33:26Z

Americancar:

{{List Of Buick Models}}
'''Buick''' is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, and China by [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] Corporation. Buicks are sold in North America, China, Taiwan, and Israel. The name is pronounced "B-YOU-ick." It is now GM's only US-based semi-luxury brand since the demise of [[Oldsmobile]] in 2004, although GM's Swedish subsidiary, [[Saab]], fills a similar segment in price and prestige level.

==History==
[[Image:LouisChevrolet_1910VanderbiltCup.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Louis Chevrolet driving a Buick Bug in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup]]
Buick originated as an independent motor car manufacturer, the '''Buick Motor Company''', incorporated on May 19, 1903 by the Scottish-American David Dunbar Buick (who invented the [[overhead valve engine]] on which the company's success was based) in Flint, Michigan. In 1904 the struggling company was taken over by James Whiting, who brought in William C. Durant to manage his new acquisition. Buick himself unwisely sold his stock for a small sum at his departure, and died in very modest circumstances forty years later.

Durant was a natural, however, and Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of several dozen corporate acquisitions, calling his new mega-corporation [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]].

At first, the different manufacturers who comprised General Motors competed against each other, but Durant put a stop to that. He wanted each General Motors division to target one class of buyer, and in his new scheme Buick was near the top—only the luxurious [[Cadillac (automobile)|Cadillac]] brand had more prestige.

In 1929, the Buick Motor Division launched the [[Marquette automobile|Marquette]] sister brand, designed to help bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile, however Marquette was discontinued in 1930.

Even today, Buick retains that position in the GM lineup. The ideal Buick customer was comfortably off; possibly not quite rich enough to afford a Cadillac or not desiring the ostentation of one, but definitely in the market for a car a cut above the norm.

Speculation exists, however, as to whether GM will repeat its termination of the [[Oldsmobile]] by eliminating the Buick brand in order to further cut costs, following the temporary suspension of GM's planned ''Zeta'' project to develop new rear wheel drive cars which would have fit the Buick market niche, and the consolidation of Buick, Pontiac, and GMC trucks into a single dealer franchise, which would make it simple to eliminate the Buick brand without leaving any dealers with no product. However, with the development of the Zeta platform apparently still ongoing (including the development of the 2006 [[Holden Commodore#VE Commodore|VE Holden Commodore]]), it may be likely that Buick will survive still.

Buick began consolidating its lineup in 2005, replacing the [[Buick Century|Century]] and [[Buick Regal|Regal]] with the [[Buick LaCrosse|LaCrosse]], and the [[Buick LeSabre|LeSabre]] and [[Buick Park Avenue|Park Avenue]] with the [[Buick Lucerne|Lucerne]] in 2006. The company will replace both of its [[SUV]]s, the [[Buick Rendezvous|Rendezvous]] and [[Buick Rainier|Rainier]] with the [[Buick Enclave|Enclave]] within 18 months, while the slow-selling [[Buick Terraza|Terraza]] minivan likely to end production shortly after. This will leave the marque with just three models by 2009.

== Distinguishing features ==
Buick's emblem consists of three shields, each bisected diagonally to the right by a straight line, the shields arranged touching each other in a left-diagonal pattern, inside a circle. If represented in color, the leftmost shield is red, the middle white, and the rightmost blue, although white is sometimes represented by light gray. This design, known as the '''Trishield''', was adopted in 1959 for the 1960 models and represents the three models that comprised the lineup that year—LeSabre, Invicta, and Electra. The shields are adopted from the shield of the Buick family crest, which in modified form had been used on Buicks since the 30s. A version of the traditional crest appeared on Electras through the 70s.
[[Image:800px-1951_Buick_Eight_Sedan.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Buick Eight Sedan, 1951. Three '''Portholes''' are visible.]]
A traditional Buick styling cue dating to 1949 is a series of three or four '''portholes''' or vents on the front fender behind the front wheels. The source of this design feature was a [[custom car]] (one not made by Buick), which in addition had a flashing light within each hole, each synchronized with a specific spark plug — a feature not used by Buick. These were originally called "'''Ventiports'''" (later just "portholes"), and have appeared sporadically on several models since, as nonfunctional ornamentation. Lower cost models were equipped with three portholes, while higher cost models came with four; when the number of portholes was standardized across the entire model line, buyers of the higher cost models complained bitterly that they felt shortchanged. In 2003 they were re-introduced on the [[Buick Park Avenue]]. After the Park Avenue was discontinued, Buick salvaged the portholes to appear on the new [[Buick Lucerne|Lucerne]]. In a break with tradition, the Lucerne's portholes refer directly to engine configuration: six-cylinder models have six, while V8s have eight.
[[Image:800px-Skylark-Wiki-Side-View-D.jpg|thumb|300px|right|'''"Sweepspear"''' in a Buick Skylark.]]
Another styling cue from the 1940s through the 1970s was the '''"sweepspear"''', a curved line running the length of the car. In the earlier cars, this was a chrome-plated rub strip which, after it passed the front wheel, gently curved down nearly to the rocker panel just before the rear wheel, and then curved around the rear wheel in a quarter of a circle to go straight back to the tail-light. During the two-tone color craze of the 1950s, the sweepspear separated two different color areas. After that, the curved line was usually indicated either by a vinyl rub strip or simply a character line molded into the sheetmetal.

During the 1950s, the characteristic form of the Buick taillamps was a tier of small circular bullet-shapes. In the early 1960s, most models began to evolve a wide, rectangular pattern, until the '65 [[Buick Skylark|Skylark]] and [[Buick Electra|Electra]] models appeared with full-width rear lamps. Since then, '''wide taillamps''' have been a Buick hallmark.
[[Image:663px-Buick_lesabre_front.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Buick '''"dollar grin"''' and '''Trishield''' in a Buick Lesabre]]
The Buick styling cue (dating from the 1940s) that has most often reappeared, though, is for the grille to be a horizontal oval with many thin vertical chromed ribs bulging forward. This has sometimes been called the Buick '''"dollar grin"''' particularly on the early 1950s models, which had thick, highly-polished ribs that somewhat resembled teeth. It appears Buick may be preparing to abandon this styling cue for a new waterfall grille, as seen on the [[Buick Velite]] concept car from 2004 and the [[Buick Lucerne]] introduced for the 2006 model year. This waterfall grille bears some resemblance to grilles of Buicks from the 1980s, such as the [[Buick Grand National#Grand National and GNX|Grand National]].

The [[Buick V8 engine]], nicknamed the "nailhead", became popular with [[hot-rod]]ders in the 1950s and 1960s, because the vertical attachment of the [[valve cover]]s, in contrast to the angled attachment of other V-8 engines, enabled the engine to fit into smaller spaces while maintaining easy access for maintenance.

== Geographical distribution ==
Unlike some of GM's other brands, Buicks are currently not marketed globally, although the marque had a substantial export presence until a few years ago. Some Buicks were also built in Europe or were available with specific trim for european market until 1996.

In pre-World War II China, one in five cars were Buicks.

Currently most Buick sales are restricted to the United States and Canada. However, Buick has attracted a considerable market in a few countries.

===Buick in New Zealand===
Buicks used to be sold in New Zealand. Back then, they were also built at the GMNZ plant in Petone, outside Wellington. However, at the end of World War II, the Buick name was not revived.

===Buick in Israel===
In Israel, Buicks are imported by Universal Motors, Ltd. (UMI), which also imports other GM vehicles. In the 2005 model year, the [[Buick LeSabre]] and [[Buick Rendezvous]] were sold. For the 2006 model year, the [[Buick LaCrosse]] and [[Buick Lucerne]] will be sold alongside the Rendezvous, which might replace the LeSabre in sales.

===Buick in the Middle East===
Buicks used to be sold throughout the Middle East until the [[Buick Roadmaster]] was discontinued.

===Buick in China===
Since 1999, a Chinese version of the [[Buick Century]]/[[Buick Regal|Regal]] has been produced and sold in China under Shanghai GM and has proven to be popular among upscale, professional families, establishing Buick as the most popular vehicle brand in China. In addition, Buick of China also sells the compact Excelle (based on the [[Daewoo]] [[Daewoo Nubira|Lacetti/Nubira]]), a five-door [[hatchback]] version called the [[Daewoo Lacetti|HRV]], and a modified version of the first generation [[Pontiac Montana]] minivan named the [[Buick GL8|GL8]].

In June, 2005, Buick announced that it will build a car named the ''Buick Royaum'' in Australia for export to China, based on the [[Holden Statesman]] and Caprice luxury cars. Buick previously marketed the subcompact [[Buick Sail|Sail]], sourced from GM's Asian operations and based on the [[Opel Corsa]] B, until 2005. Since then, Shanghai GM has replaced it with the [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] Sail. Buick has stated that it expects China to become its second largest market.

For the 2006 model year, Buick debuted the Chinese version of the [[Buick LaCrosse|LaCrosse]] sedan; major differences are the exterior design, different engine choices, and a facelifted interior. It is positioned above the Regal but below the Royaum.

===Buick in Taiwan===
GM Taiwan was founded in August 1989. In the early 1990s, Buick, along with other GM brands were very popular and frequently seen on Taiwanese streets. [[Buick Park Avenue|Park Avenue]], 3rd & 4th generation [[Buick Regal|Regal]], and 6th generation [[Buick Skylark|Skylark]] used to be sold in Taiwan.

In December 2004, General Motors signed a memorandum of understanding with [[Yulon]], a firm based in Taiwan, for the licensed manufacture of Buick vehicles there. In July 2005, Yulon GM Motor Co. Ltd. (Yulon GM), a joint venture with 51 percent equity stake held by Yulon Motor and 49 percent by GM was founded, mainly to serve as a channel for local sales.

On April 17th 2006, Yulon-GM debuted the first Buick vehicle to be built in Taiwan, the [[Buick LaCrosse|LaCrosse]] sedan. It is mainly the same vehicle as the Chinese-market [[Buick LaCrosse|LaCrosse]].

In addition, the imported [[Buick Rendezvous|Rendezvous]] is also marketed in Taiwan.

== Buick models ==

* [[Buick Apollo]] (1973 — 1974)
* [[Buick Allure]] (2005 — Current, only sold in Canada)
* [[Buick Centurion]] (1971 — 1973)
* [[Buick Century]] (1936 — 1942, 1954 — 1958, 1973 — 2005)
* [[Buick Eight]]
* [[Buick Electra]] (1959 — 1990)
* [[Buick Enclave]] (2008 — Current)
* [[Buick Estate|Buick Estate Wagon]] (1940, 1946- 1964, 1970 — 1990)
* [[Buick Excelle]] (2003 — Current, rebadged [[Daewoo Nubira]], only sold in China)
* [[Buick G-series]] (1999 — 2003, rebadged [[Buick Century]], only sold in China)
* [[Buick GL8]] (2000 — Current, only sold in China)
* [[Buick Gran Sport]] (1968 — 1972)
* [[Buick GSX]] (1970 — [[1971)
* [[Daewoo Lacetti|Buick HRV]] (2004 — Current, only sold in China)
* [[Buick Invicta]] (1959 — 1964)
* [[Buick LaCrosse]] (2005 — Current)
* [[Buick LeSabre]] (1959 — 2005)
* [[Buick Limited]] (1936 — 1942, 1958)
* [[Buick Lucerne]] (2006 — Current)
* [[Buick Luxus]] (1973 — 1974)
* [[Buick Park Avenue]] (1991 — 2005, USDM defunct - sold in China.)
* [[Buick Rainier]] (2004 — Current)
* [[Buick Reatta]] (1988 — 1991)
* [[Buick Regal]] (1973 — 2005)
* [[Buick Rendezvous]] (2002 — Current)
* [[Buick Riviera]] (1963 — 1999)
* [[Buick Roadmaster]] (1936 — 1958, 1991 — 1996)
* [[Buick Royaum]] (2005 — Current, only sold in China)
* [[Buick Sail]] — (2000 — 2005, rebadged [[Opel Corsa Classic]]/[[Chevrolet|Chevrolet]] Classic Limousine, only sold in China)
* [[Buick Skyhawk]] (1975 — 1980, 1982 — 1989)
* [[Buick Skylark]] (1953 — 1954, 1961 — 1972, 1975 — 1998)
* [[Buick Somerset]] (1985 — 1991)
* [[Buick Special]] (1936 — 1958, 1961 — 1969)
* [[Buick Sport Wagon]] (1964 — 1971)
* [[Buick Super]] (1940 — 1958)
* [[Buick Terraza]] (2005 — Current)
* [[Buick Wildcat]] (1963 — 1970)

===Companion make===
* [[Marquette automobile|Marquette]]

===Concept Vehicles===
[[Image:BUICK FLOAT.jpg|right|450px]]
*[[Buick Y-Job]] (1938)
*[[Buick LeSabre Concept|Buick LeSabre]] (1951)
*[[Buick XP-300]] (1951)
*[[Buick Wildcat I]] (1953)
*[[Buick Landau]] (1954)
*[[Buick Wildcat II]] (1954)
*[[Buick Wildcat III]] (1955)
*[[Buick Centurion Concept|Buick Centurion]] (1956)
*[[Buick Lido]] (1957)
*[[Buick Skylark II]] (1957)
*[[Buick XP-75]] (1958)
*[[Buick Flamingo]] (1961)
*[[Buick La Salle]] (1963)
*[[Buick Century Cruiser]] (1969)
*[[Buick Riviera Silver Arrow I]] (1963)
*[[Buick Riviera Silver Arrow II]]
*[[Buick Riviera Silver Arrow III]]
*[[Buick Questor]] (1983)
*[[Buick Wildcat Concept|Buick Wildcat]] (1985)
*[[Buick Lucerne Concept|Buick Lucerne]] (1988)
*[[Buick Park Avenue Essence]] (1989)
*[[Buick Bolero]] (1990)
*[[Buick Sceptre]] (1992)
*[[Buick XP2000]] (1996)
*[[Buick Signia]] (1998)
*[[Buick Cielo]] (1999)
*[[Buick LaCrosse Concept|Buick LaCrosse]] (2000)
*[[Buick Blackhawk]] (2000)
*[[Buick Bengal]] (2001)
*[[Buick Centieme]] (2003)
*[[Buick Velite]] (2004)
*[[Buick Riviera Concept]] (2007)

{{Buick}}

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:Abslide-4.jpg
</gallery>
== External links ==
*[http://www.buick.com/ Buick's Official Website]
*[http://v8buick.com/ v8buick.com] Forum for all cars and trucks that were powered by Buick V8 engines (1953-1980).
*[http://www.americancarimports.com Independent UK Importer of all Buick Models based in London England]
*[http://www.buickclub.org/ Buick Club of America] Contains information about all Buicks, the BCA club and has a discussion forum.
*[http://www.rivowners.org/index.html Riviera Owners Association] The ROA club's website, information about the 1963-1999 Riviera.
*[http://75rivgs.proboards56.com/ Riviera Forum] For Riviera fans.
*[http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/ Buick Performance Group]
*[http://www.regalgs.org/ Regalgs.org] [[Supercharged Engine|Supercharged]] Buick Regal fansite. Very informative forums.
*[http://www.buick.com.cn/ Buick in China] (English and Chinese)
*gmcanada.com Buick in Canada: [http://www.gmcanada.com/english/vehicles/buick/ English] — [http://www.gmcanada.com/french/vehicles/buick/ French]
*[http://www.umi.co.il/site/mainpage.asp?pi=31&di=0 Buick in Israel] (Hebrew)
*[http://www.e-gm.com.tw/buick/index.asp Buick in Taiwan] (Chinese)
*[http://www.reatta.net Reatta.net] Reatta enthusiast website and message board
*[http://www.buickclub.org.au Buick Club] Extremely well stocked informational site
*[http://www.westernbuicks.org Western Australian Buick Owners Club] Site has pages of owners vehicles and information about the history of the car.
*[http://www.topspeed.com/cars/buick/index22.html Buick from TopSpeed]
*[http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/content/1146745793715273241/index.php "Buick: Isn't It Time for a Real Car?" Article from The Truth About Cars]

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Buick| ]]