Chrysler's new Sebring Convertible

The Chrysler Sebring Convertible will be completely redesigned for the 2008 model year. Launched at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, the car is built on the company's new D-segment platform and will feature three automatically latching convertible top options: vinyl, cloth and a body-color painted steel retractable hard top, all of which can be retracted with a push of a button on the key fob.

In markets outside North America, the Sebring Convertible will be the first D-segment cabriolet for the Chrysler Group to offer both a diesel engine and right-hand-drive availability, thereby equipping the vehicle to become a stronger competitor in the segment.

From the front, the new Sebring Convertible shares many traits with its sedan sibling, including the distinctive signature eggcrate grille and a uniquely sculptured hood that features the Chrysler brand's elegant lines. Large quad headlamps wrap around to the side of the vehicle, where the car’s profile takes on a shape all its own. From the rear, wide tail lamps are mounted on the corners and deck lid for greater visibility impact.

The wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than the outgoing model, and the car is 3.5 inches taller and more than 2 inches wider. Its overall length also is 3 inches longer than the sedan, which lengthens the side profile and increases trunk space.

There will be three engine options on offer in the United States: a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 173hp, an available Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 2.7-liter V-6 engine with 189hp and 191 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine good for 235 hp and 232 lb.-ft. of torque. The 3.5 liter will be paired with a new six-speed automatic transaxle that comes with a manual mode Chrysler calls ‘Auto Stick’

Chrysler claims the 2008 Sebring Convertible was engineered to have an extremely rigid body structure to provides a quiet, comfortable ride, devoid of cowl shake even when the top is down. The new architecture and three-box vehicle design contribute to a body that is 2.5 times stiffer in twist and 1.5 times stiffer in bending than the previous generation convertible.

Production will begin in the first quarter of 2007 at the newly refurbished Sterling Heights (Mich.).

VW Tiguan unveiled in LA

One of the highlights at this week's LA auto Show was Volkswagen's Concept Tiguan, a small SUV based on the Golf platform. The car, which has a more traditional SUV shape than the 'Concept A' unveiled in Geneva, is close to the finished product set to be released in early 2008, sans bespoke 19-inch tires created by Continental.

Touareg pulls 747

A VW Touareg V10 TDI towed a 155-ton Boeing 747 down an auxiliary runway at Dunsfold airport, 60km south-west of London – seven times today. The vehicle was a standard production Touareg fitted with a special towing adaptor to connect it with the aircraft towing link and loaded with 4345kg of metal ballast to bring its total weight to 7030kg, including the driver.

The Toureg's engine, self-levelling air suspension, wheels, tyres and structure were all standard but the outer body panels were changed so this example was visually the same as the next-generation Touareg, due to be launched in 2007.

The Touareg dragged the 109m airplane along the runway, maintaining an even 8km/h, rendering the use of the 4.56 axle ratio from the Touareg V8 in place of the 3.27 gearing of the V10 unneccesary. It used second gear rather than first for the job.

A theoretical towing capability in excess of 200 tons was calculated by multiplying the V10 TDI's 750Nm of torque through the standard transmission's lowest ratio, without taking into account the torque multiplication benefits of the torque converter – but assuming a dry surface and loading the Touareg's body and suspension well in excess of its rated limits.

The aircraft towed was an ex-British Airways Boeing 747-200, complete with 500 seats, 11 toilets and landing gear but without engines or brakes but with 28 tons of water ballast in the fuel and nose tanks.

Conditions for the tow were far from perfect with a strong headwind and heavy rain, prompting concerns over traction on the wet surface, but with the Touareg's engine was warmed up and tyres checked, the adapted towing bracket was hooked up to the nose wheel collar of the Boeing and the chocks were removed.

With the second gear setting on the Touareg's six-speed gearbox selected, the driver depressed the accelerator halfway down to overcome additional resistance caused by the flat spots on the Touareg's tyres formed under the aircraft's 155 tons, and the car began dragging the 109m plane along the runway, maintaining an even 8km/h. After about 150m the sriver eased off the throttle and let the car come to a gradual stop on its own so as it not fry the brakes and both came to a stop.

The Touareg was checked after the repeated runs and no ill effects were found. The engine temperature remained normal, as did the transmission - and the tyres survived without a hint of the forces passed through them.