The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Get the latest scoop on Jeeps SRT8! Style and performance are both key with this beautiful beast!

The big and bold 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 made its debut at the New York Auto Show. To be honest, this tire-melting and Hemi-powered SUV seemed a little out of place in a show dominated by small cars and boasts about fuel-efficient engineering. It’s not going to save the earth, but the SRT8 does have plenty of guilty pleasures under its blocky body. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 sports a more aggressive front and rear fascia—to differentiate itself from less powerful models—and an intimidating pair of 4-in. tailpipes. Try as we might, there was no coercing a Jeep rep to crank the engine so we could hear those monster pipes in action.

A larger grille, redesigned foglights and bigger front air intakes give the SRT8 extra attitude—even though the journalists at the New York show seemed especially enamored by the functional hood vents. Flared wheel arches and 20-in. alloy wheels round out the exterior modifications. Inside, the SRT8 has heavily bolstered leather and suede sport seats, carbon-fiber trim on the instrument and door panels, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Super-Sized Hemi

The 420-bhp 6.1-liter V-8 is gone, replaced by a larger and more powerful 465-bhp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. There is permanent 4-wheel drive (Quadra-Trac, in Jeep speak), a 5-speed automatic, and a tow rating of 5000 lb. If you’re really in a hurry while trailering those jet skis, Jeep says the SRT8 pulls 0.90g on the skidpad. What’s more, Jeep says the new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the “best handling Jeep ever.” Stability control, an electronic limited-slip differential and adaptive damping (managed by the Selec-Trac system) should give the SRT8 the road manners to match its prodigious straight-line performance. And believe us; Jeep was more than happy to let journalists know the performance specs of the new SRT8. Clearly, the “best performing” Jeep ever built means it’s also the fastest.

Read more: http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-shows/new-york/2012-jeep-grand-cherokee-srt8

Jeep Makes The List of “10 Cars That Make Us Thankful”

Check out what MSN Autos call the “10 cars that make us thankful.”

 

 

After several years of a recession-induced drought, the automotive industry is once again fertile, spilling forth a cornucopia of great cars for buyers to feast on. And that's perfect, because with Thanksgiving near, it's the time of year to feast till you drop. Whether your budget is big or small, the caliber of new offerings is so impressive that it's almost hard to go wrong, no matter what car you choose. But some vehicles stand out for one reason or another, whether for their looks, performance or what they represent. Here are 10 new vehicles we are glad exist. They're not necessarily the absolute best in their respective categories, but life would be a lot worse without them. So we give thanks.

Jeep Wrangler

What kind of idiot would pick a Jeep, you ask? We would! Consider what the world would be like without one. Do you really want every so-called sport-utility vehicle on the road to be like a Nissan Juke or Toyota RAV4 — urban assault vehicles with no off-road capabilities whatsoever? That's where things seem to be headed. But the Wrangler is an SUV that not only still lives up to the abbreviation's definition, but one that helped create the category. You can drive it straight off the dealer's lot and into the wilderness to crawl over boulders and wade through streams. Yes, there are things not to like, such as its Tonka Toy styling and coarse engines, but not much; plus, a new V6 engine is on tap for 2012.

Read more: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/10-cars-that-make-us-thankful#2

The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee

Check out the new Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee.

Here's a Dodge Super Bee with some sting. Dodge is going to unveil the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This heritage model always creates a buzz.

"The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is a salute to the fun-loving past of Dodge muscle cars powered by the legendary 392 Hemi V-8 in a back-to-basics performance machine," says Ralph Gilles, CEO of Chrysler's SRT and Motorsports division.

That 6.1-liter V-8 puts out 425 horsepower.

Dodge says the new 'bee has a race-inspired interior with a three-spoke contoured steering wheel, exclusive Z-stripe cloth performance seats with yellow and silver striping and embroidered Super Bee logos on each of the front seat headrests.

The instrument panel also features the Charger Super Bee logo on a unique dash plaque.

Newly modified software includes the appearance of the Super Bee logo in the center instrument panel's Electronic Vehicle Information Center at vehicle start up.

On the exterior, the Charger Super Bee features a unique SRT badge with a 3-D helmeted bee mascot on the new split crosshair grille finished in glossy black. The original Super Bee was a version1968 Dodge Coronet, in case you ever wondered.

To let everyone know what's under the hood, a "392 Hemi" badge emblazons both front fenders. There are also 20-inch, five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with black painted pockets developed specifically for the Super Bee models provide a unique performance look.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/11/new-dodge-super-bee-carries-a-sting/1

Thieves Now Stealing Tailgates from Pickup Trucks!

What will they think of next?

Thieves, especially in a tough economy and high unemployment, have been known to steal seemingly odd things that most people wouldn't think had much value. But the thieves know different. Among the vulnerable: copper pipes from building and vacant condos; freshly planted landscaping; plumbing fixtures from vacant condos. Now you can add tailgates from pickup trucks. Huh?

That's right. Law enforcement in at least eight states this year have been reporting rashes of tailgate thefts. Unlike the stuff you might leave on the seat of your truck, the tailgates are not protected by locks or barriers such as windows. Thieves have become adept at wrenching the tailgates, as well as pricey accessories, off the car.

Read more: http://autos.aol.com/photos/truck-tailgate-theft/

Johnstown Children's Museum

Have you been to the Johnstown Children’s museum?  It is located on the third floor of the Heritage Discovery Center, and allows children to learn through play about Johnstown's geography, history, culture, industry and more. Some features of the museum include:

Johnstown Timewarp -- This area introduces visitors into the museum and its themes -- as the sign says, "Where we live shapes who we are. Who we are shapes where we live." Johnstown residents will recognize some of the buildings and landmarks from Johnstown's past and present, including City Hall, Morley's Dog and the Stone Bridge.

Blocks Area -- The Johnstown Timewarp features an area with blocks and other wooden toys for free play.

Morley's Dog Cafe -- This quiet corner is a place for parents and caregivers to relax while their children explore the museum. Hands-on activities and reading programs will be presented here as well.

The Water Room -- Most of the water room's exhibits allow children to play with water, learning about concepts like dam-building, municipal plumbing, rain in mountains and valleys, acid rain, and native fish. Hand dryers will help kids dry off after the fun.

The Overlook Garden -- Come out on the rooftop terraces of the Heritage Discovery Center to see displays of native Pennsylvania plants! There are plants that like shade, part sun, full sun, and that live in water, along with tables for kids to work with them. A rain meter keeps track of how much rain we get each month. Enjoy the spectacular view of Cambria City and the Conemaugh Gap -- and use the telescope to take a closer look.

The Inclimber -- The climber is a huge reproduction of Yoder Hill, including mine tunnels to climb high toward the ceiling. Inside the "mine," kids will have the opportunity to dress up like coal miners, including hard hats with lights, orange vests, and (plastic) coal picks! An experienced coal miner will talk to you about safety, exhibits about the kinds of rocks found in a mine, and "talking artifacts" -- including a miner's lunch pail. Watch out for the talking mine rats! When you reach the top, take a "coal shute" slide down, where you'll land in a padded coal car that's full of "coal."The Inclimber also features a replica of the Inclined Plane -- go into the red control house to make it go up and down the hill!

City Works -- Compare maps from different periods in Johnstown's history. Try your hand at laying out a city in the hills, using special tables that reflect Johnstown's topography and models of houses, industrial buildings, landmarks and more.

The Steel Mill -- The steel industry has played a vital role in Johnstown's past and present. In this section of the museum, kids can try their hand at making pattern molds, roleplay being the boss or worker with costumes, and more.

Steel Mill Manager Game -- One of several features in the steel mill area is this game for two people -- see who does the best job managing a steel mill by keeping all the jobs filled during every shift! Wait, it's a lot harder than it looks.

For more information please visit: http://www.jaha.org/ChildrensMuseum/virtualtour.html