
- The first step is to make sure your vehicle is operating properly. The lights, oil, tires (condition and pressure level), belts and hoses, brake fluid, antifreeze fluid and the condition of the battery should all be checked by a professional before leaving. You can schedule an appointment online to have our qualified service department do a thorough inspection, and be sure to check our service specials for savings on any parts and labor your automobile might need.
- Plan your route in advance and check traffic reports and weather conditions before you leave. As a backup, bring along a paper map. Even with a GPS system it's wise to bring along another option should something occur where using a GPS is not possible.
- Follow speed limits and remember excess traffic and congestion on the roads may mean you'll have to travel below posted limits. Drive defensively and don't respond to aggressive drivers: It's far less frustrating to let an aggressive driver pass than to become aggressive yourself.
- It sounds simple, but a good night's sleep before departing can help make the trip more enjoyable. Be sure to take regular breaks during long road trips as it can be very dangerous to drive when you're overly tired. Pull over and stop in a safe area if you are tired, or around every 100 miles or 2 hours.
- Be prepared for emergencies - keep a blanket, boots, an extra pair of gloves and a flashlight in the trunk of your car. Traction mats, kitty litter or sand can be used to improve traction on icy surfaces. Also, keep the gas tank at least half-filled to prevent fuel line freezing in colder climates.
- Don't forget to secure your home when you leave, and do not post on social media sites that you will be away. Timers to turn lights on and off can give the impression that the property is occupied. If possible, have a neighbor or relative check on the house and even park a car in the driveway. Let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be there.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Happy Halloween from Benson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram!

The spookiest time of year is upon us, and there are tons of activities going on for kids of all ages all over the Upstate. Greenville hosts events appropriate for even the youngest trick-or-treaters, like Boo At The Zoo, at the Greenville Zoo, and Booseum at the Greenville Children's Museum, and a Halloween Costume Contest hosted by the Greenville Humane Society for ghouls of both the two and four-legged kind. Those looking for a more interactive experience for teens and older folks looking for a good scare can check out the Madworld Haunted Attraction in nearby Piedmont. This attraction is one of Greenville County's newest and features top-notch actors, make-up, and the unique chance for participants to "shoot" zombie hordes in a zombie-apocalyptic setting. For the serious paranormal fan, a tour of downtown Greenville's most haunted locations is available with local psychic and paranormal reasearcher Jason Profit. Details about these and other Upstate South Caronlina attractions, like Nightmare Hollow in Spartanburg, a haunted trail that lies along the Tyger River, and Wompus Woods Haunted Trail in Cowpens, can be found at www.ourupstatesc.info and greenvilleonline.com.
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. In dark costumes, they’ll be harder to see at night.
- Look for children crossing the street. They may not be paying attention to traffic and cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.
- Carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.
- Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in the daylight.
- Broaden your scanning by looking for children left and right into yards and front porches.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours

Friday, September 19, 2014
The 8th Annual Benson OctoberFAST 5K Twilight Run/Walk

In just two short weeks, the 8th Annual Benson OctoberFAST 5K Twilight Run/Walk, celebrating the life of J.B. Day, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6pm at Greer First Baptist Church, Poinsett St., downtown Greer (will be held if it rains).
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Thank You, Mr. Jim Benson!

The Benson Automotive Group, has been an icon of automotive capitalism for the last 50+ years in the Upstate of South Carolina which is a globally-recognized hub of automotive industry. It's owner, Jim Benson, and the Benson family, have been pioneers in philanthropy, giving back to the community, with charitable donations and in actively participating in the community, that has made the Benson name synonymous with automotive success in the Upstate.

Thursday, August 7, 2014
Strong-Arming the HEMI Engine: 1964 and 1965 HEMI Drivers Got an Added Workout!
By Steve Magnante As we celebrate 50 years of 426 HEMI engine power, lets remember that Chrysler Corp. actually created three distinct generations of this fabled dome-head power plant. The first generation appeared in Chrysler vehicles in 1951 and with unique variations for use in Dodge and DeSoto models was offered through the 1958 model run. The second generation is the one racers love. Thats the mighty 426 HEMI engine of the 19641971 era. Of course, the third generation of the HEMI engine is whats driving so much excitement at Dodge these days. Available in 5.7-, Read More
The post Strong-Arming the HEMI Engine: 1964 and 1965 HEMI Drivers Got an Added Workout! appeared first on The Official Blog of Dodge.
http://blog.dodge.com/heritage/dodge-brand-history/strong-arming-hemi-engine-1964-1965-hemi-drivers-got-added-workout/
Monday, July 28, 2014
Mopar Custom Hood Decal for Your Jeep Brand Vehicle
Never forget your map at home again. With the help of Mopars Jeep Performance Parts, the hood of your Jeep brand vehicle can now be customized with a topographical map of the area of your choosing. To start creating your vehicles decal, visit the customizer on the Mopar website. From there, you can select the map, style and border color that best fits your Jeep brand vehicle. If you dont have a particular map location in mind for your decal, you can always use an infamous off-roading location option such as Hells Revenge or the Rubicon Trail. Once youve selected your map and border, you can add a bulls-eye or compass icon to pinpoint an exact location on your map. After your design is complete, all youll need to do is submit your e-mail address to secure your design. Mopar will e-mail you a unique code that matches with your exact design. You can then take that code to your local dealer where theyll be able to place an order for the decal as well as help you schedule an installation appointment. The decals will be available for Jeep Read More
The post Mopar Custom Hood Decal for Your Jeep ® Brand Vehicle appeared first on The Jeep Blog.
http://blog.jeep.com/company/mopar-hood-decal-jeep/
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Five Tips for Off-roading on Sand in your Jeep Brand Vehicle
To many Jeep brand fans, the summer season means one thing: finally taking a long-awaited off-roading trip to a sandy spot. Whether youre taking your Jeep brand vehicle to the beach for the day or attempting to climb to the top of a sand dune along the shoreline, its important to understand how your vehicle performs in sand. For all the beginners out there, weve come up with a few tips to help you prepare for your next sand-filled excursion. As always, remember to drive consistent with your experience level and the conditions. 1. Make sure your vehicle is properly equipped. Before your vehicles tires even touch the sand, its important to make sure you have all the proper equipment. When driving on sand dunes, this may include a tall antenna with an attached flag to help make your vehicle more visible to others in the area. Make sure to check with the parks guidelines before heading out for a full list of requirements. 2. Drop your tire pressure. Dropping your tire pressure 10-12 pounds below normal can help maintain traction in sandy conditions. Just dont forget to air up Read More
The post Five Tips for Off-roading on Sand in your Jeep ® Brand Vehicle appeared first on The Jeep Blog.
http://blog.jeep.com/adventures/five-tips-roading-sand-jeep-reg-brand-vehicle/
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Redline Dodge: Steve Mags Model Car Post
Ever since they first appeared on the shelves of hobby shops, department stores and mom n pop soda fountains around 1958, 1/25 scale unassembled plastic model car kits have been popular with kids of all ages. Though the so-called golden age of car modeling is said to have occurred between 1960 and 1972, the hobby has seen a strong rebound in the past 10 years. The great thing about plastic kits compared to pre-assembled die cast metal miniatures is how its up to you, the builder, to decide what colors to paint them and, best of Read More
The post Redline Dodge: Steve Mags Model Car Post appeared first on The Official Blog of Dodge.
http://blog.dodge.com/vehicles/redline-dodge-steve-mags-model-car-post/
Monday, July 7, 2014
Jeep "Five Simple Words" OFFICIAL COMMERCIAL
Experience the most awarded SUV ever. Learn more about the 2014 Jeep® Grand Cherokee at jeep.com: http://bit.ly/1qDTxbM | From:thejeepchannel Views:244 25ratings | |
| Time:00:31 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ZMX8gcZ_Y&feature=youtube_gdata
Thursday, July 3, 2014
New Jeep Gives Clues on Fiat 500X
The recently unveiled 2015 Jeep Renegade is built on the Fiat chassis called the Small Wide 4x4 Architecture. This flexible platform is derived from the Fiat 500L and will be used in the upcoming Fiat 500X Crossover. The specifications for the Jeep Renegade give some clues about Fiat 500X.
The two new models will be built on the same assembly line at the Fiat plant in Melfi, Italy. The Jeep Renegade will begin production during the second quarter of this year, with the 500X following sometime during the third quarter. Anticipated production volume is estimated at 280,000 cars with the 500X accounting for 150,000 of this total.
The Fiat 500X replaces the Fiat Sedici crossover that Fiat sells in Europe. The Fiat Sedici is a joint venture with Suzuki and will be recognized in the US as the Suzuki SX4.
The Fiat 500X is rumored to make its public debut tomorrow on July 4th - the 57th anniversary of the introduction of the Nuova Fiat 500. While we are waiting, let's take a look at the specification on the Jeep Renegade and get familiar with the platform. We'll see what corresponds to the Fiat 500X once we get more information.
This image was included in the 500L Design Brief to illustrate the 500L concept of maximum interior room, minimum overhang. It also gives a clue to the sporty 500X Crossover's proportions.
What we know is the Fiat 500X will be available in 2 and 4-wheel drive variants. Length is said to be around 165 inches (4.2 meters), about 26 inches longer than the 500 hatchback and a few inches longer than the European-spec 500L. The US version is expected (guaranteed?) to have the 1.4L MultiAir Turbo used in the 500L model, so that is no mystery. The C635 manual and DDC transmission is also a given. However, we have included the specs on the 2.4 L TigerShark engine along with the 9-speed Automatic just in case that becomes available.
Read more:
2015 Jeep Renegade SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications are based on the latest product information available at the time of publication.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Body Style
Sport-utility vehicle (SUV)
Assembly Plant
Melfi, Italy
EPA Vehicle Class
Multipurpose vehicle
BODY AND CHASSIS
Layout
Transverse front engine, 4x2 and 4x4
Construction
Steel uniframe
ENGINE: 1.4-LITER MULTIAIR TURBO
Availability
Standard: Renegade Sport (4x2 and 4x4) and Latitude (4x2 and 4x4)
Type and Description
In-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, turbocharged
Displacement
83.48 cu. in. (1,368 cc)
Bore x Stroke
2.83 x 3.31 (72.0 x 84.0)
Valve System
Belt-driven, MultiAir, SOHC, 16 valves, hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers
Fuel Injection
Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless
Construction
Cast-iron block with aluminum-alloy head and aluminum-alloy bedplate
Compression Ratio
9.8:1
Maximum Turbo Boost (psi / bar)
22 psi / 2.49 bar
Power (SAE)
160 hp (119 kW) @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (SAE)
184 lb.-ft. (250 Nm) @ 2,500-4,000 rpm
Max. Engine Speed
6,500 rpm (electronically limited)
Fuel Requirement
87 octane (R+M)/2 acceptable
91 octane recommended
Oil Capacity:
4.0 qt. (3.8 liter) with dry filter
Coolant Capacity
5.5 qt. (5.2 liter)
Emission Controls
Dual three-way catalytic converters, heated oxygen sensors and internal engine features
Fuel Economy
TBD
Towing
Not recommended
Engine Assembly Plant
Dundee, Mich.
ENGINE: 2.4-LITER MULTIAIR2 TIGERSHARK
Availability
Standard: Renegade Limited (4x2 and 4x4) and Trailhawk (4x4)
Available: Renegade Sport and Latitude (4x2 and 4x4)
Type and Description
In-line four-cylinder, 16-valve MultiAir with multiport fuel injection
Displacement
144 cu. in. (2,360 cc)
Bore x Stroke
3.46 X 3.82 (88 X 97)
Valve System
SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Fuel Injection
Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless
Construction
Aluminum block, aluminum cylinder head
Compression Ratio
10:1
Power (SAE net)
184 hp (137 kW) @ 6,400 rpm
Torque (SAE net)
177 lb.-ft. (236 Nm) @ 4,400 rpm
Max. Engine Speed
6,500 rpm
Fuel Requirement
Unleaded regular, 87 octane
Oil Capacity
5.5 qt. (5.2 liter) (total)
Coolant Capacity
6.8 qt. (6.45 liter)
Emission Controls
Single catalytic converter, heated wide band lambda sensor upstream and mid-catalyst heated oxygen sensor
Fuel Economy
TBD
Towing
2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
Engine Assembly Plant
Dundee Engine Plant, Dundee, Mich.
TRANSMISSION: 948TE NINE-SPEED AUTOMATIC
Availability
2.4-liter MultiAir2 Tigershark engine (4x2 or 4x4)
Description
Planetary gear train, transverse layout
Ratio Spread
9.81
Gear Ratios
1st:4.71
2nd:2.84
3rd:1.91
4th:1.38
5th:1.00
6th:0.81
7th:0.70
8th:0.58
9th:.48
Reverse:3.83
Axle Ratios
1.4-liter 4x4 4.334
2.4-liter 4x2 3.734
2.4-liter 4x4 3.734
2.4-liter 4x4 (Trailhawk) 4.334
C635 SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Availability
1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine (4x2 or 4x4)
Description
1st, 2nd, 3rd gear: Triple cone
4th: Double cone
Gear Ratios
1st:4.154
2nd:2.118
3rd:1.361
4th:0.978
5th:0.756
6th:0.622
Reverse:4.00
Final-drive Ratio
4.438 / 4.438 / 3.579 / 3.833
Overall Top Gear
2.38
4X4 SYSTEMS: JEEP ACTIVE DRIVE, JEEP ACTIVE DRIVE LOW
Availability
Jeep Active Drive is optional on all models
Jeep Active Drive Low is standard on Trailhawk
Type
Fully disconnecting 4x2 mode with automatic 4x4 engagement
Full-time 4x4 mode with active on demand clutch
Operating Modes
Auto 4x2/4x4, Neutral
Center Differential Type
None
Terrain Response
Unique tuning in all terrain modes
Crawl Ratio
20:1 (with Jeep Active Drive Low)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Alternator
150-amp (1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo) 160-amp (2.4-liter Tigershark w/ MultiAir2)
Battery
500-amp (1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo) 600-amp (2.4-liter Tigershark w/ MultiAir2)
SUSPENSION
Front
McPherson strut, coil springs, flat front steel crossmember, high-strength steel double shell lower control arms for 4x4 and high-strength steel mono shell lower control arms for 4x2, stabilizer bar
Rear
Chapman strut, high-strength steel links, isolated steel rear cradle for 4x4 and not-isolated for 4x2, coil springs, stabilizer bar
STEERING
Type
Electric power rack and pinion
Overall Ratio
15.7
Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb)
36.3 (11.07) 4x2 and 4x4
35.3 (10.76) Trailhawk 4x4
Steering Turns (lock-to-lock)
2.68 (4x2 and 4x4)
2.76 (Trailhawk 4x4)
BRAKES
Front
Size and Type
12 x 1.1 (305 x 28) vented rotor with 2.36 (60) single-piston floating caliper
11.06 x 1 (281 x 26) vented rotor with
2.24 (57) single-piston floating caliper
Swept Area (per caliper)
138.77 sq. in. (895.3 sq. cm), 1 x 60
115.88 sq. in. (747.6 sq. cm), 1 x 57
Rear
Size and Type
10.95 x 0.47 (278 x 12) solid rotor with 1.5 (38) single-piston floating caliper
Swept Area (per caliper)
101.7 sq. in. (656.4 sq. cm), 1 x 38
Power-assist Type
10 (254) vacuum assist
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Standard
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Standard
Parking Brake Type
Electric motor on caliper
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES(a)
Wheelbase: 101.2 (2,570)
Track, Front: 60.6 (1,540)
Track, Rear: 60.6 (1,540)
Overall Length: 166.6 (4,232)
Overall Width: 71.0 (1,804)
Overall Height: 66.5 (1,689)
Load-floor height: 29.8 (758)
Sill-step height: 19.4 (494) front, 19.6 (497) rear
Ground Clearances
6.7 (170) 4x2
7.9 (200) 4x4
8.7 (220) Trailhawk 4x4
Approach Angle, (with air dam) (degrees)
17.9 4x2
21.0 4x4
30.5 Trailhawk 4x4
Breakover Angle (degrees)
21.2 4x2
24.0 4x4
25.7 Trailhawk 4x4
Departure Angle (degrees)
29.7 4x2
32.1 4x4
34.3 Trailhawk 4x4
Curb Weight (kg)
3025 (1372) 4x2 and 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo
3190 (1447) 4x4 and 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo
3126 (1418) 4x2 and 2.4-liter MultiAir2 Tigershark 3311 (1502) 4x4 and 2.4-liter MultiAir2 Tigershark 3490 (1583) Trailhawk 4x4 with 2.4-liter MultiAir2 Tigershark
Aero Cd
0.350 4x2
0.360 4x4
0.370 Trailhawk 4x4
Fuel-tank Capacity
12.7 gal. (48 liters)
ACCOMMODATIONS
Seating Capacity Front/Rear
2/3
Front Row
Head Room without Sunroof
41.1 (1,045)
Head Room with Sunroof
39.7 (1,009)
Legroom
41.2 (1,046)
Shoulder Room
55.9 (1,419)
Hip Room
53.1 (1,348)
Seat Travel
9.0 (230) driver / 10.2 (260) front passenger
Recliner Range (degrees)
From 25 nominal, 38 forward and 30 rearward (from vertical 13 forward, 55 rearward)
SAE Volume (standard roof),cu. ft. (cu. m)
54.8 (1.55)
Second Row
Head Room
40.5 (1,029)
Legroom
35.1 (891)
Shoulder Room
55.1 (1,400)
Hip Room
51.9 (1,319)
SAE Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m)
45.3 (1.28)
Cargo Access
Liftover Height
30.2 (766)
Maximum Cargo Width at Liftgate Opening
40.1 (1,020)
Minimum Cargo Width at Liftgate Opening
39.0 (990) at bottom of opening
Maximum Cargo Height at Liftgate Opening
29.5 (749)
Minimum Cargo Height at Liftgate Opening
29.0 (739)
Distance Between Wheelhouse Interior Trim
37.6 (956)
SAE Cargo Volume
Rear Seats Up, cu. ft. (cu. m)
18.5 (0.525)
Rear Seats Folded, cu. ft. (cu. m)
50.8 (1.440)
EPA Interior Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m)
118.6 (3.359)
Behind Rear Seat, cu. ft. (cu. m)
18.5 (0.525) (rear seat at design position)
Behind Front-row Seats with Rear Seats Folded, cu. ft. (cu. m)
50.8 (1.440)
TIRES
Availability
Standard on Sport / Latitude
Size and Type
215/65R16 BSW, All-season
Mfr. and Model
Continental, CrossContact LX Sport
Revs per Mile (km)
749 (464)
Availability
Standard on Latitude (with 2.4-liter Tigershark w/ MultiAir2)
Size and Type
215/60R17 BSW, All-season
Mfr. and Model
Continental, CrossContact LX Sport
Revs per Mile (km)
768 (478)
Availability
Standard on Limited
Optional on Latitude
Size and Type
225/55R18 BSW, All-season
Mfr. and Model
Goodyear Eagle Sport or Kumho KL33
Revs per Mile (km)
729 (452)
Availability
Standard on Trailhawk
Size and Type
215/65R17 OWL, All-season
Mfr. and Model
Goodyear Wrangler SRA or Falken Wildpeak
Revs per Mile (km)
722 (448)
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fiat500USA/~3/LZh7aSwfEWI/new-jeep-gives-clues-on-fiat-500x.html
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Fiat 500 Abarth Automatic Hits Production!
Production of the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth equipped with an automnatic transmission has just started today at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. The availability of an automatic transmission will help boost sales of the Fiat 500 Abarth, which is already enjoying a 16 percent increase over last year. Studies show very few Americans buy manual transmission cars - only about 5 -7 percent according to Automotive News - so having an automatic transmission option makes sense.
The Aisin AW automatic transmission being used in the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth is a traditional torque converter type, beefed up for high performance use with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capacity. Special care has been taken to ensure the 500 Abarth driving experience is retained. When sport mode is selected, more aggressive transmission settings are activated such as throttle-blipping, rev-matching downshifts along with gears being held longer when accelerating out of corners and when getting off the gas. Fuel-cut upshifts smooth out drivetrain shock and the transmission downshifts when getting hard on the brakes to assist stopping performance and to ensure the car is in an appropriate gear to accelerate again.
Control is by a console mounted gear shift, and the 6-speed transmission can be shifted manually if desired. The paddle shifters used on the European Abarth 500 could not be fitted as it would have required the elimination of the cruise control, a feature that is a prerequisite in the North American market.
As I have mentioned in previous postings, the use of an automatic transmission opens the possibility of higher engine outputs and the engine of the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth when teamed with an automatic transmission is now rated at 183 ft.-lb. of torque - that is up from the 170 ft.-lb. the manual transmission Abarth's have. Horsepower is 157, just down slightly from the 160 hp in manual cars.
Fans of the Fiat 500T Turbo will be happy to know that the 500T will also receive the same transmission. Look to see 2015 Fiat 500 models in Fiat Studios later this summer.
Fiat 500 Abarth AW6F25 Transmission Specifications
Six-Speed Automatic, ElectronicallyControlled, Fully Adaptive, Electronically
Modulated Torque Converter
Gear Ratios
1ST: 4.044
2ND: 2.371
3RD: 1.556
4TH: 1.159
5TH: 0.852
6TH: 0.672
REVERSE: 3.193
Fiat 500 Abarth C510 Performance FIVE-SPEED Manual
Availability Standard on Fiat 500 Abarth and Fiat 500TDescription: 1st, 2nd gear: Double Cone
3rd, 4th, 5th, gear: Single Cone
Gear Ratios
1st 3.909
2nd 2.238
3rd 1.520
4th 1.156
5th 0.872
Reverse 3.909
Final-drive Ratio 3.353
Read More:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fiat500USA/~3/y4eGRf1wxoY/fiat-500-abarth-automatic-hits.html
Friday, June 13, 2014
Alfa 4C US and Euro Chassis Differences

In creating the Alfa Romeo 4C, the company wanted to create an affordable exotic car and spiritual successor of the legendary 33 Stradale. To achieve a very high level of performance yet stay within the targeted price range, Alfa Romeo turned to the use of lightweight materials which were previously used only for military and aerospace applications. This keeps the weight of the car low and subsequently allowed the use of a lightweight and powerful four cylinder engine that guarantees excellent performance due to a high power to weight ratio. The fact that the engine is an off the shelf unit helps keep the car within the required budget.

The net results are a car that has a dry weight of approximately 1973 lbs in Europe and has a power to weight ratio of 8.22 lb/hp. In the US, the Alfa Romeo 4C will gain some 342 lbs, due to structural and equipment changes. Below we'll take a look at the chassis of the Alfa Romeo 4C along with some of the differences between the US and European model, with the help of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Alfa Romeo.

Applications of composite materials for manufacturing vehicle chassis have so far been limited to supercars costing at least $200,000, or vehicles with very limited road use.

The Alfa Romeo 4C is the first sports car made with extensive use of composite materials like carbon fiber and offered at the price of a mid-sized luxury sedan.
The engineers and designers of the Alfa Romeo 4C had to face many challenges:
High cost of materials
Difficulty mass production application
High design complexity
Achieving these goals allowed the engineers to obtain two main advantages: a high level of integration between components (a single complex carbon part instead of many welded or bolted steel parts) and a considerable reduction of weight.
To understand the benefits provided by the use of carbon it is useful to compare this material with "conventional" alloys and metals.

The 4C is not only the first sports car in its class to offer a carbon fiber chassis, it also spearheaded improved production methods of a wide range of components that had been difficult to apply to mass production, due to the conventional use of pressed steel.

The Alfa Romeo 4C chassis is dominated by the central carbon fiber "tub", which houses the passenger compartment and includes the attachment points of the front suspension.

A strong high resistance steel roll-bar is positioned behind the passengers. This prevents passenger compartment deformation in the event of roll over. There are aluminium structures at both ends that protect against impacts, the rear aluminium structure creates a "cradle" for the engine and transmission, and includes the attachments of the rear suspension. These structures feature controlled collapsibility for safety.

To comply with US crash standards, both the front and rear aluminium structures and the aluminium tub have significant differences on the versions sold in the US market compared to the European versions.
The differences in the European and US versions of the front chassis are indicated below. (front view)


There are also differences between the European and US versions of the aluminium front chassis. The various colors indicate
the different characteristics of the US and European chassis.
Parts in red: specific parts added.
Parts in blue: parts in common but different thickness.
Parts in yellow: same volume but different thickness.
Parts in grey: parts in common
The following, on the other hand, are the differences relating to the European and US versions of the rear chassis.


Read More:
Monday, June 2, 2014
Abarth 695 biposto in Gumball 3000
The Abarth 695 biposto makes its official road debut on June 8th, and what better way to do so than by being selected as the official car of the 2014 Gumball 3000 Rally. The new Abarth 695 biposto is an over the top, full blown street and track car with 2 seats (biposto), roll bar, and a list of performance modifications a mile long. From its Zender body kit with polycarbonate side windows to its competition dog ring gearbox, the Abarth 695 biposto is the most outrageous Fiat 500 Abarth yet.
The Gumball 3000 is a high profile, non-competitive international rally that covers 3000 miles on public roads. Started in 1999 by British race driver and entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper, the Gumball 3000 has become a favorite of the rich and famous. This year, 120 supercars will participate in the ten day event that crosses two continents and five countries. The Gumball 3000 starts on June 4th in Miami, Florida and ends on June 11th, in Ibiza, Spain.
The Abarth 695 biposto will take to the roads officially on June 8th when the rally arrives in Edinburg, Scotland and will continue on through the rest of the rally route.
The race schedule is as follows:
4th June Arrival in Miami
5th June from Miami to Atlanta
6th June from Atlanta to New York
7th June from New York to Edinburgh
8th June from Edinburgh to London
9th June from London to Paris
10th June from Paris to Barcelona
11th June from Barcelona to Ibiza
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Fiat500USA/~3/j3YQj_x2INk/abarth-695-biposto-in-gumball-3000.html
Sunday, May 25, 2014
The 2015 Dodge Charger | Lifting the Veil in New York
Story and Photos by Steve Magnante The New York International Auto Show recently played host to the invite-only unveiling of the restyled 2015 Challenger and Charger. Lets take a look at the new Charger. Addressing a room packed with automotive journalists from all over the globe, Dodge President and CEO Tim Kuniskis proclaimed that the Dodge Charger exists to make category cars nervous. Anybody else is playing a game of catch-up or imitation. To keep things fresh for 2015 and beyond, Dodge has given this family-sized fun machine a full body makeover that gives all models (SE, Read More
The post The 2015 Dodge Charger | Lifting the Veil in New York appeared first on The Official Blog of Dodge.
http://blog.dodge.com/lifestyle/2015-dodge-charger-lifting-veil-new-york/
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Story Booth Collection 27
Italy has inspired some of the greatest stories ever told. With your help, were merely adding to the collection. We love to hear your fondest FIAT vehicle memories, and weve gathered a few of our favorites. Dont forget, you can … Continue reading
The post Story Booth Collection 27 appeared first on FIAT Backstage.
http://blog.fiatusa.com/you/story-booth-collection-27/
Sunday, May 18, 2014
The 2015 Dodge Challenger | A Closer Look
By Steve Magnante Excitement ran high among the 300-plus automotive journalists gathered in a darkened presentation hall at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Each was there to witness and chronicle the first public showing of the restyled 2015 Dodge Charger and Challenger, presented on the morning of Thursday, April 17, 2014, at the New York International Auto Show. After a brilliantly irreverent two-minute opening video featuring a montage of lovable centenarians urging viewers to live life to the fullest while reminding us that Dodge celebrates its 100th Anniversary (19142014) this year Dodge brand President Read More
The post The 2015 Dodge Challenger | A Closer Look appeared first on The Official Blog of Dodge.
http://blog.dodge.com/features/2015-dodge-challenger-closer-look/
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Jeep "Call of Summer" OFFICIAL COMMERCIAL
From beach days to city nights, every moment in the 2014 Jeep Altitude Editions is bursting with epic freedom, sunshine and selfies. It's the new look of summer, and it never felt so good. Visit Jeep.com/Summer for a chance to win a 2014 Jeep Altitude Edition, the Official Vehicle of Summer, and to learn more about the entire Altitude lineup. Download the commercial's featured hit, "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson at http://t.co/gPG5EMSPDz | From:thejeepchannel Views:75 3ratings | |
| Time:00:31 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkUu4cnyiF4&feature=youtube_gdata
Thursday, May 1, 2014
FIAT USA Ladies Gear
We know its not just the guys who love the sexy style and powerful pull of the FIAT 500 lineup. From the spacious FIAT 500L to the FIAT 500 Abarth, our female drivers get just as much of a rush … Continue reading
The post FIAT USA Ladies Gear appeared first on FIAT Backstage.
http://blog.fiatusa.com/lifestyle/fiat-usa-ladies-gear/
Friday, April 25, 2014
Dodge Offers Double-Up Lease Program for Charger and Challenger
Word is out the Dodge Brand has exciting new Charger and Challenger models coming in model year 2015. But theres no need to wait for the muscle. Eligible customers can lease a 2014 Charger or Challenger for 12 months right now, and leave the dealership with a guarantee that when they return in a year, and follow program rules, they will have the same lease payment on a new 2015 Charger or Challenger. Its called the Double-Up program, and heres what you need to know. There are a few simple program rules related to the 36-month Read More
The post Dodge Offers Double-Up Lease Program for Charger and Challenger appeared first on The Official Blog of Dodge.
http://blog.dodge.com/vehicles/challenger-models/dodge-offers-double-lease-program-charger-challenger/
Thursday, April 17, 2014
The Cherokee Effect -- Craziest Costume Chat for Episode 6 | Jeep
Discover your adventurous side with The Cherokee Effect. Learn about Cecily's favorite and craziest costumes for SNL. To learn more about the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee visit www.jeep.com/cherokeeeffect. To see more of Cecily, tune-in to Saturday Night Live on NBC. | From:thejeepchannel Views:10 0ratings | |
| Time:01:09 | More inAutos & Vehicles |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CabXm1-k6zA&feature=youtube_gdata









