2011 Chrysler Town & Country Touring-l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

I sold my Viper, but the memories I'll keep

The following is written by auto industry veteran Tow Kowaleski. The words are his own, but the memories now belong to everyone thanks to his willingness to share. If you're an industry veteran with a story to share, contact us at tipsATautoblogDOTcom.
It became the flame that started the fire of belief in the next life of Chrysler.
I just sold a car. Nothing new. Millions do it every day. But my car was a 1995 Dodge Viper, so maybe it was a bit more unique since just 12,000 were built. And like others selling a car that's been a part of the family for close to 20 years, this was a confluence of emotions for me. I was sad to see it go, but happy to have the cash and one less big, shiny, under-utilized object in my life.

Shasta County woman leads police on totally groovy chase

Would you lead police on a high-speed chase through town for a Scooby Snack? A Shasta County woman did just that over the weekend in her very own Mystery Machine. On Sunday, March 6, a Shasta County probation officer contacted the Redding, CA police department about Sharon Kay Turman who was wanted for violating probation, PIX 11 reported. After a short search, police located Turman near the intersection of California and Shasta streets at the wheel of a 1994 Chrysler minivan painted up like the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo. Redding police attempted to stop Turman, but she apparently had an important mystery to investigate and she fled the scene. She sped down South Market Street with Redding Police in hot pursuit, running a red light and hitting four other vehicles in an intersection. This didn't stop the Mystery Machine however, and RPD broke off their chase as she entered southbound Highway 273. A California Highway Patrol helicopter picked her up on Hill Drive just north of Anderson, CA and she was pursued through town by Anderson PD at speeds in excess of 100 mph. She eventually abandoned the Mystery Machine on California Highway 36 and fled on foot. Turman's whereabouts, and the status of the Scooby Snacks, are currently unknown. She is wanted by both the Redding Police Department and Shasta County Probation. Both agencies told KRCRTV that they are asking anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact them. Related Video

2014 Chrysler 200 to set design tone for brand

Speaking with Wards Auto at this year's Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler design chief Ralph Gilles said that the next-generation Chrysler 200 will launch a whole new styling direction for the brand when it arrives for the 2014 model year. Gilles did not reveal any specific design cues or elements that will be found on the next 200, only saying that the new car "shares no surface language with any previous Chrysler we've ever seen."
Indeed, the current 200 isn't exactly setting the world on fire with any sort of clever, emotive design, but Gilles knows that. "The current Chryslers on the road today certainly don't reflect where we're headed," he told Wards Auto. Instead, Gilles said that "we are deviating from where we are today, completely. It's a very different feeling (and) look."
The launch of the new Chrysler 200 will officially mean the death of its Dodge Avenger counterpart, though Gilles says that the company is working on an all-new product to replace that vehicle down the road. Still, Chrysler will need a successful player in the popular midsize segment, and Gilles fully expects the new 200 to be up to the task. "I think it's going to be a beautiful and relevant vehicle."