2012 Dodge Charger's Uconnect Touch Earns Edmund's Award

Every year, Edmunds.com recognizes a vehicle that sets the bar for innovation technology in automobiles. The award of “Breakthrough Technology Award for 2012” was given to the 2012 Dodge Charger for its Uconnect Touch system.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dodge brand Reid Bigland was pleased to hear the news from Edmunds. “We’re very proud Edmunds.com is recognizing the 2012 Dodge Charger with its Breakthrough Technology award.” He was quick to add the praise to the Dodge Charger as well, saying, “The Charger’s Uconnect Touch system with the 8.4-inch touch screen is really world class, intuitive and easy to use. When you combine it with Charger’s available eight-speed transmission that gets best-in-class fuel economy of up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2012 Dodge Charger really does offer the latest high-tech features, all at a tremendous value, wrapped up with iconic styling.”

The Uconnect Touch system is Dodge brand's approach to linking today's technology. The Uconnect system on the Charger includes two 4.3 inch and two 8.4 inch in-dash touchscreen models. The system is all about providing the driver with information and control over the vehicle. You can control all the entertainment, climate, phone, and other settings. The 2012 version will be adding new features such as hands-free texting, voice commands for Garmin navigation, and full iPod control features.

To get more information on the Dodge Charger and other Dodge products, you can view it on Bayside's website and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Chrysler Awards FIRST Grants

Chrysler Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2011-2012 For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) and First Lego League (FLL) grants. Each FIRST team will get a grant of $6,625 while the FLL teams will get grants of $500. In total, Chrysler will be handing out $133,000 to 22 teams all across the country. These grants will go a long way to offset the costs that are associated with items such as parts and materials, registration fees, and team apparel. There will be additional funding awarded for teams that qualify for and are attending the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship or FIRST Lego League World Festival.

Jody Trapasso, the Foundation President had strong words to say about the grants. “The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Group are proud to play a role in encouraging students to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” In the past 16 years, the Chrysler Foundation has given over $1.7 million in support of FIRST robotics program. Mark Chernoby, head of Vehicle Engineering and Vice President of Chrysler Group, was proud of the work and money given to the FIRST Program. “Bright and talented engineers are vital to our industry's future and the FIRST program is an ideal platform for developing a student's interest and skills in science and engineering.”

Chrysler has made a name for themselves in providing the funding necessary to keeping many of the great engineering programs alive. This is just the next step in showing how much they care for the future engineers that could come work for Chrysler in constructing the next generation of great automobiles.

To see all the available products that Chrysler currently has to offer, you can go to Queens Bayside's website and follow them online with Facebook and Twitter.

Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 Awarded by US News and World Report

The Jeep Wrangler has become a sort of magnet when it comes to attracting awards. I think it is a testament to the quality put into it. Otherwise, the Jeep Wrangler wouldn't always be on the minds of buyers and car enthusiasts alike. This time, the award is from US News and World Report for the “2012 Best Off-Road SUV for the Money.” That's not all, however, as they also have an award for “2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money” and that honor went to the Ram 1500.

“The Ram Truck brand is meeting the needs and expectations of our customers with the best trucks in the market,” said Ram CEO Fred Diaz of the news. “U.S. News and World Report's 2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money award is a powerful, independent accolade, standing as an endorsement for the 2012 Ram 1500 and its value for the money.”

These awards are the consensus of opinion held by both industry experts and reviewers. It looks at outstanding value and availability of features that a buyer would want in an everyday car. The awards focus on 23 different categories and include cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs. The awards are a combination of scores from US News car rankings with five-year total cost of average price data and ownership.

“Jeep Wrangler has set seven consecutive monthly sales records. The new 2012 Wrangler offers consumers more value and appeal than ever before, with improved fuel efficiency and everyday driving dynamics, more power and even more legendary Jeep capability, “says Mike Manley, the CEO of Jeep.

I believe the Jeep Wrangler needs to get some extra shelf space installed for the all the awards and accolades it has been piling up with every magazine's and website's end of the year awards. Even better, some of that love is being shown to the hard-working team at Ram and their efforts to make Ram the best trucks out on the streets.

Too view the Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 and all the other vehicles available, goto Bayside's website. Follow them also on Facebook and Twitter.

Autobytel's 2012 SUV of the Year is the Jeep Wrangler

Automotive website Autobytel has named the 2012 Jeep Wrangler as their “2012 SUV of the Year.” The Autobytel editors have a large range of variety in driving styles and ages. These editors have driven hundreds of vehicles with over 75 years of combined experience. With this is mind, it isn't really a surprise that they came to the conclusion of which SUV is truly the best of the year.

Autobytel says that the Jeep Wrangler has “always been the ultimate SUV.” No matter what terrain gets put in front of it, it has always been able to handle it. Wrangler has always been a preference of the editors of the website, but the 2012 model had something extra that really pushed them to loving it. The addition that really gave the Wrangler the edge, though, was the addition of the powerful Pentastar V-6 engine. This new power-train delivers not only amazing power but also is fantastic with fuel economy. The editors also took note that the Wrangler is an “easy open-air drive, and, like its predecessors dating back to 1941, the 2012 Wrangler can still be enjoyed with the windshield folded down and the doors removed.”

The Jeep Wrangler has always been a magnet for awards. It is never surprising when auto enthusiast walk away from riding inside of one with such a positive attitude. After reading the reasoning behind Autobytel's choosing of it for their “2012 SUV of the Year” it is clear to see that they have been long-time fans. This award proves that won't be changing anytime soon.

To get more details on the Jeep Wrangler and all of Jeep's available vehicles you can go online to Bayside and follow on Facebook and Twitter.