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  • Dodge Journey to be Fiat Ulysse replacement in Europe?

    In Cars, Dodge, Fiat, International News / By / / 5 comments

    It’s not just a case of austerity in terms of development costs, the idea of cross-sharing is – makes sense in this day and age, if you’ve got the right product for the job, that is. In the case of the Fiat Ulysse MPV, of which production has just been discontinued this month, the speculation is that its replacement will not be another Fiat-derived vehicle, but the Dodge Journey, which will be rebadged as a Fiat offering in Europe.

    According to reports, the Fiat version of the large minivan will be named the Freemont, and the vehicle will make its debut in Geneva next March and begin selling in European markets in June.

    Engine choices will include a Fiat-based 170 hp 2.0 litre turbodiesel, which will be the first time ever a Chrysler platform will utilise a Fiat pot. In the US, the Dodge Journey was recently given a facelift, and the update made its debut at the Los Angeles show last month.

     

  • More muscle for the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

    In Cars, Dodge, International News / By / / 10 comments


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    The Dodge Challenger is the best modern interpretation of American muscle to these eyes, and the most potent version, the SRT8 392, now gets a boost in horsepower and torque with the introduction of the legendary 392-cubic inch HEMI V8 engine. With 470 hp and 637 Nm, this 6.4-litre has 122 Nm more torque at 2,900 rpm compared with the previous 6.1L V8 while delivering up to 20% better economy.

    The Challenger isn’t only good for drag racing, according to Dodge, which claims “world-class ride and handling” for the 392. New, highly damped shocks offer a firm ride and SRT engineers recalibrated the suspension geometry to improve the Challenger’s balance and cornering ability.

    Quicker steering ratios and new negative camber settings all around “dramatically improve Challengers appetite for cornering”. The fully hydraulic steering system also has been improved with a heavy-duty pump and revised gearing for more direct feel and on-centre response. It’s still playfully “tossable” though.

    To kick off 2011-model year production, Dodge will build 1,492 Inaugural Edition models. They get two colour/stripe combinations and 20-inch SRT wheels with a polished face and black pockets. “392 HEMI” badges and Mopar quad exhaust are the other visual cues. Inside, the Inaugural Edition features standard Smooth Pearl White leather trimmed seats and dual blue stripes accented by blue stitching. And a plaque.

     

  • 2009 LA Show: Dodge Viper bids farewell with more performance, options and limited editions

    In 2009 LA Auto Show, Cars, Dodge, International News / By / / 14 comments

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    Los Angeles is shaping up to be a big farewell party for the icons. Besides Volkswagen releasing the Final Edition of its New Beetle, Dodge has annouced that 2010 will be the last model year for the Viper, America’s performance car legend. And for a fitting sendoff, performance is enhanced, new colours added and limited-edition models are planned.

    Powered by a 8.4-litre V10 with 600bhp and 760Nm, the Viper SRT10 sprints to 100km/h from rest in less than 4 seconds, with a top speed of 325km/h. A new shorter fifth gear ratio benefits high-speed acceleration and straightline speed. The hardcore ACR (American Club Racer) model gets a new short throw shifter and aero tweaks for, yes, higher top speed as well!

    2010 dodge viper

    Two new exterior colours – Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat – joins the existing 10. With this, Dodge says that over 7,600 possible appearance combinations are possible for the final 500 or so Vipers that will roll out next year.

    Several limited-edition models are planned for 2010, including the ACR 1:33 Edition, which pays tribute to the new production car lap record set on 24 November at Laguna Seca. It gets a two-tone black/red colour scheme, piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights and red stitching for the seats. Only 33 will be produced. Meanwhile, the Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR features a Black Clear Coat exterior with Graphite Driver’s Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 cars will be available with this unique striping on both exterior and steering wheel. Pricing and more special models will be announced later.

     

  • Marchionne spins off Dodge Ram business as RAM

    In Cars, Chrysler, Dodge / By / / 12 comments

    Dodge Ram

    Chrysler has decided to grab the axe and split Dodge right in half, severing the ties between Dodge’s Ram truck business and the rest of the company that makes passenger vehicles. Apparently this will allow Dodge to “protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge brand”, according to Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne, who is also the CEO of Fiat.

    The Dodge Ram truck business will be renamed simply RAM, and will be headed by Fred Diaz. “Dodge Car”‘s new head will be Ralph Gilles. Chrysler’s new CEO and marketing head will be Olivier Francois, another man from Fiat where he plays a double role as Fiat marketing chief and the head of the Lancia brand.

    Chrysler now has two predominantly truck-based brands – RAM and Jeep. The Dodge Ram is currently in its fourth generation called the Dodge Ram 1500, and is available in various 2-door and 4-door cab bodies.

    It’s powered by a choice of a 5.7 litre Hemi V8 producing 390 horsepower and 552Nm of torque, a 4.7 litre Magnum V8 making 310 horses and 447Nm of torque, or a 3.7 litre Magnum V6 making 215 horses and 319Nm of torque.

    Dodge also has the smaller Dodge Dakota and the Dodge Durango based on the Dakota. I guess it would make sense for these to follow the Ram to the new RAM brand.

    Related Posts:
    Dodge Ad Video – Ram Rash!

     

  • Dodge Challenger tuned by Eibach for Essen 2008

    In Cars, Dodge, International News / By / / 9 comments

    Dodge Challenger

    The Dodge Challenger was the vehicle picked by suspension specialist Eibach to display at the tuner-centric 2008 Essen Motor Show. The engine has been left as it is, a 6.1 litre HEMI V8 producing 425 horsepower and 569Nm of torque, but the suspension has been tweaked, expected as the tuner is Eibach after all.

    The Eibach Challenger show car gets the Multi-Pro-R2 coil-over suspension system which has integrated independently adjustable rebound and compression damping with remote reservoir. Wheels are large 3-piece 22-inch OZ Botticelli III alloys wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1R rubber in 265/30R22 size.

    Just to spice things up, Eibach also upgraded the car’s audio system with Alpine goodies featuring the IVA-W505R 2-DIN head unit which combined a DVD head-unit with an LCD screen. This puts out audio through a PDX-5 amp which powers 6 inch R-series speakers and a 10 inch subwoofer.

    The Challenger is built on the Chrysler LC platform, which is a shortened version of the Chrysler LX platform. The LX platform underpins vehicles like the Chrysler 300 and was developed when Chrysler was part of DaimlerChrysler, hence it uses Mercedes-Benz parts such as the W220 S-Class control arm front suspension at the front and the W210 E-Class multi-link rear suspension. LX platform cars also usually use the Mercedes-Benz W5A580 5G-Tronic transmission and rear differential.

    Look after the jump for a hi-res gallery of the Eibach Essen 2008 car.
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  • Dodge Journey 7-seater MPV

    In Cars, Chrysler, Dodge / By / / 18 comments

    Dodge Journey

    Before Daimler got rid of Chrysler, there was a team in DaimlerChrysler Malaysia (now known as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia) studying the possibility of introducing the Chrysler brand here in Malaysia, and other marques within the Chrysler group. If that happened, one of the vehicles that could have found its way onto our roads would be this.

    Introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Dodge Journey only went on sale to the public in March this year in the US, and soon in Europe as well. The Journey is based on an extended D-segment Dodge Avenger platform and its wheelbase measures a long 2891mm, providing excellent interior room for its three rows of 7 seats.

    Under the hood is a choice of engines including the 173 horsepower 2.4 litre GEMA engine that is also found in cars like the Hyundai Sonata and Mitsubishi Outlander, a 235 horsepower 3.5 litre V6 and a 190 horsepower 2.7 litre V6.

    It’s trademark Dodge muscular and boxy styling gives people an alternative to all the more sedate-looking soccer mom MPVs out there. Threatening to ruin ride comfort are large 19 inch wheels with low profile tyres. The car is front wheel driven by default but all-wheel drive is available.

    Look for more hi-res photos after the jump.
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  • Chrysler continues work on production Dodge Hornet

    In Cars, Chrysler, Dodge / By / / 5 comments

    Dodge Hornet

    Fans of Chrysler’s Dodge Hornet 2006 Geneva concept should be excited now as there is new indication of the company’s continued interest and intention to produce a production version of the compact car.

    Chrysler vice president for international purchasing Thomas Hausch says that Chrysler is working intensely on the Dodge Hornet study, and will announce something on the car in the future. This will probably happen sometime in 2010.

    The question is, will it be a Dodge or a Chrysler? Hausch mentioned that the possibility of a small Chrysler positioned below the Chrysler Sebring should not be ruled out.

    Related Posts:
    2006 Dodge Hornet Concept (with video)

     

  • Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda’s email to employees

    In Cars, Chrysler, Dodge, International News, Mercedes Benz / By / / 3 comments

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    More updates on the potential break-up of American-German automotive giant DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler recently announced it might sell off the Chrysler group, viewed by some as going back on it’s word for commitment in making the partnership work. DaimlerChrysler issued a statement to the media today saying it’s future strategy for Chrysler’s could only be decided in weeks or months.

    Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda has decided to shed some light on the matter, whatever light he is able to shed without implicating himself legally of course. The full unedited email is available after the jump.
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  • Potential Chrysler Suitors

    In Cars, Chrysler, Dodge, International News / By / / 2 comments

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    Ever since DaimlerChrysler announced that the sale of Chrysler and it’s brands (Dodge, Jeep) to another party is now an option, there has been plenty of rumours, supposed insider news as well as speculation on who the new buyer would be.

    Seen as a forefront to the Chrysler purchase is General Motors, who analysts think would purchase Chrysler as a defensive move against import marques like Toyota. Analysts think purchasing Chrysler would give GM a US$9 billion value in terms of product line-up, operating efficiencies including reduced R&D and advertising costs. Stock market analysts are mixed over the issue, with John Murphy of Merrill Lynch rating GM shares as a buy, while Jon Rogers, a New York-based analyst at Citigroup Investment Research rated them as a sell. DaimlerChrysler shares remain unrated.

    Some think Hyundai may be a good match for Chrysler, and Hyundai has already worked with Chrysler before on certain projects including the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance project along with an accompanying platform, as well as rebadging Hyundais as Dodge cars in Mexico. Hyundai needs more plants in the US, something Chrysler has. Hyundai currently only has one plant in the US. Hyundai needs a V8, Chrysler has the Hemi. Chrysler used to own a 10.5% stake in Hyundai. Hyundai is good at small cars, Chrysler is not – Chrysler’s good at big cars, Hyundai isn’t.

    Other speculated potential suitors are the Nissan and Renault alliance, as well as SAIC and Chery of China. Chrysler and Chery already have an agreement for Chery to assist Chrysler in building small compact cars, something that Chery does best. Foreign automakers like Toyota, Hyundai and the Chinese makes are cited as one of the reasons GM would buy Chrysler, as having a foreign Korean or Chinese marque gain access to Chrysler’s extensive dealer network would be a problem – the American companies already have problems fending off the Japanese.

    Anyway, whether GM takes up Chrysler or not, they are already in some form of joint venture talks now, as General Motors might give Chrysler access to it’s GMT900 platform large-SUV, something that Chrysler does not have an equivalent in it’s line-up.

    Related Posts:
    DaimlerChrysler might drop Chrysler Group

     

  • Dodge Demon to be unveiled at Geneva

    In Cars, Concept Cars, Dodge, Videos / By / / 8 comments

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    Dodge will be showcasing it’s new 2-seater rear wheel drive roadster concept at the 2007 Geneva International Motor Show next month. The concept aims to create an affordable sports car focusing on driving fun, open air driving, as well as powerful performance. Sounds alot like the Mazda MX-5 doesn’t it?

    The Dodge Demon has Dodge’s trademark muscular look and cross grille, 19 inch wheels, and a 2.4 litre engine (likely the same 2.4 litre unit in the Dodge Caliber 2.4), making 172hp at 6,000rpm and 224Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.

    Video after the jump.
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