As part of Chrysler’s giant product onslaught for the 2011 model year, The Pentastar has released new R/T trim levels of both the Dodge Grand Caravan and Journey crossover. Both models make their debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week, and while there aren’t any big power boosts, the spruced up exterior and interior designs speak of sportiness. Read More »

Dodge is spicing up the Challenger line with a new eye-searing paint color. The hue is called Green With Envy, and it’s supposed to pay homage to some of the wilder colors from the company’s past, including Sublime and Green Go. Buyers will be able to grab their new green Challenger in one of two configurations, including a new R/T Classic that serves up the company’s 372-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine with two A-line body stripes. The accents are available in either matte black or white. Read More »

Some might argue that the Dodge Nitro was ready for replacement, oh, about the day after it was first released back in 2006. If that’s the case, then Dodge’s midsize sport utility vehicle is certainly well past its sell-by date now that our calendars tell us we’re sitting in 2011.

Apparently, nobody knows that truth better than Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne, who told reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the Nitro and its platform mate, the Jeep Liberty, are “the most significant hole in our product portfolio.”

Noting that “it needs to be replaced,” Marchionne suggested that a decision on a replacement for the Pentastar’s uncompetitive midsize ‘ute platform will be made in the next 40 days… though there’s no indication whether that replacement will come from Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler or one of the other brands currently under the Fiat umbrella.

We also can’t yet say whether the new SUV will be built at the Toledo North Assembly Plant like the current Nitro and Liberty, or whether Chrysler will use Fiat’s C-Evo architecture as initially speculated.

[Source:Autoblog]

Nameplates like Charger and Hemi might be commonly associated with the Dodge brand, but like any household name, it had to start somewhere. And that somewhere was with the concept you see here.

Made to showcase the then-new 7.0-liter Hemi V8, the 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger concept car is one of the most coveted pieces from Dodge’s history. It packs one of the 15 original race Hemis built, mated to a three-speed automatic. The fully restored, extreme bodywork puts it on the map, but the reported output of over 600 horsepower (kept in check by hydraulic drum brakes) promises to rip it right up.

The last time this vehicle changed hands in 2007 it went for a reported $1.1 million. Now it’s destined for the gavel once again as RM Auctions takes it to the Arizona Biltmore on January 20. Thanks for the tip, Arthur!

[Source:Autoblog]

The Dodge Journey has been given a much-needed makeover for 2011, with a new V6 and a significantly improved interior. That’s good news for Dodge dealers here in the States, but according to Autoweek it isn’t such a great deal for Dodge dealerships overseas.

That’s because the Journey will no longer be sold with the Ram badge, as Sergio Marchionne and company have reportedly decided it would fare better as a Fiat-branded crossover. The CUV will reportedly be given the Freemont moniker, and it will be the first Chrysler-based vehicle to be given a Fiat engine – a diesel in this case. The 2.0-liter oilburner is capable of 170 horsepower – 30 more than the VW-sourced diesel currently employed in the Journey overseas.

The move to sell the Journey as a Fiat may also make sense given Fiat’s massive 5,000 store retail network. If Fiat dealers can surpass the meager sales of the Journey, it could help Chrysler increase output at the Toluca, Mexico plant where the CUV is built along side the Fiat 500. AW claims the Freemont will be unveiled in Geneva, with sales beginning in June 2011.

[Source:Autoblog]

Chrysler continues to successfully trade on its history with the introduction of the new 426 cubic-inch Generation III Hemi crate engine. When your past is filled with some of the most illustrious engines to ever roar down a drag strip, around an oval or under the hood of a muscle car, it’s smart to capitalize on it. So with that in mind, production of the 426 crate engine has swung into action.

The new Mopar 426 Hemi Crate Engine is all-aluminum and carries ratings of 540 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque for a $13,675 price tag. The engine made its debut at the Performance Racing Industry show in Florida, and was joined by other performance enhancing Mopar goodies. Pieces big and small, from valvetrain tie bars and cylinder head stud kits to aluminum engine blocks, W2 cylinder heads and rear strut tower braces for the Challenger/Charger/300, were all shown off at the show which ran from December 9-11. What it means for the leadfoot-at-large is that Chrysler loves its enthusiastic fan base as much as they love its products. For more details, check out the press release after the jump and the gallery below. Read More »

Owners of 2010 Dodge Ram and Ram HD pickups are being asked to head to their nearest dealership. The trucks are part of a recall focusing on a label printed with incorrect information. For some vehicles, the tire-pressure label lists incorrect weight or seating capacity information. If the inaccurate information on the labels is followed, it could lead to safety issues as a result of improperly loaded trucks.

New labels will be installed free of charge at your nearest Dodge dealership. The recall is scheduled to begin this month (October 2010). For more information, take a look at the press release posted after the jump.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
DODGE / RAM 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V474000
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE RAM D2, DJ, AND DS-BODY VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, “CERTIFICATION.” SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH CERTIFICATION AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION LABELS PRINTED WITH INCORRECT WEIGHT OR SEATING CAPACITY INFORMATION.
Consequence:
THE MISINFORMATION ON THESE LABELS COULD LEAD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS THAT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATION AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION LABELS. AT THE CUSTOMER¿S OPTION, THEY MAY TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A CHRYSLER DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER’S CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS K27. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[Source:Autoblog]