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May 19, 2003: New news system ready to go

We've set up a new news system which features the ability to have multiple contributors and editors. If you are interested in contributing news, please write to us at the usual address. In any case, please test it out at http://www.allpar.com/news/ Note that an RSS news feed is available. If you use it, please only take news once a day. Thank you.

May 19, 2003: Mopar drag win in Stratus R/T

Whit Bazemore made history for Dodge and the new Stratus R/T Funny Car body during today?s NHRA national event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Bazemore won the first race for the new Stratus R/T body and a first for Dodge since the 1998 NHRA event at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa. Bazemore finally broke through after posting seven semifinal or better finishes to open the season. The 14-year-category veteran moved up to second in the points after defeating Ron Capps in the final with a 4.869-second elapsed time at 306.81 mph. ?We?re contending for a championship stronger than we?ve ever contended before,? said a happy Bazemore in winner?s circle. ?The aerodynamics of the Stratus is very, very good. It?s one of the main reasons we?ve been so successful this year. We?re very excited and grateful to have Dodge involved. ?I tested (teammate) Gary Scelzi?s Dodge last weekend,? Bazemore added. ?And we went 325 (mph) with a 40-mph crosswind. We had the spoiler in a full downforce position. When they made the fastest Funny Car run ever today ? we weren?t surprised. We?re going to try and one-up those guys a little bit. We know the potential of the car and when we?re in good conditions again ? it?s our every intention to go 327 (mph) or faster with these cars -- and we know we can do it.? Bazemore was impressive in his trek through the field. The Indianapolis resident, outran Cruz Pedregon in round one, Del Worsham in round two and Tony Pedregon in the semifinals. Bazemore clocked a 4.813-second elapsed time at 324.59 mph in round two --the second fastest run of the weekend. Gary Scelzi took his Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car body to new heights in his first round victory today over Schumacher Racing teammate Scotty Cannon. Scelzi and his Oakley-sponsored Dodge made a 326.95 mph pass ?- which is the fastest run in NHRA Funny Car history. Unfortunately for Scelzi, tire smoke ended his weekend against Tony Pedregon in round number two. ?All the work that has been done by (Mopar Aero Engineer) Terry DeKoninck has really paid off,? Scelzi said. ?Mopar has a great wind tunnel and we?ve spent a lot of time and work on developing this body. It?s really starting to pay some dividends. It?s unfortunate we lost lane choice today because that?s what got us. ?We get to playing these games on the starting line and you can get bit,? said Scelzi, on his second round match with Pedregon. ?I deep-staged to shorten the race track and it cost us today. I tried everything to disorient Tony on the starting line by knocking that top light out. The kid was on his game and he?s tough to beat. I think we have something for them. Lane choice was critical, because when we backed up, the concrete was sticking to the wheels ? and what do you do? You can?t put the car by the wall. The rubber was actually pulling the concrete up. Our car is acting like it was at the beginning of the year. I?m pretty happy with what we have right now. Tony ran a 4.79 and weren?t taking us lightly ? we want them to know who?s parking next to them.? - David Harris

May 16, 2003: DCX sponsors fuel research

Environmentally friendly hydrogen production and storage technologies that could be used to power future automobiles are the focus of three university studies partially funded by the DaimlerChrysler Challenge Fund. These biotechnologies were part of the Life Sciences technology display at the 2003 Detroit Science Center Gala May 16 in Detroit.

The three featured technologies are:

Hydrogen Production from Algae and Bacteria, Prof. Tasios Melis, PhD.

In this experimental program, hydrogen is produced by algae and bacteria using sunlight and water. Research in biotechnology provides green algae that releases hydrogen through photosynthesis. The by-product from the photosynthesis provides food for the bacteria which also produces hydrogen through photosynthesis. This may prove to be an ecologically friendly, renewable source of hydrogen.

Hydrogen Production from Sugar, Prof. James A. Dumesic, PhD., Randy D. Cortright, PhD., Mary-Rose de Valladares, and Damon Bresenham

Hydrogen can be produced from water-soluble carbohydrates such as sugars and alcohols. This is a renewable source of hydrogen, and this process offers the opportunity to reform the fuel to make hydrogen on-board the vehicle in a manner that is safe and nontoxic.

Higher Efficiency Packaging for Compressed Hydrogen, Prof. Lawrence T. Drzal, PhD.

Spider Silk fiber may solve several challenges for high-pressure gas storage necessary with compressed hydrogen. Spider silk is environmentally friendly, and for its weight, it is one of the strongest materials found in nature. Spider silk used in this university program to develop high-strength, lightweight composites has a strength-to-weight ratio, or specific strength, that is 20 to 45 times stronger than steel. It is roughly the same as Kevlar or Carbon fiber.

"As important as the fuel cell vehicle itself, is the issue of how the fuel for these vehicles is produced, " said Thomas S. Moore, Vice President and head of the Liberty & Technical Affairs research group. "These research projects, which we are pleased to support through the DaimlerChrysler Challenge Fund, are addressing two important questions: How do we produce hydrogen fuel for automobiles using renewable, non-polluting resources, and how do we store hydrogen fuel onboard the vehicle?" The DaimlerChrysler Challenge Fund supports a variety of academic research activities including these aimed at developing and storing hydrogen in environmental, ecological and renewable methods. This program challenges select universities to apply their creative resources to targeted automotive research projects in order to create closer working relationships with leading universities.

May 16, 2003: New news section - disregard

We have now discovered that the new news program requires users to be created before anyone can access the program. This is obviously a bad design for us... So please stand by while we search for a better system.

May 16, 2003: New news program being tested

We are currently testing a new program for posting news releases. If offers better reliability (the search engine on this one tends to get out of whack), a neater interface, and the ability to add comments. It will also allow for other people to add news items, broadening the scope of news available on Allpar. Please test it out at http://www.allpar.com/news/ and then let us know what you think in the news and rumors forum at http://www.allpar.com/forums.

May 16, 2003: SUV buyers to get even bigger tax break

President Bush's never-ending efforts to increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil now include the expansion of a tax break for large SUV buyers. The "SUV loophole," which allows a business tax deduction for SUVs with a gross vehicle weight of 6,000 pounds - regardless of whether that business is a construction firm or, probably more likely, a dentist's office - will be expanded from $25,000 to $100,000. This tax break is part of the $350 billion tax cut plan passed by the Senate. President Bush himself suggested a hike to $75,000, but the House and Senate both agreed to $100,000. This move should benefit General Motors, with its line of Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Hummer H2 SUVs that tend to cost considerably more than $25,000.

May 16, 2003: Mini quality rating low, sales high

Automotive News noted that the popularity of the Mini is in stark contrast to its quality ratings - the small but not inexpensive car, despite its Neon-based engine, ranks 25th of 28 brands in the J.D. Power initial quality survey, with 166 complaints per 100 vehicles sold. Mini's US subsidiary's general manager said the low quality rating was largely due to a badly designed cup holder, and responded by sending customers a special mug that fits better than other mugs.

May 15, 2003: Chrysler announces 2003, some 2004 prices

These are the 2003 Chrysler prices with some 2004 models:

	MSRP	Destination
Chrysler
PT Cruiser	$17,130	$590
PT Cruiser Touring	$19,075	$590
PT Cruiser Limited	$21,315	$590
PT Turbo	$22,840	$590
Sebring Coupe LX	$20,655	$625
Sebring Coupe LXi	$22,930	$625
Sebring Sedan LX	$18,330	$625
Sebring Sedan LXi	$20,905	$625
Sebring Convertible LX	$24,045	$625
Sebring Convertible LXi	$27,130	$625
Sebring Convertible GTC	$25,880	$625
Sebring Convertible Limited	$29,765	$625
Concorde LX	$23,180	$650
Concorde LXi	$25,910	$650
Concorde Limited	$28,805	$650
300M	$28,885	$680
300M Special	$32,315	$680
Voyager (Value)	$20,960	$665
Voyager LX	$23,995	$665
Town & Country	$26,445	$680
Town & Country eL	$24,230	$680
Town & Country LX	$26,545	$680
Town & Country eX	$26,885	$680
Town & Country LXi	$34,235	$680
Town & Country Limited	$37,050	$680
Town & Country LXi AWD	$36,995	$680
Town & Country Limited AWD	$39,375	$680
Jeep®
Wrangler SE	$16,215	$610
Wrangler X	$19,235	$610
Wrangler Sport	$21,045	$610
Wrangler Sahara	$24,635	$610
Wrangler Rubicon	$24,810	$610
Liberty Sport 2WD	$17,910	$610
Liberty Sport 4WD	$19,420	$610
Liberty Limited 2WD	$22,600	$610
Liberty Limited 4WD	$24,110	$610
Liberty Renegade 2WD	$22,760	$610
Liberty Renegade 4WD	$24,370	$610
Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD	$26,580	$645
Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD	$28,550	$645
Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD	$31,510	$645
Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD	$33,940	$645
Grand Cherokee Overland 4WD	$37,885	$645
Dodge
Neon SE	$13,030	$545
Neon SXT	$14,225	$545
Neon R/T	$17,180	$545
SRT-4	$19,450	$545
Stratus Coupe SE	$20,975	$625
Stratus Coupe SXT	$19,710	$625
Stratus Coupe R/T	$22,205	$625
Stratus Sedan SE	$18,080	$625
Stratus Sedan SXT	$19,145	$625
Stratus Sedan ES	$21,590	$625
Stratus Sedan R/T	$21,950	$625
Intrepid SE	$21,155	$650
Intrepid SXT	$23,925	$650
Intrepid ES	$24,475	$650
Viper SRT-10	$79,995	$800
Caravan SE	$20,640	$665
Caravan Sport	$25,080	$665
Grand Caravan SE	$23,045	$680
Grand Caravan eL	$24,075	$680
Grand Caravan eX	$26,050	$680
Grand Caravan Sport	$28,195	$680
Grand Caravan ES	$33,490	$680
Grand Caravan Sport AWD	$31,995	$680
Grand Caravan ES AWD	$35,390	$680
Caravan CV	$21,625	$665
Grand Caravan CV	$22,495	$680
Durango Sport 2WD	$27,010	$645
Durango SXT 2WD	$28,035	$645
Durango SLT 2WD	$31,130	$645
Durango SLT Plus 2WD	$33,835	$645
Durango Sport 4WD	$29,130	$645
Durango SXT 4WD	$30,155	$645
Durango SLT 4WD	$33,250	$645
Durango SLT Plus 4WD	$36,170	$645
Durango R/T 4WD	$38,925	$645
Dakota Regular Cab
Dakota 2WD	$16,845	$620
Dakota Sport 2WD	$17,690	$620
Dakota SLT 2WD	$17,690	$620
Dakota R/T 2WD	$24,150	$620
Dakota 4WD	$19,955	$620
Dakota Sport 4WD	$20,980	$620
Dakota SLT 4WD	$20,980	$620
Dakota Club Cab
Dakota 2WD	$19,515	$620
Dakota Sport 2WD	$19,530	$620
Dakota SLT 2WD	$19,530	$620
Dakota R/T 2WD	$26,450	$620
Dakota 4WD	$22,790	$620
Dakota Sport 4WD	$22,815	$620
Dakota SLT 4WD	$22,815	$620
Dakota Quad Cab
Dakota Sport 2WD	$21,715	$620
Dakota SLT 2WD	$21,715	$620
Dakota Sport 4WD	$24,480	$620
Dakota SLT 4WD	$24,480	$620
Ram Regular Cab
Ram 1500 ST 2WD	$18,735	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 2WD	$22,040	$795
Ram 1500 ST 2WD	$19,020	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 2WD	$22,325	$795
Ram 1500 ST 4WD	$22,995	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 4WD	$25,460	$795
Ram 1500 ST 4WD	$23,335	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 4WD	$25,800	$795
Ram 2500 ST 2WD	$23,420	$795
Ram 2500 SLT 2WD	$25,075	$795
Ram 3500 ST 2WD	$25,305	$795
Ram 3500 SLT 2WD	$26,330	$795
Ram 2500 ST 4WD	$26,625	$795
Ram 2500 SLT 4WD	$28,280	$795
Ram 3500 ST 4WD	$28,330	$795
Ram 3500 SLT 4WD	$29,355	$795
Ram Quad Cab
Ram 1500 ST 2WD	$23,210	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 2WD	$25,765	$795
Ram 1500 ST 2WD	$24,080	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 2WD	$26,045	$795
Ram 1500 ST 4WD	$27,000	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 4WD	$28,835	$795
Ram 1500 ST 4WD	$27,330	$795
Ram 1500 SLT 4WD	$29,165	$795
Ram 2500 ST 2WD	$25,765	$795
Ram 2500 SLT 2WD	$27,595	$795
Ram 2500 ST 2WD	$25,955	$795
Ram 2500 SLT 2WD	$27,785	$795
Ram 3500 ST 2WD	$31,620	$795
Ram 3500 SLT 2WD	$32,820	$795
Ram 3500 ST 2WD	$28,480	$795
Ram 3500 SLT 2WD	$29,680	$795
Ram 2500 ST 4WD	$28,880	$795
Ram 2500 SLT 4WD	$30,710	$795
Ram 2500 ST 4WD	$29,070	$795
Ram 2500 SLT 4WD	$30,900	$795
Ram 3500 ST 4WD	$34,710	$795
Ram 3500 SLT 4WD	$35,910	$795
Ram 3500 ST 4WD	$31,570	$795
Ram 3500 SLT 4WD	$32,770	$795
Ram Van
Ram 1500 Cargo	$20,035	$715
Ram 1500 Conversion	$19,955	$715
Ram 1500 Cargo	$20,080	$715
Ram 1500 Conversion	$20,050	$715
Ram 1500 Cargo Maxi	$22,190	$715
Ram 2500 Cargo	$21,580	$715
Ram 2500 Conversion	$22,025	$715
Ram 2500 Cargo Maxi	$23,645	$715
Ram 3500 Cargo	$23,265	$715
Ram 3500 Conversion	$23,195	$715
Ram 3500 Cargo Maxi	$23,810	$715
Ram 3500 Maxi Conversion	$24,095	$715
Sprinter Cargo Van
2500 Standard Roof 118"	$26,765	$725
2500 Standard Roof 140"	$28,481	$725
2500 High Roof 118"	$28,485	$725
2500 High Roof 140"	$30,191	$725
2500 High Roof 158"	$32,028	$725
3500 Standard Roof 140"	$29,650	$725
3500 High Roof 140"	$31,360	$725
3500 High Roof 158"	$33,192	$725
Sprinter Passenger Van
2500 Standard Roof 118"	$28,260	$725
2500 Standard Roof l40"	$30,505	$725
2500 High Roof 118"	$29,971	$725
2500 High Roof 140"	$32,215	$725
2500 High Roof 158"	$34,052	$725
2004 Model Year
Chrysler
Pacifica FWD	$30,550	$680
Pacifica AWD	$32,300	$680
Sebring Sedan LX	$18,640	$625
Sebring Sedan LXi	$21,215	$625
Sebring Convertible LX	$24,590	$625
Sebring Convertible LXi	$27,515	$625
Sebring Convertible GTC	$26,190	$625
Sebring Convertible Limited	$30,325	$625
Concorde LX	$23,480	$650
Concorde LXi	$26,210	$650
Concorde Limited	$29,105	$650
300M	$29,185	$680
300M Special	$32,615	$680
Jeep®
Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD	$26,980	$645
Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD	$28,950	$645
Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD	$31,910	$645
Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD	$34,340	$645
Grand Cherokee Overland 2WD	$36,735	$645
Grand Cherokee Overland 4WD	$38,995	$645
Dodge
Stratus Sedan SE	$18,325	$625
Stratus Sedan SXT	$19,390	$625
Stratus Sedan ES	$21,835	$625
Stratus Sedan R/T	$22,370	$625
Intrepid SE	$21,385	$650
Intrepid SXT	$24,705	$650

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