March 12th, 2010 by DaveAdmin
The upcoming “lifestyle truck” version of the slow-selling Dodge Dakota will be based on the next generation Chrysler minivans, according to a source. The same engineers are being hired to work on both projects, and the vehicles are both expected to be built at the flexible Windsor manufacturing plant, much as the minivans were built alongside the Chrysler Pacifica crossover. The Dakota would likely have features from the Rampage concept shown in 2006.
The Dodge Dakota was launched in the 1980s, filling the space between the small Ram 50 (from Mitsubishi) and the full-sized Ram pickups. It initially had a four-cylinder engine and a 3.9 liter V6 created for the Dakota’s relatively small engine bay. The Dakota sold fairly slowly compared with the Chevrolet and Ford small pickups; it grew with each new generation, reaching a peak of critical acclaim in the mid-1990s. The current generation has been critiqued for being too close in size and cost to the full sized Ram 1500.
If the Dakota were to be based on the minivan platform, it would likely be similar in size to the Honda Ridgeline, and considerably larger than the Dodge Rampage, Ford Ranchero, and the iconic Chevrolet El Camino. It could be sold as a Dodge rather than as a Ram.
Share
March 12th, 2010 by DaveAdmin
KGP caught this wicked one-off Dodge Ram as it left Chrysler’s test track, looking as if it was out searching for a Ford Raptor to slap. Emblazoned with a “Powerwagon” badge on its tail-end, this Ram was clearly immensely powerful and made hair-raising sounds to go with its concept truck looks. The bed and cab configuration is like nothing in the current Ram lineup.
The prototype was out running with a Jeep JT pickup matching the 2007 concept vehicle, right down to its band-aid brown color. This Ram clearly has several cues from the current-generation Ram, telling us it’s something much more current–or “future.”
See our full set of photos and more information.
Share
February 20th, 2010 by Bill Cawthon
At next month’s Geneva Auto Show, famed Italian design house Stile Bertone (Bertone Styling) will be unveiling the Alfa Romeo Pandion, a radical new one-off, not-for-production, show car.
Styled by a team led by Mike Robinson, Bertone’s executive brand and design director (and former design director for Fiat), the car takes its name from the osprey (pandion haliaetus), a large predatory bird with a wingspan that can stretch two meters. The connection is the car’s rear-opening, scissor-hinged doors that stand nearly twelve feet tall when open, making for long “wings,” indeed.
The Pandion is a running prototype that uses the Maserati GT’s rear-wheel-drive platform and 440 horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 engine. Both Maserati and Alfa Romeo are owned by Fiat SpA, which also runs Chrysler Group. According the Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, the futures of Alfa Romeo and Chrysler will be closely linked with shared platforms and brand marketing strategies.
Fiat also owns Bertone’s manufacturing facility and plans to use it to build as many as 50,000 Chrysler-based cars a year for European sale. Fiat does not own Bertone Styling. Stile Bertone is owned by Lilli Bertone, the widow of Nuccio Bertone who died in 1997. Hard times and family squabbles forced the company into bankruptcy in 2008 after which Fiat emerged with the manufacturing arm and Ms. Bertone was granted the name, logos and intellectual property of the design operation. Still, Bertone has been fond of using Alfa Romeo and Maserati cars for its styling exercises like the legendary Alfa B.A.T. (Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica or “Aerodynamic Technical Coupe”) series and the beautiful Maserati Khamsin of the 1970s.
No offense to Ralph Gilles, but it might be interesting to see what Bertone could do with the Sebring and Avenger…
Share
October 23rd, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Modern muscle car builder SpeedFactory will introduce the first modern supercharged, all-aluminum, 440 Hemi-powered Dodge Challenger at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov 3-6, 2009 (booth 43127).
The SpeedFactory prepared 2009 SRT8 Challenger is powered by a bored and stroked 6.1L Hemi Mopar aluminum block, increasing the displacement to 440 cu. in. (7.2 liters). It includes CNC ported Mopar aluminum heads and a completely forged rotating assembly. A Vortec V3 centrifugal supercharger boosts the output of this reliable, modern Mopar power plant to 700HP on premium-grade 91 octane pump fuel. So now there IS a 440 Hemi.
Modifications include Mopar Performance NAG 1 transmission, Mopar Performance fuel rails, Moroso coolant tank and oil pan, Getrag IRS with 1000 HP half-shafts, Corsa stainless steel cat back exhaust system, performance springs, sway bars, and additional strut tower braces, 15” Brembo 6 piston front disc brakes and Bridgestone R Compound tires mounted on 20” BBS Black Edition CH-R flow-formed wheels.
SpeedFactory’s Signature interior package includes logo-embossed seat backs, matching door panel stripe with logo, custom floor mats, Mopar door sills and T-handle shifter. Visually, the exterior of the car has also been enhanced with a race-inspired, matte-finish, full carbon fiber hood and rear deck spoiler, as well as SpeedFactory Signature badging and graphics.
Share
October 15th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Four Mopar-customized vehicles will steal the show next month at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. Mopar’s in-house team of creative customizers developed a slew of high-performance image vehicles that feature the brand’s innovative performance parts and accessories.
“The aftermarket is not an after-thought in our design studio,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO–Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President–Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our vehicles are designed and built by the same passionate automotive enthusiasts within our company who are designing and engineering new Mopar parts and accessories for vehicles in our product pipeline.”
Led by Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, Chrysler Group LLC, the Mopar design team developed four head-turning vehicles for next month’s SEMA show.
The Dodge Challenger 1320 began life as a Mopar Drag Pak Dodge Challenger. The current Drag Pak option is a light-weight, stripped-down, race-only, special-order version of the Dodge Challenger designed for competitive drag racing.
For the street-legal design, Mopar’s design team took the vehicle back to its roots with styling reminiscent of vintage Mopar muscle, updated with today’s technology. The Dodge Challenger 1320 image vehicle, named for the 1,320 feet on a quarter-mile drag strip, features Mopar’s 426 cubic-inch, all-aluminum, HEMI® V-8 crate engine that generates 556 horsepower. Mopar’s long-tube headers and exhaust system allow the cubic inches to breathe. Electric cutouts allow the exhaust to bypass the muffler system, which exits through custom side pipes for added rumble at the dragstrip. Power is put to the ground via a six-speed manual transmission through a custom Dynatrac rear housing with Mopar Dana 60 internals and a selectable, ARB locking differential. Mopar police wheels, widened in the rear, are strapped with Nitto street-legal drag radials to provide extra grip at launch. A four-corner, adjustable coil-over kit is provided by Mopar as an option for the Dodge Challenger, to improve the handling under loads of 556 horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque.
Following Mopar’s high-impact color heritage, the design team layered the 1320 in Acidic Hue, a non-metallic yellow paint and added matte black graphics. The body is lightened with the following carbon-fiber components from Mopar’s design team and Seibon:
• Bulged hood with HEMI scoop
• Front spoiler
• Grille panel/headlamp surround
The interior is equipped with bare necessities–Dodge Viper seats, a sport steering wheel and a Hurst shifter. The rear seat, center console and radio have been removed in order to reduce vehicle weight and maintain the 1320’s no-nonsense theme.
For a larger graphic, see our Dodge Challenger page.
Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Image Vehicle: A Stylish, Luxury Pickup Truck
The Dodge Ram Bianco started life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The Dodge Ram is modified to reflect an upscale feel and appearance with the aid of Mopar performance parts and accessories. Colors, textures and accessories are combined in a manner that showcases the sophisticated side of the Dodge Ram 1500.
Exterior modifications include a Mopar hard tonneau that adds a classic, sporty appearance. The inside of the truck bed features Mopar’s bed rug–a plush, yet washable carpet. For the exterior, a Mopar body kit and modified Mopar fender flares give a unique, sophisticated look. The stance is aided by a Ground Force lowering kit that not only lowers the vehicle, but also provides excellent ride and handling. The Dodge Ram Bianco is layered in several coats of Arctic Ice pearl paint that give it a rich appearance. Holding true to the upscale theme, Mopar’s 22-inch wheels are painted in a matching, high-contrast design. Performance upgrades include a Mopar cold-air intake and a throaty Mopar dual exhaust with just enough growl to let you know there is something powerful under the hood.
The exterior theme continues through the interior. White and black Katzkin seats with matching door trim set the stage for a high-class ride. Piano Black and Arctic Ice accents add to the luxurious theme. For sound, Mopar contributed a Kicker audio system consisting of an audio amplifier, a powerful subwoofer and upgraded speakers.
Mopar Jeep Wrangler Overland Image Vehicle: A Stop-anywhere, Camp-anywhere Jeep
The Mopar design team took a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and turned it into a mobile “on-the-go” self-contained campsite. To increase cargo capacity for hauling gear, the Jeep Wrangler Overland’s rear seats are replaced with a large, flat, rubberized utility floor. Mounted to the cargo rack is an all-new ARB two-person Simpson II rooftop-mounted tent and touring awning.
Enhancing off-road travel is an American Expedition Vehicles’ (AEV), Nth Degree, 3-inch suspension lift and a Full Traction rear sway bar. The lift allows aggressive 35-inch tires mounted on 17-inch steel Mopar winter/off-road wheels to fit under the Jeep. Additional off-road protection at the front and rear is provided by AEV steel bumpers and for added security, a Warn 9.5ti winch.
For more details and larger photos, see our Jeep Wrangler Unlimited page.
Mopar Jeep Lower Forty Image Vehicle: An Extreme Trail Rig with 40-inch Tires
The Jeep “Lower Forty” takes the Jeep Wrangler platform to a new extreme. The vehicle is equipped with massive 40-inch x 13.5-inch tires mounted on Mopar’s 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels. Mopar added aggressive wheels and tires to a stock, two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon without the use of a suspension lift. The team’s goal was to achieve added ground clearance without dramatically altering the vehicle’s center of gravity.
Mechanical upgrades came directly out of the Mopar catalog. The Jeep “Lower Forty” features an all-new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine and a Getrag 238 six-speed manual transmission. Powertrain installations were handled by Burnsville Off-Road using an AEV 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 conversion kit. The Mopar-supplied Dana 44 front axle and a Dana 60 rear axle, fitted with 5.38 gears and ARB air lockers, were assembled by Dynatrac.
For more details and larger photos, see our Jeep Wrangler page.
Share
September 2nd, 2009 by DaveAdmin
The Brampton Guardian reported that Automotive Compass has stated that the Alfa Romeo 169 sedan will definitely be built in Brampton. The news was fairly predictable given that the E-segment car will be built on the LX platform, and will have fairly limited sales. The top of the line sedan was originally to be produced in Italy.
The Alfa Romeo 169 may sell against the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger, and, if it continues, the Dodge Challenger. The car will, according to the Guardian, sell for over $60,000, with targets of under 15,000 sales per year.
Fiat told a supplier that it planned to build the car at Brampton through 2018.
It appears that the 169 will not be based directly on the large LX cars, but on the shorter-wheelbase Challenger/200C platform. One or more of the currently projected Chrysler and Dodge vehicles may be dropped to make room, or the plant may gain flexibility when it changes over.
Share
