2010 Dodge Challenger R/T

2010 Dodge Challenger R/T
The newest version of the Dodge Challenger has been on the market for over a year now, so you'd think people would be used to seeing them around. On the other hand there are at least two reasons people might not think of them as ordinary. One is that they are still fairly rare on the street, though there are half a dozen in our "neighborhood." The other is that many people don't see them as new cars.

A common question for us as we drove the new 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T was, "What year is it?" Apparently many people didn't recognize it as a "retro" design, but thought it was an original Challenger or even a Plymouth 'Cuda from the early 1970s. While that may be a nice tribute to Dodge for building a terrific retro car, it won't help them sell many.

For the record, the new Dodge Challenger is like the new Mini-Cooper: while it may have the same proportions as the original, it's actually a much larger car. That said, unless they are parked side by side, it's pretty tough to tell they aren't the same size.

The fact that the new Challenger is a fairly large car is a real bonus, simply because it's more versatile. (Not that it works for everyone. One woman was really interested in our pretty blue test car, but between them she and her husband have five kids. Even a really big sports coupe isn't going to fly for them)

2011 Dodge Charger caught

2011 Dodge Charger
Dodge president Ralph Gilles talked a little about the future of Dodge’s vehicles, stating that the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was just the beginning of Dodge’s plans. Today, a reader was able to catch another glimpse into their future with a photo taken of the backend of the 2011 Dodge Charger. He was able to catch the muscle car taking a break from its testing in Florida and, although it is still bandaged up, could see some revised taillights and some hid headlights. The reader was able to take a peek on the inside and that revealed a unique two-tone leather interior that he said “looked upscale for a Dodge.”

In last month’s discussion, Gilles mentioned that the company was looking into a “higher-power version of the Pentastar V-6 with unique power rating” for the 2011 Dodge Charger. The sounds coming from the exhaust of the test vehicle assured us that a higher power version was found and utilized. Another interesting feature our reader noticed was the square cutouts in the bumper housing the dual exhaust which is similar to the feature found on the Chevrolet Camaro.

Dodge celebrates ultimate factory-customized Viper

Dodge Viper Customized

Dodge welcomed more than 400 loyal Viper owners at its Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit recently to present the ultimate factory customized 2010 Dodge Viper coupe to proud new owner, D’Ann Rauh.

Rauh and her husband Wayne are from Arp, Tex.

The couple own more than 40 Dodge Vipers, the largest personal collection of Vipers in the world.

A member of the Mid-South Viper Club of America, D’Ann Rauh worked with the Dodge design team to select the personal touches she wanted on her car.

The custom bronzed gold exterior paint was supplied by House of Kolor.

The custom interior features various leather appointments, which were crafted by Tony Spampinito from Venzano, who has worked with the Rauhs on previous Viper projects.

Bob Soroka, from Chrysler Group LLC’s street and racing technology team, airbrushed layouts of Viper-significant racetracks into the custom-painted copper stripes applied by Prefix.

The five-spoke forged-aluminum wheels are custom painted in dark graphite.

Members from the Motor City Viper Club and the Viper Club of America participated in the celebration.

Rauh’s Viper is the last of the current-generation Vipers built at the plant.

Dodge has created more special-edition Viper models for the 2010 model year than all other model years combined.

2011 Dodge Challenger price

2011 Dodge Challenger

Chrysler hasn't officially let loose with 2011 Dodge Challenger pricing, but you can build the car at the NADA Guide site and there are prices attached to the various options. It appears to be legit – even though the pictured coupe is a 2010, the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 6.4-liter Hemi for the SRT8 are listed as available options, though their horsepower ratings are shown as TBD.

Interestingly, if NADA's numbers are accurate, MSRPs have climbed substantially – a couple thousand dollars across the range. A base 2010 Challenger SE with the 3.6-liter V6 presently retails for $23,695, according to NADA, a 2011 needs $2,310 more, coming in at $26,055. The Coupe R/T jumps by $1,910, from $31,610 to $33,520. Get the R/T with the J Package and 20-inch wheels and pay $3,085 more, at $36,500, or go for the R/T Classic and pay $2,460 more than for a 2010, at $37,400. The 2011 SRT8 is $1,921 more, at $45,601. All prices include the $750 destination charge.

When it comes to paint colors, there's even more mixing and matching to do. Redline 3 Pearl, Green With Envy, Billet Metallic and Mango Tango Pearl are variously available (depending on the model you want to configure), and a number of colors on the Dodge site, like Inferno Red Crystal Pearl, aren't available anywhere. But don't take our word for it – Challenger lovers, you know where to unite. Hat tip to Mike!

2010 Dodge Nitro - Review Summary

The Nitro is a strange beast; from a purely objective standpoint, it's a rebadged, somewhat reskinned version of the 2010 Jeep Liberty. From a practical standpoint, it's an old-style utility vehicle that aspires to be a car.

The Liberty is not known for terrific on-road prowess, and neither is the Nitro. The Nitro's ride is stiff, but its steering and handling doesn't deliver. The boxy packaging affords some good cargo configurations, and the Nitro is small and maneuverable enough for the city, yet performance is unremarkable. Acceleration isn't as quick as you'd expect from the standard 210-hp, 3.7-liter V-6; the 260-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 is adequate, though fuel economy is unimpressive in either case. What's more, with no low range and more vulnerable body cladding, this model isn't intended for off-roading.

The story doesn't get much better, as the Nitro's interior lacks refinement and the ride gets choppy at highway speeds while the steering requires constant corrections. Features are the only bright spot; a MyGIG entertainment system includes real-time traffic and music storage, while remote start, rear park assist, and a Bluetooth interface are available.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X

Dodge pulled the cover off the newest special-edition model of the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 lineup. The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is a turn-key, non-street legal race car that is slated to make its on-track debut in the summer of 2010.

"The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X takes the performance attributes of Viper to an even higher level for a wide range of drivers starting with the grassroots racer all the way up to the professional," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. "This project is a result of many years of performance engineering expertise from our SRT team, combined with the passion and dedication of Viper Nation, to keep the Viper racing tradition going strong on tracks around the country and the world."

Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Viper Competition Coupe, the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V10, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than production model).

The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage, while the weight is lightened by a full 160 pounds (versus the standard production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades improve downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.
Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat. Additional racing components are added to meet the significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track competition.

In what will be the final year of production for the current generation Viper, the ACR-X is the third limited, special-edition model to be introduced by Dodge. "We're going to make 2010 the most exciting year for Viper yet with specially developed cars for the street and the track," added Gilles. "The ACR-X is targeted at road-racing enthusiasts who want to successfully compete in our ultimate American sports car."

Last month, the SRT team used a testing session at Laguna Seca raceway to shake down the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X for the first time. Behind the wheel was professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series, who was able to run consistent 1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course. Wittmer's lap times were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.

"The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is incredible," said Wittmer. "After a short warm up, I was running lap times as quick as exotic GT race cars. I was blown away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigated the challenging Laguna Seca corners and how friendly it was to drive at the limit.

"All aspects of the car work together perfectly to plant all that horsepower and torque without issue," Wittmer added. "This will be a great package for someone coming out of grassroots racing with a desire to step-up to GT level competition. Dodge nailed it with this one!"

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is designed to compete in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will be approximately $110,000. Production is slated to begin in Spring 2010.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Gets Special Treatments

As the last model year for the current-generation 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 winds down, the Detroit automaker has given some of its dealers a crack at creating three special models. Just 50 cars are being built under this program, Dodge said on Monday.

The dealer-inspired SRT10s are striking. They include the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Roadster, featuring a Race Yellow Clear Coat exterior with yellow driver's stripe, developed with Woodhouse Dodge of Blair, Nebraska. The second is the Reverse SRT10 ACR, featuring the reverse color combination of the Snakeskin Green Special Edition, developed with Tomball Dodge of Tomball, Texas. The last is a Black SRT10 Coupe with Plum Crazy dual racing stripes developed with Roanoke Dodge of Roanoke, Illinois.

The nation's largest Dodge Viper dealer

If we were told to think of the places where you were most likely to find the nation's largest dealer of a large, growling, all-American sports car, Blair, Neb., probably wouldn't come to mind.

But there is Woodhouse Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, right across from a street from a Wal-Mart that's being built in what used to be a corn field. We mentioned the dealer recently in a post about how Dodge is giving special editions of the sports car, the Dodge Viper, to three dealers. Then we heard from Woodhouse's Viper, SRT and Hurst manager, Bill Pemberton, who filled us in on the details.

"I sell the bulk of our cars to New York, New Jersey, California," Pemberton says. They contact Woodhouse in Blair, about 20 miles from Omaha, rather than their local dealer, because of its speciality tuning operation, he adds.

2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X

The ACR-X is a modified version of the Viper ACR, but one big difference is that the ACR-X isn't street legal, so don't plan on ordering a custom license plate for it. No, X doesn't mean all-wheel-drive; in fact, it doesn't have a denotation, except perhaps Xtreme. The ACR-X comes complete with a gutted interior, a full roll cage, a fire suppression system, a race seat, a six-point harness, and a MOMO steering wheel, all topped off with Michelin R compound racing slicks. It uses the ACR's same mammoth 8.4-liter V-10 engine, but here it produces a back-bruising 640 hp at 6100 rpm (40 hp more than the street-legal ACR) and 605 lb-ft of torque at 5100 rpm (45 lb-ft more than the ACR). The added thrust comes courtesy of engine programming and a free-flow exhaust system that is deafening inside the cockpit but manages to sound oh, so sweet. The six-speed manual transmission comes with a short-throw shifter that provides a sturdy feel.

Sticky accelerator pedal prompts Chrysler to recall Dodge Caliber

The recall, comprising of 34,614 Calibers and 90 Compasses, majority of them sold in the nation, are vehicles with model year 2007.

Toyota vehicles had a similar defect
The pedals in these vehicles were manufactured by the CTS Corp., an Elkhart, Indiana- based original equipment manufacturer.

The company claimed that given the throttle control technology, the accelerator pedals do not "present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."

In fact, the same manufacturer had supplied similar parts to Japan’s Toyota Motor Co. as well. Toyota, recalled 2.3 million vehicles in a series of recalls, wherein defective accelerator pedals led to unintended acceleration.

"Clearly, Chrysler and CTS have taken a look at what happened at Toyota and said they don't want that happening to them," said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety.

Ditlowb was referring to the beating Toyota’s reputation took. Chrysler is wary of that and is putting all possible checks and balances in place to ensure that it does not get a negative publicity.

"Everybody has been paying much more attention since the Toyota recalls and product liability issues," said Aaron Jacoby, head of law firm Arent Fox law.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Final Edition

Dodge has announced a specially styled, limited-edition Viper model, which carries the name 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Final Edition. Designed to mark exclusively the final year of production for the current-generation Dodge Viper, the newcomer will be manufactured in limited number of only 50 units worldwide.


The new 2010 Viper SRT10 Final Edition differs from its series counterpart by a sleek, Graphite finished exterior with painted black center stripe traced in red and unique side sill badges. The Coupe and ACR Final Edition models pack also a black windshield surround.

Inside, the limited ride renders black upholstery contrasted by custom red accent stitching, red painted halo surrounds on the gauge cluster and bright stainless steel screws in center stack bezel. A numbered dash plaque (1-50) is located on the shifter bezel just above the unique Viper Final Edition floor mats.

Under the 2-door American sports car’s bonnet, the specialists at Dodge have placed the well-known 8.4-liter V10 powerplant with 600 horsepower (450 kW) and 760 Nm of torque. Fitted with that engine, the Viper can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds before reaching a V-max of 202 mph.

The manufacturing process of the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Final Edition is scheduled to start in the early summer of 2010.

2010 Dodge Challenger SpeedFactory SF600R

SpeedFactory, the leader in modern Mopar supercars, today announced the industry's first 6spd manual, 600 HP ‘SF600R' Challenger, as part of their complete line of 2010 Mopar supercars.


The ‘R' designation in the SF600R Challenger denotes a SpeedFactory hi-performance, normally-aspirated, bored, stroked and balanced 6.1L Hemi block, increasing the displacement to 426 cu. in. (7 liters).
The 2010 SF600R Challenger is priced at $73,900. and is available for immediate delivery.

2010 Dodge Charger

Have you been looking for spy photos of the upcoming 2010 Dodge Charger? I found a couple of artist renders and they look terrific. They looked so good that I kept hunting for new information about the ’10. It looks like Dodge wants to go back to a 2-door “Coke-bottle” side view with integrated front headlights, but separate rear tail lights. Word on the net is that they want to equip the new model with different types of engines, the usual suspects apply; 3.0 Phoenix V6 for export, 3.6 Phoenix V6 280hp, 5.7 Hemi MDS 340hp and the 6.4 Hemi SRT 440hp. The 2010 Charger should be less boxy to help reduce road noise and improve gas mileage. The all-around performance should improve as well, with more horsepower expected from the revised V6 and Hemi engines.

The new Charger will probably run with an 8-speed automatic transmission, although the current five-speed should still be available. The next generation interior with new comfort features like an entertainment system and better driver amenities, it appears that the 2010 Charger will really make a statement!

2010 Dodge Nitro Video

Aimed at a select type of car buyer, the 2010 Dodge Nitro is a bit of a throwback, according to Cars.com editor Bill Jackson. The Nitro is a truck-based SUV with great towing capacity, but what you gain in hauling capabilities you’ll pay for in ride quality and gas mileage. Check out this video to find out if you’re one of the car buyers who should take a look at the Nitro.

Dodge Calibers in U.S. gas pedal probe

Dodge Calibers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating sticking gas pedals on about 10,000 Dodge Caliber compact cars.

In a small number of cases, parts of the gas pedal assembly have apparently fallen off, causing the pedals to come out of alignment and become stuck. The pedals involved in the cases are made by CTS Corp. the same supplier that made gas pedals involved in a massive Toyota recall for sticking gas pedals.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Final Edition

Dodge took the wraps off its 2010 Viper SRT10 Final Edition models on Tuesday. The company said it will build 20 coupes, 18 roadsters and 12 ACRs when the Final Edition models debut in early summer.

True to their name, the Final Edition models celebrate the Viper's final year of production. Output will be significantly less than the 2002 Viper Final Edition coupes and ACRs, which totaled 360 units, the automaker said. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Each model gets a Graphite Clear Coat body with a painted black center stripe outlined in red. Coupe and roadster models get six-spoke wheels painted in anthracite, while ACR models will come with five-spoke, black "Sidewinder" wheels.

The black interior has custom red accent stitching, red painted halo surrounds on the gauge cluster and bright stainless-steel screws in the center stack bezel. You'll find an individually numbered plaque on the shifter bezel.

The Final Edition models are equipped with the usual 600-horsepower 8.4-liter V10 engine.

Dodge Charger challenges Ford for police fleet market

Dodge Charger police car

Chrysler Group LLC will make a bigger play for the police fleet market with the all-new Dodge Charger coming later this year.

"We will go after that market hard," Peter Grady, Chrysler's head of network development and fleet said Tuesday in a speech before the NAFA Fleet Management Association at Cobo Center.

The announcement ramps up the competition among Detroit automakers to sell vehicles to police departments nationwide.

2010 Dodge Demon

2010 Dodge Demon Review and Prices

The 2010 Dodge Demon borrows styling from the V-10 Dodge Viper and would likely carry over with little change from the Demon concept. Ditto dimensions, which are very close to the Pontiac Solstice. Take a look at pictures of future sports cars.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2010 Dodge Demon

Dodge does a devilish little sports-car concept th­at could reach showrooms in 2009, and the latest word from Chrysler is that the production version will be front drive.

What We Know About the 2010 Dodge Demon

The Dodge Demon Concept is a "compact, nimble 'roadster with attitude'" and "an attainable dream car," according to its maker. To us, it was Chrysler's answer to the Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky. In early 2008, Chrysler announced the production version will use a front-wheel-drive chassis sourced from Chinese automaker Chery, so the Demon's sporting pretensions may be in question.

Dodge Viper to get a Final Edition

The Dodge Viper is not slithering off into the desert unnoticed.

Chrysler Group LLC is preparing to start production of yet another limited run. This time it is the 2010 Viper SRT10 Final Edition; 50 will be made, each with numbered dash plaques.

The Final Editions will be built in three body types: 20 coupes, 18 roadsters and 12 ACR (American Club Racer) models, all marked by a black center stripe traced in red and unique side sill badges and floor mats. Red accents continue inside, in the stitching, on gauges and the center stack.

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Powering the Vipers is the same V-10 that is in other SRT10 versions of the sports car that is in its final lap, with production at Detroit's Conner Avenue plant to cease by July.

Assembly of the Final Edition models begins in early summer.

Chrysler last month began making 50 Viper SRT10 ACR-X limited-edition models.

The automaker is exploring whether to revive the Viper name in 2012, but no decision has been made.

Dodge Viper SRT10 taking a final

The Dodge Viper is coming out in a flat-black edition as it makes its swansong

CAPTION

By Dodge

What is it about this spate of low-gloss black cars? We recently showed you the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition. Now comes the "graphite" Dodge Viper SRT10 "Final Edition." Just 50 of them.

Dodge Viper goes for the black-on-black look

CAPTION

By Dodge

Whether it is Viper coupe, roadster or the ACR or American Club Racer model, all will come in the graphite clear-coat body paint with a glossy black center stripe rimmed in red. The wheels are black, too. The interior? Surprise, surprise:

It's black -- with red accent stitching, red painted halo surrounds on the gauge cluster and bright stainless steel screws in center stack bezel. There is a numbered dash plaque located on the shifter bezel just above the unique Viper Final Edition floor mats.

Dodge Viper ACR-X production begins

Dodge CEO Ralph Giles quickly announced their intent to offer a few special edition models of the Dodge Viper in 2010 – the last year of the current generation of Dodge’s supercar. One of those special editions was the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X, which combines the performance of the 2010 Viper ACR with the race-ready safety features of the Viper Competition Coupe and yesterday the very first 2010 ACR-X rolled off of the assembly line at Dodge’s Connor Ave plant.

This 640 horsepower Viper features a tuned version of the “normal” Viper V10, offering 40 more horsepower than the standard Viper ACR and the suspension components have been tuned to optimize the track capabilities of the ACR-X. The MSRP of the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is $110,000 and although that is a healthy chunk of change, Dodge is offering the Dodge Viper Cup featuring only ACR-X Vipers and this ten-race series offers ACR-X buyers the chance to win back some of that money.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X - Gallery

Dodge also used the press release announcing the first production ACR-X to remind us of the special edition ACR 1:33 models as well as the Voodoo edition Dodge Viper (which is limited to just 20 units). Dodge states that there will be pricing available on the entire Viper lineup later in the year and at the of today’s press release Dodge teases us with this comment: Additional special-edition models will be announced closer to their individual introductions – leading us to believe that even more limited edition Dodge Vipers will be offered in the final year of this generation of the Dodge Viper.

Dodge Ram SRT-10 Car Images

Dodge Ram SRT-10



Dodge Ram SRT-10



Dodge Ram SRT-10



Dodge Ram SRT-10

Dodge RAM 350

Dodge RAM 350



Dodge RAM 350



Dodge RAM 350



Dodge RAM 350