Dodge Durango Special Service Reporting For Duty

Following the successful debut of the Dodge Charger Pursuit, Dodge will begin offering a Durango Special Service model for fleet use. The Dodge Durango Special Service SUV is specially designed to handle the rigors of everyday use by police and fire departments and fleet customers. Chrysler Group fleet operations will start taking orders now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012.

“We’re incredibly excited to add the Dodge Durango Special Service to our line-up of law enforcement vehicles,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet Operations. “Adding Durango to our current Dodge Charger Pursuit and Ram 1500 Special Service vehicles allows us to offer a full range of fleet sedan, SUV, and truck options to law enforcement and government agencies.”

“The standard Durango has several class-leading attributes, such as power, towing and a driving range of more than 550 miles, so it is a natural to become a great utility tool for law enforcement and general fleet customers,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “This Special Service version will no doubt be a major asset to any agency in need of a durable, yet comfortable, SUV.”



The Dodge Durango Special Service carries all of the SUV’s class-leading utility, such as available 7,400-pound towing capacity, more than 550-mile driving range with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and available 360 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Available in rear- or all-wheel drive, the Dodge Durango Special Service model comes with the following additional components designed for the rigors of daily fleet use: A heavy-duty brake package, heavy-duty battery, larger-output 220-amp alternator and heavy-duty water pump and engine oil cooler.

A 5-year/100,000-mile fully transferrable powertrain warranty helps eliminate worry of any repair costs to the covered components.



Dodge Durango Special Service also has a customizable rear cargo area with under-floor storage compartments and additional storage in the side compartments. Further modifications include a special service interior dome lamp and headliner, spot lamp wiring prep and the deletion of the third row of seats for more cargo capacity. Even with the deletion of the third row, the second row still has separate air conditioning and heat controls.

These modifications make the already stout Durango more than capable of handling daily fleet use.

Dodge Durango is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick,” and Special Service models offer customers the same 45 safety and security features, including standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), electronic roll mitigation (ERM), Hill-start Assist and standard Trailer-sway Control (TSC) to enhance off-road and towing capabilities. Other standard safety and security features include seat-mounted and side-curtain air bags in the front row. The curtain air bag extends protection to second and third-row passengers (third-row seating deleted in Special Service models). Durango also includes standard front-row active head restraints.

The Dodge Durango Special Service will be built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. It joins the Dodge Charger Pursuit sedan and Ram 1500 Special Service truck currently available to government fleet customers.

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DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula
26845 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(888) 336-2254
http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Get more info about any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram from DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula.  Call (888) 336-2254 or visit us at 26845 Ynez Road in Temecula or on our website at www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com.

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http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=12118&mid=1

Taking Passion for Performance to New Heights — Dodge Enters Global RallyCross With All-new Dodge Dart and Travis Pastrana

Dodge and SRT Motorsports announced an all-new 2013 Dodge Dart rally car piloted by four-time Rally America Champion and 17-time X Games Gold Medalist Travis Pastrana will compete in the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) Series.

“At Dodge, racing is an integral part of our heritage and embodies our competitive spirit, so we’re very excited to announce the next chapter in racing for Dodge with our all-new Dodge Dart,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO - Dodge Brand. “The new Dart Global RallyCross Championship car with 600 horsepower and driver Travis Pastrana takes our passion for performance to all new heights.”


(from left) Ralph Gilles, Pres. and CEO, Street and Racing Technology Brand, Travis Pastrana,
2013 Dodge Dart Rally Car driver, Reid Bigland, Pres. and CEO Dodge Brand

Pastrana, 28, is a four-time Rally America champion and owner of multiple supercross and motorcross championships. He also owns Nitro Circus, an empire that includes a television show, live tours and 3D feature film project. Pastrana is one of the most searched athletes in the world (6 million Google searches in 2010) and he has more than 3.5 million Facebook followers.

“When I first heard about GRC, I was really interested, and after watching some of the rounds last year and then actually competing at X Games I was hooked!” said Pastrana. “Now to be able to partner with Dodge to field my own program this year is a dream come true. The new Dodge Dart offers the perfect platform for rally cross, and I look forward to putting it on the podium all season long!”

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC, said that having Pastrana piloting a Dodge Dart and competing in GRC is a natural fit.

“Travis is a living example of what action sports activities are all about, so he fits in perfectly with the youthfulness and passion for performance of the Dodge brand and the SRT Motorsports team,” said Gilles. “He’s proven that he can handle just about anything with wheels, so it’s going to be great to watch him pilot our new Dodge Dart in Global RallyCross.”

The Dart rally car is custom built specifically for Global RallyCross racing, but shares a few traits with the production Dodge Dart. Both vehicles have exceptional aerodynamics, are agile and fun to drive and will add a little excitement to their segments. Powered by a purpose-built, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve turbo-charged 600-horsepower engine mated to a Sedav 4-wheel drive gear box that puts out more than 550 lb.-ft. of torque, the Dart rally car is ready to go.

The 2013 production Dodge Dart features three state-of-the-art powertrains that produce up to 184 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque and a sporty, fun-to-drive experience. The Dart features an athletic, sporty exterior, a world-class interior with high-quality materials, state-of-the art technology and enough exterior and interior color and material choices to fit any customer.

David Bailey, Senior Engineering Manager for SRT Motorsports, knows the new Dodge Dart rally car is equipped to handle the intense racing conditions.

“The sport is extremely exciting and the on-track action can be brutal on the drivers and the cars,” said Bailey. “The cars are jumping higher than ever and landing safely. The Dart rally car is lightweight with a very powerful motor. The zero to 60 mile-per-hour times are incredible, as low as 1.9 seconds, so with Travis behind the wheel, we can’t wait for the season opener.”

Global RallyCross is a spin-off of the X Games rally races. It combines the skill of rally racing with the excitement of X Games. The revolutionary motorsports series enters its second season and features high-flying extreme competition between cars that are relevant to today’s youth. The series consists of seven racing events in closed-course rally tracks and incorporates bumper-to-bumper competition among 600 horsepower all-wheel drive vehicles. There are 70-foot jumps over racing traffic, creating a “motocross with cars” action.

The series begins May 26 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and concludes Sept. 29 in Las Vegas. Also included are races at X Games scheduled for June 30-July 1 in Los Angeles. It’s one of the most anticipated stops on the schedule. The ESPN family of channels will broadcast live coverage of the entire 2012 race series.

2012 Global RallyCross Race Schedule:
May 26 – Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 10 – Texas Motor Speedway
June 30 – X Games, Los Angeles
July 1 – X Games, Los Angeles
July 14 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sept. 1 – TBD
Sept. 29 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

------------------------------------------------------
DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula
26845 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(888) 336-2254
http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Get more info about any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram from DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula.  Call (888) 336-2254 or visit us at 26845 Ynez Road in Temecula or on our website at www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com.

Connect with DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula:
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http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=12146&mid=1

HEMI® for Heavy Duty, HEMI® for Fuel Efficiency

The HEMI® is a big, powerful engine with a proven history of horsepower, towing and hauling capabilities, and reliability. But did you know Ram Truck-exclusive 5.7L HEMI V8 with Fuel Saver technology offers up to 20 MPG highway? To achieve this level of efficiency, the Fuel Saver Technology shuts down four of the eight cylinders when in fuel saver mode, when your vehicle can perform with less power at hand.

And, of course, when you’re ready to ratchet up the power, HEMI is there with 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque to do what this engine does best – flex its muscle. With aluminum cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers, platinum-tipped sparkplugs, two sparkplugs per cylinder fired by a Distributorless Ignition System – HEMI is the reason you buy a truck.

To learn more visit HEMI: The Official Chrysler HEMI engine website.

------------------------------------------------------
DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula
26845 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(888) 336-2254
http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Get more info about any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram from DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula.  Call (888) 336-2254 or visit us at 26845 Ynez Road in Temecula or on our website at www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com.

Connect with DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula:
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http://www.ramzone.com/2012/03/12/hemi-heavy-duty-fuel-efficiency

Tweet to Win a Kellie Pickler Vinyl LP and Hatch Poster

The Road to the Ram® Jam is a few months away, but the road-trip is about to get underway with a Twitter giveaway from Ram Trucks. 

To get the party started, Road to the Ram Jam artist Kellie Pickler is giving away a vinyl LP and Hatch poster on Twitter. For a chance to win, follow @RamTrucks on Twitter and tweet mentioning @KelliePickler and using the hashtag #RamJam2012, today through Friday – example: I’m on the Road to the #RamJam2012 with @RamTrucks and @KelliePickler.

The Road to the Ram Jam is an all-star country music series that features five of today’s best country artists, and culminates in a Dec. 29 invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event where all five artists perform.

Click here for official rules

http://www.ramzone.com/2012/03/14/tweet-win-kellie-pickler-vinyl-hatch-poster/

Dodge Introduces the 2012 Avenger SE V6, Delivering Best-in-class V-6 Power with the Fuel Efficiency and Price of a Four-cylinder Mid-size Sedan

Dodge announced the new 2012 Avenger SE V6 package, developed to be America’s most affordable and powerful mid-size car, delivering unprecedented performance and value for driving enthusiasts. The new Avenger SE V6 model has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just $21,495 (excluding destination) and is powered by a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, one of Ward’s “10 Best Engines,” mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6-liter Pentastar engine produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque while achieving an EPA estimated 29 miles per gallon (mpg) highway, best-in-class for a V-6-powered mid-size sedan.

“The Dodge Avenger is one of the fastest growing mid-size cars in America, with sales up 112 percent this year,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “We’re building off this momentum with the introduction of the new SE V6 package, delivering a true no compromise solution for the mid-size car buyer – 283 best-in-class horsepower, 29 mpg highway, 18-inch wheels and a rear spoiler – all for just $21,495 MSRP. You get the power, the efficiency, the look and tremendous value that is unmatched in the segment.”

The new 2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6 provides customers the most desirable features at an outstanding price. Standard equipment includes a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque while delivering a best-in-class EPA highway V-6 fuel economy rating of 29 mpg, 18-inch aluminum wheels, rear decklid spoiler, and dual exhaust with bright tips. SE V-6 models also include the rest of the comprehensive equipment list standard on all Avenger SE models, including: LED taillamps, premium interior with soft-touch surfaces, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control with traction control and electronic roll mitigation, advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags, side-curtain and front seat-mounted side airbags, laminated front windshield and front-row side glass, power locks, power mirrors, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, premium cloth seats, speed control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with integrated audio and speed controls, outside temperature display in gauge cluster, CD with four speakers, 60/40 rear seat with trunk pass through, fold flat front passenger seat and a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

------------------------------------------------------
DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula
26845 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(888) 336-2254
http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Get more info about any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram from DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula.  Call (888) 336-2254 or visit us at 26845 Ynez Road in Temecula or on our website at www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com.

Connect with DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula:
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http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=12107&mid=161

CNG Ram to make its Canadian Debut at the Globe 2012 Trade Fair

The all-new Ram 2500 Heavy-Duty CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) pickup was shown for the first time in Canada, at the Globe Conference and Trade Fair on Business and the Environment in Vancouver. Ram is the only manufacturer in North America to offer a factory-built compressed natural gas-powered truck.

The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup is designed for fleet and commercial customers and offers cost and emissions benefits, using an abundant, domestically sourced fuel.

“Globe 2012 is the perfect venue for us to showcase our all-new economical and environmentally-friendly Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG truck,” said Ken Tuckey, Head of National Fleet, Chrysler Canada. “With a bi-fuel driving range of up to 1,232 km and lower total cost of ownership, we think this truck will do very well with Canadian fleet customers.”



Bi-fuel
The Ram HD CNG is powered by the 5.7-litre HEMI® V-8 and features both compressed gas storage tanks and a 30-litre (8-gallon) gasoline fuel tank.

The Ram’s 5.7-litre HEMI bi-fuel engine has been modified to run on compressed natural gas as well as gasoline. Redesigned heads with specifically designed CNG compatible valves and valve-seat materials allow the engine to burn both fuels. It also gets a second, CNG-specific fuel rail and set of injectors. New spark plugs improve combustion and durability, and a new powertrain control module allows the HEMI to operate on either of the two fuel sources. Canadian customers can opt for a 132-litre (35-gallon) gasoline tank (late availability).

In use, the system is automatic; eliminating operator switches altogether and utilizes either CNG or gasoline, seamlessly transitioning from one to the other with little discernable difference in operation or capability.

Although a small amount of gasoline is used during engine startup, the Ram CNG runs exclusively on compressed natural gas. If the CNG tanks are emptied, the vehicle will automatically switch to gasoline.

In addition to a conventional gasoline fuel gauge, a second CNG-specific gauge sits adjacent to it in the instrument cluster.



CNG-only range is estimated to be 410 kilometres (255 miles), while the backup supply of the 30L gasoline tank extends the range to 590 total kilometres (367 miles) and the 132L gasoline tank extends the range to 822 kilometres (510 miles).

The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG’s two ultra-strong 4.6 cu.-ft. CNG tanks are located in the forward portion of the Ram’s 8-foot pickup bed. Both tanks are mounted to the frame and covered by a painted 50 ksi high-strength steel cover. The CNG filler connection is located next to the gasoline fuel neck, accessed through the Ram’s fuel filler door.

The CNG tanks provide a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of 68.9 litres (18.2 gallons).

GGEs are calculated as having the same energy equivalent as one gallon (U.S.) of gasoline.

Availability
The Ram 2500 CNG is available exclusively as a Crew Cab 4x4 model with 169-inch wheelbase, in either an ST or SLT trim level. The company expects to deliver the first vehicles in July 2012.  

                                                           
DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula
26845 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(888) 336-2254
http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Get more info about any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram from DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula.  Call (888) 336-2254 or visit us at 26845 Ynez Road in Temecula or on our website at www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com.

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http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=150875F959A910D7E1B2D4182B0F0787?&id=12110&mid=1