Chrysler reveals upgraded 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Chrysler reveals upgraded 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Chrysler Group LLC released details of changes to the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan today in a bid to hang on to its prominence in the minivan sector in the face of competition from a new Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey introduced this year.

The Dodge Caravan has Chrysler's new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine for 283 horsepower replacing three old V-6s.

The new engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and there is a Fuel Economizer Mode that changes the shift schedule for better fuel efficiency.

The suspension has been re-engineered and the van lowered. Lower-rolling resistance tires are designed to improve gas mileage.

The strength of a minivan is the utility of the interior. To that end, for 2011 there is a new one-piece instrument panel with larger gauges and a new center console for storage and an area for large items such as a purse.

The Stow 'n Go seats are more comfortable and can be operated with a one-touch button.

The Grand Caravan introduces a heated steering wheel to the segment.

Safety features include a rear park-assist system and backup camera as well as blind-spot monitoring and a system that detects vehicles crossing the van's path from behind.

There is a new front fascia, grille, hood and quad headlights to make it look more aggressive than its Chrysler Town & Country counterpart. In back there is a new rear fascia, liftgate and LED taillamps.

For 2011 there are four trim levels of Grand Caravan. The Express, Mainstreet and Crew go on sale this quarter and the R/T — dubbed the "man van" — follows next spring.

The minivans are built at the assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario.

[Read More: The Detroit News]

2011 Dodge Avenger Reworked

2011 Dodge Avenger Reworked
Chrysler has revamped the Dodge Avenger sedan for 2011, mildly reworking the sheet metal but dramatically upgrading the interior and suspension, while offering new powertrain combinations.

The look hasn't changed much, unlike the situation with the Avenger's longtime stablemate, the Chrysler Sebring, which has morphed into the 2011 Chrysler 200.

Under the skin, however, the 2011 Avenger is quite a different animal. Chrysler extensively re-engineered and retuned the suspension, lowering ride height, widening the track, reducing body roll and improving steering response and precision.

The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is supplemented this year with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which in the 2011 Avenger is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and makes 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

A heavy interior makeover includes a new instrument panel and steering wheel, upgraded seats and new color and fabric choices.

The 2011 Avenger will begin reaching Dodge dealerships later this quarter.

[Read More: Inside Line]

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Rises to Head of Muscle Car Class | Red Letter Dodge

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Rises to Head of Muscle Car Class | Red Letter Dodge
Over half a century ago, Chrysler rolled out the first iteration of their now iconic V8 engines with the FirePower lineup. Leading the pack was the 392 HEMI which quickly established itself as the engine to beat on the drag strip. Or the engine to try to beat, at any rate, since there were little stock options that put up as much of a fight on the quarter-mile as the 392.

Next week, the 392’s battle will wage on when the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 makes its premiere debut on the SEMA showroom floor. In place of the 6.1L HEMI V8 that so faithfully served the SRT8 models of years past sits the brand new 6.4L 392 cu. in. V8, churning out 470-horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. Control of the beast is aided by both a modified front chin spoiler and bigger front splitter, and the suspension has been recalibrated to respond more swiftly to the jerk-your-head-back muscle. The end result is a seamless expression of brute force, almost delicate in its perfect execution.

To commemorate Dodge’s newest comeback kid, the first 1,492 SRT8’s will be designated Inaugural Edition models of the Challenger SRT8 392 and feature several unique calling cards. Chief among them will be the two available paint combinations, either Deep Water Blue with standard Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with standard Viper Blue stripes. 20” SRT wheels, Pearl White leather-trimmed seats, unique blue stitching accents, and two “392 HEMI” fender badges round out the exterior trademarks – all of which leads to an unmistakable, formidable presence.

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 will be built at the Brampton Assembly Plant and will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2010.

[Read More:  Red Letter Dodge]

Ram Truck Carves Up Some Halloween Fun | Ram Zone

Ram Truck Carves Up Some Halloween Fun | Ram Zone
Be the envy of every truck guy on the block and celebrate Halloween Ram style, with our new pumpkin style carving stencils.

Click here to get started, click on the thumbnail to the left to download the stencil and don’t forget to read the directions – we don’t take responsibility for any missing body parts.

[Read More: Ram Zone]

Mopar® Previews Customized Vehicles for 2010 SEMA Show

Mopar® Previews Customized Vehicles for 2010 SEMA Show
Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep® and Ram Truck Vehicles Get Mopar® Treatment

Mopar® is preparing 35 vehicles for the upcoming 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which takes place Nov. 2-5 in Las Vegas. Mopar will fill its 15,300-square-foot space with customized Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep_® and Ram Truck vehicles.

“With five exhibits, the Mopar brand will have a major presence at SEMA,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Mopar will showcase cutting-edge technology, innovative accessories, authentic parts, and new customer-care initiatives. And our Moparized vehicles will be must-see.”

“We created an amazing cast of Mopar image vehicles for SEMA,” said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President – Product Design. “As all of our new vehicles arrive in dealerships this year, we want to inspire customization and personalization. Our Mopar image vehicles will definitely turn heads.”

The Mopar Underground group and the Mopar design team worked together to create these image vehicles. Projects originated in the Chrysler Group Product Design office and were led by Mark Allen, Chief Designer – Head of Jeep Design Studio, and Jeff Gale, Advance Studio Design Lead. In addition to image vehicles, other “Moparized” vehicles for the show were developed under the direction of Brian Rogos, Head of Accessories and Performance Parts, and Pat Muldoon, Head of Mopar Product Development.

Following are Mopar image vehicles that will be on display at SEMA:

All-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Named "SUV of Texas" by Texas Auto Writers Association

All-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Named "SUV of Texas" by Texas Auto Writers Association

Dozens of journalists representing the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) spent two days driving the industry's newest sport-utility vehicle lineup late last week, over a variety of on-road and rugged off-road terrain. When the dust settled and ballots were counted, the all-new 2011 Jeep_® Grand Cherokee was named "SUV of Texas" by the influential group of automotive journalists.

The automotive industry's new benchmark, premium SUV was also named "Full-size SUV of Texas," and the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara - complete with an all-new interior, body-color hard top, and legendary Jeep capability - took home the "Mid-size SUV of Texas" crown.