Here are the first spy shots of the new 2015 Chrysler 200 without camouflage. The new 200 is based on the same Alfa Romeo-derived platform as the Dart and Cherokee and will go into production next spring. What do you think? See more at Allpar
Category Archives: 21st Century Mopars
Dodge Challenger SRT8 vs. Chevy Camaro ZL1 vs. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The Challenger that Hot Rod tested was $20,000 less than the other two, but it almost seems like they liked it the best:
The Core trim level is the most basic version you can get with the largest engine, and it wasn’t very often that we missed the leather seats and navigation. Maybe it’s because the Core package makes the Challenger feel like a muscle car should. It’s larger than the rest of the cars in the pack, and it feels heavier, while at the same time it’s also somehow more true to its roots—and that’s not just in the exterior design. It sounds right, it’s comfortable, and it’s just big. … There’s just something about the Challenger that draws people to it. It seemed to gather the most admirers, even surrounded by the much more boisterous Ford and Chevy. We felt ourselves turning into cheerleaders for this underdog car that was the least expensive and had “only” 470 hp.
Read the article at Hot Rod and see what you think…
Ram 1500 is Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year. Again.
For the first time in Motor Trend’s history, they have chosen the same truck as their truck of the year for two straight years. (Spoken in a deep voice) “Guts, More Glory, Ram”. Read the details here at Motor Trend.
Saleen SA-30 Series 570 Challenger
Steve Saleen began tuning Mustangs in 1983 and progressed to building his own Saleen S7 supercar. To celebrate 30 years in the industry, Saleen Automotive is producing three unique, and very limited, special editions of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger. Known as the 570 Challenger, the Dodge is to get engine, suspension and styling changes. Not much detail yet but the Mustang is getting a supercharger, so there’s a good chance the Challenger will too. Only 10 Challengers will be produced, all in a white pearl color, at a starting price of $95,000. See more at Street Legal TV.
SRT to Increase Viper TA Production
As a follow up to our recent piece on the Viper TA walk around with Ralph Gilles, SRT has confirmed that they are increasing production of the track ready Viper from the planned 33 cars to 159! Good news given the less than expected sales of the 2013 Viper. See more info at CarBuzz.
Viper Sales Are Fine Says Ralph Gilles
There have been many stories recently about the Viper not selling as planned, about production being scaled back, that the Corvette was stealing sales. It turns out that the issue is not poor sales but poor planning. Apparently, people who spend $130,000 on a car have the nerve to insist on the options that they want. Whew! See the story at Jalopnik.
Ralph Gilles Discusses the 2014 Viper TA with Adam Corolla
SRT CEO Ralph Gilles discusses the 2014 Viper TA with Adam Corolla. The specs include; 3390 lbs, two mode suspension, bigger Bembo brakes, active aero devices generating an additional 600 lbs of down force and 355 rear meats. Per Ralph,“The new 2014 SRT Viper TA is being engineering for the dedicated track enthusiast, who still wants to drive to the track and take their hobby to the next level. Our engineers revised the suspension settings to refocus the Viper specifically for track duty, using a blend of components from the GTS and the SRT models, add in the extensively developed aero package and the new Time Attack package is born.” See more at Allpar. Video after the jump!
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel MPG Testing
Fuel economy has taken a bit of a back seat in the last few years in the full-size pickup market, with each manufacturer trying to one-up one another with ever higher horsepower, payload and towing numbers. The first fuel economy salvo was fired by Ford with their 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost in their F-150. There were skeptics until it proved to be a big seller. Never one to simply follow, Ram’s response was a return to the diesel. Motor Trend put the new Ram to the mileage test and the results seem to back up Ram’s reasoning. See the entire test at Motor Trend.
2014 SRT Viper GTS Anodized Carbon Edition at the LA Auto Show
Chrysler is on a bit of a roll with special editions. The latest is a metallic matte black and satin finished Viper GTS Anodized Carbon Edition (GTS ACE anyone?) giving it an even more sinister look. It features black chrome “Rattler” wheels accompanied by other unique exterior trim pieces and finishes. The only splash of color, orange, can be found on the calipers, the stitching and a few interior accents. It is limited to a run of just 50 vehicles. Look for it in a very few showroom floors in January. See more detail here at CarBuzz. More pics from the LA Auto Show after the jump!
