Marchionne Says 54.5 mpg “Doable”, Hints at Retirement

Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne gave a speech today at the 2011 CAR Management Briefing Seminars. He quoted philosopher Albert Camus, talked about the reason geese fly in a V formation (they create uplift for those that follow, thus extending their range by 70%) and even used an excerpt from Alice in Wonderland, specifically a dialogue between Alice and the Queen in “Through the Looking Glass”.

Marchionne did all this to convey the message that he feels vindicated. For effectively taking over Chrysler, for receiving the bailout money when most were skeptical or openly opposed it (and paying them back six years before schedule) and for wanting to merge the American group with Fiat.
The Group's CEO explicitly stated that the US administration’s proposed 54.5 mpg by 2025 is “very doable”. He cited the example of the new Chrysler 300 full-size sedan, which is rated at 31 mpg on the highway. Although it is a far cry from the proposed targets, he said that the automotive industry has 14 years to utilize current and future technology and thus should have no trouble conforming to the 54.5 mpg target.
Marchionne believes that Chrysler is on the right track, having presented “16 all-new or significantly refreshed products” and that the integration of the two management teams was inevitable.
He also warned his audience about the rise of China “which cannot be ignored. It is the largest car producer in the world. If it exported even 10% of this production, the risk we face at our home markets is enormous”. He also hinted at his own retirement, saying that Chrysler’s future “is up to guys after me… after 2015 or maybe a year later”.
Last, but not least, Marchionne revealed later, at a radio show, that his everyday car is a “black on black” Dodge Charger SRT8. Not a “green” car, but not a bad choice at all. After all signore Marchionne and his team have 14 years ahead of them to make even the SRT comply with the new rules.

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Tuned Dodge Viper ACR vs Koenigsegg CCXR

The Dodge Viper ACR is one of the fastest production cars around packing an 8.4-liter V10 with 600HP and 560 lb/ft (760 Nm) of torque that allows it to accelerate from 0-60 mph (96km/h) in less than 4.0 seconds. It has also proved its mettle by breaking lap records in famous and difficult tracks such as Laguna Seca and the Nürburgring.
But it's one thing going against a Corvette and totally different story when you're challenged by the likes of Koenigsegg and its CCXR that boasts a twin-supercharged V8 delivering close to 1,100-horsepower.
The Dodge Viper ACR you're about to see, however, has one more trick under its sleeve as this snake had been enhanced with a Paxton supercharger that gives it another 150 horses.
But is that enough to even out the battle with the CCXR in a quarter-mile drag race? Watch the video past the jump to find out.

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New Chrysler 2012 SRT8 Models With Prices

The Chrysler Group’s newly formed Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand has released pricing on its latest crop of models, which include the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Prices together with an $825 destination fee start at $47,995 for the Chrysler 300 SRT8, $46,660 for the Dodge Charger SRT8, $44,077 for the Challenger SRT8 and $55,295 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

All four SRT8 models are powered by the Chrysler Group’s new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 with Fuel Saver Technology that cranks out 470 horsepower (351kW) and 470 lb-ft (637Nm) of peak torque (465 lb.-ft. / 630 Nm in the Grand Cherokee SRT8).

The key performance numbers for the four SRT8 models are as follow:

• 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: 0-60 mph (96km/h) acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter mile in high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph (0-160km/h-0) in less than 16 seconds, top speed of 175 mph (281km/h) and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

• 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8: 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter mile in the high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds; top speed of 175 mph (281km/h) and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

• 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392: 0-60 mph in the high 4-second range; runs the quarter mile in mid-12-second range with the automatic transmission (high 12-second range with the manual); goes from 0-100-0 mph in the low 15s, reaches a top speed of 182 mph (293 km/h) with the manual transmission (175 mph with the automatic) and stops from 60-0 mph in 117 feet.

• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, can cover the quarter mile in the mid-13 second range, has a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h) , and brakes from 60-0 mph in 116 feet.

The Detroit automaker recently elevated the SRT in-house performance division to a separate company brand, which will design, engineer and build high-performance vehicles for the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands.

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Ferrari 458 Starts Drag Race In REVERSE!!

Before you watch the following video, take a minute to ponder this: You are sitting behind the steering wheel of an exotic, brand new Italian supercar, getting ready to drag race a V10-powered Dodge Viper on the quarter mile strip in front of a crowd of 100, or perhaps even more people. But when the race begins you start rolling backwards…

Oh yes, that’s right; the owner of the Ferrari 458 Italia that you’re about to see in the clip and who was pitted against a Dodge Viper at the ICAR motorsports complex situated just outside of Montreal in Canada, paddle shifted his car’s dual clutch auto transmission into reverse!

True, anyone can make a mistake, but can you really think of a more embarrassing moment on the track?

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Chrysler Recalls 243,000 Ram Pickup Trucks

Chrysler’s Ram brand has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Association that it is recalling 242,780 pickup trucks over a steering failure that could lead to “a loss of directional stability”.

The safety agency reported that the left tie rod ball may fracture during low speed parking maneuvers when the driver is making a sudden turn. This could lead to the loss of directional stability in the left front wheel.

The recall affects certain Ram 2500/3500 4x4 and Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4x2 models manufactured from February 14, 2008 through March 28, 2011. It also affects the Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 models manufactured from February 14, 2008 until August 15, 2008.

The company noted that it is also possible that a small number of 2003-2008MY Ram 2500/3500 heavy duty models may have received the faulty part as a replacement during regular servicing of the vehicles.

Chrysler dealers will inspect the tie rod ends and replace the outer left tie rod as required, as well as a front end toe alignment, all free of charge. Owners have not yet been notified, but they may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or the NHTSA Vehicle safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for more information.

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New Alfa Romeo-Derived / U.S. Made Dodge Compact Sedan to Debut at 2012 Detroit Show

A new U.S. market compact sedan to be developed by Fiat and built by Chrysler is set to make its debut appearance at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in the beginning of next year, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The as-of-yet unnamed model will be badged as Dodge and powered by a Fiat-derived 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It’ll also do 40 mpg combined, or at least it will if Fiat wants to net itself a further 5% of Chrysler from Mr. MonopolyUncle Sam.

The Italian automaker wants to expand its 46% share in Chrysler & Friends by an additional 7.5% courtesy of the U.S. Treasury and Canadian government on top of the 5% it’s expected to get by pushing the 40 mpg envelope.

The new model will be built in Chrysler’s Belvidere plant in Illinois, which the brand is currently spending US$600 million retooling for the job. Production is expected to start later this year. Dealers, such as David Kelleher of David Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Glen Mills, PA are naturally very excited:

“We have never had a viable compact car. This will allow us to reach the entry level customer and it's a perfect fit for Dodge which has been faced with challenges.” [Like having to share a lot with the Chrysler Sebring, for one…]

The Caliber, the closest thing Dodge currently has to a Honda Civic / Ford Focus / Chevy Cruze competitor at present, does a paltry 24 mpg in automatic guise.

The new model will share the same basic floorplan as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, which will also be used to underpin five new models over the next three years.

There’s no word yet on a name, but I’m willing to discount Aires, Neon and Stratus as possible contenders.

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Viper V10-Powered Chrysler PT 10 Cruiser Truck for Sale on eBay

Whether you love it or loathe it, Chrysler’s PT Cruiser was a running success for the Detroit automaker and over its ten-year lifespan, we saw countless projects cars and tunes based on the retro-styled compact model. However, ask any true Mopar fan what the ultimate modification is for any Chrysler Group model, and you’ll most likely get the answer an engine swap with the Dodge Viper’s ferocious V10 powerplant.
Here at Carscoop, we’ve shown you plenty of Viper-powered cars ranging from a Chrysler 300 and a Dodge Challenger to a Saab 9-3 and a Jeep Wrangler. Now it’s time to add the Chrysler PT Cruiser to our list of venomous engine swaps with this eBay find.
The PT/10 Cruiser Pickup Truck is said to have been built in 2000. It is based on a custom chassis with power coming from the Viper’s V10 engine churning out 500 ponies. Other goods sourced from the Dodge sports car include the 6-speed transmission, rear suspension, steering rack and seats.
The seller claims that only two examples were built and that this one “has never been driven on the street and has only been used as a show car, there are some minor things that need completing like putting in a set of analog gauges, and some minor wiring tweaks”, adding that “it does start and run great”.
However, if you’re interested, we’d advise you to go check the car in the flesh for yourself before you make any move as a quick search on the internet revealed that some of the photos shown on the eBay page are quite old dating back to January 2006
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2011 Dodge Charger SE V6

The Dodge Charger, one of the last American rear-wheel-drive sedan nameplates left in existence, has gone under the surgeon’s knife and come out the other side with few changes. Or so it seems. What you see here is a 2011 Dodge Charger SE, the one with the new 292 hp 3.6-litre V6. We’re possibly the first ones in the UAE, and possibly the GCC, to review one on local roads. And we are absolutely blown away by this car. Compared to the old one, this new model is from a different planet altogether.
You want aggressive front-end styling? Check. The Charger is angrier than ever. IT must be pissed off after starring in Fast Five.
You want others to look at you and your ego? Check. That 164-LED “racetrack” tail lamps will attract attention from miles away at night.
You want the feel of a premium Euro-luxury interior? Check. There are acres of soft-touch areas, on the dash, on the doors and even on the centre console. The next dumbass to say that Audi has the best interior would be lying, because the Dodge uses similar padding materials, and has less hard plastics than the Audi A5, at half the price!
You want spacious comfortable seats? Check. This Dodge has among the most adjustable driving positions, with a steering wheel that telescopes very far back. We believe the R/T gets sportier leather seating.
You want practicality? Check. Generous rear legroom, door pockets, a/c vents, padded doors and cup-holders. Only the tallest of people will complain of headroom back there.
You want cargo room? Check. The boot is sizeable, and will fit most needs. If you want more space, buy a 4×4.
You want other things? It’s all there too. Fuel economy, handling, acceleration, build quality and gadgetry are all pretty good for the most part. If you want even more, there are even juicier models higher up the model range, all much more affordable than equivalent European luxury cars. Indeed, this American car is now good enough to compete with the premium badges. The Charger is truly among the best cars in the worldright now. The only reason to not buy this car is if you don’t like small side-mirrors and you desperately want paddle shifters.
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2011 Dodge Durango Crew

The previous Dodge Durango was a dud on such a massive scale that it remained on showroom floors right up till 2010, even while production ended in 2008. That fullsize 4×4 is now dead, but its replacement, a stretched midsizer, might very well be among the best in its class.
Our tester is a V8-powered “Crew” version. Even as the cheapest V8 model, it is rather well-loaded. And it looks rather good.


The rear looks a lot like the Jeep Grand Cherokee from which it is derived, but make no mistake, the Durango is much longer and rides lower.


The interior is covered in soft-touch materials on all the upper areas, feeling much more premium than the plasticky Honda MR-V, GMC Acadia and Nissan Pathfinder, making it more of a competitor for the VW Touareg and the Volvo XC90.

The rear offers immense legroom, with many a/c vents, cup-holders and door pockets. Higher models likely get a DVD entertainment system.

The third row is easy enough to access and is pretty spacious too, with decent legroom for average-sized people and roof a/c vents.

The cargo area under the powered tailgate can hold a decent amount of groceries without putting down the third row.

The 2011 Dodge Durango seems to be the ideal minivan for those who don’t want a minivan, offering aggressive style, premium ambience and even a low-range gear should you get stuck in beach sand. Chrysler really has become the company to watch. 

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