New 2013 Dodge Dart Aero is the Most Fuel Efficient in the Range at 41MPG HWY, Starts at $19,925*

Dodge has released pricing on the newest and the most fuel efficient model in the Dart sedan's range. Named the Aero, it is powered by Fiat’s 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged inline-four delivering 160-horses and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.

The new Dart Aero has a starting MSRP of $19,295 excluding a $795 destination (*) destination fee, and returns 41 mpg (5.7 lt/100km) on the highway with the six-speed manual and 40 mpg (5.9 lt/100km) with the six-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT).

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Chrysler Group Preparing More Than 20 Mopar Concepts for SEMA Show

There is no other better place in the world for Chrysler's official tuning arm Mopar to display its goods than the automotive aftermarket bonanza that is the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

At this year's event, which runs from October 30 to November 2, the company plans to bring more than 20 new Moparized Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat and SRT vehicles.

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Chrysler Employee Kills Co-Worker then Commits Suicide, Automaker Idles Down Jefferson North Plant

In a developing story, authorities say a Chrysler employee fatally stabbed a male co-worker at the Detroit company's Jefferson North assembly plant at around8 a.m. Thursday.

Detroit police Sgt. Alan Quinn told reporters that the suspect fled the factory and then committed suicide at the Belle Isle Park. The unnamed man is said to have died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Chrysler confirmed the incident in a short press statement:"Two employees were involved in an altercation inside the plant. One employee was stabbed and unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. The Detroit Police Department is currently investigating."

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Dodge Charger Pursuit to be Offered with Hemi V8 and All-Wheel Drive

On the same day that Ford announced the addition of a 305Hp 3.7-liter V6 option for its Taurus-based Police Interceptor Sedan, the Chrysler Group revealed that is preparing an all-wheel drive version of its Hemi V8-powered Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicle, which up until now, was available to law enforcement agencies only with rear-wheel drive. Read more »

Video: Dodge Crew Crossover (JC49) Scooped

A Youtube user managed to capture a Dodge Crew prototype (commonly known with its code name “JC49”) parked at the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria. From what our Chrysler Group source told as a couple of weeks ago (see here), the American automaker is planning to present a concept version of the Dodge crossover at the forthcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.

Irrelevant but could someone tell us why the hell is the Dodge Crew prototype shown in the video hooked onto the Volkswagen Touran MPV that's right behind it?

2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4: Guide Leak Reveals That It Gets 280Hp

Thanks to “Caliberforum” member Ironside who stumbled upon a 2008 Caliber model guide while visiting a Dodge dealership in Canada (?) we’ve got the full official specs on the long awaited Caliber SRT-4 model. Ironside also managed to photocopy the guide thus giving us proof for his findings. Concisely here are the most important facts as the “Caliberforum” member noted:

• 2.4L DOHC 16V Dual VVT 4-cylinder intercooled/turbocharged Engine with 280hp @ 6000-6400rpm, 260 lb-ft torque @ 2000-5600rpm.
• 0-60mph (96km/h) = 6.2 seconds
• 1/4 mile (400m) = 14.6 seconds
• Top speed = 157mph (252 km/h)

So, no 300 Hp as Dodge had promised when the prototype was unveiled last year and as many had hopped for. If you check out the postings at the “Caliberforums” you’ll see that most members are quite disappointed with the fact that the SRT-4 lost 20Hp from prototype-to-production version. Allow us to disagree with an example: VW Golf GTI 200Hp vs Golf GTI Edition 30 230Hp. Unless you favor straight-line racing, the 200Hp version is a better car that allows you to have more fun without worrying about the battle between the front wheels and the tarmac. More Hp doesn’t necessarily mean more fun. Who knows, maybe even the 280Hp might be a lot for the Caliber to cope with. Let’s just wait and see how it drives first.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Caliberforums

Dodge Nitro "Kill The Dog" Ad: Chrysler Wants It Pulled Off

It was bound to happen; Chrysler Group issued a statement requesting the removal of a Dodge ad designed for the Netherlands that featured a dog getting electrocuted and burned by the Nitro because it was about to take a leak on a tire.

Chrysler Group’s spokesman Jason Vines stated, "Chrysler Group was dismayed to discover today that an advertisement created by an ad agency supporting our Netherlands Market Performance Center goes far beyond the bounds of what the company considers appropriate. The advertisement for the new Dodge Nitro, recently introduced into the market, which includes fictional yet inappropriate treatment of an animal is in extremely bad taste”

“Although European commercials –especially "viral" ads like this one – are often edgier, this one went over the edge. Chrysler Group is investigating the origins of this commercial. We have requested the viral ad be pulled from YouTube.com", Vines added.

2009 Dodge Challenger Scooped Once Again

Not that these spy pictures taken by a reader from “Cheers & Gears” unveil anything new on the 2009 Dodge Challenger but we really appreciate gearheads with an eye for camouflaged prototypes. This particular Challenger was spotted in Auburn Hills near the Chrysler tech centre. Although the reader tried to challenge the Challenger by revving his car’s engine at the stoplight, Dodge’s test drivers decided to ignore him -wonder why someone behind the wheel of a prototype that costs several hundreds of thousands of dollars would avoid the confrontation… -More images after the jump

Pics via: Cheers & Gears

Chrysler Recalling 80,000 Wranglers and Nitros - One Accident Linked To The Issue

Chrysler Group announced on Tuesday, July 3 that it was recalling more than 80.000 or to be exact, 80.894 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro SUV models in the States due to a defect that could cause power interruptions leading to a short engine stall. According to the American carmaker, there was one accident linked to the engine stall issue; however, no injuries have been reported. On its behalf, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that it opened an investigation in May after receiving about 180 complaints of engine stalling in Wrangler and Nitro vehicles. As with all recalls, Chrysler Group said that it will notify owners of the vehicles affected in a weeks time with the work completed of course free of charge.

Via: usatoday

Chrysler / Dodge Crew CUV Concept To Debut At Frankfurt Show

Chrysler Group is planning to unveil a concept version of its forthcoming mid-size CUV, better known in the US as the Chrysler and Dodge crossovers coded JC49 and JZ49 (pic above from AMS), at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. How do we know? Well, according to an off-the-record conversation we had with a Chrysler Group Europe source of ours and even though this hasn’t been officially announced, it’s 99% certain that the American carmaker will debut the MPV/Crossover concept dubbed “Crew” at the German car Show. What our source couldn’t tell us is whether the Crew will wear a Dodge or Chrysler badge –though we’ve heard that the Crew nameplate will be used for the Dodge model. -Continued after the jump

Smaller than the recently introduced Chrysler Town & Country or as Europeans know it, Voyager, the Crew will make use of the Chrysler Sebring / Dodge Avenger platform with production scheduled for January 2008 meaning that the production version will debut either at the L.A. Show in November or at NAIAS in January ’08.

Picture via: Automotorsport

2009 Dodge Challenger Scooped On Public Roads

Long live cell phones! Be in the right place at the right time and you too can become a spy photographer just like member "98Formula" at the LS1GTO forums that managed to scoop a camouflaged 2009 Dodge Challenger prototype on his way home from school in Auburn Hills, MI on I-75. According to "98Formula", the Challenger’s proportions were spot on the concept and the car sounded quite nice, as its driver would push the pedal to the metal occasionally. -More photos after the jump

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: LS1GTO

Chrysler Admits Nitro & Sebring Are Mediocre Products, But Vows To Make Up

We could’ve avoided being so blunt and titled the post as “…Nitro & Sebring miss mark”, but what’s the point of hiding behind your finger when this is so evident in a recent Chrysler Group internal employee question-and-answer report that “accidentally” fell into the hands of Detroit News.

According to the report, Bob Lee, head of powertrain engineering who answered several employee questions noted that Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda and Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour, are "quite upset" and agree the company "missed where the market was to end up versus our projections."

Among other conclusions from the report is that in concern with the Sebring and Nitro -- two of 10 products Chrysler launched last year, the company underestimated competitors, set standards too low in some areas and was not where it needed to be in areas such as fuel economy, interior quality, and limiting noise and vibration. Commenting on this Lee wrote, "as a result of these embarrassing 'misses,' there are extremely aggressive actions being taken on many of the existing products -- and also the yet to be introduced products to get us at least to the middle of the competitive pack in very short order.” In other words, we’re going to get it right next time.

According to Detroit News, Chrysler Group spokesman Rick Deneau confirmed the authenticity of the employee Q&A report noting that it was designated to be seen by a relatively small group of employees. Obviously not. What do we think? Well, first of all, by admitting a problem you’re halfway to solving it. Our second thought is that we seriously doubt that a report like this would have ever “accidentally” fallen into the hands of journalists if Mercedes hadn’t announced Chrysler Group’s sales. Sounds to us like someone’s searching for an escape goat.

Read Detroit News article here

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