Several days ago, Dodge has announced its plans of introducing the 2012 Avenger SE V6 that comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, a rear spoiler and a dual exhaust system. Inside the cabin it comes with a four-speaker audio system, air conditioning and “premium” cloth seats.
2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6
Under the hood of this Avenger model is a V6 3.6-liter engine that is capable of developing 283 hp (287 PS / 211 kW) and a maximum torque of 260 lb.-ft (352 Nm). The power unit is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and enables the vehicle to return 29 mpg on the highway.
2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6
The 2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6 is scheduled to hit the dealerships later on this year and it will carry a starting price of $21,495.
Source: Dodge
Post tags: Tags: Dodge, dodge avenger, Dodge Avenger SE V6
What you are looking at is a heavily modified Dodge Ram 3500 which is known under the nickname of Optimus. Under the hood of this monster is a twin turbocharged Cummins diesel engine that manages to unleash an almost incredible 1,200 hp and a peak torque of more than 2,000 lb.-ft (2,711 Nm).
This huge truck is owned by a man named Dave who is known for his excellent car collection which includes a Porsche Panamera Turbo, a BMW M6 from 2007, a Lamborghini Gallardo Performante 570-4 Spyder and a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 SV.
The Dodge Dart is making an interesting comeback in the automotive industry with its official unveiling this week at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The new generation of the model is based on the Alfa Romeo Giuiletta and it will be manufactured for the North American market.
Dodge Dart
For those who never heard of this model, it was a classic car in the American car market during the 60s when it came out as Dodge’s entry-level model. One of the reasons why the car became popular was due to its rather unusual push-button transmission. The company has stated that the new model is “a thoroughly modern vehicle” so you shouldn’t expect a retro car.
Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart will have to face some serious competition coming from the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze and the Ford Focus. This would have to be the first model in the lineup who has borrowed the DNA from Fiat, courtesy of the Alfa Romeo brand. The new Dart is based on a platform that has been adapted from the Giulietta. The architecture is known as the Compact US Wide, or CUSW, and it will be the foundation of many cars which will be launched not only in the U.S. but also in Europe.
Dodge Dart
It is obvious that Chrysler has put a lot of work in the design of the new Dart, which will feature a considerably more appealing and aerodynamic shape in comparison to the now defunct Dodge Caliber hatchback which it replaces in the company’s lineup. It will adopt Dodge’s traditional “race- track” tail lamps and the “crosshair” grille, along with the dual exhaust system grabbed from the Charger.
Dodge Dart
Under the hood of the Dodge Caliber we’ll find some Fiat-sourced engines, like a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged power unit, along with a bigger 2.4-liter “Tigershark” Chrysler engine that will benefit from Fiat’s MultiAir technology. Also available will be an all-new 16-valve, four-cylinder Tigershark 2.0-liter engine. The car will be able with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox developed by ZF.
Dodge Dart
The new generation of the Dodge Dart will feature independent suspension all around, which is a rare feature in this segment. The decision of implementing such a configuration of the suspension was based on the automaker’s attempt to offer the Dart a more European-style ride.
Dodge Dart
As far as the interior cabin is concerned, you should expect to see color-keyed accents, ambient lightning and soft-touch materials. Some of the options which will be available include a digital instrument cluster, a heated steering wheel and a generous 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch infotainment system.
The end of this year marks the demise of two highly criticized models in Dodge’s lineup, the Caliber and the Nitro. Both models were developed during the period when Daimler was in charge of the Chrysler Group. The last units of the Caliber rolled of the company’s Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant while the last Nitros came out from the Toledo North factory.
The Dodge Caliber was introduced back in 2006 and it was designed in order to replace the Neon model. The car left a lot to be desired, especially due to its cheap looking interior and also it had its weak points in the powertrain/drivetrain area.
The best month for the model was May 2008 when Dodge managed to sell 12,856 Calibers, while in November 2009 they sold only 412 cars. Last month they delivered 1,202 units of this model. The replacement of this model will be introduced at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show when Dodge will show us the all-new 2013 Dart, which will be a compact-sized sedan that is based on the platform developed for the beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
Dodge Nitro
Also in 2006, Dodge introduced the Nitro sport utility vehicle which was the company’s sportier and more masculine derivative of the Jeep Liberty (2nd generation). It shared its platform but without the AWD hardware. This model also came with a cheap looking interior cabin while the dynamics on the road were rather poor.
The best month for this model was March 2007 when Dodge shipped 7,532 units, while the worst one occurred in July 2009 when they sold only 1,115 cars. This past November they managed to sell 1,661 units.
Yet another special edition of the Dodge Challenger has been announced, this time it’s called the Yellow Jacket and it is based on the SRT8 392 model. As it name implies, the outside of the car is wearing a Stinger Yellow paint and features a black grille surround along with matching color profile stripes that are highlighted by the exclusive Yellow Jacket logo located on the rear fender. The car rides on a new set of 20-inch cast-aluminum five-spoke alloy wheels.
This special edition is motivated by the same engine that powers the standard model, which is a V8 6.4-liter HEMI unit that churns 470 hp and a peak torque of 470 lb.-ft. On the outside it also has black painted pockets which make the car stand out from the regular version.
2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket
Dodge didn’t say how many units they’ll built but what we do know is that the Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket will be available for order starting with next month and the first cars should hit the dealerships in Q1 2012.
The Challenger is not the only car Dodge dresses up in yellow with a few traces of black as the carmaker will bring to this year’s edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee Edition. This special model is inspired by the Super Bee series that made its debut back in 1968 as a member of the automaker’s Scat Pack performance group and in 2007 it was revived with the limited edition of the Charger SRT8.
The new car will be available with a choice of two exterior colors: Pitch Black or Stinger Yellow with contrasting Super Bee graphics. The first one will feature charcoal gray graphics on the bonnet and on the decklid, while the second version will feature satin black hood graphics and black decklid stripes, as well as a solid wide center line which will be flanked by solid dual tracer lines.
Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee Edition
Other features that only this special edition will have include a rear decklid spoiler in matte black for the Stinger Yellow model, while the Pitch Black gets a matching body color. Other than that, both cars will feature an SRT badge with a 3D helmeted bee mascot located on the split crosshair grille and it will be finished in Gloss Black.
Inside the cabin, the Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee Edition has bespoke Z-stripe cloth performance seats that have yellow & silver stripping, while the front seat headrests get silver accent stitching plus embroidered Super Bee logos. This logo is also noticeable on the instrument panel’s Electronic Vehicle Information Center when you start the car, as well as on the dash plaque.
Powered by a 470 hp engine, this special edition of the Dodge Charger will go on sale in the United States in Q1 2012.
It was only a few weeks ago when Dodge brought its now defunct 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR to the Nurburgring where it managed to do a very fast lap. On August 31 the Japanese automaker Lexus took its LFA Nurburgring Edition and did a lap in 7:14.64 which at that time was the fourth fastest car on the ‘Ring, after the Radical SR8 LM that did a lap in 6:48, the Radical SR8 in 6:55 and the Gumpert Apollo Sport who managed to finish a lap in 7:11.57.
On September 14th Dodge decided to give it another try and they got two 2010 Viper ACR’s from the showroom floors of the Tomball Dodge team. Compared to the 2008MY which back in 2008 did its fastest lap in 7:22.10 (fifth fastest production car at that moment), the 2010MY had a shorter fifth gear ratio that improved high-speed acceleration as well as higher straightaway speeds, along with other modifications on the aero parts.
Behind the wheel of the 600-hp Viper SRT10 ACR was GT driver Dominik Farnbacher who did a lap of the ‘Ring in 7:12.13, which is more than 2 seconds quicker than the aforementioned Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition, placing the Viper on the fourth position in the production car category.
Earlier this week, Chrysler has announced the U.S. pricing for its hot 2012 SRT lineup. Starting with $47,995 you can get the Chrysler 300 SRT8 that is powered by a HEMI V8 6.4-liter engine that produces 470 hp (477 PS / 351 kW) and has a peak torque of 470 lb.-ft (637 Nm). With this engine, the car can do the 0-62 mph sprint “in the high 4-second range” and reaches a maximum speed of 175 mph (282 km/h).
2011 Dodge Charger SRT8
You could also get the Dodge Charger SRT8 which offers roughly the same performance but it’s cheaper, having a base price of $44,077.
2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8
You also might want to have a look at the Dodge Challenger SRT8 that will set you back at least $44,077 along with $1,000 for the gas guzzler tax.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Another SRT8 variant is the one for the Jeep Grand Cherokee that has a starting price of $55,295. This one comes with a HEMI V8 6.4-liter engine that churns 470 hp (477 PS / 351 kW) and 465 lb.-ft (630 Nm) of torque, enough for a 0-62 mph sprint in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h).
Car manufacturers from all over the world are launching brand new models every year which means that they have to discontinue the old ones in order to make room for the fresh cars. In this article we are going to talk about some of the cars that we won’t be seeing from now on, at least in the following period, unless they plan to make a comeback.
05. Volvo V70
This year we will have to say goodbye to the Volvo V70, the real station wagon: a large, comfortable and safe load-lugger. If you still want something similar, you can get the smaller V50 or the dressed-up, jacked-up XC70, but it won’t be the same thing.
04. Saturn (the brand)
Our 4th place in the top goes to the Saturn brand which has been killed by General Motors. In the 90s the things there went pretty smooth with employees that enjoyed making cars, buyers that loved the affordable price tags, along with some well-thought advertising campaigns. It went downhill when GM decided to forget about the plastic construction and sell the new Saturns as rebadged GM models.
03. Ford Explorer Sport Trac
This part SUV / part truck was designed for those families that wanted a spacious 4-door interior cabin and lots of room for cargo. It wasn’t made for hauling manure, but it does have a strong personality. For this year, Ford has decided to reinvent the Explorer model as a crossover. Is it a good thing or did they make a bad decision? We’ll leave it up to you to decide this one.
02. Mercedes-Benz SLK AMGOffering plenty of comfort and a very potent V8 5.5-liter, we are sad to see the SLK AMG go, but we do know that MB and AMG are working on another model based on the new generation of the SLK. This is one of those cars that offer an authentic driving pleasure, combining a powerful engine with great looks.
01. Dodge Viper
For a little while, we’ll have to say goodbye to the Dodge Viper, until at least 2013 when the new generation will be launched. With a V10 8.4-liter engine that produces 600 hp and 560 lb.-ft of torque, the Viper is perhaps one of the most exciting cars ever made in North America. The model that will come after this will probably get a V8 engine and let’s face it, it won’t be that Viper we are all used to.
The success or failure of a car is greatly influenced by its name. Cars are not all about engines, gearboxes, gadgets, safety features and the rest of the lot. Marketing plays an important role in this industry and by naming a car LaPuta (“the whore” in Spanish) like Mazda did, no wonder that it was an epic failure for the Japanese automaker.
10. Subaru Brat
Manufactured between 1978 and 1987, the Subaru Brat is not only a car with an ugly name, but it also has one of the most awful designs we’ve seen from Subie. Brat stands for “bi-drive recreational all-terrain transporter.” Think of the car as a Japanese version of the El Camino. Despite its awful name, the car was pretty good thanks to its all-wheel drive capabilities. But let’s face it; wouldn’t you be embarrassed if someone asked you what car you drive?
09. Oldsmobile Intrigue
Oldsmobile launched the Intrigue in 1998 and discontinued it four years later. It was a front-wheel drive mid-size sedan, but there was nothing intriguing about it. It was developed for passionless and boring people, featuring a very dull design, making it perfect for a rental car and we all know that rental cars are anything but intriguing.
08. Dodge Swinger
The Dodge Swinger was launched in ’69 (obviously) so we have to understand the automaker for giving the car this name. Aside from its rather embarrassing name, the car was pretty awful. It was in fact a two-door version of the Dodge Dart, another automotive “masterpiece”.
07. Renault LeCar
The North American version of the Renault 5 was called “LeCar”. I don’t understand why the French automaker decided to change the car’s name when it took it stateside. Nothing is wrong with an alphanumeric car name and you’ll rarely see one in top 10s like this one. Even worse than that are the oversized “Le Car” decals on the doors.
06. Daihatsu Charade
It really was a charade with its cheap looks, uncompetitive price. No wonder they sold only a few units between 1988 and 1992, despite being under the guidance of Toyota.
05. Buick LaCrosse
If you didn’t know, “LaCrosse” is a unique French word that means “a teenage masturbator”. Maybe they meant to say “la crosse” rather than “lacrosse”. No wonder Buick sold only a couple of units in French-speaking Quebec. In addition, this also can be translated “to trick someone”, yet another unfortunate meaning.
04. Mitsubishi Pajero
“Pajero” is a Spanish slang for the word “wanker”. However, Mitsubishi was clever enough to give the car a different name when it brought it in Spain as they named it “Montero”. However, there are lots of Spanish-speaking drivers that own a wanker which is pretty funny if you think about it.
03. Nissan Moco
Nissan made a very good decision not to bring the car in Spain as it would have been an embarrassing thing to do, taking into consideration that “moco” there means snot or booger. Luckily, Nissan sold the car only in Japan.
02. Mazda LaPuta
We mentioned this one in the first paragraph so it “deserves” its own place in the top. It was a great little car, excellent for city driving. Mazda launched it in 1999 and manufactured it for seven years, the model being discontinued in 2006. The company chose this name after Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”. However, “la puta” in Spanish means prostitute.
01. Ford Probe
Back in the 1980s, Ford was about to transform its iconic Mustang in a V8-free, FWD model, co-developed with Mazda. They changed their mind after fans of the pony car got angry at the prospect of a car totally different from what they were used to. However, Ford released a model that at first they wanted to be the new Mustang. It did not take very long after the car was launched to think of the word “probe” and its multitude of connotations, including the embarrassing one of course.
If you live in South Africa, you should know that Dodge has a special edition of its unpopular Caliber model. Dubbed “Mopar Edition”, it was created in order to “satisfy the boy racer in all of us” and comes with a new design for the bonnet, 18-inch alloy rims and a lowered suspension.
Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition
The car is powered by a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that features a cold-air induction system, along with a dual exhaust. No word about the performances of the car, but we do know that in its standard configuration, the power unit generates 154 hp (156 PS / 115 kW) and has a peak torque of 140 lb.-ft (190 Nm).
Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition
The South Africa-only Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition will be available in a couple of weeks at a base price of R259,990 ($37,130).
Today’s pickup trucks have evolved greatly from the heavy-duty workhorses of the 50s and now they offer car-like comfort and features that you would normally find in premium cars, like heated seats or powerful audio systems. Here is our top 10 of the best pickup trucks at the moment:
10. Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck and is available in the following configurations: Regular Cab, Double Cab and CrewMax. Measuring more than 19 ft. long, it is the biggest truck Toyota ever made. Under that hood, customers can choose from one of the three engines available, including a V8 381-hp unit that allows the Tundra to tow more than 10,000 pounds. The V8 5.7-liter engine is now E85 flex-fuel compatible (in certain regions).
09. Toyota Tacoma
The first generation of the Toyota Tacoma was launched back in 1964 and now it has reached its 8th generation. The new model comes with the Star Safety System that features ABS, stability and traction control, along with brake assist – all standard equipment. In addition, it is offered with updated LED taillights, argent painted grille and as an optional feature, a backup monitor for the Access and Double Cabs models. Also as standard (for the Access Cab and Double Cab versions), the Tacoma sports front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, side-curtain airbags, active front head restraints and an automatic limited-slip differential.
08. Nissan Frontier
It is a midsize pickup truck from Nissan that has borrowed some design ideas from its bigger brother, the Titan, which is a full-size truck. In addition, it also got the Titan’s suspension layout, along with many components. Customers can opt for one of the two engines available, including here a V6 4.0-liter that cranks out 261 hp. The new model comes with an updated front fascia with a brand new grille, headlights, along with 16- and 18-inch rims. Another model has been added to the Frontier lineup, the off-road version PRO-4X, along with the Frontier Crew Cab LE/PRO-4X Value Truck Packages.
07. GMC Sierra 1500
This truck is available in the following configurations: Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab. Customers can pick out one of the three box sizes: 5 ft. 8 in.; 6 ft. 6 in. and 8 ft. For the new model, it got a 6-speed automatic gearbox, mated to a 5.3-, 6.0- or a 6.2-liter engine. The SLT Crew Cab comes with a V8 6.2-liter engine that is E85 compatible.
06. Chevrolet Colorado
This is a midsize pickup truck that comes in a Regular Cab, Extended Cab or Crew Cab version. Chevrolet launched the model in 2004, retiring the S-10 pickup. Some of the engines available include the 4-cylinder 2.9-liter or the more powerful 5-cylinder 3.7-liter. The latest addition in the engine lineup is a V8 5.3-liter that produces 300 hp. Some of the latest upgrades brought to the model include the 18-inch split-spoke rims, color-keyed bumpers, performance tires and the ZQ8 sport suspension that comes with a lower ride height.
05. Dodge Dakota
Available in both Extended Cab and Quad Cab configurations, the Dodge Dakota now features a new V8 4.7-liter power unit that delivers 302 hp and has a peak torque of 329 lb.-ft, while at the same time being 5% more fuel efficient. Recent goodies added to the model include the Crate ‘N Go system (offered as standard) and the updated instrument panel and center console.
04. Ford Ranger
Ford introduced the Ranger in 1982 and redesigned it 11 years later. In 1998 it received a new exterior look and the latest model looks just about the same, but comes with a few minor updates, like the new front bumper that improves fuel efficiency. In addition, it comes as standard with more equipment. You can choose from a selection of engines, including a 4-cylinder 143 hp unit or a more agile V6 207 hp power plant. New side airbags, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control have also been added.
03. Chevrolet Silverado
You can choose from one of the 40 different variants available, with a starting price of under the $20,000 mark, for the 2-door RWD Regular Cab, up to the top-spec LTZ Crew Cab (4WD) that costs $41,000. The engines available include an entry-level 5.3-liter or the high-end 6.2-liter unit. Optional features available include the XM Satellite Radio with NavTraffic, Bluetooth connectivity and OnStar.
02. Dodge Ram 1500
Featuring a more aerodynamic design, a brand new HEMI V8 5.7-liter that produces 390 hp and has a peak torque of 407 lb.-ft, along with a rear coil-spring suspension, the Dodge Ram 1500 is a breath of fresh air, packing lots of new equipment, like the RamBox cargo management system along with drainable storage components integrated into the cargo box.
01. Ford F-150
The first place is reserved for the best-selling truck in North America – the Ford F-150. Over the last three decades, the F-150 has been the primary choice for those looking for a truck. The latest generation is offered with a brand new look, both inside and out, with more power under the hood, more space inside, more towing and payload capacity and better fuel economy. Ford teamed up with SIRIUS, Sony and Microsoft, and they’ve managed to improve the entertainment and communication features.
This new commercial from Dodge is just what car maniacs need. Real drivers love fast cars, but they love, most of all, the feeling of ownership when it comes to driving.
Computers and all the technology that complements the mechanical performance of all cars sometimes tend to make drivers feel like they’re not in control anymore. The new Dodge ad triggers exactly that need to be ina driver’s car. They did a good job. Check out the ad below:
At the beginning of this week Dodge revealed the first details of its upcoming Avenger R/T model, which will make an appearance at the upcoming New York Auto Show. Aimed at young drivers, it comes with a body-color grille, exclusive 18-inch alloy rims and tined headlights. On the inside, the car has been fitted with fabric/leather sport seats, an updated instrument cluster that has a center-mounted tachometer, and a Boston Acoustic sound system.
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T
The 2012 Dodge Avenger R/T is powered by a V6 3.6-liter engine that churns out 283 hp (287 PS / 211 kW) and a peak torque of 260 lb.-ft (352 Nm). This engine is linked to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, enabling the car to do 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T
The automaker did not reveal any information about the price tag, but they’ve said that it will be available at dealerships very soon.
At the beginning of this month we’ve talked about the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR and its title of being the fastest production car on the Nurburgring. A few weeks have gone since then and the car managed to break down another record, the one for the fastest production car to do a lap of the Miller Motorsports Park, with a time of 1:59.995, the first time ever a car managed to complete the 3.048-mile Outer Course configuration under the 2 minutes mark. The author of this record is Kuno Wittmer, who managed to smash the previous record held by Jan Magnussen in his Corvette ZR1 who finished a lap in 2:03.86.
As a reminder, the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is a road-legal car, powered by a massive V10 8.4-liter engine that cranks out 600 hp and 560 lb.-ft (760 Nm) of torque, allowing it to do the 0-60 mph sprint in less than 4 seconds and the quarter-mile in about 11 seconds. It needs only 11 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 mph and stop.
The car has been fitted with a KW four-wheel independent suspension that has two-way adjustable competition coil-over shock absorbers, providing the Viper with excellent handling. In addition, the SRT10 ACR version benefits from an aerodynamic package that sports a carbon fiber splitter in the front and a huge adjustable carbon fiber rear wing that allows up to 1,000 lbs of downforce at 150 mph.
The car rides on lightweight rims wrapped around in Michelin PS Cup tires and also features StopTech brake rotors. The 2010MY benefited from subtle changes that allows it to hit a top speed of 184 mph (296 km/h).
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