While the autosphere turns its attention overseas and the Geneva Motor Show opening later this week, we decided to stay closer to home and post our coverage of the Dodge and Ram brands at this year's Chicago Auto Show.
You don’t want to see a Dodge Charger SRT8 in your rearview mirror.
Like many others, I had my initial doubts and concerns about the Fiat/Chrysler marriage. If I had to make an analogy, I saw Chrysler like a middle-aged cougar divorcee. Attractive and slim, but but a little battle-bruised. With leathery tanned skin, and a raspy voice from many years of smoking Virginia Slims. Coming out of a divorce with a domineering, controlling German spouse, and a neglectful empty-suit corporate boyfriend (Cerberus), she was perhaps a little weary of whirlwind romances, but quickly came to the realization that she was not in a position to support herself.
The 2011 model year MSRPs for the Dodge Grand Caravan began at $25,830, including an $835 destination charge. At this point, both the Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna rang in around $400 cheaper, though there would be content and package differences between the minivans.
Chrysler and Fiat did one massive “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” (remember that show?) on all its brands: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.
Chrysler's fledgling Ram truck brand recently debuted its first commercial van.
Jeep herald Chrysler’s new direction late last year with the debut of the all-new Grand Cherokee as well as this year’s Detroit Auto show. Chrysler and Fiat showed off their latest jewels at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. Historians, then, will probably point to the 2010 Chicago Auto Show last month as the public debuts of the newly separated Dodge and Ram Truck brands.
After seeing the Dodge Avenger rally car prototype hit the gravel hard, we were left wishing it would one day see competition. Unfortunately, that model was just an exercise. The 2012 Avenger R/T, however, is very real, and will be on display in New York this week.
Offering an upgraded, stiffer suspension, 283 horsepower at the crank of its Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, and a host of unique appearance upgrades, it's the sportiest Avenger you can buy. The key upgrades to the suspension involve a total roll stiffness increase of 18 percent, with 17 percent stiffer front springs and 12 percent stiffer rears, plus a larger anti-roll bar in the rear and upgraded dampers to handle the extra rate.
Chrysler says that it continues to plan to unveil a hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pickup in 2010.
Debuting in 1992 as a tribute to the classic American sports car, the Viper’s beautiful styling lines and impressive power made it a shining example of American automotive engineering.
Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec, 2009 - Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President – Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC, submitted the following letter to the editor to CNNMoney.com in response to an article published Dec. 8, 2009:
Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 10, 2009 - The editors of Motor Trend today named the all-new 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups the magazine’s “2010 Truck of the Year.”
Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec, 2009 - To celebrate the final production year of the current generation Dodge Viper SRT10, Dodge plans to deliver a vehicle lineup like no other since the introduction of the iconic American sports car in 1992.
Orlando, Fla., Dec, 2009 - Dodge pulled the cover off the newest special-edition model of the 2010 Viper SRT10 lineup.
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 4, 2010 - Mopar is giving Dodge Challenger even more of a muscular appearance.
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan, 2010 - The Dodge Car brand heads into the new calendar year with added driving excitement and numerous product enhancements that deliver more performance, capability and style.
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan, 2010 - With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, Ram Truck offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup in the business.
Auburn Hills, Mich., Feb 8, 2010 - Two of the wildest and rarest 2010 Dodge Challenger models will soon be available to Dodge fans and collectors to commemorate 40 years of Dodge Challenger performance; the 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic and Challenger SRT8® Furious Fuchsia editions.