Dodge Challenger SRT-8 show debut

By Ben Pulman

First official pictures

07 February 2008 14:53

Finally the Dodge Challenger SRT-8 is here. Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show this week the striped orange muscle car is running a Hemi V8. That means 425bhp and 420lb ft from 6.1-litres. Dodge hasn’t yet released any performance figures but hopes for a 0-60mph sprint in the low five second range. Not bad considering this Yank tank weighs 1878kg.

But don’t fret, because the SRT-8 will still smoke its rear tyres (as the pictures show). That’s despite the five-speed auto ‘box. Whether the SRT-8 lives up to its ‘race-inspired, street legal’ tag is another matter.

It’s definitely not a stripped-out racer though. Sat-nav, keyless go, leather and a 522 watt stereo system all feature in the interior. An aura of quality does not. It’s not retro, or particularly nice.

But this car will sell on exterior looks alone. The full-width grille and rear lights, plus the twin hood scoops give the Challenger gorgeous retro styling. Apparently that rear spoiler also produces significant rear downforce.

All 2008 Challengers come in just three colours; the distinctive orange hue, the silver we spotted on a prototype, or black. Each 2008 car also gets a special plaque, and carbonfibre-esque hood stripes. Prices start at a piffling $37,995 (£19,500) but buy one from a UK importer and you’ll be looking at a bill for £40k-plus.

The equivalent V8-powered Mustang starts at $26,080, and doesn't have the Challenger’s independent rear suspension. Roll on 2009 when Chevrolet’s Camaro goes on sale and we'll have a three-way V8 fight.

Dodge Zeo, Ram

By James Foxall

First official pictures

14 January 2008 19:43

Dodge has got a long way to go if it’s to convince people it’s really concerned about the environment. The car the American firm was really trumpeting at Detroit was a concept muscle car called the Zeo. A lithium ion battery powered lightweight car that will do 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and has an equivalent power output to 286bhp sounds impressive – until you see it’s only got a range of 250 miles.

With a conventionally fuelled motor, that’s not an issue. But plugging a car in for a lengthy charge half way through a holiday trip might prove a touch tiresome…

Head skimming

Perhaps Dodge knew the strange looking Zeo with its monster 23-inch wheels and head skimming roof didn’t quite stack up because the launch was very low-key for the American firm. Along with offerings from sister firms Jeep and Chrysler, the Dodge was driven onto the stage with none of the usual brio associated with the firm’s launches.

According to design boss Trevor Creed, the concept targets drivers who place less emphasis on practicality. Just as well because with the batteries mounted under the floor, space in the back seats and boot looks limited.

Mooo-ving on

While the Zeo might be a flight of fancy to show the firm is at least considering green issues, the real world car Dodge launched showed scant concern for the environment. Amid a herd of 120 longhorn cattle, transported specially from Oklahoma (consider how much fuel that must have used!), the firm revealed its new Ram pick-up truck.

At 5.7m long and with the smallest model returning just 24mpg from a 3.7-litre engine, the Ram’s success is far from guaranteed. It’s joining a market with sales on the slide in the US, possibly suggesting buyers here are slightly more in touch with their green side than Dodge is.

On the positive side, Dodge announced it would launch a hybrid Ram pick-up in 2010. But we can’t help wondering if anyone will still be buying full-sized trucks in two years’ time. This unveil smacked of desperation.

They say: The Dodge Zeo is designed to break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like
We say: It certainly does that! Shame it’s not really practical in the real world
CAR’s verdict: 1/5

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

09 November 2007 01:13

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR: the lowdown

As if the regular Dodge Viper, sorry, SRT10, wasn't hard enough, the Street and Racing Technology division at the Chrysler group's Detroit HQ have dreamed up a hardcore street-legal racing version. It's not for the faint-hearted, as you can tell from the angry body addenda and huge spoilers mounted on the already monstrous coupe. The ACR bit of the name denotes it's an American Club Racer spec car - it's the first use of the badge on a Viper since 1999. So the huge 8.4-litre V10 has had work to its induction system to liberate a heady 600bhp and 560lb ft of twist. And Dodge claims to have stripped out some of the Viper's weight, to boost performance even further...

Another lightweight special then... How much does this thing weigh?

Delve into the spec and you'll notice some surprising figures. The ACR weighs in at a sturdy 1533kg - a scant 18kg lighter than standard. Hardly seems worth the bother of adding the costly carbonfibre rear wing and front splitter that keep the thing glued to the tarmac. All is not lost, however. If you tick the necessary boxes, you can do without the stereo, boot carpets and noise insulation, saving a further 18kg. I have another idea: why not go on a diet yourself, it could potentially make a bigger difference. But let's not quibble about the weight figures. The SRT10 ACR is monstrously fast, and is likely to be an even more hardcore drive, thanks to its grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, uprated Brembo brakes and fully adjustable dampers and a stiffer front anti-roll bar. The ACR will play centre stage at next week's Los Angeles Motor Show, but it'll sadly not be sold in the UK. Only Stateside buyers will have that pleasure, at the anticipated cost of $100,000.

Dodge Journey

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

28 August 2007 10:30

The Dodge Journey. Don't tell me... it's the start of a new journey for the fledgling car maker?

It certainly is. It's apt that the newly independent Dodge, and sister brands Chrysler and Jeep, have only just broken from the shackles of the DaimlerChrysler partnership and their first new product is the Journey MPV/hatch. It's designed to replace the Voyager in the UK, which is being abandoned as Chrysler will henceforth import only the bigger Grand Voyager. Dodge suits talk up the Journey as a new type of vehicle (surprise surprise), a crossover stealing the best bits of MPVs, hatchbacks and - you guessed it - SUVs. Think of it as a chunkier Ford S-Max rival.

So what's underneath the Journey?

The Journey will be Dodge-branded only and is based on the Avenger saloon, so comes with that car's 2.4-litre petrol and VW-sourced 2.0-litre diesel. The wheelbase of the platform is 124mm longer than on the Avenger, to free up more space for bodies and baggage. Both powertrains will be available with a manual or auto gearbox, all driving the front wheels.

Another cheap 'n' cheerful Dodge cabin?

It's hard to tell from these photos. Even the UK company suits admit that Dodge interiors aren't the best 'but they're getting better', said one. The design of the Journey looks slicker than previous efforts, but we're still holding out for some quality materials that feel more robust and - dream on - luxurious. It'll be a practical workhorse, the Journey. All versions will get seven seats as standard, and we're promised underfloor stowage areas like on the Grand Voyager. We haven't sat in one yet, but we suspect the rearmost pair of seats will be occasional jump seats rather than full adult-perching armchairs.

So when can I buy a Journey?

It goes on sale in August 2008 - a full year after it's being shown at Frankfurt - and we hear it will cost somewhere between £17-18,000. Standard equipment will include three-row side curtain airbags and ESP stability control, plus a raft of other toys to uphold Dodge's value-for-money reputation.

Dodge Hornet is go

By Tim Pollard

Industry news

04 July 2007 12:30

The newly independent Chrysler Group has saved its deal with Chinese maker Chery - which means that the Dodge Hornet is a step closer to production.

Dodge needs a partner with which to develop new smaller cars, like the Hornet, as it's too cash-strapped to fund them solo. The deal signed last night means that the two car makers will 'work together to develop, manufacture and distribute Chery-made small and sub-compact cars in North America, Europe and other major automotive markets under the Chrsyler Group brands.'

No mention was made of the Hornet, but Chyrsler’s international director for sales and marketing, has previously told CAR Online that the firm would produce the butch supermini. And the deal opens the way for further cooperation on small cars.

The deal had been under threat after DaimlerChrysler walked away from its disastrous tie-up with the American car company. Chrysler was bought by Cerberus earlier this summer. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge specialise in bigger cars - especially SUVs, people carriers and full-size US saloons - so the partnership will allow a quick fix to feed motorists' appetites for smaller cars.

They will all use Chery-developed small-car platforms. In return, the Chinese get access to western markets and - tarnished but still desirable - nameplates.

Chrysler boss Tom LaSorda said the co-operation would allow both companies to launch new cars 'more quickly, with less capital spending.' It's not the first time Chrysler has looked east. It formed Beijing Jeep Corp 25 years ago - claimed to be the first international joint venture in China.

Dodge Demon unveiled

By Tim Pollard

Motor shows & events

08 March 2007 08:15

Another motor show, another demonic Dodge

That’s about the sum of it. Dodge has unleashed a tirade a different concept cars at recent motor shows and Geneva was no different. The evil-named Demon emerged from a cloud of dry ice amidst lightning-strike strobe effects - quite befitting for a company in the clutches of a possible fire sale. But DaimlerChrysler executives were eager to put to one side talk of a sell-off, instead placing the focus on the Demon show car. Which is fair enough, as it’s a confident roadster which looks very likely to go into production.

Is the Demon aimed at the MX-5?

You bet. Dodge has watched the Mazda roadster’s success with envy and decided an affordable sports car would match its brand attitude-laden DNA perfectly. The Demon is the result, a back-to-basics roadster designed to add some sex appeal to its rather more butch current range. The car’s designers told CAR Online that they shamelessly targeted the MX-5, which has few real-world rivals since volume manufacturers turned their attention from roadsters to four-seat coupe-cabriolets. The Demon has been designed from the ground up to be more affordable than the Mazda, suggesting a starting price of around £14-15,000. One way to make the Demon affordable would be to team up with Chinese manufacturer Chery, with whom DaimlerChrysler has already struck a deal to build the Hornet supermini. Building a roadster in China would bring obvious price advantages.

Dodge Demon: the lowdown

The Demon is very similar in footprint to the MX-5 and the designers told CAR Online that they wanted to ape the attitude of the Viper in a smaller package. ‘We also looked at the sports car of the 1950s,’ said exterior designer JT. Then again, designers of small roadsters say that. The result is a striking little roadster, though. The Dodge gun-sight grille is a little heavy-handed and the rear flanks echo the Nissan 350Z roadster, but otherwise the Demon is a chunky, funky convertible that would slot very neatly into Dodge’s line-up. Underneath the bonnet, the Demon packs a 172bhp 2.4-litre engine and the product planners reckon it will crack the benchmark 60mph in 8.0sec. The quality of this concept – all the switchgear is plucked from the DC group parts bin – suggests we might see the Demon in showrooms sooner rather than later.

Dodge Demon

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

12 February 2007 09:59

Dodge Demon: the lowdown

Dodge is a brand intent on filling every niche going, it seems. The American firm used to be known in Britain only for its V10-powered Viper supercar, but it's expanding like there's no tomorrow - and this MX-5-rivalling Demon roadster, unveiled today, could be next. It's a high-fun, low-price two-seater aimed squarely at the Mazda soft-top. So many companies have taken aim at the MX-5 over the years, but nobody's quite stolen its crown. Could the Demon be that car?

So what's the spec on the Demon?

Dodge hasn't messed with the MX-5's simple formula. The Demon is a front-engined, rear-drive roadster, powered by a straightforward, naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine (sourced from Mitsubishi). Peak power is 172bhp, maximum torque stands at 165lb ft. It's pretty slim around the hips, weighing in at 1179kg - only 84kg more than an MX-5. And with that extra muscle, it should sprint to 62mph in just under 8.0sec.

Sounds promising. Will the Demon be built, though?

So many concept cars are the automotive equivalent of a prick-tease. Not with Dodge, though. The Americans have a history of putting their show cars into production: the Caliber, Nitro and Avenger will all have made it into Dodge showrooms by the end of this year. The Hornet concept, too, is destined to make it into production by next year; Dodge has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese maker Chery and we expect the chunky supermini on sale within two years.

What's the Demon like inside?

Designer Dan Zimmermann told CAR Online that the interior was meant to ape classic British roadsters. A single bar runs the width of the dashboard, encompassing the instrument panel, air vents and stereo, with the climate controls mounted just beneath this. The dash is enlightened by flashes of aluminium, accenting the black plastics and upholstery. It'll be bigger than the MX-5's cabin; the Demon is just shorter than its Mazda nemesis, but also wider and with a substantially longer 2429mm wheelbase. There's some storage space behind the front seats, and a boot for weekend-away luggage.

Ok, so how excited should we be?

The Dodge Demon looks pretty good, we reckon. There's a hint of 350Z from some angles and echoes of Honda's S2000 in the long-bonnet balance of the car - but you're not going to mistake this for anything but a Dodge. That crosshair grille and butch rear wheelarches give this car an immediately recognisable character. In development, the Demon was dubbed ASC, standing for affordable sports car, and it's engineered to cost MX-5 money. For a concept car, it's incredibly well finished (just look at the production readiness of that cabin switchgear). We'd wager it'll be on sale within two years for around £15,000.

Dodge Hornet nears reality

By Tim Pollard

Industry news

25 January 2007 06:56

Isn’t the Dodge Hornet just another look-at-me concept car?

The waspishly named – and styled – Hornet concept was shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, but it’s edging closer to a showroom near you. Thomas Hausch, Chrysler group’s international director for sales and marketing, told CAR Online that plans were moving apace for a production version of the butch supermini. ‘We have signed a letter of intent with Chinese manufacturer Chery,’ Hausch told us. ‘We are still at the discussion stage but talks are going well. The Mini has shown that a small car can work in the US - like the 300C has proven, it could even be sold at a price premium.’ Ah, the penny drops. Dodge wants the Hornet to be its version of the hyper-successful BMW-built Mini. The Hornet would be sold at distinctly larger-car prices, with an average of thousands of pounds spent on lucrative optional extras. Or, at least, that’s the idea.

So what will the Hornet be like?

Dodge is all about attitude these days. The Hornet looks squat and menacing, and looks chunkier than your average supermini: in fact, it’s Focus width and Fiesta length, sitting plump on concept-car special, 19-inch wheels. Although the general dimensions could be retained for production, show-car frippery like the monster alloys and rear-hinged back doors clearly won’t be. The show car had a supercharged four-pot engine, mustering 170bhp and Dodge talks of the Hornet having a sporty character. Owners will be able to customise their cars inside and out – just like the Mini’s range of highly profitable options. Hausch remains confident the Hornet has a showroom future. ‘The concept car has researched well, we wouldn’t want to compromise it too much. Our concept cars tend to come through.’ Dodge had been considering tie-ups with manufacturers including Volkswagen in its search for a partner to build the Hornet.

What else is Dodge up to these days?

Europeans have been more familiar with Dodges badged as snakes than wasps; the Viper SRT-10 sports coupe is the brand’s best known car over here, but the company is branching out into ever more mainstream sectors. The Hornet would slot beneath its Golf-rivalling Caliber as the brand’s supermini. But Dodge is also introducing its first five-seat SUV, the Nitro, this July while its first Mondeo sector car, the Avenger, arrives in September. The American brand is intent on further growth in 2007 with these new models; the Chrysler group posted record sales last year in the UK, passing 20,000 registrations for the first time.

Dodge Viper gets more power

By Tim Pollard

Motor shows & events

23 January 2007 05:07

An even more powerful Viper SRT-10? What's new?

The revised V10 super-coupe was shown at this month's Detroit Motor Show in new 2008-model year spec; a trip to the muscle clinic has liberated an extra 90bhp, taking the 8.4-litre's power output to a heady 600bhp. Thank a 100cc hike in capacity. How to spot the newest Viper? Easy. The bonnet is restyled with new air scoops, the alloy wheels are redesigned and there will be a range of five new paint jobs on offer when sales get underway this summer. Coupe and roadster Vipers will continue to be offered.

So the Viper remains pretty darn fast then?

You bet. Torque also jumps to 560lb ft, helping the Viper sprint to the benchmark 60mph in less than 4.0sec. Dodge now quotes a 0-100-0mph time of under 12 seconds, while a series of chassis improvements are designed to make the Viper corner and brake more effectively. The SRT-10 was driven onstage at the Detroit show by NEXTEL Cup driver Kurt Busch. Sadly, however, the latest Viper SRT-10 won't make it to UK showrooms...

Gutted... why don't we get the newest model?

Only a handful of Vipers are sold here each year (for £69,990 apiece) and DaimlerChrysler UK imports left-hand-drive 2004-model year cars. 'We literally sell two or three a year - and the newest cars are reserved for the north American market,' said a spokesman. That means that UK buyers get the SRT-10 with 'only' 500bhp. However, they do get the unusual side-exit exhaust shooting out ahead of the front doors; much cooler than the new model's pipes placed further back.

Dodge Avenger

By Tim Pollard

Motor shows & events

09 January 2007 04:52

It's the new Dodge Avenger. A Mondeo rival, you say?

That's right. Dodge showed the Avenger for the first time today (previously we'd only seen the concept at Paris in '06) and it'll go on sale in September 2007 to square up to existing family cars. Think of it as a Mondeo on steroids. Dodge knows it must offer something different to the existing Euroboxes - so the Avenger is lavished with a heap of American design cues. Dodge claims it's a mini muscle car, which might be stretching it a bit, but we like the muscular rear haunches, four-point cross-hair grille and kicked-up rear windowline. There's certainly a hint of its Charger brethren in there somewhere. The main challenge for Dodge is to make sure the quality and driving dynamics can match the best for Europe though...

Will the Avenger be any good?

Dodge's new D-segment car shares its oily bits - and market position - with the Chrysler Sebring. So you'll get the choice of 2.0- and 2.4-litre petrol engines, or a VW-sourced 2.0-litre turbodiesel. Will there be a hot SRT version? Probably, given time. The American-spec 235bhp V6 would do nicely, thank you very much. Dodge talks of the Avenger matching the Mazda 6 and its ilk for price; count on around £16k when sales kick off in the autumn. The Sebring will start from around £18k, targeting a slightly older, more conservative audience.

Chrysler's SEMA freak show out in force

By Phil McNamara

First official pictures

02 November 2006 10:00

Speciality Chryslers out in force

Chrysler has unveiled a host of slammed, tuned and beefed up models for this year's Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas. Leading the charge is this dazzling drag racing take on the forthcoming Dodge Challenger, the Super Stock Concept. Click next to see more jaw-slackening takes on the Dodge Nitro and Chrysler Sebring. The SEMA show is the world's biggest automotive trade event, where tuners peddle their latest wheels, exhausts, body kits, brakes and turbos. It's Max Power heaven, in the nation where the performance tuning market is worth in excess of $30 billion a year. And as Chrysler's line up shows, car makers take SEMA very seriously too. It's a great opportunity to generate a buzz about new models, and Volkswagen and Volvo are muscling in on the act this year, too.

Dodge Challenger Super Stock

That paint job makes it look like Evel Knievel's wheels, and the Super Stock harks back to the early '70s, when the Challenger muscle car campaigned in Trans-am, Pro Stock racing and the Indy 500. Under that massive nose shaker is a 392 cubic inch HEMI engine, which is in its most potent form and kicks out 525hp. Tuners can buy the crated V8 engine to drop into their cars. With the Challenger not yet in production, Chrysler's Skunkwerks team – which created the entire SEMA line up – took the related Dodge Magnum chassis, and added the Challenger bodyshell. Designer Steve Meloche alone had to create around 100 new parts to bring the Super Stock to life.

Dodge Nitro HEMI

Like the Super Stock, this Dodge Nitro runs a HEMI. The Nitro arrives in the UK next summer, but it will take on the Freelander with a V6 diesel rather than the 360bhp 5.7-litre HEMI. The makeover also includes 22-inch Alcoa rims shielding Brembo brakes, a carbonfibre bonnet and blackberry pearl paint. Inside, you perch on Viper supercar buckets.

Dodge Nitro Panel Wagon

The Skunkwerks team also gave the Nitro the hot rod treatment, by raiding the group's Mopar parts shop. The rear doors were welded shut and paneled over, while the body was lowered by 50mm to drop the centre of gravity. Beefy wheelarches, 20-inch rims and Mopar's signature blue and white livery complete the look. Inside, the rear seats are junked to create a versatile load bay.

Chrysler Sebring Tuner

Chrysler has made the forthcoming Sebring slightly less awkward-looking with a big dose of aggression. Although that deep bodykit will make the saloon whimper in the face of speed bumps. Mesh packs the front grille, while the body was slammed by 50mm over those 20-inch wheels. Under the bonnet, the Sebring runs a 285bhp 4.0-litre – far removed from the cooking petrol fours and 140bhp diesel we've tested.

Dodge Avenger

By Dimitri Pesin

First official pictures

20 September 2006 12:01

The lowdown

Dodge plans to ambush the repmobile market with the production version of this Avenger concept. To be revealed at next week's Paris motor show and due in showrooms in July 2007, the Avenger will be spun off the new Chrysler Sebring's front-wheel drive platform. Power comes from four and six-cylinder engines.

Muscle car looks

The Avenger will go head-to-head with the new Mondeo and 2008's new Vectra, using its muscle car styling to stand out. The concept brims with testosterone, with a dose of extra aggression from its macho bodykit. The deep skirts, low front splitter and flared wheelarch extensions will feature on mid-range R/T versions, so expect the flagship SRT6 version to look even more in-your-face. The crosshair grille with 'red inferno' body-coloured inserts and piercing headlamps should prompt a few double takes in rear view mirrors. The wheelarches are packed with 19inch rims. The Avenger looks like a mini-Charger, Dodge's latest version of the Dukes of Hazzard's getaway car introduced Stateside in 2005. The nose and the haunch that sweeps up over the rear wheelarch are hugely faithful to its four-door big brother.

Muscle car engines...?

Don't go expecting a big bore V8. The Street and Racing Technology fettled version should run a 3.5-litre V6, kicking out more than 250bhp. Although the Avenger will be sold in the US, Dodge claims that the saloon caters for European tastes too. Indeed, the concept runs the 150bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel DaimlerChrysler is sourcing from Volkswagen. The petrol engines will also be shared with the Chrysler Sebring, which means a 172bhp 2.4-litre for Europe. In the US, 189bhp 2.7- and 235bhp 3.5-litre V6s will be offered too.

Under the skin

The Avenger is basically a reskinned version of the Chrysler Sebring (above). Hard-points such as the windscreen pillars and glasshouse are shared, although trim inserts give the Avenger a swept up rear window that doesn't feature on the Sebring. The funkier Dodge is designed to appeal to a younger, more dynamic bloke than the ornate Sebring. The front-wheel drive platform is a joint venture with Mitsubishi, set to use a shortened version to underpin the new Lancer. The Avenger will offer a lot of car for the cash, because it's closer to a 5-series than a 3-series in size. Safety kit plumbed into the chassis includes front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability programme.

Gadgets and price

The Sebring will be brimming with gadgets, which will also feature on the Avenger. Harman/Kardon will provide a voice-controlled infotainment system, or you can spec a hard drive that will store your music library in-car. Satellite radio, Bluetooth compatability and rear DVD screens will also figure on the options list. Such equipment is typical of luxury cars from the class above. But the Avenger should be priced from around £15,000 – bang in the heart of Mondeo country. If it's a decent drive, then the Dodge could pose yet another problem for beleaguered mainstream family cars.

Dodge to gatecrash Fiesta party

By Phil McNamara

Industry news

30 July 2006 01:40

American brand Dodge is plotting a small hatch to take on Ford's Fiesta, with sales likely in 2008.

Chrysler Group is in talks with three potential partners, to share a chassis for the baby Dodge. Chrysler boss Tom LaSorda told CAR Online that talks were ongoing with car makers from 'western Europea and Asia', and that he would make a decision on the project by the end of 2006. 'We are in negotiation to land a contract for joint assembly and purchasing of B segment cars,' said LaSorda. DaimlerChrysler previewed a baby Dodge in the form of the Hornet concept, unveiled at the 2006 Geneva show. Although the show car was closer in size to a Focus than a Fiesta, particularly in width, the design could be downscaled to supermini proportions. Nissan's boxy Cube is similar in concept, and is spun off the Micra's chassis. Volkswagen is definitely in the running, although it may offer a bigger but still low-cost architecture, that uses elements of the previous Golf's chassis. VW plans to use this platform for a budget car in North America, to satisfy burgeoning interest in small cars Stateside. Dodge will happily piggyback VW's platform, as it chases the same market. The production car will be true to the Dodge blueprint, as epitomised by the Caliber: bold styling, and a cut-throat price. Expect a similar tall roof design, to maximise cabin space while keeping the car's overall footprint as compact as possible.