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

Technorati: Dodge, Chrysler, cars, autos, vehicles

Update II: $9,9 million ebay bid on "General Lee" a hoax!

Despite all the commotion this past week, turns out the winning bidder that goes by the name "fishbashr1" has backed out leaving the General Lee's owner, actor John Schneider, who played Bo Duke in the ‘80s TV series with an empty bucket of dreams. Schneider, who uses the name “johnsebiz” on ebay left a negative comment on "fishbashr1’s” profile saying, “This is the guy that for fun, decided to bid on the General Lee. Thanks...”

According to a report from Associated Press, neither Schneider nor "fishbashr1" who was traced done as William Fisher (owner of a small business specializing in sports goods called Thrill Outfitters), were available for comments. Looks like for the time being, “Bo’s” stuck with the General… Via: Autoblog.com , Source: SFGate

Technorati: Dukes+of+Hazard, Dodge+Charger, General+Lee, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

The Vipette: Dodge Viper RT/10 Replica Based On A '85 Chevrolet Corvette

Could have fooled us. We don’t know how the car looks in person, but judging from the pictures of the “Vipette” we found on ebay, this chap did one hell of a job in transforming an ’85 Vette into a Viper. Now, why someone would actually go and do something like this, beats us. However, the ebay seller claims, “This car looks, feels, and sounds just like the real thing for about a third of the price and half the gas. Here’s your chance to get both worlds; Chevy’s reliability and the Viper’s great looks”. Say again? -Image Gallery after the jump

Via: ebay

Technorati: Ebay, Chevrolet+Corvette, Dodge+Viper, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Tuning: Dodge Caliber by Koenigseder

Germans aren’t the only ones in Europe fiddling around with Dodge’s compact crossover. We discovered yet another European tuner willing to upgrade the Caliber, this time from Austria. Koenigseder’s proposition consists of a full bodykit complete with bumper extensions, side skirts, roof spoiler, front grill etc. You also get exhaust pipes on the side of the rear bumper, 20-inch alloys, lowered springs, chip tuning and for that all-American feeling… wooden floor mats. The complete package costs around €8.500 or $11.500 (download the full price list in PDF form here). -Follow the jump for more images

Technorati: Dodge+Caliber, Koenigseder, Tuning, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Dodge Challenger Production Version Test Mules Scooped

A Dodge employee/visitor managed to scoop some very interesting inside pictures featuring what seems to be a couple of handmade test mules of the actual Challenger production version. If you zoom up in the ¾ front view image you’ll see a piece of paper referring to various parts “Manually Weld” hence the handmade test mule characterization. From the looks of it, Dodge has stayed loyal to the original concept with differences including the addition of a B-Pillar that hosts a stationary window and the roof lines both of whom were absent from the concept. -More Images after the jump

Via: GMinsidenews , Source: Newhemitech

Technorati: Dodge+Challenger, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Tuning: Dodge Caliber by Startech

As promised last year, Chrysler Group tuning specialist Startech presented a full-blown version of the Dodge Caliber. So apart from the 2.0 CRD engine upgrade which raises output to 180Hp from 140 thus dropping sprint time from 0 - 100 km/h (62mph) from 9.3 to 8.6 seconds, customers can now add to their shopping list an aerodynamic-bodykit along with numerous customization options for the interior. We’ll give kudos to Startech for managing to give a sporty look to the Caliber without going overboard. – Full Press Release and more high-res images after the jump (click “Read More”)

STARTECH Refines the Dodge Caliber (SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE IMAGES)

Sporty Design and Engine Tuning for the CRD Diesel

Tuning 'Made in Germany' for the Dodge Caliber: STARTECH offers a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement program, and engine tuning for the diesel model.

To add more sporty emphasis to the characteristic appearance of the Dodge Caliber the STARTECH designers have developed an aerodynamic-enhancement kit that adds to the compact car's striking design.

The STARTECH front fascia not only visually upgrades the front; it also reduces lift on the front axle. The sides are given a more homogenous appearance with the STARTECH side body cladding that gives the Caliber a lower and sleeker appearance.

The rear of the Dodge can also undergo sporty modifications: The custom-tailored STARTECH lift-gate attachment continues the bullish contour of the rear fascia over the entire width of the rear. The rear fascia with stylized tailpipes left and right gives the Caliber a more powerful look. The fascia can be complemented with the STARTECH sport exhaust system. The rear spoiler is attached to the liftgate and stylishly rounds out the STARTECH designer suit.

For the Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD with common-rail turbodiesel engine STARTECH offers powerful and reliable power tuning that ups power output by 40 hp / 29.4 kW. The STARTECH SD3 performance kit consists of a plug-and-play control module that can be installed by any authorized Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealer in half an hour, thanks to an included custom wire harness. Like the production models the STARTECH-tuned Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD meets EURO IV emission limits.

With STARTECH SD3 tuning peak power output of the 2.0-liter common-rail four cylinder engine with Diesel particulate filter jumps from standard 140 hp / 103 kW to 180 hp / 132 kW at just 4,000 rpm. Even more important for everyday driving is the increase in peak torque from 310 Nm to 360 Nm between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Thus equipped sprint time from 0 - 100 km/h is shortened from 9.3 to 8.6 seconds. Top speed of the tuned Caliber diesel model increases to 201 km/h.

STARTECH offers a stainless-steel rear muffler with one oval tailpipe on either side for all engine variants of the Caliber. There are two versions, one to be combined with the STARTECH rear fascia and one for installation in combination with the stock bumper. The exhaust system lends the Caliber not only a more thrilling rear appearance but also a more powerful exhaust note.

STARTECH offers more driving fun in the form of custom-tailored modifications to the suspension of the Dodge. Progressive-rate springs precision-calibrated to the standard shocks lower the ride height of the vehicle by some 30 millimeters.

Wheels make a car and STARTECH offers various custom-tailored STARTECH Monostar tire/wheel combinations with 19- and 20-inch diameters for the Caliber. The palette of suitable Monostar IV five-spoke wheels ranges from size 8.5Jx19 all around with tires up to 245/40 R 19 in size to an especially exclusive version with size 9Jx20 wheels and 245/35 R 20 tires.

The STARTECH program also offers numerous customization options for the interiors of all Caliber models: The STARTECH Lifestyle interior package will go on sale in the near future. Extravagant highlights can be added with striking STARTECH accessories: Polished aluminum serves as the material of choice for door-lock pins, shifter and foot pedals. Also available are high-quality floor mats with STARTECH signet.

Technorati: Dodge+Caliber, Startech, diesel, tuning+news, accessories, 2007, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles