Dodge

Top 10 pet-safe vehicles

By Jeff Salton

17:07 August 20, 2009 PDT

Ever thought how dangerous an unrestrained pet is in a moving vehicle? Did you know that a 35lb dog can become a 2700lb projectile in a 35mph crash? It’s alarming to think of the damage that poor animal could do to itself and other passengers within the vehicle. As increasing numbers of pet-owners take to the roads with animals in tow, safe pet travel advisers Bark Buckle Up and web-based automotive information company, Edmunds, have joined forces to release their Top Ten Pet Safe Vehicles in the hopes that their advice may avert some tragedies. Read More

Muscle car meets computer mouse

By Emily Clark

19:58 November 6, 2008 PST

If hot-rod screen-savers just aren't enough to satisfy your automotive-obsession while perched in front of the computer, it might be time to branch out into peripherals. The new Road Mice series from Four Door Media is range of a wireless car-shaped computer mice (complete with working headlights) officially licensed by some well-known auto manufacturers, including Corvette, Chevrolet and Ford. Read More

Chrysler's battery-electric Dodge Zeo muscle car

By Loz Blain

15:51 April 7, 2008 PDT

April 8, 2008 Chrysler's latest battery-electric concept is an absolute ripper. The Dodge Zeo concept is an all-American muscle car with a heart of green. Sitting a tier below the all-out performance figures of the Tesla Roadster and Lightning GT, the Zeo makes around 268 horses for a 0-60mph time just under 6 seconds, and its lithium-based battery pack gets a range of up to 250 miles. It looks a million dollars, oozing sexiness and performance potential, and more importantly it's one of the first serious sports-focused battery-electric concepts we've seen from any of the major auto manufacturers. Are the big car makers catching on to battery cars as the way of the future? Read More

Hot Wheels Designer’s Challenge: leading automotive manufacturers come out to play

By Noel McKeegan

18:00 October 30, 2007 PDT

October 31, 2007 Major automotive manufacturers recently showcased their visions for the automobile of the future as part of the LA Auto Show Design Challenge, but now comes a competition of a very different kind. Clean fuel and artificial intelligence take a back seat as speed, power, performance and attitude become the key criteria in Mattel’s 40th anniversary Designer’s Challenge™ in which leading manufacturers were invited to create an original vehicle for the company’s die-cast Hot Wheels® toy range… but there is one special requirement: each vehicle must be able to perform a loop on classic Hot Wheels® orange track. Read More

Four new Chryslers for the UK in 2008

By Loz Blain

18:56 September 9, 2007 PDT

September 10, 2007 Chrysler Group will use the Frankfurt IAA Motor Show to launch four new models into the UK market for 2008. Europe will get its first look at the new Grand Voyager, Sebring Cabrio and Dodge Journey next week, as well as the all-new flagship Jeep Cherokee. Read More

The 1955 Dodge La Femme

By Mike Hanlon

May 8, 2007 It’s the earliest example of automotive marketing to women we have seen (correspondence here please) – it’s the 1955 Dodge La Femme complete with a Sapphire White and Heather Rose color scheme. Half a century later, women buy half of all new cars, yet it was a very bold and ultimately unsuccessful (only 2500 were made) marketing initiative aimed at was thought to be a promising new niche market. The La Femme was basically a Dodge Custom Royal Lancer with a feminine paint palette and a special gold “La Femme” script on the fenders. The vehicle’s interior was graced with special tapestry upholstery bearing pink rosebuds on a pale pink background and pale pink vinyl trim. A rectangular purse matching the car’s interior was a standard La Femme feature, stowed in a special compartment built into the back of the passenger seat. Each purse came complete with matching compact lipstick and cigarette cases, a lighter and purse. Also standard was a raincoat, rain bonnet and umbrella in the rosebud pattern that was stored in a compartment behind the driver’s seat. Hey, this would sell in droves today!! Read More

Dodge Demon Roadster Concept

By Mike Hanlon

February 14, 2007 To be shown for the first time at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva next month, the Dodge Demon concept is a compact, nimble “roadster with an attitude,” a balance of classic sports car proportion and simplicity blended with modern design and performance. Pitched as an attainable dream car, the Dodge Demon is powered by a 2.4 litre 172 bhp engine driving through a six-speed manual transmission. Read More

Original Dodge Firearrow concepts to be auctioned

By Mike Hanlon

December 19, 2006 The only two Dodge Firearrow convertible s in the world will be going under the hammer in mid-January, giving someone a unique opportunity to own a piece of history. In an effort to create consumer excitement during 1953 and 1954, Chrysler produced four cars under the Dodge nameplate, naming them Firearrows. Each penned by Virgil Exner, the dream cars were built in a series from Firearrow I to Firearrow IV. Barrett-Jackson will feature the Firearrow II and IV models, representing the instrumental progression of the classic concept vehicle. This reprint from Special Interest Autos has the full story on the Firearrows and how they eventually went into very limited production as America's first four passenger sports car, the Dual Ghia. In their day, they were very sought after, with owners including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Debbie Reynolds and big band leader Hoagy Carmichael. One of the original four Firearrows was used by stuntperson and model Betty Skelton to set a Women’s Closed-Course World Speed Record of 143.44 mph in 1954, so you can rest assured that the Firearrows won't get left behind at the traffic lights. Read More

Dodge 170 hp Hornet Concept set to create a BUZZ

By Mike Hanlon

February 21, 2006 The Dodge brand rejoices in its role as the hardest hitting and least politically correct of the Daimler Chrysler Group. As such it can do things which other brand custodians couldn’t dream of, and the rallye-ready Dodge Hornet concept vehicle to be shown next week at the Geneva Motor Show is a perfect example. Tough and brash, the Dodge Hornet concept vehicle brings to the competitive entry-level B-segment market an ideal combination of European sensibility regarding engine size and overall footprint with an American flair for aggressive attitude and flexible interior space. Underhood is a 1.6L 16-valve OHC supercharged intercooled four-cylinder engine producing 127 kW (170 hp) and 224 N m (165 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4000 rpm. The interior though, is based on extreme flexibility and function, having been modelled on studies of space capsule interiors, since they are designed for high efficiency in a limited space. The space-saving foam seats are exceptionally slim and adaptable. Both the passenger front bucket seat and the 40-60 three-passenger rear seats fold forward and collapse to the floor to provide a flat load bed. To facilitate this, the headrests fold forward to stow between the seat back and cushion. In addition, the rear seats also flip rearward to stow in back, flush with the liftgate sill. This position provides for the highest possible vertical storage behind the front seats. When upright, the rear seats track rearwards to provide an additional 225 mm of legroom for rear seat passengers. Read More

The incredibly versatile Dodge Rampage Concept Vehicle

By Mike Hanlon

February 9, 2006 Bold, powerful and supremely versatile, the exquisitely-named Dodge Rampage concept vehicle was unveiled yesterday at the Chicago Motor Show and we think it’s a very exciting variation on the pickup truck theme. As the principal exterior designer of the Rampage said it, "this is a truck for the person who wants the functional aspects of a truck yet doesn’t want a traditional vehicle. The Rampage has the capability of a pickup without sacrificing occupant space." Read More

Dodge Challenger Concept is a thoroughbred in 1970 “Pony Car” tradition

By Mike Hanlon

January 8, 2006 As with all pleasurable memories, you remember the good and screen out the bad. In creating the Dodge Challenger concept car, the designers at Chrysler Group’s West Coast Pacifica Studio knew they had a rich heritage to draw upon. “Challenger draws upon the initial 1970 model as the icon of the series,” said Tom Tremont, Chrysler’s Vice President- Advanced Vehicle Design. “The 1970 model is the most sought after by collectors. But instead of merely recreating that car, the designers endeavored to build a Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye—a vehicle without the imperfections like the old car’s tucked-under wheels, long front overhang and imperfect fits. Read More

Dodge Caliber to be produced with new Continuously Variable Transmission

By Mike Hanlon

August 9, 2005 Chrysler has confirmed production of the Dodge Caliber, the global concept car first shown at 75th Annual Geneva International Motor Show in March, with a range of innovative engines and transmissions designed to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and roadholding. The 2007 Dodge Caliber will be available in 2006 and will be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to offer a continuously variable transmission, the World Engine family of four-cylinder gasoline engines, a new 2.0-liter diesel engine and all-wheel drive. The all-new Dodge Caliber will use the newest generation of continuously variable transmissions, CVT2, offering several advantages compared with previous CVTs. Read More

Dodge Charger SRT8 with 425bhp 6.1 litre V8

By Mike Hanlon

March 28, 2005 Dodge showed the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 for the first time at the New York Auto Show this week and performance-car aficionados were delighted with the infusion of Street and Racing Technology (SRT) DNA. The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 provides performance enthusiasts with a thoroughly modern American muscle sedan: more power, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking and a race-inspired interior. Read More

Dodge Reveals Global Concept Car

By Mike Hanlon

March 10, 2005 Dodge is going global in 2005 and chose the 75th Annual Geneva International Motor Show to debut its Caliber Global Concept Car, hinting at the direction of the next-generation Dodge C-segment vehicle. With a global stage in the centre of a European marketplace it intends to conquer, Dodge designers aimed their sketch pads at the global car market and the result is a five-door vehicle that combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the strength, stance and functionality of an SUV. Read More

Dodge Ram Daytona - race-styled pick-up

By Mike Hanlon

February 19, 2005 Dodge is bringing the historic Daytona nameplate to the Dodge Ram line of pickup trucks. As politically incorrect as that may be in these environmentally-sensitive times, Dodge is the biggest seller amongst the Chrysler Group’s array of brands because it is unashamedly about in-yer-face performance and raw power. Accordingly, the Limited-edition Dodge Ram draws inspiration from the winged 1969 Dodge Charger race car and will be the first pick-up truck to see the showroom floor with a spoiler as standard. The first 75 production Dodge Ram Daytona models were presented to Dodge dealers yesterday in a ceremonial parade lap at Daytona International Speedway. Read More

Dodge Mega Cab - The Largest Pickup Cab Ever

By Mike Hanlon

February 12, 2005 Bigger isn't always better. Unless it's your working truck and you need to carry a large crew and a bunch of stuff. Accordingly, Dodge set out to build the biggest pickup truck possible - more spacious, more comfortable and more practical. The all-new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab is the result - it's more spacious, more comfortable and more practical, the all-new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab. It's vital statistics are pretty spesh, and include: the largest, longest cab, the largest interior cargo volume, the largest cargo volume behind the rear seat and the largest flat floor load area. The Mega Cab's large interior can seat six adults in comfort with their gear. Read More

Dodge Magnum SXT for Police Special Service Uses

By Mike Hanlon

Dodge has released details of a forthcoming Dodge Magnum police car, powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation that produces 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The Magnum ups the ante in the law enforcement market with its legendary HEMI V-8 engine. The 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT model will be available this year for police special service use. For 2006, Dodge will introduce a police package which will be offered on the Dodge Magnum model. Read More

Dodge 500hp Tomahawk replica to go on sale

By Mike Hanlon

Monday October 6, 2003: DaimlerChrysler has announced that a hand-built replica of the Dodge Tomahawk concept - the monstrous four-wheel motorcycle first revealed at the North American International Auto Show in January 2003 - is to go on sale at a price of US$555,000. "Unconventional" doesn't begin to describe the extreme engineering showcased in the Tomahawk... Read More

Viper-Powered 2004 Dodge Ram production-model on show

By Mike Hanlon

Chrysler Group have unveiled the production-version of the 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 during the truck's world debut at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show. Producing 500 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque from the 8.3-litre V-10 engine that powers the legendary Dodge Viper... Read More

Dodge SRT-10 500BHP Pick-up

By Mike Hanlon

When Dodge USA decided to spice up its pick-up range, it didn't need to look past the motor of the Dodge Viper - the new RAM SRT-10 now has an engine-bay full of brutal 8.3 litre V10 Viper motor giving it the largest engine in a factory pickup truck and a pick-up billed by Dodge as the "boldest, baddest and fastest pick-up truck in the world." Read More