October 2008 Archives

The new Dodge Challenger has allowed Dodge enthusiasts a chance to buy a new "muscle car", with the definition of rear wheel drive, front engine, V8s.  However, models like the Charger SRT-8 and Dodge Viper SRT-10 have filled the gap in Dodge performance, although in other segments, and both have proven to be very successful.

In speaking with a handful of performance enthusiasts (both Dodge, other domestic, and import enthusiasts), I found that the following models were the most commonly mentioned in the question of "what is the best Dodge muscle car of all time?  There is no right answer, so here are the 8 models that were mentioned when I was asking people the same question, so I present to DodgeForum a tail of the tape for each of the following 8 cars for your consideration in what you would pick as the greatest Dodge muscle car. 

Nissan and General Motors are doing battle for the ownership of Chrysler, but the first of the joint venture models between Chrysler and Nissan debuted at the Sao Paulo Motor Show.  Wearing the 'Trazo C1.8by Dodge' name, this rebadged Nissan Versa gives Dodge new access to the compact sedan market in Latin American markets.

As the name implies, the Trazo is powered by a 1.8L can be run on gasoline or F-100 ethanol, and the DOHC 16 valve engine, utilizing variable valve timing, offers excellent fuel economy and 122 horsepower.  The Trazo C1.8 by Dodge can be ordered with either a manual or automatic transmission.  The interior is similar to that found in the US-sold Versa, with chrome trim around the large three gauge cluster, and high back bucket seats offering comfort and support.

The recent, constant merger/buyout talk has a great many Dodge enthusiasts aggravated, and while there is hope that our beloved Dodge will pull through this unscathed, analysts talk as though there is no way around some sort of takeover. 

The highly paid market analysts at Cerberus have just recently discovered that the automotive market is slumping, and they want out. General Motors is looking to acquire any assets that it can, and Nissan/Renault are looking for an American operations branch.  What does this mean for the Dodge faithful?

The Chrysler Corporation Employee Pricing system offers great low prices to company employees, but that program has typically had its exclusions, such as the Dodge Viper.  However, with sales suffering in a rough economy, the sales of the already slow selling Viper have gotten worst.  Even though the Viper appears to be in its twilight hours with the end of production already announced and an effort by Chrysler to sell the Viper program to the highest bidder, Dodge has announced that it is now included in the Employee Pricing Program.  This is great news for company employees who have an uncertain job future, so its questionable how many of the company's 130,000+ employees will jump on the deal. 

The Dodge Ram R/T is set to debut in a few weeks at SEMA, but it wont be the only dressed up Ram.  The Dodge Ram Mopar Street Package comes equipped with a bevy of Mopar brand accessories.  Starting with the body kit, the exterior is altered then the truck is lowered over the huge 22" Alcoa wheels.  Hood scoops and a hard tonneau cover complete the exterior, and the dual tone exhaust system pokes from under the rear bumper.  Inside, the Mopar Street Package adds custom leather seats, lighting, and electronics, along with a state of the art sound system.

Even after the announcement that Dodge would not be building a drop-top version of the awesome new Challenger, rumors travel about the future possibilities of their vert prayers being answered.  Still, Dodge has no official plans, but fear not, as Coach Builders Ltd. of High Springs, Florida has you covered with the SEMA debut of their 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Convertible conversion.  Coach Builders is not new to the market, as they have previously offered convertible conversions for the Chrysler 300, as well as the Cadillac CTS and DTS.

The Dodge Challenger Concept debuted as an R/T at the Detroit Auto Show, but the 6.1L engine found in the concept had been the trademark feature of the SRT lineup, so when the Challenger met the world in production form, it followed suit of the other SRT 6.1L vehicles, including the SRT aesthetic upgrades associated with the trimline.  The Viper will be seeing the end of its production, and there has been no indication of what would become of the V10 powerplant from the Viper and SRT-10 Rams.

Well, the boys at SRT must have had some spare time, and the fruits of their labor will debut at SEMA 08 in the form of the Dodge Challenger SRT-10 Concept.  Under the hood, the Viper 8.4L engine packing 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque, being fed to the wheels via the Viper's 6-speed manual transmission.  Helping the Challenger SRT-10 Concept dig through the corners, a set of Bilstein shocks has been added, along with an improved braking system.  Like the Viper Competition Coupe that has been a familiar show circuit vehicle, the Challenger SRT-10 is finished in Tornado Red, with carbon fiber and black accents.  The Concept wears a set of unique, huge five-spoke aluminum rims, a vintage styled carbon fiber Shaker hood, a chin spoiler, and a black rear spoiler and trunk lid.  Inside, the Challenger SRT-10 Concept sport seats with carbon fiber accents all around the interior.

With the 2008 SEMA Show just weeks away now, rumors are soaring about what we will and might see at the largest automotive aftermarket show in the world.  One thing is for sure from these rumors, the Dodge Challenger will likely be "the car" to show across the floor, and long-time Mopar legend Mr. Norm has announced that there will be two of the new Challenger at the show from his shop, featuring not only stunning appearance upgrades, but some nasty tuning efforts.  Like the Mr. Norm cars of old, like the Grand Spaulding Sport Dodge Demon with packed a Paxton supercharged 340, the new models will make big power with a supercharger.  (Shown in photos)

The first, Mr. Norm's Super Challenger, will pack the 6.1L Hemi found in the SRT8 variants, and with the help of forced induction, it will pack somewhere in the area of 900 horsepower, and there will be upgraded brakes, suspension, and tires to help this Super Challenger handle the competition in any racing venue, from the road course to the drag strip.

...And not just on the open road.  This week I attended a media event held by the good people at Ford Motor Company, to test their new F150.  While that may not be of much interest to the DF members, Ford also provided us with a new Ram to take through the same tests as we did with the Ford.  We were also provided with a new Silverado and new Tundra, for comparisons, although those two trucks were light years behind the Dodge and Ford in every category.

The three categories where we tested were the durability course (Ford's Silver creek 2), the autocross course, and the towing course.  Check the full article for a complete rundown!

The Dodge Charger hit the market a few years back and was an instant hit with the public.  The roomy sedan was not what every Dodge lover was hoping for, but along with a popular performance sedan, the Charger also proved to be a great replacement for the Intrepid in Dodge's police car program.  The Ford Crown Victoria had long been the norm for police departments around the US, as their V8 was far more powerful than the 3.5L V6 found in the Intrepid, but when the Charger police models became available, the 5.7L Hemi made the new Charger a popular choice over the Crown Vic.

The 2009 Dodge Charger, like other Hemi-powered models will receive a boost in power, now offering 368 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, making the Charger an even better choice for high speed pursuit.  But rising gas prices and growing concerns about fuel economy have caused many to question the police using V8 vehicles, but Dodge has addressed that as well, with their Multiple Displacement System (MDS).  Previously unavailable on the police models, the MDS offers around 20 percent better fuel economy over a non-MDS model, so along with a bump in power, the Charger is also friendlier on the tax payers when at the pumps.  So, not only is the Charger one of the more efficient V8 powered cars in its class, but the police variant surpasses all of its competitors in power, acceleration, and top speed.

Congratulations to both RaiderJay6 and BadStratRT for winning the truck and car of the month for October 2008. 

RaiderJay6's 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab edged out HammerZ71's Ram and Johnnymagnum's Ram. 

BadStratRT's 1972 Dodge Demon 340 won over Nate 0022's Stratus and Izero's Neon. 

Thank you to everyone who participated and who voted in DodgeForum's Ride of the Month! For more information and pictures about this month's winning vehicles, click the link below!

The Dodge Charger has become one of the company's best selling models, but when the rumors of the return of the Charger came around, many had hoped for the return of a high horsepower, two-door coupe similar to those found in the 1960s and 1970s.  Many of those people were happy with the new Charger, but some still grumble that it should have been a coupe.  That group was further pacified by the new Dodge Challenger, but there remain those who want a two door Charger, and Force Performance of Miami, Florida is taking steps to appease those people with their Force Performance TriCharger.

The German government has found that in the past few years, the birth rate has gradually decreased, so in an odd twist Dodge has decided to offer special incentives to expecting mothers.  So, in short, pregnant women in Germany will be rewarded by having nine months of deferred payments with no penalty, provided that the women can prove that they are pregnant.  What the "proof" can be is vague, as we don't expect salesmen to be handing out do-it-yourself pregnancy tests when women walk in, but its assumed that a note from the obstetrician will suffice for interested, pregnant buyers.

While this is not likely to help with the birth rate in Germany, this could offer those who are expecting a chance to get into a brand new Dodge without spending money during a time where money is especially tight.  This could help Dodge, who like other US domestic automakers is experiencing some tough times, but we don't expect women to run out and get pregnant in a hurry just to save a few bucks and push back payments on a new Dodge, but in the end, it couldn't hurt Dodge or the German birth rate to have this new promotion, and it gives some people that warm fuzzy feeling that Dodge cares enough to lend a hand.

Dodge trucks have been atop the US domestic truck market for decades now, and the strongest regional market in the world for the Dodge Ram is the state of Texas.  In light of the Ram's popularity in the Lone Star State, Dodge released the 2009 Dodge Ram Lone Star Edition at the 2008 Texas State Fair.

This new trimline, which is available at dealerships in Texas only, begins with a Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab with either two- or four-wheel drive, powered by the mighty Hemi.  The 2009 5.7L Hemi powered vehicles get a jump in power, to 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque.  The Hemi announces itself through a the factory-installed 4" dual exhaust.  Like all other 2009 Rams, the Lone Star Edition is fitted with Dodge's first in class five-link rear suspension setup, mated to a sold rear axle, helping to provide a smoother ride than most pickups without compromising payload or towing capacity.

Residents of the Sedona or Las Vegas, as well as area tourists, have been privy to the Pink Jeeps Tour company for almost 50 years.  These small group tours give passengers the opportunity to travel through some of the most beautiful landscapes the American southwest has to offer, all while riding in the comfort of a modified, stretched Jeep Wrangler.  However, the Pink Jeep Tours is now featuring their new Pink Jeep Dodge Ram.  The problem with the Jeeps was that they only carry 6 people, and the heat of the desert can not only be uncomfortable, but there is also the issue of people with health issues during these sometimes lengthy tours.  The 6.7L Cummins diesel powered Dodge Ram 3500 has been lifted and fitted with a luxury interior featuring reclining leather captains chairs, climate control, and 15 inch LCD screens and DVD players.

When Steve Saleen created SMS Supercars, there were rumors that the long-time Mustang tuner could introduce the new company's efforts with Dodge Challenger, and with the recent press release from SMS, it was confirmed that SMS' first Supercar is indeed based on the popular Dodge Challenger. 

The SMS prepared Challengers will wear the name 570 and 570X Challenger, and those packages are based on 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T models.  The SMS Challengers will all feature the 5.7L Hemi engine, but the horsepower will be increased from the normal 376 up to 500-700, depending on the extent of the package chosen.  The key addition in making all of this power is the new SMS 296 Supercharger, and in prior applications the 5.7L Hemi has responded well to the forced induction.  All of the 570 and 570X models will also come equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. 

The Dodge Charger SXT and base model Chrysler 300 have proven to be a popular alternative to the Hemi powered variants of the same models, with their powerful yet efficient 3.5L V6 making 250 horsepower and 250 ft-lb of torque.  When Dodge released the information about the upcoming 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, that same 3.5L V6 would prove to be a great fit for the base model muscle car, but leaves us asking, where is the SXT?

The Charger and Magnum, along with the other SRT models (Ram, Neon, Caliber) all offer an SXT package, which in most cases is just a sights and sounds package (sunroof, upgraded stereo, etc), but the Challenger went from SE (the base of the other models mentioned) and jumped to the R/T and SRT8...so where is the Challenger SXT?