December 2008 Archives

            When the Dodge Challenger returned in 2008, it was certainly a welcome surprise for all

of us. For its second production year, the 2009 Challenger's model lineup is expanded to three models, including the SE, R/T and SRT8 trim levels. The big news for enthusiasts who like the looks of the new Challenger but don't need all the power is the Challenger SE. With its 3.5-liter V6, the SE gets you 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. While that's not exactly V8 territory, it's enough to move you around town with a smile on your face.

    The Dodge Ram single-handedly changed the face of the full-size truck market in 1994,
introducing big rig styling and  general good looks to an otherwise humdrum selection of vehicles. Now in its 4^th generation, the Ram keeps its big rig theme and adds a more aggressive-looking front grille and sleeker headlights. The exterior dimensions of the 2009 Ram are roughly the same as the previous
generation, but the big news is the new crew cab model, which replaces the outgoing Mega Cab body style.

    Being the first crew cab Ram offered by Dodge, it's clear they wanted to make it a good one. With the new RamBox storage system, which allows for 4.3 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof, drainable and illuminated storage space in each bed rail, the new crew cab Ram has plenty of places to put your extra odds and ends. RamBox also includes a bed extender and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats.

Ma Mopar may not be in the best shape right now, with the American economy struggling right alongside the currently-weak automotive industry, but in the meantime the show goes on in the Chrysler headquarters with plans for future models.  During an interview with Automotive News, VP of product development Frank Klegon commented that the next generation Charger and Chrysler 300 will not only meet the revised 2011 CAFÉ standard, but it will exceed them.

The CAFÉ laws are often misunderstood, and it should be pointed out that a company's compliance to the laws stretch across the entire lineup and not just a few models, along with a handful of other ways around the penalties associated with said laws.  However, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, even with the 5.7L Hemi engine, are able to achieve mileage in the high 20s, thanks to Chrysler's Multiple Displacement System (MDS).  Real world reports have found the 300C getting near 30mpg on highway trips while driving conservatively, so its no surprise that this is one of the vehicles being called upon for its efficiency.