Our government is watching you, but are you watching our government? We thought it would be fun to snoop inside our state and federal garages to see which models are most popular with Uncle Sam. After all, these are our tax dollars being spent.
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Categories: Chevrolet,Dodge,Ford
For the first time in something like 7 years, the team at Turn 10 is not publicly working on a new Forza Motorsports game. Forza 4 came out in 2012 and the team is currently hard at work on a new game, Forza Horizons.
We haven't heard a lot about this game, but we're fully expecting it to be a long-form, point-to-point racing game like Need for Speed: The Run. The biggest insight as to what we'll see in Forza Horizon was announced along with this screenshot -- typically beautiful for a Turn 10 product in 2012 -- "Forza Horizon combines the automotive thrills that Forza fans expect with a gorgeous open-road world that begs to be explored."
More will be announced as we get closer to E3 in June where the game is said to be officially released.
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Categories: Dodge,Miscellaneous,Video Games
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year. Cars, trucks, SUVs, we run them all, and the numbers always tell a story. With that in mind we present "IL Track Tested," a quick rundown of all the data we collect at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
With full-size-sedan proportions, a real trunk, rear-drive layout and fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain offerings, both the new Chevy Caprice -- available only for government fleet use when new -- and the Dodge Charger are vying for the hearts and budgets of the Fraternal Order of Police.
What we have here, though, are completely different animals from the rookie’s squad car. First, we’ve replaced the Police package Charger with the biggest and baddest Charger available, the 470-horsepower 2012 Dodge Dodge Charger SRT8. It’s a tire-shredding beast of a sedan for sure, but it’s still less powerful than what you can get from GM.
Standing in for the base Caprice is a 505-hp-plus 6.0-liter monster out of SLP. The SLP Caprice Detective Package straps an SLP TVS 1900 supercharger to the stock 6.0-liter V8 as well as cold-air induction and SLP PowerFlo axle-back stainless steel exhaust and, for good measure, gives it a healthy tune. SLP says this is the car for emergency units in small towns with few cars, as well as Fire and Rescue units. We’re going to assume a few high-ranking detectives have also approved a line item for this kit in their budget.
Which takes it on the track and which one would you be more afraid of with gumballs on the roof?
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Categories: Chevrolet,Dodge,IL Track Tested,Sedans,Tuners and Modifications
That there is 3/4 of the #40 racing SRT Viper Cup being piloted by David Pintaric. The incident was "completely driver error" according to David Pintaric. Watch him narrate his own life-threatening crash and thank the Dodge / SRT Engineers who made the Viper so safe in the video after the jump.
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Categories: Coupes,Dodge,Motorsports,Videos
Certain manufacturers love the idea of getting cozy with the youth market. They chase teens and twenty-somethings by turning out models with trick sound systems and loads of customization options, with the thinking being that the younger buyer can be defined by his love for a great stereo and a highly personalized ride.
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Categories: Dodge,Honda,Jeep,Kia,MINI,Mazda,Mitsubishi,Nissan,Subaru,Volkswagen
A year ago Chrysler reported its first, post-bankruptcy quarterly profit -- $116 million. A year later, the company has quadrupled that, bringing in a net income of $473 million. That's the biggest quarterly profit the automaker has recorded since... 1998. It made $682 million in the third quarter of that year.
The automaker sold 523,000 vehicles during the first quarter of 2012, a 33-percent increase from the first quarter of 2011. You can read the full press release here.
Another interesting bit of news is that Chrysler's performance in North America is helping to prop up Fiat, which had a first-quarter loss in Europe. Notably, Fiat wouldn't have been profitable without Chrysler.
(AP, Bloomberg)
Categories: Auto Industry,Chrysler,Dodge,Fiat,Ram
We're still months away from being able to drive the all new SRT Viper and SRT has no intentions of letting the excitement of this car cool down between the New York Auto Show and the official release.
SRT is making good use of the YouTubes to stoke the Viper fire and the newest installment is perhaps the most riveting. Dodge has put together a Viper history using archival footage of the Viper throughout the years. These include interviews with Shelby and Lutz, racing footage and even some clips from the short-lived Viper TV show. It is, of course, stitched together with information on the new car to keep things relevant.
Even if you know your Viper history, this one's worth the watch.
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Categories: Dodge,Future Vehicles,Sports Cars,Videos
Ward's Auto -- famed for their 10 Best Engines list -- has, for the second year in a row, compiled a 10 Best Interiors list. Ward's staff decided the award by "applying the same proven model used to select Ward's 10 Best Engines."
The field consisted of 40 vehicles with "new or significantly improved interiors" and the winners are...
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Categories: Audi,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Dodge,Hyundai,Infiniti,Land Rover,Mazda,Volkswagen
Dodge today finally announced pricing on the all-new 2013 Dart which will start at $15,995 -- or $16,790 once you factor in the $795 destination and delivery fee.
For that price you get a 2013 Dodge Dart SE with a 2.0-liter Tigershark four-cylinder producing 160 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is an option.
Jumping up the ladder is the SXT which throws on some 17-inch aluminum wheels, power body-colored mirrors, remote keyless entry, 60/40 split-folding rear seat and air conditioning with a micron filter. Chrysler's 8.4-inch touch screen as well as nav and a sunroof are optional on this $18,790 model.
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Categories: Dodge,Sedans
Fiat has finally teased the long-expected Dart-based compact car which we now know as the Viaggio -- "Viaggio", of course,being Italian for "voyage" -- or Fei Xiang (flying) in the Chinese market.
Like the Dodge Dart in the U.S., the Viaggio will be equipped with Fiat's 1.4-liter inline-four which will return either 120 or 150 horsepower depending on trim. Fiat's 1.4-liter, 160-horsepower MultiAir engine is also likely. Shifting will be done via a five-speed automatic or a six-speed Dual Dry Clutch automatic.
The Fiat Viaggio / Fei Xiang will begin production in China starting in July.
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Categories: Beijing Auto Show,Dodge,Fiat,Future Vehicles,Sedans
It seems as though plugging in a small cord is difficult business. In part due to state laws and in part due to convenience, more and more users are opting for in-car Bluetooth connections instead of the tried-and-true little white cable. This, unfortunately, means a quickly depleted battery which means you're back to the leash.
Dodge is looking to permanently break this bond in the Dart by way of a wireless charging mat.
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Categories: Car Tech,Dodge,Future Vehicles,Videos
Now that the snake is out of the bag, it's SRT's job to keep the fire stoked until people actually get to drive the car sometime in the next six months. Not that the task should be terribly hard, this thing weighs 3,297 pounds and has 640 horsepower from an 8.3-liter V10; if SRT didn't say a word about the car ever again we'd still be telling our grand kids about it in 50 years. (Immediately after we tell them what gasoline was and that yes, in the old days cars didn't drive themselves.)
Thankfully, SRT isn't going to ignore us for the next few months and they've started off on the right foot by providing 4 videos talking in depth about the new Viper. Each video tackles a separate area of the Viper -- Powertrain, handing, design and the Viper program -- from the Viper team's POV. Well worth the time investment.
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Categories: Dodge,Sports Cars,Videos
We're just barely 24 hours past the official announcement of the 2013 SRT Viper and we're already moving on. Sure, we're still wound up with anticipation to drive the new 640 horsepower 3,297-pound snake, but with the visual tease over, it's time to imagine the next iteration of the SRT Viper: The Convertible.
While there are a number of first-gen Viper cues here, we don't anticipate even for a second that Dodge / SRT would consider going back to the targa top style that was one of the first gen's most iconic traits. No, this one will be a true convertible like the second-gen car that debuted in 2003. The bosses at SRT were quite proud of the fact that this car has a 50 percent stiffer chassis than the outgoing car which should translate to a stronger car once the top goes off. And you'll need it, too, with all of that motor AND launch control.
We don't have confirmation on this car, nor any official information, but it's a safe bet that this is what that car will look like when we see it in 18-24 months. (Viper historians will remember well that the second gen started with convertible only in '03 and then added a coupe for the 2006 model year.)
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Categories: Convertibles,Dodge,Future Vehicles,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars
We missed the ball on Tuesday. We received a tip with images of a digitized 2013 SRT Viper and assumed it was from the new Viper's press presentation set for the following day at the New York Auto Show.
It took the collective wisdom of the internet all of 16 seconds to realize the shots were from Forza 4. That was the correct assumption -- though SRT did show it during the Viper reveal which, I think, gives me at least half a positive point -- and this is the official video of the 2013 SRT Viper in Forza 4.
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Categories: Dodge,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars,Video Games,Videos
Now that the 2013 SRT Viper (no more Dodge Viper) has finally made its debut, here are the important details. It still has an 8.4-liter V10, but it now generates 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. The other big number? 3,297. That's the Viper's curb weight when equipped with the optional Track Pack. Standard models will tip the scales at 3,354 pounds. Thank a multitude of carbon fiber and aluminum body panels for the bulk of the weight reduction, although the engine has been slimmed down by 28 pounds as well.
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Categories: Coupes,Dodge,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars
Somewhere between freestyle motocross, stock-car racing and jumping out of planes without a parachute, human crash-test dummy Travis Pastrana had time to put the 2013 Dodge Dart rally car through its paces. Fortunately, someone had the forethought to capture the run on video (with some very tasty super-slo-mo shots), and for that, we thank you.
Watch your back, Ken Block. Video after the jump.
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Categories: Dodge,Motorsports,Videos
An anonymous tipster has managed to snag video captures of the 2013 SRT Viper just hours before its official debut. If we were to guess, we'd say that these are scenes from the presentation SRT will be giving tomorrow afternoon.
All of the familiar elements of the Viper are still here: Double-bubble roof, wicked hood scoop, gaping side vents, side exhaust, the ability to do powerslides -- but it's all much more taut than previous Vipers -- especially in the nose-- which, though menacing, always had a sort of subtle softness. This 2013 SRT Viper ditches all of that for sharp angles and crisp lines. If this new Viper is evocative of a naked woman on the beach, she's certainly the tall, elegant, rail-thin high-fashion type.
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Categories: Coupes,Dodge,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars,Spy Photos
We're chomping at the bit for the new Viper that will be shown this week at the New York Auto Show. To appease our Viper lust, we've put together a gallery of 194 our favorite shots from the last 20 years. (Has it really been that long?)
Check it out here: Dodge Viper Gallery
Categories: Coupes,Dodge,Sports Cars
We're just two days from the new 2013 Dodge SRT Viper's unveil at the 2012 New York Auto Show, and the fourth teaser for the Viper has been posted to DriveSRT's Facebook page. Of course, SRT would love it if you'd come back to this page on April 4 at 11:55 a.m. EST (8:55 a.m. Pacific) to watch a live webcast of the NY press conference..
As you can see here, there's not a lot to see here. Although, what we see here doesn't seem to match the leaked Hot Wheels rendering... eh, but now I've had a cup of coffee and the basic elements do seem to be consistent between the blurry photo of the toy car and this photoshop interpretation of the lifesize car.
Check the other Viper teasers here, here and here.
Categories: Dodge,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars
Although we're just days away from the official reveal at the 2012 New York Auto Show, Dodge SRT is still fanning the flames of excitement by releasing this third teaser of the 2013 SRT Viper.
Previously we'd caught the new Viper testing with a modified version of the old interior, but this new teaser shows that it will be more than that. Note the passenger grab handle, the pronounced center stack and the stitching -- that's right, stitching. The Viper's going upscale. The transmission is still, thankfully, a six-speed manual. Although, from this angle, it looks to be a normal length and not the super-long ball-on-a-stick of the last-gen Viper.
Look for more from New York next week.
Categories: Dodge,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars
