Dodge auto news

REPORT: Dodge Circuit production hints, possibly coming in 2010

With all of the recent upheaval at Chrysler, it's no surprise that the fate of the very cool Dodge Circuit is not exactly certain. In May, Chrysler assured everyone that the program was not DOA, and Chrylser ENVI president Lou Rhodes recently said something similar to Car and Driver. Rhodes even gave C&D a few details about how the program is shaping up.

Chrysler's plan involves having the vehicle produced by Lotus in the UK (sounds familiar) and then shipped to the U.S. for the electric powertrain. Chrysler's sales target is 100,000 EVs in order to benefit from economies of scale for all the expensive EV bits. By selling that many vehicles, Chrysler's efforts could make the Circuit "tens of thousands" of dollars less than the somewhat similar Tesla Roadster. The Circuit is still likely to be Chrysler's first EV, and could start production next year.

Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive

Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study

Porsche grabs the top spot for the fifth year in a row in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. For this year's study, the team at JDPA gathered information from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and questioned them on more than 90 vehicle attributes. Their studies examined "how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive," based on those evaluations.

While the APEAL nameplate ranking is significant (Porsche, Jaguar, and Cadillac round out the top-three), the segment winners offer more insight into what today's buyers are seeking. This year, it appears to be the newly launched models including the Volkswagen CC, Nissan Maxima, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Flex... each took top honors in their respective category. This year's biggest upset comes in the "Midsize Premium Car" segment as the all-new Hyundai Genesis (sedan) knocks the BMW 5 Series from the podium. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power APEAL Results

Continue reading Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study

Spy Shots: Dodge Caliber gets reworked interior for 2010?

According to a post on Caliber Forums, Dodge's hatchback is finally getting some love from the Pentastar in the form of a revised interior. Since it first went on sale in 2006, one of the biggest complaints from owners and reviewers alike has been the expansive black plastic surfaces covering every square inch of the car's dash, center console, armrest and door panels. Having spent plenty of time in a multitude of Calibers over the years, we can say with confidence that its interior has a decidedly low-rent look and is thoroughly uncomfortable to the touch - especially the bits where elbows often come into contact with hard plastic.

Included in the 2010 Caliber interior refresh are a new instrument panel, soft-touch center armrest, restyled vinyl-wrapped door panels and revised HVAC controls. It also appears that the A/C vents have been relocated to the upper dash panel and are now round. Click here for a glimpse at the current interior. Overall, this upgrade looks to be quite an improvement, and one sorely needed if Chrysler expects the Caliber to last for a few more years on the market before its (likely Fiat-based) replacement is ready. Thanks for the tip, Glenn!

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.14.09

	2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe: Great moments in cupholder history If you've driven a Pontiac Solstice, you know it's attractive, yet flawed. In the interest of getting the the Coupe from concept to production, GM had to make a host of compromises, and one of those trade-offs is the cupholder. No, seriously.		GM beginning to backpedal on Lutz' G8-turning-Caprice comments? Bob Lutz' recent comments about the G8 survival after Pontiac's demise as the Chevrolet Caprice might have been a bit premature. But then again, what else would you expect from Maximum Bob?
	LEAKED: Is this the 2010 Acura RDX? The first shots of the 2010 Acura RDX have hit the web, and unsurprisingly, the small performance crossover appears to have received the Japanese automaker's controversial shield-shaped grille.	Other news of import Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gets driven, details revealed Orders reportedly coming in for 2010 Jaguar XJ Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLC AMG Roadster? Does brake dust affect a car's quality? J.D. Power thinks so (w/POLL) Peugeot releases first official teasers of 308 RC Z

You Had Your Chance: Chrysler says Viper program is no longer for sale

The future of the Dodge Viper has been in question since the summer of 2008, when it was reported Chrysler was considering selling the rights to their halo sports car instead of killing it all together. Initially, there seemed to be plenty of interested parties, including Roush and Saleen, but the dwindling economy led to just one lowball offer from Michigan-based Devon Motor Works. Even after the Viper's production facility re-opened last month, it was still assumed that the 600 horsepower sports car would up for grabs. Not anymore.

Today, Chrysler announced that the Viper program is no longer for sale and that it will be continued to be produced past the end of the year at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant. There was no mention as to why the decision was made or what will happen beyond 2010, but for now, the Viper is safe. The official press release doesn't offer much information, but you check it out after the jump, along with a video from Chrysler discussing the decision and giving brief history of the Viper.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading You Had Your Chance: Chrysler says Viper program is no longer for sale

eBay Find of the Day: The 'Nunrunner' V10-powered eight-door Dodge Dart Limowagon [w/VIDEO]

And now for something completely different. We can't recall ever seeing another vehicle quite like this 1962 Dodge Dart, which was converted into a limo wagon that was supposedly intended for the Vatican and later sold to a Catholic Church in Kentucky - and that's probably for the best.

As scary as the beast may be to look at, the team from Wicked Rides Inc. reports that it's actually a trouble-free driver thanks to the modern V10 engine yanked from a Dodge Ram and T56 six-speed manual transmission from a Viper it was blessed with when converted into The Nunrunner - reliable enough, in fact, to have taken part in the last Hot Rod Power Tour with nary a breakdown.

Underneath the rusty outer shell sits a chassis that's been fortified with the K-frame and suspension bits from a 2004 Corvette Z06, though we doubt it handles anything like the pilfered sportscar from which those bits came. To fully take in all that the Nunrunner has to offer, we suggest you amble through our photo gallery below and click past the break for a couple of drag racing videos where the eight-door contraption lines up against a Shelby Cobra (real or knockoff, we're not sure) for a trip down the 'ole 1320.

Interested in making this unique vehicle your own? Click here for the actual eBay auction. Current bid: $1,075 (reserve not yet met). Thanks for the tip, Richard!

Gallery: 1962 Dodge Dart limo 'Nunrunner'

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: The 'Nunrunner' V10-powered eight-door Dodge Dart Limowagon [w/VIDEO]

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.8.09

	Review: 2010 Cadillac SRX Cadillac wants the all-new SRX to be more expressive inside and out with state-of-the-art technology and superior driving dynamics. Does the 2010 SRX have what it takes?		Spy Shot: Redesigned Lincoln MKX Lincoln's new split-wing grille debuted on the MKS, has migrated to the MKZ and was expanded for the MKT three-row crossover, and now it's set to appear on the redesigned MKX crossover.
	Michael Bay made Megan Fox wash Ferrari for audition Since the role of Mikaela Banes required Fox to act as sexy as she already looks, we can see why Bay chose for her to wash a Ferrari as part of the audition, but the fact that the 'audition' took place at his home and the tape has gone missing does seem a bit "casting couch" to us.	Other news of import 2010 Hyundai Sonata spied with little camo Second New Grand Bentley teaser released BMW 5 Series GT may push out 5 Series Wagon Jay Leno filming Top Gear UK? Chevy targets gay demo with Camaro marketing Lexus IS convertibles selling like hot cakes

Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup

Quick - What's the best-selling light-duty pickup truck in America? Did you say the Ford F-150? Not so fast. According to the J.D. Power Information Network (via our friends at PickupTrucks.com), General Motors sold more Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups (119,959 units) in June that Ford sold F-150s (107,778 units), and that's not a fluke.

It seems that the automakers don't actually break out the sales of each pickup line when reporting overall figures, so Ford lumps all F-Series (F-150, F-250, F-350...) sales together when it correctly lays claim to the title of Best-Selling Pickup Line in America. Ford's Super Duty series commands nearly 50-percent of the HD pickup market, which puts the Blue Oval on top of the overall sales race.

Interestingly, all three American automakers picked up full-size pickup market share at the expense of Nissan and especially Toyota, which saw sales of its Tundra plummet from 76,516 units to just 36,106 units in June of 2009 compared to one year ago. Click here for the full breakdown of full-size truck sales data.

VIDEO: Happy Fourth of July... now let's blow up some cars!

If you're a big fan of fully automatic machine guns, then there is a good chance that you've heard of the Oklahoma Full Auto Shoot & Trade Show. The O.F.A.S.T.S. trade show features some serious hardware for purchase, including WWII anti-tank guns and Russian units used buy the bad guys in Afghanistan.

G4 contributor Alison Haislip of Attack of the Show attended the gathering to test out some guns, and she brought a tan Dodge Intrepid along for a little target practice. Hit the jump to watch Haislip rip the hapless sedan to shreds with a Browning 1917 machine gun capable of shooting 750 8-mm rounds per minute. We normally don't get too excited about tank-stopping machine guns, but as we're jonesin' to kick off the Fourth of July festivities, well... we'll start off with an altogether different sort of pyrotechnics. Thanks for the tip, Kelly!

Continue reading VIDEO: Happy Fourth of July... now let's blow up some cars!

REPORT: Dodges to be rebranded as Alfa Romeos in Europe

With the ink still wet on the Fiat/Chrysler deal, many auto sites (including Autoblog) have had a bit of fun prognosticating which Fiat/Alfa models would be rebadged as Chrysler products. U.K. site Autocar is reporting that Fiat is exploring bringing in Dodge models to Europe to be rebadged at Alfa Romeos. CEO Sergio Marchionne is said to be considering the move, saying that the two brands share the same core identity.

Autocar quotes Marchionne as saying that Dodge is the muscle car of the U.S. while Alfa is the muscle car of Europe, the latter being an interesting bit of positioning that we Statesiders don't normally associate with the brand. If the right Dodge-branded products were to make their way to Europe, the theory is that the Auburn Hills marque could actually bolster the products already offered by Alfa. The problem is, though, that there are few (if any) Dodge models that could reasonably be expected to perform well in Europe. The only models that are likely to be of interest are the Charger, Viper and Challenger, and the there is a chance that the Viper could soon find itself outside of the Chrysler portfolio altogether. The Charger and Challenger are likely too big for Europe as well, and would probably only sell in small numbers.

Marchionne also tells Autocar that the Chrysler group is still losing money, but the rate has slowed due to production and labor cuts.