Chrysler and Dodge to Recall More than 26,000 Vehicles in the U.S.

A new recall announced by the Chrysler Group will affect 26,397 owners of Chrysler and Dodge brand vehicles in the USA. The recall includes certain 2010MY Chrysler 300 and Sebring, and Dodge Charger, Avenger, Challenger and Journey, and some 2011MY Ram pickup trucks, because a power steering pressure hose may leak fluid onto a hot engine and cause a fire.
The U.S. automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before the end of the October 2010.
Owners may contact Chrysler for more information regarding the recall at 1-800-853-1403.
According to reports, 13,000 vehicles are also being recalled outside the U.S. for the same problem.

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Vipervette is the latest project to kill two performance nameplates in one god

The 1986 Vipervette is exactly what you think it is: part Dodge Viper, part Corvette, all painful. Riding on a 1986 Corvette chassis, the Vipervette is said to have inherited its body (and not much else, apparently) from a 2000 Dodge Viper. Because of this hodge-podge mix of machinery, we have a car with some very awkward proportions.
The car is motivated by the '86 Vette's power train - a 5.7-liter V8 and a 4-speed stick - so don't expect to be going anywhere in too much of a hurry. Inside is more of the 1980's, with the Corvette interior color-coded to line up with the Viper exterior (meaning it's the mighty played-out red and black).
At least it's based on a relatively modern car, so it's got common amenities like power steering, power windows, the Viper's removable top, and a CD player. There's no telling about the quality of the project's fit and finish, but if you're interested in finding out for yourself, this little monster can be yours for the low, low price of $12,250.
For that money, I'd pass and get a cherry 1980's Corvette (and still have money for a vacation, to boot).

By Phil Alex

Link: Autabuy - Hat tip to Brian!

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Pentastar V6 to Find its Way Into 13 Models Across the Chrysler Group Range, Including 2011 Challenger

The Chrysler Group's new Pentastar V6 gasoline engine will either replace current six-cylinder units or be introduced for the first time on a total of 13 vehicles across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep range by 2013, the company announced this week.
The 3.6-liter V6 unit will be offered with different levels of output, the most powerful [for now] iteration being the one fitted on the upcoming 2011 Dodge Challenger, which will be rated at 305 bhp at 6,350 rpm and 268 lb.ft. at 4,800 rpm, representing a 55 horsepower increase over the previous 3.5-liter V6.
On the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar V6 produces 290HP, while on the forthcoming 2011 Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler 200 sedan and Town & Country minivan, it will deliver 283HP. The soon-to-be-launched 2011 Dodge Charger will feature a 292-horsepower variant of the 3.6-liter V6. Other models to get the Pentastar V6 include the new Dodge Durango and Journey.
According to Chrysler, the new Pentastar V6 is not only more and fuel efficient than the six-cylinder engines it replaces, but is also significantly lighter. For example, the new 3.6L V6 is 94 lbs. lighter than the 3.7-liter engine it replaced in Jeep Grand Cherokee and 42 lbs. less than the 3.5-liter it replaces on the Chrysler 300.
"The Pentastar engine is suited to meet the requirements for a full range of vehicle applications in terms of power and fuel efficiency (average savings up to 7 percent across the model range) including passenger cars, mini-vans and sport utilities," said Bob Lee, vice president of engine engineering for Chrysler Group LLC.
"It has been designed for today and many years to come. Already, we are looking forward to adapting future technologies as they become available to the Pentastar V-6 for even more fuel efficiency and performance."

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SEMA Preshow: 2011 RedLine Dodge Charger Loves Carbon Fiber

Not to be outdone by Ford and General Motors, the Chrysler Group is readying a parade of specially tuned vehicles for this year's edition of the SEMA Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from November 2 to 5. One of the firm's star attractions will be the RedLine Dodge Charger based on the redesigned 2011 model year version of the saloon.
"We let the designers of the production car and their friends at Mopar rip," said Ralph Gilles, CEO of Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President of Product Design. "I wanted them to show us what they would do with this vehicle if it were their own dream car."
Hiding under the RedLine Charger's unique aluminum hood is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 enhanced with a variety of Mopar parts including new headers, an exhaust system and a cold-air intake. Dodge said these upgrades provide horsepower and torque gains, but did not release any numbers.
The Charger concept also gets a retuned suspension that brings the car one inch [25 mm] closer to the ground, a Mopar strut tower brace, and 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in chunky tires size 265/35/22 at the front, and 295/30/22 at the rear.
On the outside, the designers dipped the Charger into carbon fiber as the material is found on most parts of the new bodykit, the rooftop, hood, exterior mirrors and the new side scoops that are said to recall the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
We don't have any images of the cabin, but Dodge said the sported-up sedan gets a red-and-black interior with Mopar Katzkin performance seats trimmed in Radar Red Nappa leather with bright red stitching, all-aluminum driver and console bezels and a unique SRT steering wheel featuring prototype paddle shift controls.

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Mopar to Show 35 Tuned Vehicles Including 2011 Dodge Durango at SEMA Show

Wrapping up our preview on the Chrysler Group's 2010 SEMA Show offerings, we've grouped up the rest of Mopar's products in a gallery after the jump. All in all, Chrysler's in-house tuning division will showcase a total of 35 vehicles in Las Vegas.
Aside from the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and RedLine Charger, and Fiat 500 that we've already told you about in previous posts, it's worth mentioning that Mopar is reading a luxed-up version of the 2011 Dodge Durango called "Black and Tan" as well as an "Off-Road Edition" of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Durango's highlights include a special shiny black paint color, Nappa leather seats, 22-inch alloys, a lower suspension and chrome trim, while the Grand Cherokee's features include 33-inch BFG Mud-Terrain tires, skid plates, rock rails and tow hooks. Scroll down for the photo gallery.

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