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Mopar Dodge Challenger special edition celebrates a mod decade

Despite the current Dodge Challenger hitting the age of 11 this year, it continues to be a top seller for the brand. One of the reasons for its popularity is its customizability. FCA acknowledges this with the just-revealed, limited-edition Mopar 2019 Dodge Challenger celebrating its factory-backed performance parts and accessories straight from the its own in-house parts division. For 10 years, Challenger owners have benefited from upgrades directly from Chrysler’s Mopar division. This has been a big deal because tuning a car often required aftermarket parts, which could jeopardize factory warranties. But with upgrades directly from original equipment manufacturers, such a risk was eliminated. “Over the last decade, weÂ’ve customized an impressive group of vehicles with exclusive Mopar performance parts and accessories that our enthusiast customers crave,” said Mark Bosanac, head of Mopar Service in a statement. “This year weÂ’re commemorating our tenth Mopar build with another unique and collectible Dodge Challenger, which continues to be the modern muscle car every bit as beloved today as the first-generation vehicle was 50 years ago.” The 2019 Mopar Dodge Challenger starts life as R/T Scat Pack model. Under the hood sits a 392-cubic inch (6.4-liter) Hemi V-8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque with the choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. But Mopar sweetens the deal by adding a performance cold-air intake, strut tower braces to improve structural rigidity and handling, as well as strut caps and braces painted in silver for eye candy whenever the hood is popped. ItÂ’s only available in two hues, Pitch Black or White Knuckle, and comes with a variety of bespoke interior and exterior upgrades. They include special Mopar Shakedown graphics and blue striping from the front fascia all the way back to the rear decklid spoiler. Completing the look is a set of 20x9-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Goodyear P245/45ZR20 performance tires and the optional shaker hood package made standard. Sales commence next month with a starting price of $45,835.

Google's new Android Autos OS unveiled, will be in cars this year [w/video]

Connected cars are coming en-masse. We know this much. How, though, remains something of an open question, especially as two of the world's largest tech companies are preparing to battle for control of your car's dashboard. On the one hand, we have Apple and its CarPlay system. And now, we know what Google has been working on with Auto Link.
Its new name is Android Auto, and yes, it's based off the Android architecture that is the primary challenger to Apple's iOS mobile operating system. Announced at Google's I/O conference today, Android Auto functions similarly to CarPlay - owners will need to plug their smartphones into their cars to access the full breadth of capability.
In Android Auto's case, that means a wealth of voice controls to limit distracted driving. Google's marquee apps will be available when the interface arrives in production models later this year, including Google Play Music, Google Maps and voice-activated texting and text playback. Meanwhile, developers will be able to begin designing custom apps for the new system via an upcoming software development kit.

NHTSA closes book on Jeep 'trailer hitch' recall after all

After much debating and hand-wringing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration now says it has "no reservations" with Chrysler's plan to recall certain Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models over concerns that their fuel tanks, which are located behind the rear axle, could rupture or leak in the event of a rear impact. The longstanding argument between the two entities saw Chrysler openly defy the Feds after a request to recall 2.7 million units back in June.
Chrysler's "voluntary campaign" will instead see it recall 1.56-million 1993-2004 model year Grand Cherokee SUVs, along with 2002-2007 Liberty models. Affected vehicles will get a trailer hitch installed free of charge, which Chrysler says will provide an additional degree of protection for the fuel tanks in the event of a crash. Jeeps with Mopar-branded hitches or hitches that were installed at the factory aren't affected by this recall.
Chrysler's argument throughout this battle has been that the Jeeps in question are no more susceptible to fires than comparable vehicles from the same time period, a position that NHTSA has seemingly arrived at as well. "Those vehicles performed at a rate similar to their peers. That is the keystone analysis as to whether something poses an unreasonable risk to safety," said outgoing NHTSA boss David Strickland during an interview with the The Associated Press.