1970 Dodge Challenger on 2040-cars

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The 2018 Dodge Demon sounds like nothing else on the road

The Dodge Demon seems to have a torque problem, if making too much to easily contain can be considered a problem. In order to keep all that twist under control, the Demon has a new torque reserve launch system that works all sorts of engineering black magic to build boost without overloading the rear tires and brakes. That system, combined with the sticky Nittos and the fancy new suspension, should lead to some pretty spectacular 60-foot and 1/4-mile times. The way the system works is relatively straightforward. A bypass valve on the supercharger closes, "prefilling" the blower. In order to balance revs and torque, the computer can adjust fuel flow and spark on individual cylinders. The torque reserve kicks in when Launch Mode is initiated and the engine is turning at least 1,000 rpm. The goal is to reach peak boost quicker while efficiently putting down power. The side effect is a distinct exhaust note, which Dodge admits may make it seem like the Demon is broken. That seems to be the root of the "If you know, you know" tagline that the automaker has been using since the first teaser. Those interested can even download a ringtone, which might make it seem like you have a blown-out speaker on your phone. You can get a brief taste in the latest teaser video. In addition to the new info on the Launch Mode, Dodge released a couple of new teaser images. We briefly glimpsed one of these last week. It's a shot of the Demon's performance pages. The number 757 has appeared before, and all the talk of torque leads us to conclude that this is the Demon's torque output. The number 815 was seen in a separate teaser (shown below), which we feel may be the horsepower rating. If those numbers are correct, that would mean an increase of 108 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, totally reasonable numbers given all the Demon's modifications. The license plate photo is another equation or code. This one, 3.9+221=405, is just as cryptic as the others. Look for more news and hints at ifyouknowyouknow.com in the weeks leading to the Demon's reveal. Related Video: Related Gallery Dodge Demon Teasers View 17 Photos Dodge Coupe Performance supercharger dodge demon dodge hellcat

FCA CEO Mike Manley will run Americas for Stellantis after PSA merger

DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley will run operations in the Americas when his company merges with FranceÂ’s PSA Peugeot early next year. FCA Chairman John Elkann announced ManleyÂ’s new post on Friday in a letter to employees. ManleyÂ’s role in the merged company had been a mystery. PSA CEO Carlos Tavares will run the overall company, to be named Stellantis. Shareholders of both companies will vote on the merger Jan. 4 to seal the deal creating the worldÂ’s fourth-largest automaker. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of March. PSA will get six seats on the new companyÂ’s 11-member board, which will be chaired by Elkann. The Americas, especially the U.S., are key to the new companyÂ’s success. Fiat ChryslerÂ’s Jeep and Ram brands are highly profitable, and Tavares has long wanted to sell PSA vehicles in the U.S. Manley has been the Italian-American automakerÂ’s CEO for 2 1/2 years, taking over when Sergio Marchionne died in 2018. Stellantis will have the capacity to produce 8.7 million cars a year, just behind Volkswagen, the Renault-Nissan alliance and Toyota. Related Video: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot Mike Manley Stellantis

Dodge Dart pushed toward the grave with simplified lineup

FCA announced a while back that the Dodge Dart and its Chrysler 200 half-sibling are on the way out due to lack of interest. The 2016 model year will be the Dart's last, and Dodge has just reconfigured the lineup mid-year to lower (relative) pricing and streamline ordering. Streamlined is a nice way of saying there will be fewer choices, with three models (down from five) and limited customization beyond choosing the paint color. The odd thing is that the Dart continues to offer three different engines. And while the prices of the individual models have decreased, the former SE base trim is now gone. That means an early-2016 Dart was available for as little as $17,990, while the late-2016 Dart starts at $18,990. For that sum you get the new base model, the SXT Sport, which replaces the SXT and comes with the 2.0-liter Tigershark four-cylinder (160 horsepower, 148 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed manual; a six-speed automatic is an available option. Standard equipment includes normal entry-level car stuff, black cloth upholstery, 16-inch wheels, and grille shutters that help improve fuel economy. The SXT Sport can be dressed up with one of three different appearance packages; Chrome adds bright accents to parts including the grille and door handles, Rallye has a black grille and a touring suspension, and the Blacktop package makes pretty much everything on the exterior black and includes a sport-tuned suspension. All three packages come with bigger wheels, too. From there it's on to the new Dart Turbo, for $20,490. It comes with the 1.4-liter turbo four (160 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque) and comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. This is supposed to be the model for enthusiasts, which is how Dodge is selling the switch to manual-only. Ditching the disliked dual-clutch automatic that was previously offered with this engine doesn't hurt. This engine was also used in the former Aero model, as it's the most fuel-efficient in the lineup. The Turbo gets the Rallye appearance stuff and a different hood. At the top is the Dart GT Sport, starting at $21,900. It has the 184-hp, 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission. This is the one with features, including a power driver's seat, the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment unit, digital reconfigurable gauges, dual-zone auto climate, keyless start, and a rearview camera. The latter-part-of-2016 Dart will be available in eight colors.