2012 Dodge Challenger on 2040-cars

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Dodge performance could be electrified, new hybrid transmissions coming

Dodge is arguably the last company around specializing in old-school muscle cars. Outside of a few models like the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the new e-Torque offerings in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler, FCA as a whole seems behind the ball when it comes to green or electrified powertrains. That might change over the next few years, as Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger cars at FCA, told Automotive News that he sees the future of performance to be electrified.  At the reveal of the Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody a few weeks back, Kuniskis said "the absolute future is electrification of these cars." What form this takes or how soon this all might happen is unclear, but changes are likely coming. Kuniskis said the electrified models could be anything from pure battery-electric vehicles to plug-in hybrids to e-axles. FCA’s e-torque system already works with the companyÂ’s Hemi V8 in the Ram 1500, so, if thereÂ’s room in the engine bay, we imagine it would be pretty easy to adapt the mild-hybrid system for other V8-powered vehicles.  One thing to note is that FCA just inked a new deal with ZF. The latter will supply a new 8-speed automatic transmission for longitudinal front-engine cars that will work with both rear and all-wheel drive vehicles. FCA already uses a version of the ZF 8HP automatic, but the big thing to note is that the new transmission has a small electric drive unit built in. If this new transmission is as ubiquitous as the current one, you might find electrified versions of Alfa Romeo and Maserati products as well as those from Dodge, Jeep and Ram. This seems in line with what was announced in last yearÂ’s five-year plan.

Bob Bondurant driving school closes a month after entering Chapter 11

On Oct. 2, the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In its filing, the 50-year-old racing school said it owed between 50 and 99 creditors an amount between $1 million and $10 million, and had $1 million to $10 million. The school released a statement at the time saying, "Our plan is to emerge from this process as a stronger company and continue to drive this company into the next 50 years." Instead, on Monday, Nov. 12, the Chandler, Arizona-based facility closed its doors with no official explanation. On top of its classes for aspiring racers, law enforcement authorities, and general population students, Bondurant has been the official driving school for Dodge SRT vehicles since 2015. Over the past two years, Dodge has included a one-day training course for any SRT buyers and lessees, redeemable within a year after finalizing the deal for the vehicle. To read the tale of one Hellcat owner at the Hellcat.org forum, even the school's instructors didn't see the closure coming. Forum member Av62nv arrived at Bondurant Monday to start his four-day experience. After a lengthy pause in the middle of the day, Av62nv wrote that the instructor walked in and told the class, "Sorry guys, don't know how to say this, but as some may know the school is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and it looks like 7 now. We are closed." Another poster in the forum, CubeMan, wrote that "Technicians and staff loaded their toolboxes, and paychecks have apparently bounced." Apparently family scion Jason Bondurant arrived and tried to explain; the short of it was that the good thing had come to an abrupt end, but there was "a chance it could come back." Other posters in the forum noted how they have reservations as far out as June 2019, or haven't been able to get to their classes yet because of delivery delays with their SRT cars, and have no idea what's happening. The website is still up, but a Bondurant spokesman confirmed the closure to Classic Cars, and a note on the school door reads, "School is closed. Direct all inquiries to Pat Bondurant." Pat is Bob Bondurant's wife, who married the former race driver in 2010 at the Monaco Grand Prix. A month ago, Bondurant's Chapter 11 bankruptcy statement said, "We will continue operating and serving our students and corporate groups as usual while we develop new business relationships to ensure the vitality of the company in the future." Obviously, that won't happen.

Ringbrothers 1969 Dodge Charger Defector is a mean green machine

The 1969 Dodge Charger is one of the most recognizable cars ever built. Its debut at the peak of the muscle car era, sleek bodywork, and roaring Hemi V8 represented everything that was wonderful about American cars from the 1960s. It was fast, loud and moved like a greyhound off the line in search of that mechanical lure. Ringbrothers, the shop behind cars like the De Tomaso Pantera "ADRNLN" and t he Chevy Chevelle "Recoil," have unveiled its latest project - the 1969 Dodge Charger "Defector". Like most Ringbrothers projects, a first glance doesn't show much more than some wheels, new paint and a different ride height. Like any good custom car, the devil is in the details. The Defector falls into the restomod category, meaning it has classic looks but has been updated with modern parts and technology. This is the first time the shop has done a Mopar product, and they wanted to knock it out with the first attempt. While it may look stock, the bodywork has been significantly altered. Compared to a standard '69 Charger, the trunk lid is two inches shorter and the wheelbase has been increased by three inches. That means the car has new rockers and new quarter panels. The car was then painted in a BASF color called "Greener On The Other Side." It wears a black vinyl roof and a black stripe around the rear. The stripe and grille both sport the Ring Brothers logo. The car rides on 19-inch HRE wheels and uses Baer brakes with six-piston front calipers. The new rear subframe comes from Detroit Speed. The ancient steering rack has been replaced with a new rack and pinion unit. We assume this means it won't steer like a drunken hippo in a mudslide. Like the exterior, changes to the interior are subtle. It looks stock, but the seats wear new upholstery and the dash has been fitted with an Alpine stereo with a touchscreen display. The new steering rack is fitted with a nice Nardi steering wheel. The most modern update rests under the hood. In place of the old V8, Ringbrothers have swapped in a new 6.4-liter Hemi V8. It's the same one you'll find in any number of modern Mopar products. It's been tuned by Wegner Motorsports and exhales through a new Flowmaster exhaust system. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.