1967 Dodge Coronet on 2040-cars

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Chrysler recalling 31k SUVs and vans

Chrysler is issuing recalls covering roughly 31,700 vehicles worldwide due to two separate problems. In both cases the company believes that most of the affected vehicles are either still on, or in transit to, dealer lots.
One recall covers roughly 10,700 Dodge Durango, Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT models from the 2014 model year built between January 16 and April 17, 2014. The SUVs need a software update for the cruise control. It's possible that when the cruise is on and the driver presses on the throttle, the acceleration could last a second after the pedal is released or two seconds for the SRT. Afterward, they return to the speed originally set by the driver.
Chrysler says it isn't aware of any accidents, injuries or even reported incidents of this happening in the real world. Also, in all cases, if the driver presses on the brake, the cruise shuts off. The automaker believes that there are about 6,100 affected SUVs in the US, 950 in Canada, 425 in Mexico and 3,200 outside of North America. The software upgrade will be ready shortly, the company says.

Viper owners raising money to retake the Nurburgring lap record

Nurburgring lap times – unofficial as they may be – are the locker room comparison contest of the automotive world. For several years, the lap record of 7:12:13 was held by a 2011 Dodge Viper ACR. The Viper and America were the rulers of the roost until the usurper, the Porsche 918, came in a stole the crown. The death knell is ringing for the Viper, and a group of owners are raising money to send the car to the 'Ring for one last chance at glory. The current Dodge Viper ACR is an astonishingly capable car. All of the flaws that make it miserable to live with everyday - stiff suspension, obnoxious exhaust, speed-bump-gouging splitter - make it one of the most formidable road-legal track machines ever created. Unfortunately, that single-purpose nature turned off a lot of customers, and slow sales have led to the end of Viper production. The Viper holds lap records on more than a dozen of tracks, but, like a driver winning the Indianapolis 500, only one belt notch truly matters. The ViperExchange is willing to supply two ACRs and two drivers well versed in the Nurburgring in order to retake the record. The problem with attempting to set the record is mostly down to logistics. According to the GoFundMe page, the total cost to send the cars, pay for the track, the supplies, and operating expenses is about $150,000 and $200,000. The group says this is entirely a volunteer effort and are asking for donations to fund the Viper's return. Those wishing to help replant the stars and stripes and fill the forests of Germany with the truck-like roar of an odd-firing V10 can donate online. If they fall short, donations will be returned. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: GoFundMe Auto News Dodge Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance dodge viper acr nurburgring record lap record

The Dodge Demon's massive torque wrinkles its massive tires

Horsepower doesn't mean a damn thing if a car can't properly put the power down. That's why Dodge has fitted the upcoming Demon with some of the stickiest road-legal rubber available. Those Demon-branded Nitto NT05R drag radials skirt by regulations with just the smallest of margins, and in order to maximize the potential of the 315/40R 18 size tires Dodge increased the car's torque multiplication with a higher stall speed for the torque converter and a 3.09 rear axle. The 12.6-inch-wide tires are fitted to 18x11-inch wheels at all four corners, and they're fatter than those 305-section front tires on the Camaro Z/28 that we raved about years ago. Dodge says the combination of soft, gooey rubber and the new gear ratio gives the Demon about a 15 percent larger tire contact patch, more than twice as much grip, and roughly an 18 percent increase in both converter torque and rear-axle torque multiplication. Simply put, the Dodge Demon moves. You can see the results in the teaser video above, which is titles "Multiplication" and shows the crazy wrinkling of the sidewall that results from putting that torque to the road. We wouldn't be surprised if the inner rim of the wheel needs some grip to keep the tire seated, something Chevy had to do on the last Z/28. There is something wonderful about Dodge's approach to performance cars. While the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro have moved on from their muscle car upbringings with proper track-focused models, Dodge has stayed true to its roots by developing a machine that's sole intent is traveling a quarter-mile quicker than anything else on the road. Twisty roads may be fun, but there is something wholly and deeply satisfying about going deep into the accelerator with a comical amount of power at your disposal. We can't wait. Related Video: New York Auto Show Dodge Coupe Performance dodge demon dodge hellcat dodge challenger srt demon drag strip