Dodge: Ram 1500 Rumble Bee on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Dodge Viper ACR reportedly green lit [w/video]

The Dodge Viper might be getting a little more venomous in the near future thanks to a return of the performance-honed ACR trim. According to an anonymous source leaking the info to Allpar, the version would go into production in July as a 2016 model year vehicle. FCA US showed a concept for a future ACR (pictured above) at the 2014 SEMA Show that sported carbon fiber parts for the front splitter and dive planes, plus a picnic-table-sized rear wing. The body also received ducts at the rear to shoot cool air to the differential. A set of 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic brake rotors also brought things to a halt in a hurry. The company promised all the aero pieces were sculpted in the wind tunnel to give the coupe even more downforce. To shed weight, engineers chucked the radio, speakers, carpet and sound deadening out of the interior, and they replaced many bits with even more carbon fiber. All of the tweaks are necessary because the ACR moniker carries serious cachet for the Viper at the track, especially at the Nurburgring. One reportedly did a 7:22 lap around the 'Ring in 2008, and another improved that further to 7:12 in 2011. Autoblog reached out to FCA US for comment about the possibility for the hotter Viper, but the company wasn't willing to comment about any possible, future projects. Related Video:

2019 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Grand Caravan 35th Anniversary Editions debut in Chicago

Just ahead of the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, FCA revealed a pair of special editions to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the original Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid and Dodge Grand Caravan 35th Anniversary Edition models will make their full debut this week sporting special badging and paint. Since the original 1984 models debuted, Chrysler has sold more than 14.6 million minivans around the world. Chrysler introduced the original Caravan and Voyager in late 1983. The pair shared much with Lee Iacocca's storied K-platform. K-based models such as the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon helped turn around Chrysler's fortunes in the early '80s. Likewise, the Caravan and Voyager were a huge success and provided the template for modern minivans including the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. The Pacifica and Grand Caravan 35th Anniversary Editions both come with an all-black interior featuring Cranberry Wine accent stitching on the seats, steering wheel, door trim, instrument panel bezels and door handles. There's also a 35th Anniversary logo on the floor mats plus badges on the grille and liftgate. The package is available on Pacifica Touring L, Touring L Plus and Limited trims, including hybrid models. An optional S package (blacked out trim) can be added to any 35th anniversary Pacifica. The anniversary package can be added to Grand Caravan SE and SXT models. The anniversary package will be available sometime this summer.

2021-22 Dodge Challenger Hellcat drops manual option

The six-speed manual has been dropped from the 2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat at least temporarily while it awaits a powertrain calibration update that will allow it to be sold again, Road & Track reports. The combination has been unavailable to order since November 2021, Stellantis said.  Dodge didn't give R&T much of an explanation regarding the combo's absence, saying only that a revised calibration that would allow the configuration to be sold is coming. When is anybody's guess. In the meantime, we're starting to wonder just how committed Stellantis is to offering its V8s to buyers who aren't opting for half-ton pickups or larger. The inline-six that is slated to replace the 5.7-liter Hemi variant in at least some applications is expected to debut soon. While the 5.7-liter Hemi has surely more than paid for itself at this point, it's likely that Stellantis is limiting availability only to its most profitable models, which help offset the CAFE costs associated with lower fleet mileage. And while Stellantis made quite a bit of noise in recent years about its customers wanting V8s, options for such have become thinner on the ground. The new Grand Cherokee is ostensibly offered with the V8 on its three top trims — Trailhawk, Overland and Summit — but only the last of those can be found anywhere in U.S. inventory with a Hemi under the hood. Trailhawk and Overland V8s simply do not exist. You don't have to take our word for it; you can look for yourself.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.