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The Chrysler Aspen appears alongside Matthew Broderick in the family comedy "Deck the Halls."

• Chrysler Aspen plays supporting role in new family holiday movie “Deck the Halls”
• Stars Matthew Broderick, Danny DeVito and Kristin Davis arrive at premiere in vehicles decked in lights
• Movie debuts nationwide on Nov. 22
  

Adorned with a big red bow, the 2007 Chrysler Aspen plays the role of the ultimate Christmas present in the new family holiday film, "Deck the Halls," opening in theaters nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

The Chrysler Aspen appears alongside Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito in this family comedy about one-upsmanship, jealousy, clashing neighbors, home decoration…and the true spirit of the holidays. Broderick and DeVito play neighbors who find themselves going toe-to-toe to prove who the local “King of Christmas” is. 

Glowing like a Christmas tree on wheels, the Chrysler Aspen, covered in holiday lights, delivered the stars to the movie's premiere on Sunday, Nov. 12 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. Broderick, DeVito, along with co-starsKristin Davis and the rest of the cast, arrived in style in the Chrysler brand’s first-ever full-size SUV.

The Chrysler Aspen plays an important supporting role in the film. In his quest for holiday supremacy, DeVito tries to illuminate his house so it can be seen from outer space and adds a live manger scene to complete his festive décor. DeVito, a car salesman, presents Broderick with the Chrysler Aspen as a way of making amends for wreaking havoc on his neighbor’s holiday festivities.

In one scene from the movie, Broderick, after initially declining the over-the-top gift from his neighbor, drives the Chrysler Aspen into town and after parking the vehicle, sweeps his hand admiringly over the vehicle’s stylish profile.

“Casting the Chrysler Aspen in this film was a perfect fit for us. It showcases the Aspen as the elegant, versatile and dynamic vehicle that it is,” said David Rooney, Director – Chrysler Marketing and Global Communication. “With the Chrysler Aspen playing a lead role in the film, the vehicle goes from being just an extra to almost becoming another character in the plot.”

“Deck the Halls,” from Regency Enterprises, is directed by John Whitesell and written by Matt Corman & Chris Ord and Don Rhymer, and will be released by Twentieth Century Fox.

About the Chrysler Brand
Driven by award-winning new models, the Chrysler brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image, culminating in 2005 calendar-year sales of 649,293 units – a Chrysler brand yearly sales record. Since 1990, Chrysler brand sales have jumped 251 percent. No other American automotive brand has grown as much during the same time frame.

The Chrysler brand’s succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand’s standing as the leader in great design, purposeful technology and value. With the launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan and the 2007 Chrysler Aspen – the first-ever full-size sport-utility vehicle for the brand – the momentum is sure to continue.

About the 2007 Chrysler Aspen
Boasting elegant styling, premium amenities, unsurpassed capability and performance coupled with fuel-saving MDS technology and a starting price below $32,000, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen Limited is a value alternative to luxury-priced competitors.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen Limited is $31,490, including $745 for destination.

With premium technology, generous comfort, more than 30 safety and security features and fuel-saving technology, Chrysler Aspen Limited is a tremendous value compared to larger, higher-priced SUVs. In addition, Chrysler Aspen provides seating for up to eight and class leading cargo volume with the refinement, drivability and efficiency of smaller SUVs.

National Magazines Recognize Wrangler Rubicon for Capability, Refinement

• Wrangler Rubicon wins 4-Wheel & Off-Road's 2007 4x4 of the Year competition
• Four Wheeler names Wrangler Rubicon 2007 Four Wheeler of the Year
• Wrangler Unlimited recognized by Popular Science as a 19th Annual "Best of What’s New"

2007 Jeep_® Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Unlimited have notched a trio of prestigious national awards within two weeks — the latest recognition in Jeep Wrangler's 65-year storied history.

"These awards are a testament not only to the combination of rugged capability and refinement of the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, but also to the talent and dedication of the people who created them," said Mike Donoughe, Vice President – Body-on-frame Product Team, Chrysler Group. "We're very proud to have been recognized with not one, but three of the most prestigious awards in our business."

On Oct. 31, 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine announced that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ranked tops among eight competitors for 4x4 of the Year, using a 1,000-mile test of each vehicle's suspension, engine, transmission and transfer case. Consideration was also given to style and creature comforts. 2007 marked the magazine's 25^th annual evaluation for 4x4 of the Year. This was the 11^th time that a Jeep vehicle has won the award.

On Nov. 1, Four Wheeler magazine named the Wrangler Rubicon winner of the Four Wheeler of the Year award for 2007, besting a field of seven new sport-utility vehicles. The week-long competition incorporated a 1,000-mile test drive on city streets, gravel roads, desert dunes and rocky trails at elevations ranging from sea level to 7,000 feet. Test criteria measured on- and off-road performance, interior refinements, safety features and exterior fit and finish. The magazine's Four Wheeler of the Year competition has been held annually since 1974.

This week, Popular Science magazine named the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as one of only 10 automotive winners in the "Best of What's New" for 2007. Every year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and technologies, narrowing its focus to the 100 most impressive advancements in 10 categories, including gadgets, computing, engineering, recreation and automotive.

More information about the competitions and awards will be available in the February issues of 4-Wheel & Off-Road and Four Wheeler, and the December issue of Popular Science.

• The History of the 392 HEMI®
• Dodge Challenger Super Stock Concept with 392 HEMI by Mopar
• Beware the Foose HEMISFEAR™
• 392 Technical Specifications
  

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of an engine that revolutionized not only drag racing, but the entire automotive industry as well: The legendary 392 HEMI®. Mention the word “HEMI” to an automotive enthusiast and little else needs to be said. Or, perhaps a lot more needs to be said depending on your perspective.

“The 392 HEMI is a legend so rich in automotive tradition that hundreds, if not thousands, of books and accounts have been written about its historical significance,” said Chris Cortez, senior vice president – Global Service & Parts, Chrysler Group.”

The History of the 392 HEMI
The original 392 HEMI engine was introduced in the new 1957 model year Chryslers and Imperials. It replaced the 354 cubic-inch version of the original HEMI launched in 1951.

Compared with the 354, the 392 was completely revised and improved, with larger valves and ports, a beefier block and crankshaft, and improved bearings. In short, the 392 HEMI, often referred to simply as the “92,” was perfect for drag racing.

More than a few racers bolted on six or eight carburetors, slipped in a hotter cam, tipped some nitro into the tank and went racing. Racing legend Don Garlits ran a 392 in his Swamp Rat I at record speeds of over 180 mph on nitro with no supercharger. Garlits also used a 392 HEMI to officially break the 200-mph barrier when his Swamp Rat went 201.34 mph at Atco, N.J. in 1964.

Dodge Challenger Super Stock Concept with 392 HEMI by Mopar
To further commemorate the legacy of the 392, Chrysler Group and Mopar are unveiling a SEMA first: a concept vehicle tricked out just for SEMA. From Detroit’s 2006 North American International Auto Show and a year before its production debut, the stunning Dodge Challenger Super Stock with 392 HEMI by Mopar.

“There was really only one vehicle choice to showcase our new crate motor — the bold, powerful and capable, Dodge Challenger,” said Cortez.

One of the most iconic muscle cars of the 1970s, it debuted in the fall of 1969 as a 1970 model. Although it was only produced from 1970 to 1974 (188,600 sold), the Dodge Challenger earned a reputation as one of the most desirable of the original “pony cars,” with meticulously restored and rare examples today selling for six-figure prices.

The Challenger went racing in its first year and HEMI-powered Challengers tore up the drag strips across the country in the SCCA Trans-am series and NHRA Pro Stock classes. In 1971, a Dodge Challenger paced the Indianapolis 500.

“The HEMI legacy lives on,” said Cortez. “But this Dodge Challenger Super Stock concept will no doubt bring that legacy to a whole new generation.”

The all-new Dodge Challenger will debut as a 2008 model in calendar-year 2008.

Beware the Foose HEMISFEAR™
Also at SEMA this year, Mopar is taking the wraps off the Foose HEMISFEAR™, powered by — what else — a 392 HEMI. Foose — visionary customizer, television personality, and hot rod shop owner — purchased 50 392 HEMI crate motors to install in his new kit car project.

“HEMISFEAR is an appropriate name, because it’s destined to put fear in the ears of racers,” said Cortez. “When Chip saw that Mopar’s new 525-horsepower 392 HEMI featured programmable fuel injection and coil-on-plug technology, he knew he found the power to breathe life into his design and bring classic HEMI engineering to a new generation.”

The Foose HEMISFEAR is a rear-engine vehicle that will be hand-built and sold as unfinished Hot Rod kits by Gaffoflio Family Metalcrafters, a longtime Chrysler Group design partner and Mopar supplier.

392 Technical Specifications
To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary engine, Mopar is launching an all-new 392 HEMI crate motor for a new generation of performance enthusiasts. This engine — built with all new components — is a complete engine assembly from the throttle body to the oil pan, and cranks out 525 horsepower in it most potent form.

Three different versions of the new 392 are available from Mopar: 

• P5153604 392 HEMI Crate Engine – Carbureted, 540 horsepower and 490 lb.-ft of torque 
• P5253605 392 HEMI Crate Engine – SEFI, 525 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque 
• P5153603 392 HEMI Long Block HEMI Crate Engine

Technical specifications include: 

• Deep-skirted cast iron block with cross-bolted mains 
• CNC-ported aluminum twin-plug cylinder heads 
• Stainless steel 2.100" intake and 1.600" exhaust valves 
• Ovate wire (beehive competition) valve springs 
• Viton competition valve stem seals 
• 279°/285° hydraulic roller camshaft with 0.584" intake and 0.552" exhaust lift 
• Forged pistons (4.055" bore) 
• 10.5:1 compression ratio 
• Aluminum single plane high rise intake manifold with holley 870 cfm 4-bbl carburetor for carbureted 392 applications (1) 
• 4140 forged steel crankshaft — 3.795" stroke 
• 4130 forged- steel I-beam performance connecting rods — 6.200" length 
• SFI-approved competition crankshaft damper 
• “Plug-and-Play” wiring harnesses (2) 
• 80 mm manual throttle body on fuel-injected engines (3) 
• Premium tri-metal performance engine bearings 
• Precision balanced rotating assembly 
• Distributorless coil-on-plug (COP) ignition system

About DaimlerChrysler’s Mopar® Brand
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts supplier led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Division. In 1937, Mopar® (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was created for the business of distributing parts through a depot system and car divisional wholesalers.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s — the muscle car era. Beginning in 1962, Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

Today, Chrysler Group’s Global Service & Parts division is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to DaimlerChrysler engineering standards.