Swift Jeep Chrysler Dodge

Available on 2009 Chrysler, Jeep_® and Dodge models

• Customer benefits: improved fuel economy, performance, flexibility and convenience
• In-vehicle wireless Internet connectivity: coming from Mopar® by year end
• Rear Cross Path: Chrysler-exclusive system warns drivers of approaching traffic in the parking lot aisle during back-up maneuvers
• Blind Spot Monitoring: exclusive to Chrysler and Dodge in minivan segment
• Active transfer case combined with front-axle disconnect: independent technologies offered together only by Chrysler
• Rear-seat swivel scree: yet another Chrysler exclusive
• Enhanced voice-activated in-vehicle communications system
• Knowledge Based Engineering: vastly improves vehicle development time

» Read More

“Jeep engineering has been coming to Moab for years. Mopar is at Moab to test, evaluate and prove the authenticity of our Mopar Performance Parts for Jeep vehicles and Dodge trucks on the most grueling off-road trails in Moab,” said Simon Boag, President – Service & Parts/Mopar, Chrysler LLC. Mopar is Chrysler LLC’s original equipment parts manufacturer and supplier.

Boag added, “We wanted our core off-road customers to talk about their vehicle usage so we can address their unmet needs and identify emerging product trends to better support their off-road adventures. Mopar prepped several vehicles for Moab Jeep Safari to gauge consumer feedback and reaction.”

Overseen by Ralph Gilles, Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC, the Mopar Underground design team has been customizing production vehicles since its creation in 2002. The Mopar Underground design team creates vehicle concepts meant to develop performance parts, accessories and customization as well as new vehicle concepts. In fact, the first-generation SRT4 was born from this team’s style initiative.

“Our diverse team which changes frequently has been developing SEMA concepts for more than five years. It’s the usual ‘enthusiast’ suspects from our union shops [plastic, paint, metal and wood], Product Design Office, SRT and Mopar Performance Parts and engineering,” said Gilles.

“We try to push the boundaries of conventional thinking—customizing with no limits to creative expression and freedom, just the power to imagine. We want to build customized concept vehicles that flex the potential in our platforms, show that Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles are indeed designed for customization and keep the Mopar spirit and passion alive,” said Gilles.

Vehicle Customization Industry

• The 2007 Jeep Wrangler was named one of the most accessory-friendly vehicles by SEMA members
• According to a Foresight Research report conducted last year [commissioned by SEMA's Research and Information Center], more than 1,700 full-size truck owners revealed that 50 percent had spent or planned to spend $500 or more on accessories—with a high of 63 percent for Dodge Ram owners (most likely to accessorize). And 20 percent of that group said they bought their trucks at a particular dealership because of the availability of accessories

» Read More

• Five-star Front- and Side-Impact Ratings Accentuate Chrysler LLC’s Commitment to Safety and Security 
• Dodge Journey Offers More Than 35 Safety and Security Features
  

The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey earned 5-star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash along with 5-star driver and rear passenger ratings for side impact protection, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is now available at local Dodge dealers.

“The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey features the latest in safety and security features providing our customers the peace of mind they want and expect”, said Larry Lyons, Vice President – Car and Minivan Product Team. “Safety is a top priority and the Dodge Journey delivers with advance multi-stage front driver and passenger air bags, front-seat-mounted thorax air bags, all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags and a mid-size crossover first integrated child booster seat.”

When it comes to safety and security, Dodge Journey employs a two-fold approach: conventional features including pretensioning and load-limiting seat belt retractors and supplemental air bags are combined with accident-avoidance features including an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) and Brake Assist.

» Read More

"Sorry, Ford. Your by-default reign over the American musclecar party is about to come to an end. This is clear the instant we climb aboard a final engineering prototype of the Challenger SRT8, fire its 425-horse Hemi V-8, and plant our right foot hard to the mat. The engine screams to over 6000 rpm, the rectangular exhaust outlets bellow, and the Big Bad Dodge"

"The challenge has begun." Motor Trend magazine has the "First Drive" article about the new 2008 Dodge Challenger.

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - First Drive - Motor Trend

Teammates Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch gave Dodge its first ever 1-2 sweep in NASCAR’s premier event, the Daytona 500, winning the 50th running of the “Great American Race” Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

The Dodge Charger domination didn’t stop there. Six of the first eight positions were filled by Dodge drivers. Reed Sorenson finished fifth, Elliott Sadler sixth, Kasey Kahne seventh and Robby Gordon eighth.

Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli met with Dodge team owners earlier Sunday and announced there would be a $1 million bonus for a Dodge victory. During a meeting with several members of the motorsports press later in the day, he predicted a Dodge victory.

Newman and Busch put together the winning charge on the final lap. The teammates were second and third as the field took the white flag. They drafted their way to the front down the backstretch and stayed glued together through the final two turns and down to the tri-oval for the 1-2 finish.

It was Newman’s first Daytona 500 victory and snapped an 81-race winless streak. He led four times for eight laps in the No. 12 Alltel Dodge Charger, but the most important was the final circuit. The win was also the first Daytona 500 victory for car owner Roger Penske, the most successful owner in open wheel history with 14 Indianapolis 500 victories.

“I’ve been here almost 30 years trying to get in victory lane,” said Penske. “To achieve this with the competition, with Ryan and Roy and the whole team, it’s just unbelievable. We’ve worked hard. We’ve come close. I think it was a pure team effort. Ryan drove a masterful race, as he has done many times and come up short. But today was special for us.”

It was the first Daytona 500 win by a Dodge driver since Ward Burton visited victory lane in 2002.

Newman collected $1,506,045 for the win plus the $1 million bonus from Dodge.

“Kurt was the push from heaven that made it all happen," Newman said. "Without a doubt, he could have easily gone three-wide and split us through the center and made one heck of a mess there. But he chose to be a teammate, and that was the most honorable thing that he could do.

“I don’t have the words to explain how I feel. This is awesome. It’s probably one of the most awesome things that has happened to me. Just to be a part of the 50th running of the Daytona 500; 15 years ago I was sitting in the grandstands in the Seagraves Tower as a spectator. It’s awesome to make the change.”

Busch started 43rd in the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger, but managed to work his way to the front and lead nine laps. It was his third runner-up finish in the Daytona 500. He has seven top-five finishes in 15 races at Daytona.

“To give my teammate a shot and to push him to victory makes me feel like we won this thing as well, right along with him,” said Busch. “You have to have teammates when you are restrictor plate racing. You have to work together whether you are on the track or off the track. Penske Racing deserves this. It’s our first ever restrictor plate win and we came through with a one-two finish.”

Newman’s Dodge Charger will be inducted into the Daytona 500 Experience Monday where it will remain on display for one year. Following the induction ceremonies, Newman departs for New York for a media tour and then on to Las Angeles on Tuesday afternoon for more appearances.

"This is an awesome victory,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Motorsports and SRT Marketing. “The win is super important. Ryan and the No. 12 team did an excellent job. Penske Racing was on top of their game today. It was a great showing by all the Dodge teams; to get six out of the top eight is just a phenomenal showing for Dodge. It shows the depth of our program and we couldn’t be more excited for the 2008 season.”

Sorenson and Kahne ran in the top 10 throughout the race while Gordon and Sadler made their move to the front in the latter stages of the 200-lap event. There were 42 lead changes among 16 drivers.

"We had a good car,” said Kahne. “I think we were in the top 10 all day long. I was really happy with the Budweiser Dodge. The team did a good job with the pit stops and the car was great. A Dodge won, so that’s pretty awesome for Dodge and all of us.”

For Sorenson, driver of the No. 41 Target Dodge Charger from Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, it was his third top-10 finish in the Daytona 500.

“Everybody on the team has done a great job since we got here and I think that says a lot about what we can do this year,” said Sorenson.

Gordon said he played it safe in his Dodge Charger until the final 100 miles.

“My car was good,” he said. “I was just surviving and trying not to put myself in position to tear my car up until the last 40 laps. My hat is off to all the guys at GEM (Gillett Evernham Motorsports) and congratulations to Dodge.”

Bobby Labonte finished 11th and Sam Hornish Jr. was 15th, best among the Raybestos Rookie of the Year contenders.

“I’m about as happy as I can be with the 15th-place finish,” said Hornish. “We came in with a goal that if we were in the top-20, we would be happy with that. Not only were we able to do that, we were able to see one of our teammates win. That was great.”

Other Dodge finishers were Juan Pablo Montoya 32nd, Dario Franchitti 33rd and Kyle Petty 34th.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings
(After 1 of 36 Races)
Ryan Newman 190
Kurt Busch 175
Tony Stewart 170
Kyle Busch 170
Reed Sorenson 160
Kasey Kahne 151
Elliott Sadler 150
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 143
Robby Gordon 142
Greg Biffle 139
Bobby Labonte 130
Jeff Burton 129

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Stacy Compton and Dennis Setzer posted top-10 finishes for Bobby Hamilton Racing-Virginia in the season-opening Craftsman Truck Series event at Daytona International Speedway. Compton finished sixth in the No. 4 Potamkin-Rivera Dodge-sponsored Dodge Ram while Setzer was 10th in the No. 18 “All-New Dodge Journey” Dodge Ram.

Todd Bodine held off Kyle Busch to win the 250-mile event as16 trucks finished on the lead lap. The event was marred by several crashes. It was Bodine’s second consecutive superspeedway race as he won at Talladega (Ala.) last October.

Craftsman Truck Series Points Standings
(After 1 of 25 Races)
1. Todd Bodine 195
2. Kyle Busch 170
3. Johnny Benson 170
4. David Starr 160
5. Rick Crawford 155
6. Stacy Compton 150
7. Chad McCumbee 146
8. Justin Marks 142
9. Brian Scott 138
10. Dennis Setzer 134

Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press, left, and Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President - Product Development, right, was joined by Paul Teutul and Paul Teutel, Jr. -- stars of the hit TV show, "Orange County Choppers" to unveil the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® at the Chicago Auto Show.

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Reveal Highlights Video

» Read More

All-new 2009 Dodge Ram Breaks From the Herd — Literally

• First-in-segment coil-spring, multilink rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle provides ride and handling capabilities unexpected in a pickup truck
• All-new, bold, powerful, “get-out-of-the-way” Dodge Ram design 
• New, aggressive “grille-forward” design 
• First-in-segment chrome-tipped dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper 
• Best-in-class aerodynamics – an estimated .419 Cd
• Dodge Ram’s first-ever crew-size cab, giving Dodge an entry into the largest and fastest-growing part of the market. Crew-size cab accounts for nearly 50 percent of market
• New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 provides more horsepower (380 hp) and torque (404 lb.-ft.), with increased fuel economy (an estimated 4 percent)
• Shockingly fast performance: 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds
• New interiors with premium seating, soft-touch materials, redesigned controls, floor console with shifter, and nearly double the storage options
• More than 35 new or improved features
• Industry-first RamBox cargo management system (crew-size cab) includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins built into bed rails (a total of 8.6 cubic feet of space); pickup bed divider/2-foot bed extender; and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats
• RamBox bins hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages, or other gear for work or leisure
• First-in-segment “store in the floor” storage bins with removable liners, big enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice
• First-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats 
• Heated rear seats also available 
• Heated steering wheel a first for any Chrysler LLCvehicle
• First-in-segment live SIRIUS Backseat TV™
• First-in-segment surround-sound audio system
• More than 30 safety features, including standard four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Stability Program with Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control
• All-new 2009 Dodge Ram to arrive this fall
• Light-duty diesel to arrive after 2009; two-mode hybrid powertrain to be offered in 2010 model year

» Read More

Expert Jean Jennings takes the new Town & Country for a spin.

Dodge Announces Exciting New Journey Crossover that Delivers Great Value and Unsurpassed Function and Flexibility starting at $19,985

• Dodge Journey provides exceptional content and value with available third-row seating for up to seven passengers and a state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive system 
• Bold Dodge styling, perfect proportions define right-sized crossover 
• Journey arrives to market as crossover segment set to expand 
• Standard safety features abound, including standard multi-stage front driver and passenger air bags, standard front-seat-mounted side air bags and standard three-row side-curtain air bags

» Read More

• Five stars earned for frontal- and side-impact crash protection for Jeep® Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Town & Country

The 2008 Jeep® Liberty, 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2008 Dodge Nitro, 2008 Dodge Caliber, 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2008 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country received the U. S. government’s highest safety ratings for frontal- and side-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Through a broad range of engineering technologies, Chrysler is offering its customers the safety they expect and deserve,” said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler LLC. “Both passive and active safety systems enhance the inherent stability and safety we design into all of our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles.”

When it comes to safety, Chrysler employs a twofold approach: conventional features such as pretensioning and load-limiting seat belt retractors and supplemental air bags are combined with accident-avoidance features including improved steering, handling and braking.

2008 Jeep Liberty
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is equipped with 35 safety and security features including the company’s side-occupant protection system. The system includes supplemental side-curtain air bags with extended up time, tethers and multiple sensors in case of a rollover. Adding to the mid-size SUV’s long list of standard safety and security features are Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, anti-lock brake system, tire pressure monitoring (TPM), rain-sensing wipers and three new technologies: Trailer Sway Control, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers technologies such as electronic limited slip differentials and Electronic Stability Program that help to contribute to the vehicle’s on-road and off-road dynamics. Advanced multistage front and supplemental side curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring system, ParkView™ Rear Back-up Camera (with or without navigation), ParkSense® Rear Park Assist System, SmartBeam® headlamps, high-intensity discharge headlamps and rain-sensing wipers offer the latest innovation in occupant protection, safety and security on the road. The Jeep Grand Cherokee also features three new safety and security technologies for 2008: Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control.

2008 Dodge Caliber
Reinforcing Chrysler's commitment to safety and security, the 2008 Dodge Caliber gives customers an outstanding level of technology in the value-conscious compact car segment. More than 25 advanced safety technologies are available including standard supplemental side-curtain air bags, optional seat-mounted supplemental side air bags, standard driver and passenger front air bags, available Electronic Stability Program and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

2008 Dodge Nitro
The 2008 Dodge Nitro offers a full range of active and passive safety systems. Among the vehicle’s standard equipment is the advanced electronic chassis controls — Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, brake assist and advanced anti-lock brakes.

2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan
The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans are equipped with many standard safety and security items such as advanced, multi-stage driver and passenger air bags; all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags with added rollover protection; driver and front-passenger knee blockers; Electronic Stability Program with traction control and brake assist; a patented energy-absorbing steering column and three Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchors. The new minivans also feature an Enhanced Accident Response System. This system switches on the interior lamps, unlocks doors, turns on hazard-flasher exterior lamps and turns the engine off by cutting off fuel in the event an impact causes air bag deployment. Other safety and security features include a rearview interior conversation mirror; power-adjustable pedals; remote, keyless, illuminated entry; power sliding passenger doors; power liftgate; tire pressure monitoring system; ParkSense® rear back-up assist system and ParkView® rear back-up camera.

2008 Chrysler Pacifica
Available safety and security features on the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica include standard supplemental three-row side-curtain airbags, driver and passenger-side knee blockers, advanced multi-stage air bags with occupant classification system, Electronic Stability Program, brake assist, patented energy absorbing steering column, available ParkSense rear park assist system and ParkView rear back-up camera.