Dodge
2011 Dodge Journey
Written by admin on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Dodge Tags: 2011 Dodge Journey, 2011 Dodge Journey News, 2011 Dodge Journey Pictures, 2011 Dodge Journey Specification, Dodge Journey
For 2011, Dodge takes what was good and makes it better. The Dodge Journey receives a major overhaul with a completely redesigned and retuned suspension, a new V-6 engine and a gorgeous new interior. And that’s not all. Journey also features the latest and greatest in vehicle connectivity and customization with the Chrysler Group’s new PowerNet electrical architecture. Owners will feel like they have the world at their fingertips with the Journey’s available touchscreen command center, Úconnect® Touch.
From navigation to voice-command music selections to the ability to check fuel prices, the all-new Úconnect Touch media center makes life in the new 2011 Dodge Journey an excellent adventure for the driver and passengers. Four Úconnect Touch models are available, all featuring easy-to-use controls and class-leading technology. With its touchscreen display and user-friendly, touch-key categories, connecting and controlling personal devices is simple, intuitive and customizable.
Price: $22,245 – 34,445.
Invoice: $21,885 – 32,660.
The 2011 Dodge Journey is nimble, composed and handles well in all driving and road conditions. Chrysler Group engineers improved routine ride and handling by re-engineering the suspension geometry, adding new, improved premium tires and redesigning the §teering for a more precise and coordinated response. Overall, customers will be treated to an energetic, fun-to-drive experience behind the wheel.
In addition, at 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2011 Dodge Journey – equipped with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine – delivers a 20 percent boost in power compared with the V-6 engine it replaces. It’s mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed transmission. Drivers also will be treated to a smooth, quiet ride. Engineers reduced noise, vibration and harshness by installing new, premium sound-deadening treatments and insulation throughout the vehicle.
But perhaps the most rewarding surprise is Journey’s new interior. Customers will step into world-class levels of craftsmanship and comfort. A beautifully crafted one-piece instrument panel sets the tone. A new, larger cluster with standard Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) is positioned in the center of the new gauges. It’s a full-color display backlit in Dodge red lights, giving it a soft glow unlike any in the segment. New, integrated center stack bezels are less angular and more sculpted, and designers softened the radius to make more room for the driver’s knees. The heating and cooling outlets are also redesigned to make them better lòòking and better functioning. The center console gets a lot of extra cushion on the tilt-and-slide armrest. Lift the lid, and there’s a larger center storage bin with a 12-volt outlet and ÚSB port where owners can hook up their MP3/iPod® charging connections and hide them away.
The design team also worked to make the Journey’s interior more comfortable. They moved the shifter and cup holders, making it easier for drivers and passengers to get their coffee and soda without having to lean over and under the dash. There’s also a larger front storage bin with side nets. The new multi-functioning, three-spoke Dodge brand §teering wheel with integrated controls and a wider, longer, soft-touch armrest transforms the driver’s seat into a cockpit-like experience. Comfortable new seats might just make drivers want to take the long way home to get a little extra seat time. The Dodge Journey offers six new interior color and trims to complete the makeover.
On the outside, Journey maintains its sculpted, clean, aggressive lines and adds a new front fascia that sports the signature Dodge brand ‘split crosshair’ honeycomb grille. The fog lamp bezels are bigger and bolder, and Journey models with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine get a new, unique more aggressive lower fascia with the honeycomb texture in the grille (late availability). New 19-inch wheels; a new, less angular rear fascia and ‘ring of fire’ LED taillamps wrap it up from front to back.
Journey also is loaded with an abundance of safety and security features, including standard advanced multi-stage front passenger air bags, active head restraints, electronic stability control with all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation and Brake Assist, new driver-side knee blocker air bag, side-curtain air bags covering all three rows, front seat-mounted side air bags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, LATCH child seat anchor system and Trailer-sway Control.
2010 Dodge Charger
Written by admin on Saturday, April 09, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Dodge Tags: 2010 Dodge Charger, 2010 Dodge Charger News, 2010 Dodge Charger Pictures, 2010 Dodge Charger Specification, Dodge Charger
The 2010 Dodge Charger sees no major changes. This large car shares its basic design with Chrysler’s 300 sedan. Charger comes in four trim levels: base SE, mid-level SXT, sporty R/T, and high-performance SRT8. All are rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is available on the SXT and R/T. SE has a 178-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission.
SXT has a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard with rear-wheel drive, while AWD versions have a 5-speed automatic. R/T models have a 368-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, a 5-speed automatic, and Chrysler’s Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation. The SRT8 has a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V8 and a 5-speed automatic without cylinder deactivation. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain-side airbags.
Optional on the R/T is the Road/Track Performance Package, which includes 20-inch wheels, performance suspension and brakes, specific exhaust tuning, and a different engine program that increases horsepower to 372. The SRT8 has unique suspension tuning, as well as specific interior and exterior trim. Available is Chrysler’s Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a wireless cell-phone link, 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music and picture files, and a navigation system with real-time traffic information.
Price: $24,395 – 38,185.
Invoice: $23,695 – 36,235.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2010 Dodge Charger is a large sedan available in base, 3.5, Rallye, R/T and SRT8 trim levels. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all but the base and SRT8. Standard equipment on the base Charger (formerly the SE) includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, heated side mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry, cruise control and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Stepping up to the Charger 3.5 (formerly SXT) nets you a larger V6 engine, 18-inch wheels (AWD only) and satellite radio. The Rallye adds 18-inch alloy wheels (RWD), foglamps, power driver seat, power-adjustable pedals, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a rear armrest. The Chrome & Leather package adds 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, automatic headlamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat, heated front seats, leather upholstery and an upgraded six-speaker sound system. Chrome-clad 20-inch wheels are optional on the Rallye.
The Charger R/T adds to the Rallye with Chrome & Leather package (minus the chrome wheels) the V8 engine, an iPod interface, an auto-dimming mirror, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth and a touchscreen stereo faceplate. You can also get the Road/Track package that includes 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, sport-tuned suspension and steering, a rear spoiler, heated sport seats and Alcantara upholstery. The Super Trak Pak adds performance tires, a different axle ratio and upgraded brakes and shock absorbers. Optional on the Rallye and R/T is a Media Center package that includes a navigation system.
The SRT8 is equipped a lot like the R/T with the Road/Track package, but adds the bigger Hemi V8, high-performance brakes, a hood scoop, a limited-slip rear differential and different exterior trim. The SRT Option Group II adds upgraded instruments, auto-dimming mirror, Bluetooth, the touchscreen stereo interface and a 13-speaker surround-sound system with iPod interface. The SRT Option Group III is essentially the R/T’s Media Center package.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Charger’s cabin features good materials quality and simple controls, though the styling is on the bland side. The seats are softly cushioned but comfortable overall, and those included with the Road/Track package and in the SRT8 provide plenty of lateral support. The Charger’s large size and long wheelbase translate into a generously sized cabin with plenty of rear legroom. Unfortunately, the Charger’s sloping roof line makes rear-seat access more challenging than in other sedans, and rear headroom is a bit less than normal as well. The trunk can hold 16 cubic feet of luggage, a smallish figure for a large sedan.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2010 Dodge Charger is available with four engines, one for each trim level. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on the 3.5, Rallye and R/T. The all-wheel-drive system can automatically or manually disconnect the front driveshafts to slightly improve fuel economy.
The base Charger gets a 2.7-liter V6 that produces 178 hp and 190 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic is standard. Considering the engine’s meager power output, fuel economy is a lackluster 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. The 3.5 and Rallye are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 good for 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. This engine gets a four-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive and a five-speed auto with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy ratings are 17/25/20 mpg with RWD and 17/23/19 mpg with AWD.
The Charger R/T is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 making 368 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic is standard. Fuel economy rates 16/25/19 mpg with RWD and 16/23/18 with AWD. The Charger SRT8 is the king of the hill, with a 6.1-liter V8 that produces 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It, too, gets a five-speed auto. In track testing, the SRT8 went from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Its fuel economy ratings are 13/19/15 mpg.
Driving Impressions
The V8-powered 2010 Dodge Chargers are guaranteed to plaster grins on enthusiasts’ faces, as they sound great and deliver massive forward thrust on command. However, most of that fun is had in a straight line, as even in R/T or SRT8 trim, the Charger’s light and uncommunicative steering doesn’t instill much confidence on winding roads. Ride quality, however, is quite pleasant. Among the lower-level engines, the 3.5-liter V6 is a decent choice for those on a tight budget, but it’s neither powerful nor fuel-efficient relative to competing V6s, and the rear-drive version comes with an anachronistic four-speed automatic. The base 2.7-liter V6 is sluggish, not efficient and barely passes muster for rental car duty.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes and stability control are standard on all Chargers except for the base, which has them as options. Side curtain airbags are also standard, but front-seat side airbags are on longer available for 2010.
In government crash tests, the 2010 Dodge Charger achieved a perfect five stars for frontal crash protection and rear side crash protection. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash tests, the Charger received a top score of “Good.” In the IIHS side-impact test, however, the Charger received the second-worst score of “Marginal.”
2011 Dodge Durango
Written by admin on Friday, December 24, 2010 | No Comments
Categories: Dodge Tags: 2011 Dodge, 2011 Dodge Cars, 2011 Dodge Durango, Dodge Cars, Dodge Durango
The 2011 Dodge Durango is redesigned following a model-year 2010 hiatus. The previous-generation Durango, which was last sold during the 2009 model year, used traditional truck-type construction and slotted above the Dodge Nitro in size and price. The 2011 version seats 7 and borrows elements of its car-type unibody design from the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Three trim levels will be offered at first. They include base Express, mid-level Crew, and top-line Citadel. A 290-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine is standard on all. Optional on the Crew and Citadel is a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 with Chrysler’s Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation.
The sole transmission is a 5-speed automatic. Due later in the model year is a sport-themed Durango R/T, which has the V8 engine, sport suspension, and specific wheels and trim. Maximum towing capacity is 6,200 pounds with the V6 and 7,400 pounds with the V8. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are offered. AWD V8 models have a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing for off-road use. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags.
An optional trailer towing package includes a load-leveling suspension. Blind-spot alert, adaptive cruise control, a navigation system with real-time traffic data, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a hard drive for storing digital-music and picture files are standard on the Citadel and optional on the Crew. Ventilated front seats and xenon headlights are Citadel-exclusive standard features. DVD entertainment is optional on the Crew and Citadel. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.
Price: $29,000 – $44,000.
The Durango has been a staple in Dodge’s lineup since it debuted nearly twelve years ago, but realizing a shift in the market, Dodge has seen fit to completely overhaul its full-size SUV for 2011. After a year’s absence from the lineup, the SUV has undergone an array of changes including a complete overhaul in looks, and is now based on a unibody frame that it shares with Jeep’s new 2011 Grand Cherokee.
Sharing corporate styling cues with the Charger sedan, as well as the redesigned 2011 Grand Cherokee, the Durango has a more refined appearance than in the past; with a steeply raked windshield and shapelier body, the new model conveys a much more luxurious presence than the outgoing Durango. The introduction of the new Durango marks the first widespread appearance of the new logo, as Dodge’s ram’s-head logo was allocated to the Ram brand.
Dodge touts a much-improved interior, with better materials offering an overall enhanced experience. Where previous models featured hard plastics, Dodge claims all interior surfaces have been updated, and that thoughtful touches will make owners and their crews want to jump in, hunker down and thoroughly enjoy even the longest drive.” We’ll be the judge of that once we see one in the sheet metal. Seating configurations are limited to no less than 22 possible arrangements, taking a page from the Grand Caravan’s versatility playbook.
Sitting atop the same architecture as the 2011 Grand Cherokee, the Durango’s platform has been stretched to accommodate a longer wheelbase and a third row of seating. Unlike the Jeep’s five-passenger seating arrangement, the Durango offers room for seven; the previous model had the option for either seven or eight passengers. The previous two Durangos have been based upon a truck-derived body-on-frame structure, but the new generation is based on a car-like unibody that shares roots with the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. Dodge assures us though that the vehicle has been stiffened so that it “delivers premium driving performance combined with SUV capability and crossover versatility.”
Customers have the option between Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and the larger 5.7-liter V-8 to power their Durango. (Interestingly, Dodge press materials continue to use the Hemi name to describe its V-8, while it recently said it would discontinue the use due to the conception of poor fuel economy.)
While Dodge is still mum on output, we suspect similar power figures to the Grand Cherokee: 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque from the V-6, and 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque from the V-8. While the V-6 is rumored to be the fuel economy champ, the larger Hemi features software capable of shutting down half the cylinders during light-load applications, allowing for less consumption. The Durango’s V-6 will be able to tow 6200 pounds, where the more powerful V-8 can handle 7400 pounds. Rear-wheel drive comes as standard equipment, and the sole transmission choice is a five-speed automatic; all-wheel drive is optional with either engine. Unsurprisingly, there’s no mention of a hybrid version, as Dodge’s last attempt at a Durango hybrid wasn’t a huge success.
Similar to the Grand Cherokee, the Durango will be loaded with the latest safety equipment and technology. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning are all optional safety equipment. Active head restraints and side curtain airbags for all three rows come as standard equipment. The vehicle pictured is in Citadel trim, which is rumored to sit atop the base Express and midlevel Crew trim levels.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect a two-wheel-drive Express to retail just south of $29,000, including destination. A top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive Citadel, similar to the one shown here, will likely go for around $44,000. By comparison, a base-level, two-wheel drive Grand Cherokee Laredo starts at $30,995, while the top-end all-wheel Overland retails for $42,690.
The all-new Durango is set to make its first public appearance Labor Day weekend at the Virginia Beach half-marathon as the pace vehicle, accompanied by Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles. Dodge says we can expect to see the new Durango in dealer showrooms sometime in the last quarter of the year, sometime around Thanksgiving.
