Dodge Unveils Sporty R/T Versions of Charger, Challenger, Journey, Durango and Grand Caravan

The Chicago Auto Show is the stage for the world premiere of an entire lineup of new R/T performance models from Dodge. The brand's performance moniker, which stands for Road & Track and has been in use since the 1960s, has now been applied on the latest iterations of the Charger saloon, Challenger Coupe, Journey crossover, Durango SUV and the Dodge Caravan minivan. Every R/T model receives exclusive exterior and interior design cues plus performance enhancements including special exhaust tuning and a sport suspension.

“Our Dodge R/T models give buyers the chance to stoke their love of driving while still taking care of their families and responsibilities. Driving these R/T models will absolutely leave a smile on their face,” said Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles.

Beginning with the 2011 Charger R/T, the sports sedan comes with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver Technology returning 370 horsepower and a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) performance in less than 6 seconds. It is available in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The MSRP for the 2011 Charger R/T is $30,170 (excluding an $825 destination charge).

The new Durango SUV in R/T trim is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 360 horses and 390 lb.-ft. of torque allowing for a 7,400 lb. towing capability. Exterior appointments include a color-matched body kit, wheel lips, light bar and rear fascia with integrated dual chrome exhaust outlets. The 7-passenger interior is spruced up with sport seats featuring red stitching accents. It will go on sale this Spring with a starting U.S. MSRP of $35,465 (excluding $850 destination).

Next up on our list is the Grand Caravan R/T with a 3.6-liter V6 delivering 283-ponnies and 260 lb.-ft of peak torque, matched to six-speed auto. Unique features include a “dipped” body-color grille, body-color side moldings and exclusive 17-inch wheels plus a performance-tuned suspension. Inside, the all-black interior features exclusive perforated black leather seats with red stitching, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and a premium sound system with nine-speakers, a subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier. Prices start from $30,595 (excluding $835 destination).

The recently facelifted Journey, which will be available in Europe as the Fiat Freemont, is also getting the Dodge R/T badge for 2011. Like the Grand Caravan R/T, the Journey R/T is powered by the new 283-horse 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

It is available with front- or all-wheel drive and can seat five or seven passengers. The FWD model starts at $28,995 (including $750 destination) while the AWD iteration of the Journey R/T at $30,695 (including $750 destination).

The fifth and final R/T model is the 2011 Challenger. It gets a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 which delivers 372HP and 410 lb-ft of torque when paired to the refined Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission for a 0-60 mph sprint in less than 6 seconds, and 372 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque when mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Chassis upgrades include a more aggressive front- and rear-camber geometry plus new larger diameter front- and rear-stabilizer bars. A restyled and larger front air dam, a “duck bill” front spoiler and an all-new leather-wrapped thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel are also part of the package. On sale now, the MSRP for the 2011 Challenger R/T is $29,670 (excluding an $825 destination charge).

READ MORE - Dodge Unveils Sporty R/T Versions of Charger, Challenger, Journey, Durango and Grand Caravan

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Breaks Cover at the Chicago Auto Show

Dodge’s rejuvenation under Fiat's umbrella continues at the Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the range-topping Charger SRT8. As with every SRT model, the highlight of the performance orientated version of the Charger is the new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 powerplant producing 465HP and 465 lb-ft (631 Nm) of torque. According to Dodge, the new engine is not only more powerful than the 6.1-liter HEMI unit it replaces, but also more frugal thanks the standard Fuel Saver technology, which cuts off four-cylinders in certain situations in order to improve fuel economy.

The HEMI is coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission that can also be operated via paddle-shifters – a first for any SRT model.

“We’re continuing the fast-paced rebuilding of Dodge as our performance brand, and the expansion of our SRT product lineup in 2012 is an important part of our rejuvenation”, said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand — Chrysler Group LLCs. “The new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 builds on the iconic four-door fastback coupe design of the all-new Charger and adds a much larger power band across the rpm range, along with intelligent performance attributes and safety and creature comforts for customers who are passionate about performance driving.”

The Charger SRT8 also comes with adaptive damping suspension, which can adapt to specific conditions by monitoring the vehicle speed, steering angle and speed, brake torque, throttle position and lateral acceleration. The refined, fully hydraulic steering system and oversized 4-pot caliper Brembo brakes round up the technical tour de force.

On the outside, the 2012 Charger SRT8 can be recognized due to its exclusive front and rear fascias, complemented by a new rear spoiler, “racetrack” LED tail lamp and split five-spoke, 20-inch lightweight forged and polished aluminum wheels.

Inside, the SRT-exclusive steering wheel with a flattened bottom, carbon and aluminum trim pieces, plus sport seats set this car apart from the standard Charger.

The new Dodge Charger SRT8 will go on sale in the U.S. this fall as a 2012 model.

2012 DODGE CHARGER SRT8

Introduction Date: Fall 2011 as 2012 model

Engine: 6.4-liter (392 cubic inch) HEMI V-8

Estimated Power: 465 bhp

Estimated Torque: 465 lb.-ft.

Estimated Handling: .88g on skidpad

Estimated Top Speed: 175 mph

Estimated 0-60 mph: High 4-second range

Estimated ¼ mile: High 12-second range

READ MORE - 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Breaks Cover at the Chicago Auto Show

VIDEO: Dodge Touts AWD with New Snowpocalypse Commercial

The latest snow falls across the U.S. have prompted a flurry of commercials from automakers touting the advantages of all-wheel drive models. This one comes from Dodge and shows the new Durango, Charger and Journey, all of which are available with AWD. Nevertheless, we'd say that while power sent to four wheels instead of two does help in certain situations, one should never, ever underestimate the importance of a good set of all season or better yet, winter tires.

READ MORE - VIDEO: Dodge Touts AWD with New Snowpocalypse Commercial

VIDEO: Dodge Boys Racing Hot Charger Bus Commercials

Dodge's motorsport division has launched a new series of online ads featuring the company's 'big-bad' NASCAR bus that will be making an 88-stop tour across the country to promote the Dodge product lineup. Nicely done commercials, too bad that Chrysler's PR department (ha, that's a good one...) hasn't taken the time to promote the ads as we stumbled upon them by chance, but we guess we'll get the word around...

READ MORE - VIDEO: Dodge Boys Racing Hot Charger Bus Commercials

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Dodge Teases 2011 Charger's Interior

We've already showed you exterior photos of the 2011 Charger, but now Dodge has released the first official [for the scoop, click here] image of the redesigned sedan's interior. As you can see, there's a newly styled, three-spoke steering wheel with the revised Dodge emblem adorning the center, while the door panels and the dashboard are also new. Fresh design aside, Dodge also promises higher quality materials plus improved fit and finish.

You can check out the full gallery and read more about the 2011 Dodge Charger, which should hit dealer lots by the end of this year, in our previous article.

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Dodge Uncloaks Redesigned 2011 Charger, gets New 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar

In what could be one of the less exciting reveals of the year after all those scoop and police car pictures / videos hit the web these past few months, the Chrysler Group today officially unleashed the civilian version of its 2011 Dodge Charger. However, the revelation is still not over as we'll have to wait for the interior shots and the complete details on the mechanical upgrades.

For 2011, the redesigned Charger moves a little bit closer design-wise to the Detroit firm's 1999 concept model of the same name - though, not near enough to get us keyed up. At the front end, Dodge modernized the Charger with its new "split crosshair" grille, a restyled bumper and new headlamps. The aluminum hood design is also new and now features dual "scallops", while the windshield is laid at a "faster" angle.

Moving on to the car's profile, we see that the firm's designers took a good look at the 1999 Concept during the restyling phase adding similar body-side scallops. The big news, however, is at the rear as the 2011 Charger adopts a full-width tail lamp design that incorporates no less than 164 illuminating LEDs and is inspired by the late 60's Charger.

As we said before, there are no official photos of the interior yet, however, we have seen the inner works of a police model in previous spy shots. According to Dodge, the new interior design is matched with "premium materials throughout", a thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and added features such as a new navigation system.

Under the hood, the press release makes word of Chrysler's new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that will be offered on the base Charger SE and Rallye models, plus an a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine for the R/T. The latter will be available with rear-wheel drive or optionally, an all-wheel drive system that allows the driver to disconnect the front axle to improve fuel economy by up to 5 percent, and of course, to have some RWD fun.

Dodge says the new Charger's unibody packages material and structural design improvements, while engineers have also re-tuned the car's suspension.

The new Charger will be fully revealed within the next few weeks before going on sale in the USA later this year.

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READ MORE - Dodge Uncloaks Redesigned 2011 Charger, gets New 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar