Pentastar V6 to Find its Way Into 13 Models Across the Chrysler Group Range, Including 2011 Challenger

The Chrysler Group's new Pentastar V6 gasoline engine will either replace current six-cylinder units or be introduced for the first time on a total of 13 vehicles across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep range by 2013, the company announced this week.

The 3.6-liter V6 unit will be offered with different levels of output, the most powerful [for now] iteration being the one fitted on the upcoming 2011 Dodge Challenger, which will be rated at 305 bhp at 6,350 rpm and 268 lb.ft. at 4,800 rpm, representing a 55 horsepower increase over the previous 3.5-liter V6.

On the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar V6 produces 290HP, while on the forthcoming 2011 Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler 200 sedan and Town & Country minivan, it will deliver 283HP. The soon-to-be-launched 2011 Dodge Charger will feature a 292-horsepower variant of the 3.6-liter V6. Other models to get the Pentastar V6 include the new Dodge Durango and Journey.

According to Chrysler, the new Pentastar V6 is not only more and fuel efficient than the six-cylinder engines it replaces, but is also significantly lighter. For example, the new 3.6L V6 is 94 lbs. lighter than the 3.7-liter engine it replaced in Jeep Grand Cherokee and 42 lbs. less than the 3.5-liter it replaces on the Chrysler 300.

"The Pentastar engine is suited to meet the requirements for a full range of vehicle applications in terms of power and fuel efficiency (average savings up to 7 percent across the model range) including passenger cars, mini-vans and sport utilities," said Bob Lee, vice president of engine engineering for Chrysler Group LLC.

"It has been designed for today and many years to come. Already, we are looking forward to adapting future technologies as they become available to the Pentastar V-6 for even more fuel efficiency and performance."

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Vipervette is the latest project to kill two performance nameplates in one go

The 1986 Vipervette is exactly what you think it is: part Dodge Viper, part Corvette, all painful. Riding on a 1986 Corvette chassis, the Vipervette is said to have inherited its body (and not much else, apparently) from a 2000 Dodge Viper. Because of this hodge-podge mix of machinery, we have a car with some very awkward proportions.

The car is motivated by the '86 Vette's power train - a 5.7-liter V8 and a 4-speed stick - so don't expect to be going anywhere in too much of a hurry. Inside is more of the 1980's, with the Corvette interior color-coded to line up with the Viper exterior (meaning it's the mighty played-out red and black).

At least it's based on a relatively modern car, so it's got common amenities like power steering, power windows, the Viper's removable top, and a CD player. There's no telling about the quality of the project's fit and finish, but if you're interested in finding out for yourself, this little monster can be yours for the low, low price of $12,250.

For that money, I'd pass and get a cherry 1980's Corvette (and still have money for a vacation, to boot).

By Phil Alex

Link: Autabuy - Hat tip to Brian!

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Chrysler and Dodge to Recall More than 26,000 Vehicles in the U.S.

A new recall announced by the Chrysler Group will affect 26,397 owners of Chrysler and Dodge brand vehicles in the USA. The recall includes certain 2010MY Chrysler 300 and Sebring, and Dodge Charger, Avenger, Challenger and Journey, and some 2011MY Ram pickup trucks, because a power steering pressure hose may leak fluid onto a hot engine and cause a fire.

The U.S. automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before the end of the October 2010.

Owners may contact Chrysler for more information regarding the recall at 1-800-853-1403.

According to reports, 13,000 vehicles are also being recalled outside the U.S. for the same problem.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

2011 Dodge Journey Facelift: First Official Photos and Details

The Chrysler Group continues to bombard the U.S. market with new or refreshed products, the latest being the revised 2011 Dodge Journey which has been given a mid-life facelift with a redesigned and retuned suspension, a new V6 engine, a completely new interior and some subtle exterior tweaks.

The big news here, of course, is the Journey's newly crafted interior with higher-quality materials which puts the outgoing model's cabin to shame (not that it was hard..). Just about everything you see on the dashboard is new, including the sporty looking instrument panel with a standard electronic vehicle information center featuring a full-color display backlit.

The makeover is completed with a new multi-functioning three-spoke steering wheel, larger front storage bin with side nets, newly designed seats and controls, as well as an available Uconnect Touch media center with a touch-screen display. Dodge said the mid-size crossover offers six new interior color and trim options.

On the outside, the cosmetic changes are far less prominent and are limited to the new front fascia sporting the brand's signature "split crosshair" honeycomb grille, restyled fog lamp bezels, available 19-inch wheels, a less angular rear fascia and LED tail-lamps. In addition, the V6 models get a more aggressive lower fascia with a honeycomb grille.

Underneath the hood, the Journey receives the Chrysler Group's new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine delivering 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The firm's engineers also made changes to the 2011 Journey's suspension geometry and steering system, and added different tires to improve ride and handling. The company claims it also reduced noise, vibration and harshness by installing new, premium sound-deadening treatments and insulation throughout the vehicle.

The revised Dodge Journey, which is built in at Chrysler Group LLC's Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico, is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2010 and will be available with five- or seven-seat versions.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Hell Yeah; Dodge Teases Viper V10-Powered Chrysler 300 SRT10 on Video

Dodge has published a video of a current generation Chrysler 300 badged as the SRT10 and fitted with a Viper-sourced 8.4-liter V10 powerhouse on its official Youtube channel. The company did not provide any intel on the car, but it did ask the question, "What happens when you put a Viper engine into a Chrysler 300?". Feel free to post your answers in the comments section below.

A quick search on the net failed to return any results on the Chrysler SRT10, so this V10 powered project car could be anything from an older private build to a new tuning proposal for the upcoming 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November. We just don't know - yet.

Those of you with a strong memory, will surely recall the Detroit firm's 2008 SEMA Show Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept car powered by the Viper's 8.4-liter V10 engine churning out 600 wild ponies and 560 lb. ft. of torque. If you don't remember it, scroll down and refresh your memory with the promo video.

Source: Dodge , Via: eGMcartech

_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________

Vin Diesel's 1970 Dodge Charger RT from Fast & Furious Movie Up For Sale

The Volo Auto Museum in Illinois has put up for sale this matte gray 1970 Dodge Charger RT, which it claims was one of the cars driven by Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto in the 2009 Fast and Furious movie. The muscle car has all the expected custom touches like a sports steering wheel, stripped and customized interior and massive bonnet scoop.

There isn't much information on the dealer's site, other than the fact it's an automatic V8 and that the appraised value is US$200,000. That's rather high, given that Hemmings values a 1970 Dodge Charger RT around the US$28,995 to $74,900 mark. Then again, those vehicles didn't make it to Hollywood.

Fortunately, this one is selling for the low, low price of $129,998, or about $55k over a pristine non-movie car for the privilege of owning a vehicle that may or may not have had its seats caressed by Vin Diesel's tushie.

Link: Volo

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________