Frankfurt Preview: 335 HP Dodge Avenger-based STARTECH Starster
Click image for hi-res gallery
The STARTECH Starster is a Dodge Avenger-based concept prepared by BRABUS' Chrysler-tuning division for the Frankfurt Motor Show. In some respects, STARTECH's herculean effort succeeds. In others, not so much. We like the shaved door handles, as the convergence of shapes and curves at he rear door now looks muscular instead of simply cluttered. The big black wheels in the flared fenders are pretty mean-looking, too. On the flip side, the LED crosshairs in the Mustang-looking headlights are just weird, and that replacement front grille looks pretty lame, particularly the blacked-out elements in the middle. That taillamp/trim insert across the rear? More "cheesy aftermarket" than "respected tuner" if you ask us. Lastly, the whole orange-trim thing is just about played out. The tuner segment needs to fall in love with a new color.
The functional hood scoop (how novel!) feeds a 335-horsepower 2.4L turbo connected to a 5-speed manual. The 0-62 sprint takes 5.6 seconds, and this Avenger keeps going all the way up to 165 mph. The ultra-garish, full-leather interior (complete with quilted floormats) is an assault on the senses (and one's taste), yet it's still an improvement over the horribly bland, overly plastic stock interior. We can't wait to hear what Autoblog's Frankfurt posse thinks of this one when they see it in person.
Until then, you can read STARTECH's full press release after the jump.
[Source: STARTECH]
Gallery: STARTECH Starster
PRESS RELEASE:
STARTECH STARSTER
Innovative Concept Car Based on Dodge Avenger
STARTECH STARSTER is the name of a new concept car that celebrates its world debut at the Frankfurt International Auto Show IAA 2007, a concept car that manages to bridge the gap between classic old-school and modern designs. STARTECH has developed this concept car based on the new Dodge Avenger.
The sedan is painted a pearlescent ivory color with matte-orange contrasts. Details such as the STARTECH STARSTER decals on the rear and the hood are references to the American muscle cars of the Seventies. They're accompanied by spectacular body modifications that make the Avenger one of the most striking representatives of its class.
Clear, dynamic lines characterize the design of the sporty STARSTER front apron. Large air dams ensure an optimal supply of cooling air to radiators and front brakes. Stylized bumper horns emphasize the retro design further.
Just as prominent is the new STARTECH headlamp design that combines state-of-the-art LED technology with the distinctive Dodge crosshairs. A muscle car hood scoop provides cooling air to the engine.
Front and rear fender flares on the STARSTER give the four-door a more muscular appearance and create the space necessary for mounting an extreme tire/wheel combination. The concept car features polished STARTECH Monostar IV five-spoke wheels in size 9Jx22 with size 245/30 R 22 tires on the front axle, and size 10.5Jx22 wheels with size 295/25 R 22 tires in the rear.
The rear of the STARSTER was also redesigned. The modifications include an acrylic trunk lid molding that incorporates an innovative taillight unit with LED lights. The rear apron features the seamlessly integrated tailpipes of the stainless-steel sport exhaust system.
The STARSTER captivates not only with its unusual visual details but also and foremost with its technology geared towards maximum driving fun. Top-of-the-line model is a 2.4-liter (146 cu. in.) four-cylinder turbocharged engine with variable valve timing and a maximum power output of 340 PS (335 hp) / 250 kW at 6,400 rpm and a peak torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) at 3,600 rpm.
Power is transferred to the front wheels via a modified five-speed manual gearbox and a locking differential. Performance of the STARTECH STARSTER is comparable to that of classic American muscle cars: 5.6 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) and a top speed of 265 km/h (165 mph).
To keep the performance potential under safe control the STARTECH engineers spared no cost or effort to develop suspension components and brakes that better even this ample power: The height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension features selectable damper settings and an individual ride height lowering by up to approx. 45 millimeters (1.8 inches).
The STARTECH high-performance brake system features six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and vented 380 x 35 millimeter (15.0 x 1.4 inches) discs on the front axle. The rear axle is equipped with 360 x 24 millimeter (14.2 x 0.9 inches) discs and four-piston calipers. Together they easily dominate even the most enthusiastic of driving styles.
The interior of the STARSTER also presents a perfect blend of classic old-school elements and modern materials. A fully leather interior, color-coordinated with the exterior, sports an upholstery design derived from classic muscle cars. The leather flooring alone with its waffle-pattern stitching uses more than 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) of high-quality thread.
A number of components found in the STARSTER concept car will be included in the exclusive STARTECH customization program for the Dodge Avenger.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bengine 3:42PM (9/10/2007)
Holy burning eyes batman, that's one hell of an ugly car.
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TriShield 2:41PM (9/10/2007)
Turbo four cylinder Avenger?
Avenger SRT-4!
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David Gevert 2:43PM (9/10/2007)
Yay, a riced out version of an already horrible domestic car.
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paul34 2:52PM (9/10/2007)
Agreed. This was ten steps backwards from Dodge's "progress"
I only see these as rental cars people only get because it was probably one of the cheaper options. This and the Chrysler version... I forgot that name. Sebring. The new one - that's it.
Is the Sebring and the "Avenger" the same, badge-engineered vehicle? Never occured to me until now.
David Gevert 2:54PM (9/10/2007)
Rental car eh? Yeah, that's how I ended up driving one. And the whole time I did, I yearned for my Subaru WRX.
felipe 2:50PM (9/10/2007)
i like creamsicles as much as the next guy, buy that one just doesnt taste good.
more stupid plastic on a Dodge...yipee.
well at least the ass load of LEDs will blind anyone looking at it.
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felipe 2:54PM (9/10/2007)
wait a minute, is that a diaper changing pad on floors?
haha....
John P. 2:54PM (9/10/2007)
looks better than the big merc below, but that isn't saying much.
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Eldiablo 3:06PM (9/10/2007)
Beaten with the ugly stick at birth I think.
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Jon 3:12PM (9/10/2007)
W.............T...............F..............
(shakes head and loves to next post)
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carguy 3:19PM (9/10/2007)
Whats German for tourqe steer? Drehmoment steuerung?
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RicardoHead 3:25PM (9/10/2007)
Oh, ... STARSTER.
From the pics I thought it was a JOKESTER.
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LBuzzer 3:28PM (9/10/2007)
Their kidding right?
...... Right??
Tell me that's just some kind of oversized model! Please!!
Even the ugliest dog doesn't deserve to be put down.
Except if you're StarTech, apparently.
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RicardoHead 3:26PM (9/10/2007)
The german word for "torque steer" is "Audi" ....
jawohl!
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Brandon 3:52PM (9/10/2007)
I'm frankly surprised Alex Nunez found anything at all good to say about this one.
There's not a single improvement that I see on this impossible to improve car. Orange lipstick on a pig's butt.
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Rob 3:48PM (9/10/2007)
thing looks like it was made in china and makes me throw-up in my mouth
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Rick 3:57PM (9/10/2007)
Not sure which is more hideous, the car or the paint job.
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iamhoff 4:27PM (9/10/2007)
This reminds me of a mid-80s Gemballa-modified Porsche 911, but not in a good way.
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Will 4:30PM (9/10/2007)
Aesthetics are subjective, so I don't like to go off on cars I consider to be unattractive, but there is something seriously wrong with this car. The quality of the modifications, especially the front and rear lights, is absolutely horrific. Seems the Germans are making fun of the American aftermarket.
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CaliberSRT4 4:33PM (9/10/2007)
It looks awesome to me! The orange may be exaggerated, but heck it has 335 hp...thats like a Caliber with 60 more horses...I couldn't imagine a Caliber with 300 and the Avenger is basically the same anyways. Wow.
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