Autoblog

Mopar(ty) On: Dodge's SRT performance division to stay the course

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Chrysler, Dodge

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - Click above for high-res gallery

After learning that General Motors would be disbanding its High Performance Vehicle Operations team to focus on less performance-oriented projects, our thoughts naturally turned towards Ford's SVT and Chrysler's SRT groups. Would Detroit's other automakers follow GM's lead and kill off their fellow speed divisions? Apparently not. Ford has gone on record stating that the SVT program will continue on in its current capacity and now Chrysler has announced that it will continue to develop SRT versions of its volume sellers.

In a posting on Chrysler's Red Letter Dodge blog, Steve Bartoli, Chrysler's vice president for global product planning, had a few choice comments regarding the future of the Pentastar's SRT models, saying, "We are working on a sedan as we speak. We will look at many styling options." Admittedly, that's short on detail, but it does portend good things to come for fans of big HEMI engines and fat rear tires.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

[Source: Red Letter Dodge Blog via Inside Line]

Mopar(ty) On: Dodge's SRT performance division to stay the course originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First drive: Dodge Caliber SRT4

Chris Tutor — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Dodge

Have you driven a Dodge Caliber? Did you buy one? If you answered yes, there's no need to read this post. You'll either go crazy wondering why anyone in their right mind would want 280 hp in such a sweet, useful crossover, or you'll become suicidally jealous of what you could have bought if you'd only waited a few months.

The SRT4 is a monster. We mean that in a rabid Cookie Monster kinda way -- not that cute little potty-mouthed Binky seen in early Caliber commercials. This car is mean. It does away with an inch of suspension travel, with stiffer springs, dampers and stabilizer bars front and rear and gets dropped onto 19-inch, low-profile 225/45 Goodyears for a ride that is anything but cuddly.

We got to play around with an Inferno Red SRT4 for a few miles of twisty, southwest Georgian roads recently and can't think of a better color. Unless it's the Sunburst Orange. Either hellishly-vibrant hue with contrasting black air intakes in the hood and rear wing advertises to anyone with working corneas that this is not a normal car. Special front and rear fascias and a 3-inch exhaust outlet complete the bad-boy look.

Continued after the jump.

Gallery: First drive: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4

Continue reading First drive: Dodge Caliber SRT4

First drive: Dodge Caliber SRT4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Out of sorts: Race team's transporter stolen, 2 cars missing

John Neff — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Dodge

Sorted Performance had its Speed World Challenge racing season come to an abrupt halt earlier this week when its transporter consisting of a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 dually and 48-foot Gooseneck Haulmark Edge triple axle trailer were stolen from a Hampton Inn parking lot in Livonia, MI. Team manager Ken Grammer was transporting both of the team's Grand Touring Class Dodge SRT-4 race cars at the time, along with all the spare parts available for the cars. Today it was learned that the truck has been recovered in Detroit and sustained some damage, though not as much as the trailer, which was also found in Detroit burnt to a crisp. The two SRT-4 race cars, one driven by team owner Hal Brown and the other by current Rookie of the Year points leader Stan Wilson, are still missing. The racing community has its feelers out for the cars, as their parts are very specific and should be easy to spot should the thieves attempt to sell them.

You can view all the currently available info on the situation in this thread on the SCCA Pro Racing forums, and please keep your eyes open if you live in the Detroit area. Hopefully these two race cars can be found in good shape thanks to the collective effort of a concerned auto and racing community. Sorted Performance was looking forward to the next round of the series at the 2007 Grand Prix of Toronto. With any luck, Hal and Stan will be behind the wheels of their SRT-4s by then.

Thanks for the tip, Joe!

[Source: SCCA Pro Racing forums]

Out of sorts: Race team's transporter stolen, 2 cars missing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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