Autoblog

Click above more more images of the Dodge Charger "SRT-6"

When is a Chrysler product branded as an SRT-6 not really an SRT-6? When it comes from Scott McCorkle's Liberty Dodge in Charlotte, NC. The dealership has created what it is referring to as a Dodge Charger SRT-6, though its fitted with just the standard 2.7 liter V6 engine and no performance mods. Also absent are the normal SRT-spec suspension, braking or interior refinements. So, what exactly is it that makes this vehicle qualify as an SRT? Umm, nothing; besides some cosmetic tweaks that range from new wheels to some leftover Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 badges, there is nothing at all with which to distinguish this model from a run-of-the-mill base model Charger. Sheesh, way to dilute the SRT brand, guys.

We would never suggest that making modifications to a stock vehicle is a bad thing. Far from it, in fact. We do, however, feel a bit bad for all the SRT engineers at Dodge who do an admirable job of taking a normal car and making it much, much better. When pressed, the dealership admits that what it's done amounts to nothing more than simple cosmetics, but we feel that they shouldn't have messed with the SRT badge in the process. Thanks for the tip, Bill!


[Source: Dodge Charger Forums]

He usually spends his time behind the wheel of a Dodge Charger, but recently Samuel Hübinette made an exchange for something with a lower roofline. Lamborghini asked him to take a seat in a 2009 Gallardo for the filming of a European-market commercial set on the streets of Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Blowing tire smoke for the camera is nothing new to Sam since his blue Mopar-mobile has been featured in many a BF Goodrich tire commercial. Unlike the Charger though, the Gallardo isn't quite the towering elephant. It is also equipped with all wheel drive, a feature that requires a bit more driving finesse in order to pull off an extended slide. Look for the spot to hit YouTube sometime in the not too distant future. Also follow the link to see a few more of Sam's photos from filming.

Thanks for the tip, Eric!
[Source: Samuel Hubinette Blog]

Click image for full gallery of John Schneider's original General Lee

While we might stop just short of calling it "The most famous model of the most famous car in the world!" as the seller does, we wholeheartedly agree that this is one of the most iconic cars in cinematic history. And when the seller happens to be one of the stars of the show that made the car famous, well, this is easily one of the most valuable star cars in recent memory. Bo Duke, aka John Schneider, (aka Jonathan Kent - Ed.) is auctioning off his personal "General Lee" Dodge Charger R/T. According to John, this particular car was one of the cars featured in the last REAL Dukes of Hazzard movie, "Dukes Go To Hollywood". The underside of the the hood is autographed by all of the surviving orginal cast members and crew from the TV show, as well. It was also the prototype for all of the General Lees used in the most recent Jessica Simpson Dukes of Hazzard movie.

Thanks for the tip, Matt!

[Source: eBay]

Click the above image for a high-res gallery of Drew Phillips' photos from the event

Spring Festival of LXs – that's the official name of the event, but we doubt many will make the connection to Chrysler's current crop of Hemi cars – you know, the hot-selling, multi-configurable, rough-and-tumble Charger/Magnum/300C platform. It would probably be better to rename it as the Modern Hemi Car Event or some derivitive thereof. Well, whatever they call it, close to 400 cars were in attendance (340 registered cars) at the DaimlerChrysler west coast headquarters in Irvine. Lots of SRTs in the group, too.

Besides all of the proud owners, special guests included Burke S. Brown (chief engineer of the LX vehicle program), Kris Pakizer (Chrysler 300 brand manager), Zoran Bogdanovic (Charger and Magnum brand manager), MOPAR's drift master Sam Hubinette, and of course, DUB, with several of their modified LXs including one of only two officially approved Barbie Edition specials with pink-over-silver paint and Swarovski crystal highlights. The event even hosted a wedding between two LX owners.

Saturday was the fun shine and show, but on Sunday class reconvened at California Speedway in Fontana. The participants had a lot to choose from during their track day. They were allowed to run on the road course (which includes part of the Speedway oval), they could do an autocross session, try their foot at the burnout contest, or even take a lick at the donut competition. We love when manufacturers rally the troops and treat them to a special day enjoying their vehicles they way they were meant to be.

[Source: Muscle Car News]

If you own a 2007 Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep listen up, because you're likely affected by Chrysler's latest recall. DaimlerChrysler is bringing home more than 68,000 vehicles to reprogram balky brake computers.

The 11 affected models are 2007 versions of the Sebring, 300, Charger, Magnum, Caliber, Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Nitro and Compass. Whew.

Chrysler says computers in the recalled vehicles' could fail, leading to a loss of antilock brakes, traction control and speedomter functions. We don't remember much from our drivers' ed class, but we're pretty sure brake failure is hardly ever a good thing. Thankfully DC says nobody's been hurt yet.

Oh, and you Sebring drivers must have broken a mirror or something. While one team of crack DC mechanics gives your car a brain transplant, another team will be reteaching it to defrost your windshield. So take a book or something. That particular recall affects about 6,000 new Sebrings.

[Source: Reuters]

More vintage musclecar TV goodness, this time from Dodge in a spot for the 1970 Charger 500. Elliot is a dweeb who looks like he's about to take the next big step with his sweetheart, Charlotte. But then a bikini-clad beauty named Sheila and her friends come along, smitten with the Charger, its hidden headlights, Hurst shifter, high-back seats, and somehow, the man behind the wheel.

He's just learned what it's like to be Dodge Material. Poor Charlotte.

[Source: YouTube]

It's not just classic Ferraris and rare Jaguars raking in the bucks when the auction hammer drops -- extraordinary specimens surviving (or recreated) from the muscle car era continue to bring six and seven-figure bids, the New York Times reports. Why would cars that went for a few grand -- brand new -- be going for over a million dollars forty years later? Because rich boys (and girls) like their toys, and they're wiling to pay for them, the paper says.

Check out the article for a more in-depth look at changing tastes in high-priced collectible cars.

[Source: New York Times]

Few would argue that Chrysler's 300 has quickly proven to be a transcendental product. With apologies to Henry David Thoreau, the Ralph Gilles penned LX-platform sedan has been one of a handful of recent vehicles whose appeal quickly transcended demographic pigeonholing (Toyota's Prius and the MINI Cooper are two others that come immediately to mind). Prospective owners are seemingly as likely to trade in something like a Ford Taurus as they are a Cadillac CTS.

This widespread appeal has served DaimlerChrysler well, but buyers accustomed to higher-end marques have been notably let down in one area: the 300's interior. While the design of the instrument panel and certain detailing is generally up to snuff, some interior plastics and switchgear has conspired to underwhelm, particularly in higher trim levels where the 300's attractive base MSRP climbs well into the $30's.

When addressing the Automotive Press Association in a recent meeting, Gilles indicates the company is aware of the problem, and is working on a "significant improvement." While Gilles apparently failed to include the Dodge Magnum and Charger models with which the 300 shares its platform, it would be reasonable to expect the majority of the proposed upgrades to be fitted platform-wide. The only question now is... when?

[Sources: Calgary Herald; DaimlerChrysler]

As time goes on and we collect more spy snaps of the 2008 Dodge Avenger that will replace the hapless Stratus, it becomes increasingly evident that the most distinctive design cues of the larger Dodge Challenger will be passed on to that sedan’s FWD baby bro’. From these spy photos posted on Inside Line we can clearly see upturned headlights a la the Charger and the larger sedan’s signature C-pillar that hiding behind some substantial camo.

When the Avenger debuts later this year it is expected to compete with a 250-hp 3.5L V6 in R/T trim, though a smaller 2.7L V6 and DaimlerChrysler’s 2.4L World Engine four-cylinder will also be offered. Dodge is even including a six-speed auto to make sure the Avenger doesn’t start life two steps behind the class leaders.

[Source: Inside Line]

UPDATE: GM RELEASED PICS FINALLY (click for high rez)


With the Goat about to go bye-bye again, Pontiac needed to cough up another car for its championship drifter Ryhs Millen to pilot in this year’s Formula D circuit. Fortunately the 2007 Pontiac GXP makes a perfect choice thanks to its RWD layout and potent 2.0L ECOTEC engine. The ECOTEC four-cylinder has been pumped up to over 1,400 hp in drag racing applications, so the fact that it will provide Millen’s right foot with 500 hp is no surprise. And the darn thing runs on E85! Live Green, Go Yellow, Burn Rubber we always say.

Domestics have dominated the Formula D circuit since its inception a few years ago, with either Millen in his GTO or Samuel Hubinette in his Dodge Viper taking top honors at nearly every competition. Hubinette will also be trading in his Viper this season for something a little more accessible to John Q drifter… a Dodge Charger drifting sedan.

The first competition of the 2006 season has already taken place, and we’re not surprised that Hubinette, the 2004 Champion, is in the lead with Millen, last year’s champion, following close behind in points.

We put in a call to Pontiac for an actual pic of the Red Bull Solstice GXP drifter and are awaiting a reply.

Follow the jump for GM's official release that includes more details on the Red Bull racer.

[Source: GM]