Autoblog

Are you the Dodge Dart SRT4?

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Dodge, Rumormill

Dodge has just confirmed that it will be bringing its newest Dart variant, the Dart GT, to Detroit next week, but we're still in the dark about when we'll see a truly hotted-up SRT4 version. But now, by way of the rumormill anyway, we've got at least one proposed, potentially Dodge-based rendering to light our way.

Seen here is what would appear to be a design sketch of the SRT4 Dart. Obviously the image that has surfaced is of rather low-resolution, but there's at least some evidence to support that it may be legitimate. In the original picture, one can just make out the name Tim Doyle in the lower right corner. As it turns out, Tim Doyle's name is also watermarked on the final design image for the 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel Black & Tan, a model that was shown at SEMA in 2010.

Of course, even if this really is the work of Doyle, there's nothing to say that this image isn't one of a great many potential looks for the future SRT4. In fact, the departure of the cross-hair grille from the Dodge's nose seems like it could be a hard sell, though we do, naturally, dig the sleek hood scoop and the bulked up wheel/tire combination.

Whether or not a much-rumored Dart SRT4 materializes (let alone looks like this) is an open question, but we're still holding out hope that the car is fitted with the nearly 300-horsepower four-cylinder that has been rumored in the past.

Are you the Dodge Dart SRT4? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Dart GT will hold us over until SRT stokes Dodge's handsome compact

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Dodge

No, this isn't quite the Dart SRT4 we've been waiting for - and still believe is coming - but as part of its 2013 Detroit Auto Show lineup, Dodge will be showing off the slightly sportier Dart GT seen here.

Building on the already well-equipped Limited model, the GT adds performance enhancements including a more powerful engine, 18-inch aluminum wheels, sport suspension calibration, unique front fascia and dual exhaust. Inside, you'll find perforated Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel and front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start (if you spec the automatic transmission), Chrysler's 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, a seven-inch TFT display in the gauge cluster, and a whole lot more. Optional goodies include hyper black aluminum wheels, a technology group (pushbutton start, keyless go, rain-sensing wipers, blind spot monitoring and smart-beam headlamps), power sunroof, Sirius radio, Garmin navigation, Alpine premium sound and high-intensity discharge headlamps.

Powering the Dart GT is Chrysler's 2.4-liter MultiAir2 four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. That grunt is sent to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic 'box is optional.

That's a whole lot of kit, and for a starting price of $20,995 (excluding destination charges), on the surface, the Dart GT strikes us as quite a bargain for the compact class. Look for production to start in the second quarter of 2013, and while you're waiting, scroll down for the full smattering of details in Chrysler's official press release.

Continue reading 2013 Dart GT will hold us over until SRT stokes Dodge's handsome compact

2013 Dart GT will hold us over until SRT stokes Dodge's handsome compact originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge may add 'Barracuda' model to Challenger lineup

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:16:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Dodge, SRT

The upcoming re-launch of the SRT Viper (formerly a Dodge Viper, of course) may be dominating the fast-Mopar coverage to date, but that super-coupe may turn out to represent just the tip of the iceberg. Automotive News is reporting that multiple Dodge performance products are likely to hit American streets over the next three years.

Perhaps most exciting are the prospective plans for the Challenger in 2014 and 2015. The muscular coupe is likely to get a significant bit smaller for the 2015 model year, with two or three inches set to be removed from its now-generous 116-inch wheelbase, as well as having launch control added to the specification sheet.

The upcoming SRT-tuned version of the Challenger, today the SRT8 model, may very well be dubbed the "Dodge Barracuda" for 2015. The resurrected 'Cuda will feature a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which we are strongly in favor of. And though Dodge isn't offering up any output numbers for such a mill, current competitors from Ford (Shelby GT500) and Chevrolet (Camaro ZL1) would seem to indicate that 500 horsepower is the bare minimum for entry into this market slice.

In the nearer term, look for a new Daytona performance version of the Dodge Charger to appear in the first part of 2013, along with an SRT4 tune for the new Dodge Dart around the same time.

Dodge may add 'Barracuda' model to Challenger lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge working on 300-hp Dart SRT4

Noah Joseph — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Dodge

What happens when a Dodge meets an Alfa Romeo? The Dart, that's what happens. But as promising as Auburn Hills' new economy sedan is, what we're really looking forward to is what Ralph Gilles and company over at the SRT division can cook up. And the folks over at Motor Trend think they've got a pretty good idea of what to expect.

For the Dart SRT4, Dodge could go one of two ways: turbocharging the existing Tigershark 2.0-liter four, or shoehorning in the new all-aluminum 1.8-liter turbo four from Alfa Romeo. Since the latter would likely push the Dart SRT4's price up beyond $30,000 and competitive levels, the smarter money's on the former. But in order to compete with the likes of the Ford Focus ST and Subaru WRX STI - and outshine the 285-horsepower Caliber SRT4 it succeeds - we could be looking at nearly 300 horses under the hood.

Couple that with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (we'd still hope for a manual), upgraded rolling stock, brakes and suspension, and a more aggressive aero pack and we could be looking at one very mean pocket rocket indeed.

Dodge working on 300-hp Dart SRT4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: If you're contesting a 144-mph speeding ticket, don't brag about your car's speed in a classified ad

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Government/Legal, Dodge, Canada

Getting out of a 144-mph speeding ticket is undoubtedly a very tough business. Unless you have some very compelling evidence that the radar gun failed or the authorities were out to get you, your chances are likely rather grim.

Getting out of a 144-mph speeding ticket by claiming your car can't go that fast, while simultaneously advertising said car for sale as a 420-horsepower turbocharged barnstormer, however, is a great way to guarantee you will lose. According to the Niagara Falls Review, a man from Canada has done just that.

Police say the 23-year-old was clocked at 144 mph on a public street on what they describe as bald tires. Judging by his speed and reported $25k worth of upgrades, we'd guess we were dealing with a Dodge Neon SRT-4, likely on racing-compound tires.

The alleged perp is trying to avoid the hefty $3,651 speeding ticket by claiming that his Dodge Neon is a crap can econobox incapable of such velocity. Problem is, he has the car for sale, advertising its $25,000 in upgrades, including a "Stage 3" turbocharged engine. The car also sports a fully-customized suspension and upgraded brakes. As many a weekend racer and enthusiast knows, the SRT-4 is one of the all-time great bargain-basement performers on the track and off, and we wouldn't doubt its potential to nudge well beyond 144 mph. Asking price for this dangerous Dodge? Try $9,900. Hat tip to David!

[Source: Niagara Falls Review]

PSA: If you're contesting a 144-mph speeding ticket, don't brag about your car's speed in a classified ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Mystery Dodge Journey SRT R/T might be the real deal

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Performance, Wagon, Crossover, Dodge

SRT-prepped Dodge Journey R/T - Click above for high-res image gallery

We first informed you yesterday about an interesting looking Dodge Journey SRT R/T prototype that AB reader Nick Leonard stumbled upon in Saginaw, MI. With its manufacturer lincense plates, unique wheels, quad exhaust tips, road-hugging stance and a well-integrated new front fascia, we figured might be some kind of HiPo Mopar project that the company has kept close to its vest. We didn't know anything else about it other than the fact that we wanted to know more.

Well, today we have word of a secondhand account of the beast that would add fuel to the fire. Apparently, if a new LS1Tech thread is to be believed, this Journey is pretty darned quick. Forum member Outlaw55 tells the story:

Just got smoked by a white Dodge SUV thing! I was just out cruising back to work after grabbing a bite to eat and I got pumbled by some newer 4-door Dodge wagon/SUV looking thing. My 02 SS has been 12.90's with Drag Radials and now it has Blizzacs on the back but everything else was the same.

It was behind me and then beside at a stop light. I did not intend to race the guy but my lane ended about 10 yards ahead so I punched it when the light went green, his fender was at my door m so I banged second and went WOT and he friggin passed me. I merged in behind him and then my turn came up and I got off that road.

WTF. It wasn't a Cherokee SRT8 and it certainly wasn't V8 because it didn't sound like it. It had 5 star rims and quad exhausts..thing was white ?

Granted, this was on Michigan's cold winter streets and the Chevrolet Camaro in question was wearing Blizzaks, but either way, it would appear that this all-wheel drive Journey is packing some serious heat. Outlaw says he didn't think it was a V8, and it would be hard to believe a Hemi could be crammed into the Journey's engine bay, so if we had to guess, it might have a breathed-on SRT-4 powerplant in there. With the Caliber SRT-4 turbo mill underhood, it could be producing as much as 285 horsepower in stock configuration, possibly enough to humble the Camaro under very poor traction conditions. But who knows, perhaps it was secreting some extra boost? Thanks for the tip, Tracy!

Gallery: Reader Spy: SRT-prepped Dodge Journey R/T

[Source: LS1Tech]

Followup: Mystery Dodge Journey SRT R/T might be the real deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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13s in the quarter for $1300 - and 30 MPG, too

Eric Bryant — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Technology

Chrysler's "A Platform" hasn't ever received a whole lot of respect from gearheads, but aside from serving as a useful bridge between the K-car and the cab-forward LH, it also spawned the Dodge Spirit R/T. Acceleration came courtesy of the ubiquitous 2.2 L inline four, but topped with a DOHC 16-valve head, and turbocharged and intercooled for good measure. 224 hp was the result, which matched most domestic V8s of the day.

Positioned in the marketplace against other early-90s four-door rocketships such as the Ford Taurus SHO, Chevrolet Lumina Z34, and Nissan Maxima, it was capable of blasting to 60 MPH from a standing start in less than six seconds. Chrysler called it the "fastest sedan built in America", and even today it'd hold its own against any number of other performance sedans in straight line acceleration.

Less than 1,500 of the R/T models were built in '91 and '92, and so the odds of coming across one are slim. The son of Mopar Action's Rich Ehrenberg managed to score one for $1000, though, and threw another $300 at it to run flat 13s at 103 MPH. Oh, yea, and the head gasket wasn't fixed, either. The details here are sketchy - it appears as if we'll have to wait for an upcoming issue of Mopar Action to learn more - but being that the Spirit R/T is a turbocharged car, we're guessing that turning up the wick was a simple matter of wastegate manipulation to increase the boost, and then it became an issue of finding some tires to hook up that power.

[Source: Mopar Action]

13s in the quarter for $1300 - and 30 MPG, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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