While Chevrolet decided to go electric in a practical manner with the compact Volt sedan, Dodge went for broke and based their EV (shown here at the 2009 NAIAS) on a Lotus Europa S. Sadly, we won’t see this vehicle come to fruition as the Fiat partnership has dissolved the Chrysler ENVI electric initiative altogether. With a claimed 150 to 200 mile range the Circuit EV was within spitting distance of another Lotus based EV sports car, the Tesla roadster, when its batteries finally decided to take a rest. The Circuit’s lithium-ion battery pack combined with the 200-kW motor could output 268-hp and an instant 480 lb-ft of torque. None too shabby for a green bean!
The 2007 Dodge Avenger Stormtrooper is more than just a car for Star Wars nerds (like yours truly). Along with the George Lucas spec exterior cosmetic upgrades the interior features two mobile PC’s. The PC up front features ETAS INCA software for engine tuning while the one in the back seat is loaded with mobile entertainment software for video, gaming, music and internet connectivity. On loan from the Empire this Stormtrooper was found on display at the 2007 NAIAS.
The Dodge Slingshot Concept on display at the 2005 NAIAS was a sporty little coupe targeted towards a younger crowd on the lower end of the income spectrum. The styling is sharp but its 3-cylinder engine was only good for 100-hp and 10-second dash to 60 mph.
Years ago, new pickup trucks had incredibly long life cycles. Ford, Chevy and Dodge would come up with new designs, then let them age for nearly a decade before they made any major changes.
Truck makers don’t have that luxury anymore. Read more…
The Dodge Charger is revealed at the 2005 NAIAS
The Dodge Viper coupe at the 2005 NAIAS.
The new Dodge Magnum is a great station wagon with only one problem: Dodge won’t call it a station wagon.
Instead, the marketing geniuses in Detroit demand we call it an Active Hybrid Sport Crossover Utility Something-or-Another Vehicle, but they’re not fooling anybody. It’s still a station wagon, and a darn good one at that. Read more…
Not Worthy Of The R/T Moniker But Competent Nonetheless
Maybe I’m just an over-demanding automotive enthusiast but when I am scheduled to drive a vehicle, which has the R/T moniker in the name, I anticipate a vehicle that, as the name implies, can hold its own on the Road as well as the Track. Accordingly, you will understand my disappointment when I discovered a 3.0-liter V6 under the hood of my Indy Red Status rated at 200 just-adequate horses. Perhaps my disappointment does not lie with the Stratus but with Chrysler marketers misusing a storied name. It’s the same case at General Motors where Chevrolet offers an Impala SS with a Un-Super-Sport-like 240hp. But I digress. With that off my chest it’s time to focus on the Stratus Coupe. Read more…
When the Dodge Durango was introduced in 1998, it was perfect for Goldilocks – not too big, not too small.
With a spacious cabin, rugged performance and valuable third-row seat, the Durango quickly gained a following for its just-right proportions that neatly filled the void between midsize and full-size SUVs. It was a perfect fit – for a while. Read more…
