Ram Unveils New 1500 Express Pickup Truck for Younger, First-Time Buyers

Ram's new version of the 1500 pickup truck, formerly known under the code name the “Adventurer”, has finally received an official designation. The Ram 1500 Express targets younger customers and first-time buyers and comes with a starting price of $23,830 (€16,677), including a $975 destination charge.

The truck is fitted with a standard 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that delivers 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque (552 Nm) and posts an average fuel economy rating of 20 mpg (11.76 l/100km). Available as a regular cab short-bed model, with either a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain, the 1500 Express comes in a monochromatic paint scheme, with body-colored grille, front fascia and rear fascia and a total of eight body colors available.

A grille with black honeycomb inserts, chrome-tipped dual exhausts, fog lamps and five-spoke 20-inch aluminum wheels are also part of the package.

Standard features include a locking tailgate, 160-amp alternator, 26-gallon fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp battery, heavy-duty front and rear shock absorbers, power steering, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling and a full-size spare tire.

The interior of the 1500 Express gets a heavy-duty vinyl 40/20/40 split-bench seat, with buyers being able to choose between vinyl or carpeted floor covering. Other features include air conditioning, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, six-speaker audio unit with CD and MP3 player, automatic headlamps, behind-the-seat storage bins, power accessory delay and tinted glass windows. Safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP and tire pressure warning lamp.

The options list is extensive and includes two rear-axle ratios (3.21, 3.92), anti-spin differential, engine block heater, trailer brake controller, Mopar chrome tubular side steps, Mopar chrome steel bed rails, folding and heated trailer-tow power mirrors, spray-in bedliner and under-rail bedliner.

For the interior, buyers can outfit the 1500 Express with a cloth split-bench seat, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a Sirius Satellite Radio. Finally, Mopar will offer more than 300 accessories for those who want to customize their ride.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Geiger Cars Brings Limited Edition 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 to Germany

Geiger Car’s love affair with Detroit muscle continues with the German market launch of the limited run 2011 Dodge Challenger ST8 392 Inaugural Edition, of which only 1,492 examples are to be built. There is no word on how many cars Geiger Car’s managed to secure for the German market, but the starting price has been set at €55,000, which comes to around US$77,800 at the current exchange rates.

Under the hood of the latest Challenger SRT8 392 lies a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 delivering 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, matched to either a standard five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick or an available Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual gearbox. Dodge says the most powerful version of the Challenger series has an estimated top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) and can complete the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in the high 4-second range, and quarter mile in the high 12-second range.

On top of the standard SRT8’s features, the ‘392’ gains exclusive exterior and interior content including 20-inch wheels, Mopar quad exhaust tips, aero parts and a two-tone leather interior. Buyers will have the choice of two colors -Deep Water Blue with Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with Viper Blue stripes.

PHOTO GALLERY

Fiat to Introduce Two New Dodge-Based Sedans in China and Russia by 2013

As time goes by, Fiat SpA’s integration with the Chrysler Group LLC deepens and the results become more evident with the two carmakers making several plans for the future. Speaking at Fiat's annual shareholders meeting on March 30, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed plans to launch two new Dodge-based sedans in China and Russia.

The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.

Both sedan models make use of a 40mm wider version Fiat's new Compact Wide architecture that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback. The same platform will also be used on future Jeep compact and mid-sized SUVs.

According to the report, the Italian automaker is still contemplating the launch of the compact sedan model in Western Europe, while the mid-size saloon may enter the European market under the Lancia brand.

We’ll remind you that Lancia is also considering the launch the current generation Chrysler 200-based Flavia sedan, which was shown as a concept at last month’s Geneva Motor Show, by the end of the year. If Lancia goes ahead with both plans, then the Dodge Avenger-based model will replace the Flavia.

Sources: Fiat, Autonews [Sub. Req.]

2011 DODGE AVENGER F/L [CURRENT GENERATION]

New Dodge Charger TBi Powered by Alfa Romeo’s 1.75 Liter Turbo Engine

Now here’s some news we weren’t expecting. The Chrysler Group announced today the premiere of a new variant of the 2011 Dodge Charger bearing the TBi moniker, which stands for Turbocharged Boosted Induction. The Charger TBi is powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine sourced from sister company Alfa Romeo. The Italian flavored 1.75-liter powerplant is the same one found on a variety of Alfa models including the Giulietta and 159, as well as the upcoming 4C sports coupe previewed in Geneva last month.

On the 2011MY Charger, the force-fed four-pot delivers a maximum output of 225HP and a peak torque of 250 lb-ft / 340Nm at just 1,900 rpm.

The Detroit automaker said that the gasoline engine “ensures performance that matches or exceeds that of a 3.0-litre V6 whilst still delivering the moderate fuel consumption which is typical of a compact, 4 cylinder unit”. The new powerplant will be matched exclusively to a new automatic "TCT" twin dry clutch transmission with eight gears.

According to Dodge, the Charger TBi completes the standard 0-60mph sprint in 8.1 seconds while returning an estimated average fuel consumption of 25mpg city and 32mpg highway. In comparison, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 model is rated at 18mpg and 27mpg respectively. More details are expected to be released before the end of the day so stay tuned.

PHOTO GALLERY 2011 DODGE CHARGER