2011 Chrysler Sebring

A post on allpar.com just confirmed that the updated and heavily refreshed Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger (which are built in Sterling Heights Michigan) were just shown at an impromptu town hall meeting.

The post stated that the Avenger was still highly recognizable as an Avenger but the Sebring was heavily 200C inspired and that a convertible version would be offered.  Production is expected to begin later this year.

The heavy refreshing will also include re-tuned suspensions, brand new Pentastar V6 engines and MultiAir equipped 2.4L 4 cylinders offering more power with increased fuel economy.

The new interiors are said to be on par with Lexus.

These will be followed up by brand new versions of the Sebring and Avenger (new monikers are expected…especially for the Sebring) by 2012 when the cars will be based on Fiat C-EVO platforms but will be all Chrysler otherwise.  The new engines will be backed by 6-speed twin clutch transmissions and other serious upgrades that are expected to put the cars in the forefront of the competition.

More details as we gather them

2011 Chrysler 300

2011 Chrysler 300

During the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler Group LLC was flashing teaser images of the upcoming Chrysler 300C on their promotional video playing at their booth display stand.

The image displays the rumored LED headlights and new grille design.  Other 2011 Chrysler 300C details are as follows:

2011 LX 300 series:

The all-new 2011 300 series models are set to start production a few months after the Challenger and Charger, in February of 2011. The 2011 base models will feature the all-new 3.6L Pentastar engine. The existing 5.7 Hemi will return, and as mentioned above, the SRT will get the new 6.4 VVT Hemi with ~500 HP.

Interiors will be upgraded significantly with premium materials throughout. New standard and optional features include Active Head Restraints for the front seats; front and rear aimable LED Lamps; a Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system; four-way power lumbar controls; heated steering wheel; Garmin navigation; MediaFLO Streaming Video; Keyless Go push-button start; Remote Proximity Keyless Entry; ventilated front seats; HID bi-xenon headlamps; illuminated cupholders and Chrysler’s Rear Cross Path and Blind Spot Monitoring system.

The new 300 will also offer Sirius Travel Link (SIRIUS Traffic, national weather information, fuel prices, sports scores, movie listings); Uconnect Phone next generation with Voice Command; Automatic Crash Notification, Emergency Call, Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance. The MyGIG radios will return, with updated features. The audio system will also be upgraded, most likely with an 11-channel 506-watt 7.1 surround sound amplifier with a full compliment of speakers and a 2-channel dual voice coil subwoofer.

The all new 2011 Chrysler 300C will begin production in February 2011 after the all new 2011 Dodge Charger and updated 2011 Dodge Challenger start in November 2010.  The 300C has a 3 month delay from the others due to Fiat-ordered style changes.

A new limited edition Mustang is now available from Ford for the new year in two iterations, the RTR and the RTR-C.

The RTR comes with front and side splitters, a rear diffuser and an aluminum rear spoiler among the multitude of custom paint scheme’s available.  Performance is upped by 9 horsepower thanks to improved intake and exhaust systems and suspension see’s improvement via Ford racing suspension, a 1.5″ drop and a stronger rear sway bar.

A nice edition to the Mustang line up for sure, but it’s the RTR-C that grabbed our attention.

Its completely carbon fiber and rumors are abound that only 10 examples will be produced.

It packs a 550 HP 4.6L, has an Exedy clutch equipped 5-speed and a 3.73 cog filled rear diff with a Torsen LSD unit.

Ford Racing supply the front and rear anti-roll bars, Autosport Dynamics take care of the rear control arms and panhard link, and TEIN come through with the adjustable coilovers. Wilwood RTR-C W6A are mounted up front, and RTR-C W4A halt the rear.
20 x 11 HRE CF40 carbon fiber wheels sit stoutly on the rear, 19 x 9.5 sit up front, and all four are wrapped with Falken tires.

2010 Mustang RTR-C

2010 Laguna Seca Dodge Viper ACR

On November 24th, Dodge took the revised 2010 Dodge Viper ACR to Laguna Seca to try and set the lap record for production cars.

On just the sixth lap of the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course, the Viper ACR’s Motec telemetry recorded a 1:33.915 lap time (the Laguna trackside clock recorded an unofficial 1:33.944) which made the 2010 Viper ACR the quickest production car in the world around Laguna Seca.

However, it seems there was more behind the story, because  not long after the record was broken, Dodge announced that a special Laguna Seca version would be offered.

Back on November 4th when Chrysler outlined its 5 year business plan, Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles spoke of running a “final 500″ special edition of the Viper before the completely new car rolls out in 2012.

Will all 500 be Laguna Seca editions?  Most likely, and the official Laguna Seca Edition will be shown at the LA Auto Show next month.

Record Breaking Lap

2011 Dodge Charger rendering

2011 Dodge Charger

Thanks again to Allpar.com member JackRatchet, we have an updated and the best (in my opinion) 2011 Dodge Charger rendering yet.

The drawing incorporates the “for-sure-happening” side scallops that were shown by Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles at the Chrysler 5-year business plan event, as well as some “maybe-happening ” (most likely now) 1969/1970 retro inspired Dodge Charger tail lights.

Expect the actual version to debut sometime in mid 2010 as the production schedule is set to begin in November.

While GM CEO Fritz Henderson has stated that he “is not a fan of re-badging cars” and that the Pontiac G8 would die with Pontiac, a recent posting on a G8 forum may suggest otherwise-

“My dealer had sent off pictures to GM of the cable portion of the front seats belts rubbing against the plastic on the side of the front seats. In an email sent back to the dealer, GM says that they have no plans to solve what has already been built but going forward a correction is planned. The email continues: …a fix is planned for MY11.5 Chevy Police Program and MY12 Chevy SS. The fix will involve a protective sleeve that covers the buckle and section of the buckle stem that rubs on the plastic trim.”

Up until now, the Holden-based sedan was supposedly only going to come back here as a Chevy Caprice branded cop-car in 2011.  The Pontiac G8 was to be lower buck BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-class competitor but it seems GM has their sights set on competing directly with the Dodge Charger, which is also available as a Cop car and as a 425 horsepower muscle car.

Fiat Doblo

Fiat Ducato

Meet the Doblo and the Ducato, two new vans that will be sold in North America under the newly formed Ram brand at Chrysler.

The smaller of the two, the Doblo, will go head-on against the Ford Transit Connect.  A van for contractors, delivery businesses, locksmiths and whoever requires space but does not need something the size of a school bus.

The second of the two, the Ducato, will fill the void left by the Mercedes-sourced Dodge Sprinter van that has headed back to be sold under the Benz umbrella.

The Ducato will fill the void nicely as it is basically the same size and is already a direct competitor to the Sprinter.  Fiat will supply both vans and they will both be built and imported from Europe starting in 2011.  It is unclear whether either van will retain their Euro-grown names.

Joe Newsham aka “New Jersey Joe” is one of few front running 10.5″ Outlaw racers that sets records and w1ns without drastic support from an employing engine builder or chassis builder like so many front running 10.5 Outlaw cars.

Unfortunately, at last weekends Englishtown raceway held “Shakedown at E-town” extravaganza, Joe ran into some unfortunate top end luck after riding the rear wheelie bars well past the 330′ mark.

Joe, albeit banged up, lived to see another day.  Watch the video’s and see the reason why NHRA’s new mandated SFI chassis rules are indeed working.

Thanks to John Fore for the leading pic, you the man.

Newsham Crash Angle 1

Newsham Crash Angle 2

For years and years manual transmissions have always been the red headed step child when it came to aftermarket development.  This was even worse when you had to rely on your favorite brands supplier to come out with stronger replacement parts.  In the 60’s GM had the Muncie, Chrysler had the A-833 and Ford had the Top Loader.

From the 1980’s until recently we witnessed  TREMEC take a majority of marketshare by  being placed in everything from 5.0L Mustangs to the late model Dodge Viper ACR.  But what if you needed to put one behind your not-so-stock power plant?  The only option has been to step up to an automatic which usually consisted of variations based on the GM 3-speed TH400, GM 2-speed Powerglide or the Chrysler 727 Torqueflite.

The import companies ?  LOL  There is a reason why all the fastest Toyota Supras use GM  transmissions.

Automatics are great for drag racing but what if you want to bang your own gears ?  Mcleod has the answer.

After 3-years of development, and leaving 1 stress-tested and busted dyno in its wake, Mcleod has debuted the M-800 5-speed manual transmission.  A clean sheet design that was meant to be  a drop in replacement for Mopars A-833 4-speed from yore. The front plate and rear tail shaft can be changed to replace GM 4-speeds, Ford Top Loaders and T-5’s.

The M-800 is good for 800 ft/lbs of torque, uses all forged internals and has a 32-spline output shaft.  Mcleod is so sure of this beast that they have tagged it with a 1-year or 12000 mile warranty.

From toilets to wedding bands, carbon fiber has certainly made an impression on the right people for it come this far.

It can also only help prices come down for us car guys that told everyone about it in the first place.  How far have prices come down?  The 3.5 gram titanium / carbon fiber wedding band is only $30.00 and you would never notice it was on your finger!!