USA - Dodge shakes up the muscle car segment with a range of new models.

Dodge Celebrates 45 Years of Its Functional “Cold-air Grabbing” Hood Scoop That “Shakes” With the Legendary HEMI® V-8 Engine’s Movement

• Back by enthusiast demand, Dodge returns the “Shaker” to the Challenger lineup – now expanding the functional cold-air induction hood scoop on two HEMI V-8 engines and three performance-packed models
•  “King of the Shakers” – all-new 2015 Dodge Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker combines the ultimate combination of 485 best-in-class horsepower and legendary Dodge heritage cues with a functional Shaker hood
• Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker models feature the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with unique hood and intake design combined with a functional exposed-element cold-air intake system
• New 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker are available for ordering now, with the 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker model available for customer orders in March

Designed to deliver maximum performance and the most Dodge muscle-car heritage in the brand’s lineup, the new 2015 Challenger R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker and first-ever 392 HEMI® Scat Pack Shaker models celebrate 45 years of the functional “cold-air grabbing” hood scoop that “shakes” with the legendary HEMI V-8 engine’s movement.

“After selling out last year’s Shaker model production in just four days, our hardcore Challenger customers demanded we bring back the Shaker – plus offer more power and more performance,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge and SRT Brands. “We listened, and for 2015, the new Dodge Challenger lineup offers the legendary Shaker hood expanded to include our 485 horsepower HEMI V-8 delivering up to 113 more horsepower than last year, plus even more track-proven hardware and technology – a combination our enthusiasts have been waiting for.”

New 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker are available for ordering now, with the high-performance 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker model available for customer orders in March.

45 years of the Shaker hood

As the model name suggests, the legendary “cold-air grabbing” Shaker not only looks good with its Satin Black center-mounted hood scoop, snorkeling up from the engine compartment, it also directs cooler air back into the 5.7-liter, or now  6.4-liter (392 cu.in.), HEMI® V-8 engine. And, like the original 1970 Challenger R/T with the Shaker hood, the new 2015 Challenger models continue the Dodge tradition of an engine-mounted hood scoop that “shakes” with the powertrain’s movement.

Designed for muscle-car buffs who can’t help but tinker with their toys, the Challenger R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker and 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker models feature a functional Shaker hood with Mopar cold-air intake, conical air filter and optimized air box for improved airflow and performance. Lift the hood and enthusiasts will also be treated to an under-hood “Shaker” graphic – reminiscent of the 1970s original.

Challenger R/T Shaker

For drivers who like to share their performance credentials, the new Challenger R/T Shaker adds a functional Shaker hood with cold-air induction and Mopar conical air filter to the Challenger R/T model’s 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine delivering up to 375 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition the package adds hood-to-tail Satin Black Shaker graphic stripes, Shaker hood badges, black deck-lid spoiler with Parkview backup camera, “Shaker” startup screen, Satin Black fuel-filler door with heritage “FUEL” lettering, projector fog lamps, 20-inch polished aluminum satin finish wheels with black pockets and premium black cloth performance seats with Ballistic 2 inserts and Tungsten accent stitching.

The new TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission is available (372 horsepower, 400 lb.-ft. of torque) and includes Sport mode with paddle shifters, plus Fuel Saver Technology with four-cylinder mode and interactive Decel Fuel Shut Off (iDFSO).

Super Track Pak

For maximum performance on road and track, Challenger R/T Shaker includes the Super Track Pak with a full complement of race-bred chassis upgrades, including a 0.5-inch lowered suspension, high-performance Bilstein shock absorbers, high-performance brakes, three-mode electronic stability control (ESC) calibration with “full off” and three-season Goodyear Eagle F1 tires (Goodyear Eagle RSA all-season performance tires available). For a more road-holding stance, the Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker is available with 20-by-9-inch matte black lightweight forged aluminum wheels (late availability).

The new 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker model has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $35,495 (all prices exclude $995 destination).

Challenger R/T Plus Shaker

Adding to the Challenger R/T Shaker model’s standard equipment, the new 2015 Challenger R/T Plus Shaker includes unique heated and ventilated Nappa leather performance seats with “Shaker” logo stitched in Black and Ruby Red, or Black and Sepia; unique door bolsters with graduated accent stitching, premium floor mats with “Dodge” logo, Dodge Performance leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt-and-telescoping column, Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen display with AM/FM/SiriusXM Radio, Bluetooth, 3-D navigation-capable and Uconnect Access with 9-1-1 call/Assist Call , six premium speakers and 276-watt digital amplifier. For a more road-holding stance, the Dodge Challenger R/T Plus Shaker is available with 20-by-9-inch matte black lightweight forged aluminum wheels.

Expanding on the Super Track Pak’s capability, the Challenger R/T Plus Shaker adds a shortcut button to the new Dodge Performance Pages embedded in the class-exclusive Uconnect 8.4-inch touch screen radio that provides visible performance information, such as programmable shift light indicator, reaction time, 0-60 times, G-force indicator and lap times in the 7-inch TFT customizable cluster display.

The new 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Plus Shaker model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $38,495.

Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker

As the “King of all Shakers,” the 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker ups-the-ante with its best-in-class 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering up to 113 more horsepower and a 65-lb.-ft. leap in torque compared with the 5.7-liter Challenger R/T Shaker models — representing more than a 30 percent jump in horsepower and 18 percent jump in torque. The coupe’s best-in-class power enables it to turn mid 4-second 0-60 mph times and low 12-second quarter mile times.

Adding to the standard equipment found on the Dodge Challenger R/T Plus Shaker, the first-ever 2015 Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker includes a 6.4-liter (392 cu.in.) HEMI V-8 engine with 485 horsepower and exposed functional shaker hood with engine-mounted high-flow cold-air induction, Tremec six-speed manual transmission (new TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission with paddle shifters is available), Scat Pack fender badge, 392 HEMI Shaker hood badge, 180 mph primary speedometer, active stainless steel performance dual exhaust system and 220-amp alternator. In addition, the Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker takes the Super Track Pak suspension to the next level with a Brembo four-piston high-performance brake package and 20-by-9-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Scat Pack Appearance Group

With the available Scat Pack Appearance Group, the 2015 Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker model replaces the hood-to-tail Satin Black Shaker graphic stripes for the signature Satin Black Bumble Bee rear stripe – a Dodge heritage cue that dates back to 1968. Additional equipment includes Scat Pack-logo embroidered performance seats in Black or Ruby Red Nappa leather, animated “Scat Pack” Bumble Bee splash screen and 20-by-9-inch lightweight forged matte black aluminum wheels. MSRP for the Scat Pack Appearance Group is $1,100.

The new 2015 Dodge Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $42,495 (excluding $1,000 gas-guzzler tax with manual transmission).

Heritage Hues

Heritage and high-impact exterior colors for the 2015 Dodge Challenger Shaker model range include B5 Blue, Sublime Green and TorRed. Other factory colors include Billet Silver Metallic, Bright White, Pitch Black and Granite Crystal Metallic.

Dodge continues to build on the Scat Pack legacy

In 1968, Dodge united the brand’s performance vehicle enthusiasts through the creation of the “Scat Pack Club.” The Scat Pack Club quickly transformed and expanded from an enthusiast club, into an over-arching Dodge performance philosophy. This shared philosophy ultimately evolved into the desire for even more performance. Dodge and Mopar brands partnered to respect this need by delivering factory-engineered performance stage kits that would ultimately become known as “Scat Packs.”

For the 2015 model year, the all-new 2015 Challenger R/T Scat Pack and 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker models were created to deliver even more performance to the Dodge lineup. With a best-in-class 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque, track-ready performance features, heritage styling and the availability of the class-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission – these two Challenger models are targeted directly at hardcore Dodge enthusiasts.

Old defunct brands from GM will not be making a comeback anytime soon !

General Motors CEO Mary Barra, at the recent Automotive News World Congress, said the company doesn’t miss any of the brands that were discontinued during the company’s 2008-09 bankruptcy and restructuring -- Saturn, Saab, Hummer and Pontiac.

You can take that to mean that none will ever be revived by GM, at least while Barra is in power.

But that doesn’t mean displaced customers of two of the brands -- Hummer and Pontiac -- have nowhere to go.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is building a lineup that would be a natural home for displaced Hummer and Pontiac customers.

Looking at Jeep’s staggering global growth and the worldwide explosion in popularity of SUVs and crossovers, you have to think a Hummer customer’s first choice would be a Jeep. (Don’t forget the two brands shared the same basic seven-slot grille.) GM no longer has a dedicated brand of rugged off-road vehicles.

But I see the biggest migration of GM customers to coming from Pontiac -- and going to Dodge.

“Dodge is the American performance brand,” Tim Kuniskis boasted during a presentation of Fiat Chrysler’s new five-year plan in May.

Kuniskis, CEO of Dodge, is trimming and recasting the brand’s lineup to focus on performance -- putting its tires squarely on the turf that transformed Pontiac into a performance powerhouse in the 1960s.

Pontiac’s performance image, spawned by such cars as the GTO, Firebird, Super Duty Trans Am and others, lasted well into the 1980s. It was in the midst of being reborn when GM killed the brand in 2009.

Dodge’s Grand Caravan minivan is about to join the midsize Avenger sedan in automotive history books. And by 2018, Kuniskis says, Dodge will have seven performance-oriented nameplates. That plan is already in motion with the outrageous new 707-hp Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat muscle cars, and the V-10 Viper sports car.

I asked Kuniskis if Dodge will actively pursue Pontiac fans with direct mail appeals, discounts and other tactics, since GM no longer has a brand dedicated to performance vehicles.

“The Dodge brand is open to any buyer who is looking for performance,” he said. “Every Dodge vehicle is designed to deliver that visceral feel that reminds buyers why they fell in love with driving in the first place, and we’re open to any buyer who is looking for that feeling, regardless of the brand they’ve previously driven.”

I don’t want to give you the impression that GM no longer cares about performance cars and Pontiac customers. Cadillac is largely about luxury and tire-shredding performance. At the North American International Auto Show, Cadillac showcased the new CTS-V, a 640-hp road rocket.

And Chevrolet has some interesting cars, such as the SS, which is a new version of the discontinued Pontiac G8 sports sedan, and the Corvette and Camaro. But GM has no mainstream brand purely devoted to performance or even with a strong performance image.

Even if Dodge does capture a good share of Pontiac buyers, success is not guaranteed, says AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan.

For one thing, GM won’t give up Pontiac customers easily.

GM spokeswoman Ryndee Carney says GM consistently communicates with Pontiac customers, alerting them of new GM models and offering loyalty incentives to stay with GM. The company won’t disclose or quantify how successful it has been at retaining Pontiac customers, Carney said.

U.S. buyers have many performance vehicles from which to choose.

“When you look at other performance models -- the Ford Focus ST, the Raptor, BMW’s M series, Audi’s S and RS models -- none of those automakers dedicate a whole brand to performance,” Sullivan says. “There is a limited market for go-fast stuff. Look how many Accords, Camrys and Altimas sold last year.”

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler, is not known to have a lot of patience. But he may need it with Dodge.

Says Sullivan: “It’s going to take a few product cycles, maybe 10 or 15 years, to fix memories of the Caliber and Journey.”

Richard Truett

REPORT HERE

Mitsubishi upgrades its successful L200 range, with more kit and a great price.

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is pleased to announce the new L200 Challenger - the best value for money pick-up ever from Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.

The Mitsubishi L200 pioneered the pick-up segment with its refined engine and high levels of safety, comfort and equipment. The company continues to innovate in the pick-up market by adding the L200 Challenger to its already robust, versatile and appealing range.

The L200 range comes with the longest warranty of any pick-up truck in the UK – five years or 125,000 miles. It is also available with a three-year fixed price service plan at £600 and a range of finance options, including Contract Hire.

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has sold over 130,000 L200 pick-up’s since the launch in 1987 and continue to be a strong contender accounting for 20% of the overall pick up market.

The new addition priced from £16,499 is fully loaded with value adding specification. L200 Challenger goes on sale from 1^st January 2015.

• 175 bhp engine
• Super Select 4WD system
• M-ASTC
• 17” alloy wheels
• Cruise control
• Climate control air conditioning
• Automatic rain & dusk sensors
• Privacy glass
• Bluetooth
• Leather steering wheel & gear shift knob
• Optional leather seats
• Long load bed
• Available in all colours in the existing range;

The new L200 Challenger comes with renowned Mitsubishi reliability as standard. But for even greater piece of mind all it comes with the Mitsubishi Assistance Package (MAP) which includes 24/7 UK home and roadside breakdown assistance, and European roadside assistance in over 30 European countries.

USA - 2015 Dodge Challenger gains five stars overall in NHTSA satey rating program.

• 2015 Dodge Challenger coupe earns five stars overall, the highest possible score in NHTSA’s safety rating program
• More than 70 safety and security features, including new for 2015 class-exclusive Forward Collision Warning, adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection
• All-new 2015 Dodge Challenger starts at $26,995 (excluding tax, destination and title)

The all-new 2015 Dodge Challenger has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Five stars is the highest possible safety rating given by NHTSA.

“The new Dodge Challenger coupe further demonstrates our commitment to broaden the proliferation of advanced safety technologies, such as driver-assist features,” says Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President-Vehicle Safety and Regulatory, FCA-North America.

 

In its assessment of the new Challenger, NHTSA notes the availability of Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which features forward-facing sensors programmed to detect the potential for certain types of frontal collisions. If detected, the driver is alerted with visual and audible warnings.

 

The 2015 Dodge Challenger is the only car in its segment with such capability.

FCW is among more than 70 available safety and security features on the 2015 Dodge Challenger. Others include Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Path Detection, which was pioneered by FCA US LLC.

Among the individual crash-tests in which the Challenger scored five stars were front- and side-impacts.

“The 2015 Challenger checks all the boxes,” Kunselman says. “It affords premium safety and security in a stylish package that delivers a sporty driving experience.”

And it does so for $26,995, excluding tax, destination and title.

Building on the 2014-model’s legacy of honors that include Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value Award and winner three years’ running J.D. Power’s APEAL Award for overall ownership enjoyment, the 2015 Dodge Challenger ups its game with:

• New 1971-inspired exterior and interior design features
• An unmatched array of personalization options, including a wide range of colors, stripes and wheels to create the perfect combination of fun, nostalgia and power
• Segment-first and segment-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, which delivers world-class precision and up to an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy, compared with the outgoing gearbox
• Significant new technology upgrades such as the all-new Uconnect Access system with standard touchscreen, standard new 7-inch multi-view TFT gauge cluster, new performance electronic shifter, Keyless Enter ‘n Go with push-button start.

Last month, the Challenger recorded its best-ever November sales total with 4,157 deliveries. That’s a 52-percent jump compared with the same month in 2013.