Want the lowdown on your vehicle? There's an app for that

The Dodge brand and Mopar are making it easier than ever for owners to connect with their vehicles, giving electronic information at their fingertips with a free, new smartphone application.

The new Mopar apps provide vehicle operation, maintenance and warranty information, as well as product feature video demonstrations, connections with fellow owners via the company’s brands on social media sites and access to customer care and 24-hour road-side assistance. Because the system is digital, it also allows Dodge to make updates to the “electronic” owner’s manual in real-time.

"Dodge vehicles feature the latest technology to keep our active customers connected and on the move," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO — Dodge Car Brand. “This is an example of how we are better connecting with our Dodge owners, responding to their needs and growing our relationship with them.”

New Dodge Durango and Charger owners can now download vehicle information applications to select personal smartphones. The new Mopar feature, developed by Michigan-based Tweddle Group, is designed to support vehicles in the U.S. market. The applications will first be available for iPhone and later for BlackBerry and Android devices on major mobile carriers. Applications for the Avenger, Journey and Grand Caravan will be available in mid-January 2011.

“Dodge’s new vehicle-information application is part of our company’s customer care initiatives and creates a convenient, on-demand channel of communication with our customers,” said Pietro Gorlier, President – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. “This communication will enhance customer experience with a source for owners and potential owners to learn about Dodge products.”

Application Features
These new Dodge smartphone vehicle information apps will complement existing user guides and DVDs that are currently provided with each vehicle. Each vehicle-information app will allow the consumer to browse functional categories and view detailed topics of interest relative to their specific vehicle.

Key feature categories include product information, vehicle operating instructions, vehicle maintenance schedules, service contract details, warning lights and controls, warranty information and customer assistance. Other features and benefits include links to Mopar parts and accessories, product brand gear and merchandise and social media sites. The app will also contain high-resolution product information images and videos.

Chrysler Brand Sets its Sight on Dallas as it Kicks Off 'Blogger Game On Road Trip'

The Chrysler Brand kicked off its "Blogger Game On Road Trip" when they handed over the keys to two new 2011 Chrysler 200 sedans to bloggers who will drive the vehicles from Detroit to Dallas.

The Chrysler brand delivered the keys to three sets of bloggers to drive the new 2011 Chrysler 200 sedans and make their way to Dallas. Along the way, bloggers posted their road trip experience and driving impressions of the Chrysler 200. The first set of bloggers drove from Detroit to Pittsburgh to attend the AFC Divisional playoff game. The second set of bloggers headed to Chicago and now a third set will complete their road trip in Dallas.

"The 'Blogger Game On Road Trip' will provide current and potential customers with a unique behind-the-wheel perspective of the fun and adventure to be had while traveling across the country in the new 2011 Chrysler 200," said Olivier Francois, President and CEO, Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Whether it's commuting to work or embarking on a road trip with friends, the Chrysler 200 provides drivers with confident handling performance in all types of driving situations."

Bloggers have made a point to visit sports-related landmarks along the way, like the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Football fans and car enthusiasts can follow the adventures from the "Blogger Game On Road Trip" on the brand's Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Chrysler) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/chryslerautos) sites.

Chrysler brand Facebook followers also will have a chance to get in on some big game action by showing the brand their "true colors." Facebook fans who submit a football fan photo in front of any Chrysler brand vehicle will have an opportunity to win the "Ultimate Football Fan Package." The Ultimate Football Fan Package includes a TV, video game system, football-themed video game and, of course, a grill, and much more. Facebook followers can vote for their favorite photo; the photo with the most votes will determine who will win the package.

Ram Trucks launches its official site

We’ve worked day and night to build a Ram Truck that both meets your needs, and creates a fun and luxurious travel environment. We felt that we needed our web site to reflect that hard work. So, after quite a few late nights and some help from some of the smartest web minds out there, we present to you the new, upgraded and improved RamTrucks.com.

Not only is it nice to look at, but once you hop online and check out our full fleet of Ram Truck products, you’ll have plenty of fun building your own, getting a quote and even searching our vast variety of pre-owned Ram Truck vehicles. Our site has become so user-friendly that you can locate a dealer close to home, search for recent articles, and even find financing for the Ram Truck of your dreams. Also, you can now stay connected with other Ram Truck lovers and drivers through our social media forums, links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. They’re all available right on the home page, just one click away. There’s plenty here on our online forums to keep you busy all week long.

Happy browsing.

Review of 2011 Dodge Durango

Except for its name, there’s virtually no resemblance between the old truck-based Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle and the redesigned 2011 Durango.

The new four-door Durango is handsome and aerodynamic. It has Dodge’s “crosshair grille” and resembles the muscular, discontinued Dodge Magnum wagon.


There are four trim levels: Express, Crew (also offered with a CrewLux lifestyle package), sporty R/T and Citadel. They come with rear or all-wheel-drive and have three rows of seats.

List prices range from $29,195 to $43,945, without an $850 shipping charge. Add $2,000 for all-wheel drive.

To emphasize the Durango’s upscale nature, Dodge says there are no “base” models.

Engines are Chrysler’s smooth new 3.6-liter, 290-horsepower Pentastar V-6 with double overhead camshafts and a carryover 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with 360 horsepower. The V-6 has 260 pound-feet of torque and provides lively performance. It should satisfy most Durango buyers.

Those who want stronger acceleration and tow heavier objects should opt for the Hemi, which produces a whopping 390 pound-feet of torque. It switches seamlessly to fuel-saving four-cylinder mode when V-8 power isn’t needed.

But fuel economy isn’t a strong point with either engine. The V-6 with rear-drive produces 16 mpg in the city and 23 on highways or 16 and 22 with all-wheel drive. Figures with the V-8 are 14 and 20 with rear-drive and 13 and 20 with all-wheel drive.

What’s the driving range (at least on paper)? Well, the Durango’s fuel tank has a 24.6-gallon capacity.

Both engines can run on 87-octane gasoline, although Dodge notes the Hemi does best with 89-octane fuel

Watch option prices because they can raise prices a lot. My rear-drive Crewlux model, which listed for $33,195, had a bottom line price of $41,48? — thanks to a $5,000 option package.

However, that package contained everything from 20-inch wheels (versus the standard 18-inchers) and heated first-and second-row leather-covered seats to a navigation system, power sunroof, adaptive speed control and a front-collision warning system.

There are a fair number of stand-alone options, but all Durangos have a good amount of comfort, convenience and safety equipment—including electronic stability control. Even rear air conditioning has headliner vents and rear-seat controls.

A rear back-up camera is optional for the Express and R/T, but standard for the Crew and Citadel.

The Durango uses an old-fashioned five-speed automatic transmission. It shifts crisply, but a new eight-speed automatic is reportedly on the way.

The interior — long a weak point — is improved so much that older Durango owners may not believe their eyes when they see it. The old rough cockpit has been replaced by a quiet, precisely assembled interior with higher-quality soft-touch materials and attractive stitching. The new seats are comfortable, gauges can be easily read and controls work precisely. There’s even a soft third-row armrest.

The Durango calls for a high step-in (and step-out), but the third-row seat can be reached fairly easily and is generally roomy. However, it’s only suited for two because it has a hard center area.

The old Durango was dropped in 2009, when the market for truck-based SUVs had fallen apart. The old model had a truckish body on frame design. The new Durango has more rigid carlike unibody construction and rides on an extended version of the refined new Jeep Grand Cherokee’s platform. It could be called a crossover, but is considerably larger than some vehicles that carry that classification.

The Durango has a comfortable ride with that platform, an all-independent suspension and a long 119.8-inch -inch wheelbase. Some models have perfect 50-50 weight distribution, others are close to it.

While larger and heavier than the old Durango, the new model “drives” smaller than it is. There’s responsive steering, a compliant ride and good handling, thanks partly to aggressive shock and spring rates and large sway bars. The R/T has the best handling, due partly to a lowered ride height.

Adding to the Durango’s carlike nature is its tight turning circle (37.1 feet) —especially impressive for huge car. The anti-lock brakes feel strong and are controlled by a pedal with a nice linear action. They have brake-assist, brake traction-control and rough-road detection systems.

Cargo room can be enhanced by the 60/40 split-foldling second-row seat, which folds and tumbles. The third-row seat has a 50/50 split and is easily folded from the rear. Both second-and third-row seats fold to provide a flat load floor.

Dodge definitely may have a winner with this one.

Dan Jedlicka, the former car reviewer for the Chicago Sun-Times, has been an automotive journalist for more than 40 years. To read more of his work, visit: www.danjedlicka.com.

Courtesy of theweeklydriver.com

NAIAS 2011: Chrysler Brand 'Comeback'

Chrysler Brand President/CEO Olivier Francois combined personal reflection with a nostalgic look back during the Monday morning news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

At the start, Francois recalled thoughts of an uncertain future for Chrysler as he left the 2010 NAIAS in his Chrysler 300. He said, this year, it's time for Chrysler to make a "comeback to the automotive stage."

His tone quickly changed as he talked about the work and redesign that went into the brand's flagship vehicle, the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 Series; the brand's most-awarded vehicle in history.

With an investment that exceeded $1 billion in developing the new 300, Francois showcased the 300's fuel efficiency -- nearly 30 mpg -- and its interior that "wraps passengers with the softest interior in its class."

Other 300 highlights include:

• 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen -- "an iPad in your car," Francois said.
• Francois: "Chrysler 300 is a great car to be driven in, but a better car to drive."
• Francois: "Perfect noise control."
• Dodge President/CEO & Head of Chrysler Group Design Ralph Gilles: "Chrysler 300 had to be more mature, luxurious...but still respect where it came from."
• Chrysler 300 has a new grill, but Mopar will still offer the previous, "Bentley" grill for those who prefer it, according to Gilles.
• Gilles: Chrysler 300 is "more functional without losing its spirit."

Chrysler Town & Country

In introducing the 2011 Town & Country, Francois said Chrysler "took the best minivan in the country and made it better." It offers 42 standard safety and technology features -- that's not offered by any other minivan at the moment, as well as a family entertainment system. The presentation also included a notalgic look back at an earlier Chrysler minivan.

Chrysler 200

Francois said the early positive media reviews of the Chrysler 200 "meant the world to the Chrysler team." He added that the 200 was "designed with a purpose with performance," including a 283 HP engine and 29 mpg.

His presentation included a brief video with several children of Sterling Heights (MI) Assembly Plant employees repeating some of the positive Chrysler 200 media reviews.

Ram Battle of Bands has started - Send Your Submission NOW!

The Ram Battle of the Bands is up and running on the Facebook page, and already accepting video submissions. The contest ends February 13th, so you and your country music band need to get your act together and send in a video.

What if you don’t have a band? Or perhaps you do have a band, but you’re just afraid you lack the chops and don’t want to risk the potential humiliation? Fear not, now you’re welcome to simply watch the other entrants and vote for your favorite.

Each vote you place will earn you a chance to win a Ram Music Themed Prize Pack including an Apple iPod — no strings attached and no purchase necessary.

If you do step up to the plate and submit a band video, the rules are equally simple – just enter an original country song and hope your fellow Ram fans are impressed. Once the contest ends, the top ten submissions will be narrowed to just two bands by the Ram Trucks judges, both of which will be slated to play live at the Rodeo Austin event.

First place also takes home a cool $5,000, while silver scores $2,500.

Good luck!

Ram Truck 1500 named All-Star by Automobile Magazine

It’s always easy to pull off a one-time win. Flukes happen every day, but a repeat performance is a little more tricky. Well, the Ram Truck 1500 has officially beaten the sophomore slump by taking Automobile Magazine’s all-star award for the second year in a row. With one of the best interiors of any truck on the road and its unstoppable Hemi V8 engine as available equipment, it’s little wonder why the automotive experts picked the 1500 to be an all-star. Automobile Magazine said that the handy RamBox storage system, copious creature comforts and tough-truck soul all helped put the 1500 ahead of the competition.

This newest accolade has helped the Ram 1500 keep its title as the most awarded Ram Truck ever forged. This comes on the heels of the new Ram Laramie Longhorn winning top honors as the Truck of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Association late in 2010 after a two-day truck rodeo attended by more than 40 automotive journalists. Now more than ever, it’s a good time to be in a Ram Truck.