First Production 2013 SRT Viper GTS Auctioned for $300,000 at Barrett-Jackson Auction – Proceeds Go to Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will receive $300,000 from auction proceeds of the first production-model 2013 SRT Viper GTS, following the Barrett-Jackson Orange County (Calif.) event this past weekend.

To support children and families dealing with the challenges of pediatric cancer, Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand teamed with The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and the American Le Mans Series, by auctioning the world-class supercar.

The flagship performance machine of SRT returns with more power and performance from its all-aluminum, mid-engine 8.4-liter V-10 that delivers an estimated 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, to go along with superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts. Production of the 2013 SRT Viper begins later this year at the historic home of the Viper – Detroit’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant.

“What an exciting and momentous occasion for the Austin Hatcher Foundation and the SRT brand,” said Beth Paretta, Director of Marketing and Operations – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’ve enjoyed a lot of attention since showing the all-new SRT Viper to the world just three months ago in New York; and now being able to use some of that interest in our flagship supercar to generate support for this deserving charity is simply outstanding.”

Joining Paretta on the auction stage were Mark Trostle, Head of Design – SRT Brand, Chrysler Group LLC; Dr. Jim Osborn, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Austin Hatcher Foundation and Scott Atherton, President and CEO, American Le Mans Series. The auction was broadcast live on SPEED.

“We’re extremely grateful to team with SRT and Barrett-Jackson on this auction effort,” said Osborn. “The monies raised here will allow us to continue developing and funding services that empower families to live happy, meaningful and successful lives as pediatric cancer survivors.”

Article and image courtesy of Chrysler News.

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[VIDEO]: Dodge's The Journey | Commercial

Video courtesy of Dodge's Youtube channel.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Shift to neutral at red lights

Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of Reader's Digest.

2013 Dodge Dart and 2012 Fiat 500 Named Two of the ’10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000‘ by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

June 20, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors named the Chrysler Group’s all-new 2013 Dodge Dart and 2012 Fiat 500 as picks for the “10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000.”

Vehicles chosen for the list were judged on two criteria — fun-to-drive and fun-to-own, which are the deciding factors of what the editors freely admit is a very subjective “cool factor.”

The all-new Dodge Dart topped the list as the coolest car under $18,000.

“The Dodge Dart’s enticing combination of style, performance, features and value have earned it the top spot in our 2012 coolest cars list,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “With exceptional interior space and loads of personalization potential, the all-new Dart will definitely make its presence felt in the ultra-competitive compact sedan segment.”

With an available fun-to-drive 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine, great ride and handling characteristics compliments of the Alfa Romeo-based chassis, innovative interior style featuring high-quality materials, splashes of color, like Ruby Red and Citrus Peel, and cool technology not found in the segment, like the available class-exclusive 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch Screen and 7-inch thin film transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster, as well as class-leading safety features, such as 10 standard air bags, and innovative style, including available class-exclusive LED “racetrack” taillamps and integrated dual exhaust, the 2013 Dodge Dart sets a new standard in the compact car segment.

“We are extremely proud that the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart was recognized as the coolest car under $18,000,” Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand said. “Kbb.com is one of the leading sites for consumers researching vehicles, so to have the Dart’s combination of style, value and the exhilarating driving experience recognized by the editors is a huge honor.”

Confirming its timeless “cool factor,” the Fiat 500 also wowed Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors, reaching the No. 3 spot in this year’s list.
 
“Catch even the briefest glimpse of the Fiat 500 and just try not to smile at this Italian-designed cutie that’s tiny in size, but massive when it comes to personality,” Nerad said. “Available as a hatchback or convertible, the perky 500 heralds the first new FIAT to be sold in America in nearly three decades.”

In 2011, the Fiat 500 was selected as “the coolest car” by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors.

“We are honored that Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors have chosen, for the second time, our new 2012 Fiat 500 as one of the ‘Coolest New Cars Under $18,000,’” Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand North America, said. “Starting at $15,500 and with more than a half-million ways to stylize and personalize, the Fiat 500 offers Italian styling, exceptional functionality, fuel efficiency and innovative technology--all at a superb value.”

The Fiat 500 caters to a new generation of Americans who want their vehicle to be as engaging, individualized, ecologically responsible and technologically savvy as they are. With its city-friendly four-passenger size, engaging driving dynamics, fuel-efficient 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, standard state-of-the-art BLUE&ME™ Handsfree Communication technology, seven standard air bags, the 2012 Fiat 500 offers a driving and ownership experience unlike anything available today.

And with 14 available exterior paint colors, two interior environments and 14 unique seat color and material combinations, every new 2012 Fiat 500 will be distinct. In addition, a full line of authentic Fiat 500 accessories by Mopar will offer customers even more personalization possibilities at their local Fiat dealership, including unique striping packages, exterior and interior styling accessories and authentic FIAT-styled merchandise.

About 2013 Dodge Dart
The new Dodge Dart hits the mark with a modern, unmistakable Dodge design which features great exterior proportions and unmistakable Dodge cues like the “racetrack” taillamps and signature front grille. The exterior not only looks good, but delivers world-class aerodynamic performance along with an agile, fun-to-drive experience on the road. The Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle built on Fiat Group architecture; it’s based off of the award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Interior comfort and style are on target for drivers and passengers with a modern blend of precision craftsmanship, exciting bursts of color and more interior roominess than some mid-size sedans. The new Dodge Dart offers drivers thousands of ways to personalize their car with 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, three fuel-efficient engines, three transmissions, seven wheel choices and six trim levels. The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart offers the interior room of some mid-size sedans, class-leading safety, state-of-the-art technology and unmistakable style starting at a U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of just $15,995 (excluding destination).

Article and image courtesy of Chrysler News.

Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Performance Vehicles Impress Robb Report

• 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 ranks high in Robb Report's annual 'Car of the Year' list
• Both Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 make Robb Report's 'Best of the Best: 2012' list

The international luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Report recently selected the Jeep_® Grand Cherokee SRT8 as one of the top performers in its annual “Car of the Year” competition, ranking the high-performance SUV from the Chrysler Group at number nine amongst new vehicles from around the world.

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 also was cited by the magazine for the “Best of the Best: 2012: Sport Utility Vehicles” list, while the Chrysler 300 SRT8 made the list of “Best of the Best: 2012: Sedans.”

Robb Report readers were among the judges who joined the magazine’s editors and writers in driving, evaluating and ranking the “Car of the Year” and “Best of the Best” vehicles based on interior design, layout, amenities and luxury features.

"The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is proof that an American-made SUV can dish out the performance, looks and quality to run with the biggest dogs from Europe and do it at half the price, leaving enough change to hitch something really nice to the back,” Robert Ross, Robb Report’s automotive consultant, said.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 builds upon the most-awarded SUV ever to become the most powerful, technologically advanced, high-performance Jeep vehicle ever featuring a combination of the Jeep brand’s legendary capability and utility, merged with the renowned advanced performance engineering from the SRT team.

The luxurious interior features the SRT-exclusive, leather-wrapped and heated, flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters; standard SRT-styled Nappa leather and suede seats with sculpted bolsters that are both heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front); real carbon-fiber interior accents; and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. On the street or at the race track, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is one of the fastest SUVs in the world, churning out 470 horsepower from its 6.4-liter HEMI^® V-8 engine.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 also impressed the Robb Report judges with its high-performance capabilities.

"The Chrysler 300 SRT8 takes an American favorite and equips it with a serious performance personality,” Ross said. “It's at home with great European sports sedans, but the potent HEMI V-8 reminds drivers they're behind the wheel of a modern American muscle car.”

The Chrysler brand’s flagship performance sedan features an interior environment that combines world-class luxury accommodations with performance-oriented technology and appointments with the leather-wrapped, flat-bottom, heated SRT-exclusive steering wheel with paddle shifters; heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front) seats; 8.4-inch Electronic Vehicle Information Center touchscreen display with SRT-exclusive performance pages; along with real carbon fiber accents. The Chrysler 300 SRT8 also is powered by the 470 horsepower, 6.4-liter HEMI.

“We’re honored to have two of our 2012 SRT vehicles recognized by Robb Report,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO — SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “At SRT, we strive to deliver high-quality, high-performance vehicles; and so to be acknowledged for these significant awards, it reaffirms our successful formula to develop top contenders that compete well with other high-performance vehicles from around the world.”

Article courtesy of Chrysler News.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Touch up nicks sooner rather than later.

Touch up nicks sooner rather than later. Touch-up paint won’t adhere well to rust. So be sure to keep some matching touch-up paint on hand so you can touch up any minor nicks, often found around door edges, before rust has a chance to form.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of Reader's Digest.

Power by Design | Jeep® & USA Basketball

Video courtesy of Jeep's Youtube channel.

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Strength Evolved: Capability HD

Every truck has a job to do. Whether it's for work or the weekend, you need to be able to count on it -- hauling, towing, and taking a road trip with your family without spending an arm and a leg. The New 2013 Ram 1500 does it all.

Video courtesy of Ram's Youtube channel.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Check your tires for uneven wear

Check tires for uneven wear. If you’ve maintained tire inflation properly, uneven wear may indicate the need for a wheel realignment. It can also mean improperly operating brakes or shocks, a bent wheel, internal tire damage, or worn bushings.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of Reader's Digest.

Vehicle Spotlight: A new 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Van for just $23,975!

Bodystyle:  4 door Van Passenger

Engine:  3.6L V-6 cyl

Transmission:  Multi-Speed Automatic

Ext. Color:  Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat

Int. Color:  Black/Light Graystone

Stock Number:  9238025

Vin:  2C4RDGCG1CR130697

Model Code:  RTKM53

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Introducing, our $500 Bonus Cash Allowance for College Graduates program!

Consider it our graduation present, for all your hard work. If you've graduated in the last two years — are expecting to graduate in the next six months — or are currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program, you're eligible for our College Graduate Program. Just bring one of the following documents to your local dealer to show proof of your graduate status:

A copy of your application for graduation
A letter from your registrar's office stating your intent to graduate within six months
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A letter from your college or university's registrar's office showing your enrolment status in a graduate program
Offer excludes SRT models, Viper and FIAT® Abarth

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