It doesn’t come with the usual electronic gear shift or electronic stability control you’d expect from a performance vehicle. Instead Dodge promises the bare bones of a car so that you – the driver are always fully in control. So here’s a warning to you all. Unless you know that you are a great driver at high speeds find something else, the Viper are for the big boys.

2009 Dodge Viper - Image by Eric Kilby

The Viper houses a monstrous 8.4L V10 engine that can deliver 600-hp of raw power. That’s plenty power to launch you from 0-60 in just 4 seconds. Top speeds of the Viper have been known to reach 200 mph on a test track.

Image: Eric Kilby

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2009 Dodge Viper

The American built Avenger might not be able to save the auto-industry, though it’s tough Dodge built sets it apart from other sedans in its class. The Avenger’s highest trim features the 3.5L EGJ V6 engine that has an impressive output of 235-hp.

2009 Dodge Avenger

You may not be impressed with the Avenger’s interior. The car is designed to be a stylish family sedan that the driver and down to the kids could enjoy. The heated and cooled cup holder is a definite plus when needed. And the MyGIG entertainment system promises unlimited access to your favorite songs.

The starting price of the 2009 Dodge Avenger is about $19,000.

Image: Dodge.com

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2009 Dodge Avenger

NASCAR is working on a new rulebook and car for the Nationwide Series

It’s expected that NASCAR won’t release the new rulebook until they have had time to meet with the owners and teams. There are probably several options they need to run past the owners and teams and want to make sure they have their input. The worsening economy could be having an effect on the final look of the rulebook, and the delays with the rulebook and the introduction of the new car, which had originally been scheduled for August 2010, but was recently delayed by NASCAR, until 2011.

Industry and media sources indicate that it’s most likely that a partial roll out of the new car will be introduced sometime next year at Talladega and Daytona and road courses Watkins Glen and Montreal, but things could always change again.

Like the rulebook, however, the introduction of the Nationwide car hasn’t been finalized, so change could be in the rule of the day as far as the dates and final look of the car is concerned. We do know that Ford and Dodge have both decided to run versions of their Mustang and Challenger muscle cars as their Nationwide entries. Chevrolet still resists running their muscle car, the Camaro, and will instead run the Impala SS, the same car it runs in the Cup series. They have been resisting pressure by NASCAR of late to use their Camaro muscle car in the Nationwide Series, but have continued to state that they will not be using the Camaro anytime soon in the Nationwide Series.

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Nationwide Series Awaits New Rulebook

This large SUV has the power you would expect from a Dodge but also has the efficiency of a lighter car. The Durango can achieve 20mpg in the city and 22 mpg out on the highway.

2009 Dodge Durango

This is not a spectacular mpg rating though it is impressive for a large SUV. Dodge has also introduced a new technology called Multiple-Displacement System or MDS. What this basically does is turn of fuel flow to select cylinders when the power isn’t needed. This is done automatically by the engine and improves efficiency by as much as 20% – not bad. The starting price for the Durango is about $28,980.

Image: Dodge.com

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2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid

With movies like “The Fast And Furious” automakers are realizing that the days of raw muscle power are over. The light, fast, compact cars are the future of sports cars. And why not, they go fast too. The new 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 can go from 0-60mph is less than 8 seconds and can reach top speeds of 150mph. This is helped by the Calibers very light 2.4L Turbo I4 285hp engine. The revolutionary designed GETRAG six speed transmission also helps by maximizing most of its energy output.

Another reason people are turning to light cars with sporty feels is the fuel economy. More gas doesn’t equate to more speed these days. The Caliber SRT4 will get you an impressive 27mpg on the highway. If speed isn’t as important to you as saving the environment than check out the ENVI Dodge Caliber that comes with a fully electric powered motor.

Image: Dodge.com

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2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4

Dodge support is rumoured to be in trouble in NASCAR

It seems weird that these events would be occurring at a time when a Dodge driver stands triumphant in the lead of NASCAR’s premier series point’s standings after over a year of absence, the last driver to do so was Ryan Newman after victory in the 2008 Daytona 500 in a Penske-powered vehicle.

The negative tone a bankruptcy proceeding creates in the minds of many people hearing of these events is usually warranted, but in this case probably not likely to be true. In fact, a bankruptcy for a troubled company with viable assets and the ability to make the company financially viable in the current economic climate, like Chrysler certainly can, might in the long run make Chrysler much stronger and able to handle a future with new economic truths.

Richard Petty Motorsports, which has 4 Dodge cars in the Sprint Cup Series, has stated recently that they have been assured that Dodge will continue its NASCAR interests, that Dodge’s involvement in NASCAR is important to their overall marketing program, and an essential element to their future plans.

The bankruptcy proceedings are merely a chance to reorganize Chrysler’s balance sheet and the financial structure of the company as a whole. The employees apparently still show up for work at Chrysler and daily operations continue as before the bankruptcywas  announcement, accept for a few holiday announcements and the like.

All this has probably let the air out of the balloon that was poised above Busch’s head. Finally in the points lead after 149 races, a length of time that spans from the Las Vegas race in March 2005 to the present, and with three cars running in NASCAR’s premier series, he was probably expecting to see that balloon burst.

Busch and Penske Racing for their part have stated they feel confident in the strength of their relationship with Dodge despite the bad news for Chrysler and that they fully expect everything to continue as normal. That they really have no choice but to keep going as if nothing has changed and hope that Dodge is able to keep their end of the bargain, and that they will continue their relationship through-out the remaining years of their contract with Dodge.

Images: Newscom

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Dodge Continues to Support NASCAR

The world’s most popular minivan has always been the family vehicle of choice for years. It drives like a car or a small truck, but is roomy enough to sit a typical family of five comfortably.

The new Caravan is a little different this year in that it has the new Stow ‘N Go & Swivel ‘N Go seating features. The automatic Stow ‘N Go mechanically retract the back row seats with just the push of a button. The middle captain seats are also cool in that they can swivel a full 180 degrees to face either forwards or backwards. The back seats also accommodate a storable table that can be set up to occupy the kids in the back seats.

Every parent appreciates occupied children when taking those long road trips so that’s why every Caravan comes with its standard DVD player and back seat screen. The Caravan can also be connected to Sirius Radio and TV. So that kids in the back can watch their favorite TV program while parents in the front listen to Sirius Radio in the front.

Still not sold? Well the Caravan also comes with a standard V6 engine in either 4.0L, 3.8L or 3.3L and at just $23,545 to start how could it go wrong.

Watch the promotional video below.

Visit the 2009 Dodge Caravan official website for more information.

Images: Dodge.com

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Dodge Caravan 2009

Dodge Challenger 2009 - Image: Jyle Dupuis

First released in 1970 the car was described as Dodge’s answer for the Mustang & Camero. With the legendary Dodge Hemi V8 this is a car with power.

What makes this car the leader in it’s class is the new 6.1L SRT HEMI V8. That’s almost a litre bigger than the 2009 Mustang Cobra! It clocks in at 425 raw horsepower. And if you want to maximize the performance you’ll have the choice of the standard 5-speed automatic or the added “6-speed” manual transmission!

In case I didn’t entice you to run to your nearest Dodge dealership just let me note that the Challenger is affordable! That’s right, you can get one today at a starting price of just $22,945!

Test drive the new Dodge Challenger 2009 at your local Dodge Dealership today.

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Dodge Challenger SRT 2009

Kyle Busch looked like the car to beat early in the race as he led the first 21 laps, but was soon overthrown by eventual race winner Carl Edwards. Carl surrendered the lead on lap 48 during a round of green flag stops that gave the cars of Scott Riggs, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Robby Gordon the opportunity to lead laps as they had all pitted during the race’s only caution to that point back on lap 9. Once the pit stops cycled through, however, it was Edwards right back to the front. During those stops, Kurt Busch and Elliott Sadler were both penalized for being too fast on pit road and were pushed a lap down.

The next caution came on lap 69 for debris, and with only 17 cars on the lead lap, Jeff Burton stayed out to lead the race, but Kyle Busch regained the helm about 11 laps later. At this point, Joe Gibbs Racing’s dynamic duo was looking pretty solid yet again with Busch leading and Stewart charging through the field, but on lap 109 Stewart blew a right front tire that sent him sailing into the wall, cutting his race short for the second day in a row.

Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Junior all exchanged the lead throughout the course of the next three cautions before Edwards took control again with 73 laps to go. Edwards had been shuffled back through the field earlier when NASCAR penalized him for having a tire roll across pit road during an earlier stop under caution. After battling fiercely to regain his track position, it appeared as though maybe it just weren’t meant to be, because when the 7th caution came out for debris in turn 2, Edwards’ crew lost yet another tire on pit road, but this time NASCAR determined that a cameraman had inadvertently interfered with Edwards’ pit crew, and thus no penalty was handed down and Carl was able to restart third.

Matt Kenseth won that race off of pit road on lap 219 and was the new leader once again with 48 to go.  Two cautions and 18 laps later, it was Edwards back to the front, and he just took off from the rest of the field. Kenseth then lost the second position to Earnhardt with just 14 laps to go, but then Kurt Busch – who had battled all day to regain his position on the lead lap and finally did – blew a tire and smacked the wall to bring out the 10th yellow of the day with just 11 laps left.

The restart came with five laps left and the field lined up behind Edwards, Junior, Kenseth, and Jeff Gordon. In an odd occurrence, Junior spun his tires on the restart causing the cars of Gordon and Kenseth to split him. Once both cars had cleared the 88, Gordon’s car barely slid up the track, but it was enough to make slight contact with Kenseth. The rub sent Kenseth spinning around on the track – although he was able to not touch anything or anyone – but, it sent Gordon hard into the inside wall and his entire radiator actually came out of the car and shot across the track. After a red flag was flown to give the track crew ample time to cleanup the radiator fluid, the green flag dropped for the final time with 2 laps left. There was never really another race for the top spot after that, but it was fun watching Junior and Greg Biffle fight for second, which Junior won.  The Richard Childress cars of Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton rounded out the top-five.  Kyle Busch went onto finish 11th. Also of note is that Denny Hamlin was the highest finishing Toyota in 9th, Kasey Kahne had the highest Dodge in 7th, and to everyone’s surprise, Jimmie Johnson – who won this event for the previous three years running – finished in 29th despite not having any on-track incidents the entire day.  All in all, I thought it was a pretty exciting race, and definitely the best showing we’ve seen from NASCAR so far in 2008.

Grades (on a 100 point scale):
The Race: 94%
The Drama: 89%
Coverage: 81%
Pre-Race Ceremonies: 78%

Overall Grade: 88.8%
*Note – the Race accounts for 50% of score; Coverage & Drama is 20% each; Pre-Race is 10%Race Results (credit nascar.com):

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Rating the Race: UAW-Dodge 400