At the 2003 Detroit Motor Show Dodge unveiled a monstrous creation called the Tomahawk; a unique motorcycle with two front wheels and two rear wheels powered by a 500HP 8.3L V10 engine from the Viper. Although the Tomahawk was never intended to for production, Chrysler actually built 10 running (but not road-legal) examples that were sold for $550,000 a piece through Neiman Marcus. Now, a Chinese maker decided it was time that someone re-introduced the Tomahawk into the market as a cheap knock-off called the KMD K-007 Tron Bike MC-06. How cheap? Well, $1,398 will buy you a poorly executed Tomahawk replica. For that kind of money don’t expect any mechanical wonders as the original concept’s 500 HP V10 engine has been replaced by a… 150cc single cylinder engine that pumps out a staggering 10 HP. However, just like the original Tomahawk, the KMD is not street legal…See more pics after the jump Continued

Popularity: 1% [?]

More of a result of pipe-dreaming than actual inside info, the 2010 Plymouth Road Runner Concept that’s featured in the August/September issue of Mopar Enthusiast magazine is based on the new Dodge Challenger using styling cues from the ’71-’72 model year Road Runners. The folks at Mopar Enthusiast are pretty optimistic that gas prices will drop since they believe that the car should be powered by a HEMI 5.7L V8 as standard with 6.1L and… 7.0L V8 HEMIs being offered as optional equipment.

Popularity: 1% [?]

In the gallery below, you’ll find the full brochure for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, and yeah, there’s some good stuff to be found in there. We’re particularly fond of the R/T Classic package (above), which gets a coat of B5 Blue, 20″ torq-thrust lookalikes, T/A-style stripes, and the old-school script Challenger badge on the front fender. Unfortunately, while Chrysler was cooking up the retro badging, they neglected to order up some nouveau Fratzogs to really finish off the look, so the Ram-head shield sits on the hood, instead. Too bad. As for the rest of the car? Badass. There are some pretty cool stripe and wheel options to be had regardless of trim level, plus what’s sure to be a bevy of aftermarket parts from Mopar and other third parties. Finally, Chrysler’s offering a factory R/T Track Pack that, in its most aggressive form, combines the 6-speed Tremec with 20″ wheels and a 3.91 rear axle ratio. Bring money for tires. Ford is the king of leveraging its heritage to keep the Mustang interesting. Chrysler has a shot at doing the same thing here with the Challenger. From the looks of things, it’s off to a good start. That R/T Classic? Yeah, we could roll like that.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The 2009 Dodge Ram could boast a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, executives said Thursday morning.

The new Ram, which will roll into dealers this fall, includes an improved 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that has become more powerful and more efficient, said Mike Cairns, the Ram’s chief engineer.

The new engine, which produces 380 horsepower and 404-pound-feet of torque, has become about 5 percent more efficient, he said. The additional mileage gains were credited to significant work to make the Ram more aerodynamically efficient and by cutting 80 pounds from the truck’s overall weight.

“We expect to see a 10 to 20 percent gain in highway efficiency,” Cairns said.

The 2008 Ram Quad Cab Laramie with a 5.7-liter Hemi gets 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Raising the highway mileage to 23 mpg on the highway makes it one of the most efficient full-size pickups on the road. Four-by-four models using the 5.7 Hemi typically hit about 17 mpg on the highway.

“This is the best truck Dodge has ever made,” said Dodge’s director Mike Accavitti.

Dodge, the No. 3 pickup manufacturer in the United States, sold 358,000 trucks last year. However, high gas prices and changing consumer demands have caused Ram truck sales to drop 24 percent this year through April, according to Autodata Corp.

The new Ram touts 35 significant changes inside and out over the 2008 model.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Whilst under the DaimlerChrysler Corporation the Dodge Charger was rescued from obscurity and relaunched with a brand new model in 2006 following its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Sales figures have so far proved to be positive but there have been lingering rumours circling the internet that it could well be axed as it competes with Crysler’s other full-size vegicle – the 300. If the boffins at the Pentastar do decide to continue with the Charger, development should be well under way for an all new model for launch possibly in 2012 or 2013.

As a helping hand for the next generation model we present a series of renderings of the 2010 Dodge Charger Concept – the brain child of artist/designer/illustrator Michael Leonhard.

“The Dodge Charger is a muscle car legend. The sound of the 1968-1970 Charger was my starting point to rebirth/redesign the legendary Dodge Charger for 2010. A bad-ass two-door Coupe that pays Homage to the days using the design characteristics and styling cues from the original with a touch of 21st century refreshment. Modern and futuristic incorporating today’s styling and design standards. The result is a car that could rule the road like Darth Vader rules outer space.” commented Leonard.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Chrysler’s last few years have been emblematic of the difficulty some of the older portions of the automobile industry are having adjusting to the increasingly mature, saturated and urban U.S. and global automobile markets. But Chrysler isn’t counting itself out yet. Repackaging the Chrysler structure as a smaller, lighter company is going well, according to Chrysler’s top executives, but it’s not going to be quick - or painless.

Though they don’t hold hope for a profitable 2008, and are doubtful about next year as well, the top brass at Chrysler think it will weather the reformulation of its business to emerge more fit for today’s auto industry. The company is on plan or ahead of its goals to return to profitability, according to CEO Bob Nardelli. They are also proud of their ability to keep fighting despite the tough times.

“Lesser companies would have buckled,” said Nardelli, speaking with the Detroit Free Press.

The company continues to streamline its dealer network, vehicle lineup and worker pay structure as it slims its business model to fit the times. But all of these initiatives are slow, careful maneuvers that will take five to seven years to complete.

The company is also taking some creative new steps to help ensure its changes keep it relevant to the people that will buy its cars. A design forum for the public that allows up to 5,000 people to give their input on videos, presentations and upcoming products will help guide Chrysler’s future direction.

And although the Dodge Challenger - especially the potent SRT8 version - isn’t slated for high-volume sales, the image of strength and performance it presents is something that’s been missing from the brand’s stable, with the notable exception of the Viper, for quite some time. The greater availability and therefore visibility of the new muscle car should help kick start the change in perception the company is seeking as it moves forward.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Dodge Caliber

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Dodge Challenger in SRT8 trim has been a runaway success for Chrysler with most of the car’s first year production run already accounted for despite its relatively high $37,320 starting price. But it’s the bread and butter SE and R/T models that will ensure the overall success of the new product line, which means the pricing of the car has to be set just right in order to maximise sales and profits.

Continued

Popularity: 1% [?]

 Carroll Shelby: racer, car builder, automotive legend, pilot, transplant recipient, entrepreneur, perhaps even rascal.

One thing is probably true, the plain-speaking Texan is a bit of all of these – and more. And despite a life-long series of illnesses, anyone of which would have crippled a weaker man, Carroll Hall Shelby, at 85, is still going strong. So it’s probably no surprise he’ll be receiving the latest in a long line of honors, today, as Automotive Executive of the Year.

The path from Leesburg, Texas hasn’t always been a straight line. Indeed, Shelby was born dirt poor, on January 11, 1923, with seemingly few opportunities. So it was probably no surprise to family and friends when he signed up for the then Army-Air Corps, during World War II, serving as flight instructor and test pilot. (Which kindled a lifelong love of flying, that continues today.)

Returning from the War, Shelby planned to settle down and do something that fit in, back in Leesburg. “I opened a chicken farm,” he recalls, with the Texas twang that’s never left him, “but my chickens all died.” Farming clearly wasn’t in his genes. But somehow, fast cars had gotten into his blood. And by the early 1950s, he was proving his mettle as a talented amateur. Turning pro, he landed “rides” with then-strong teams from Aston Martin, Maserati and Cad-Allard, unquestionably proving his skills with a 1959 win at Le Mans.

Continued

Popularity: 2% [?]

Anyone who’s rolling in a 2007-2008 Chrysler Sebring or Dodge Avenger, take note. Chryslerberus is recalling all 181,000 of those vehicles sold during that time to fix an electrical defect that affects unused connectors on the tire pressure monitoring system. Apparently, corrosion can cause a short, and owners could experience their vehicles failing to start, stalling once underway, or some other affectations of the electrical components, including the cruise control. Formal notices are going to be sent out later this month, and dealers have been instructed to locate the problem and seal the affected circuits

Popularity: 1% [?]