Dodge news and reviews | cars, trucks and SUVs

The histry of Dodge is directly traceable to two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, who began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company’s model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I. Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division responsible for trucks and performance-oriented cars.

Autoblog

Spy Shots: 2012 Dodge Magnum interior revealed Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 2:59 pm

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Dodge

2012 Dodge Magnum spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

We may seen the unadulterated exterior of the The Dodge Magnum/Durango, but so far the interior has eluded spy shooters the world over. No more. For those still debating if or how closely the Dodge SUV copies the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the interiors should make for less of an argument.

Materials and details have been updated over previous Dodge interiors, and done so in a way that mimics the standard set by the Jeep. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… We do wonder if it will get a little more color to break up all that blackness, though. We will likely find out in person in Los Angeles later this year, or Detroit in January 2011. Scope it out on your own in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: 2012 Dodge Durango/Magnum interior spy shots

Spy Shots: 2012 Dodge Magnum interior revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Jonathon Ramsey

Autoblog Podcast #188 – with Mike Spinelli of 0-60 magazine Tuesday, 27 July 2010, 9:30 pm

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Porsche, Toyota, Design/Style

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez and Dan Roth are joined this week by Mike Spinelli, editor-in-chief of 0-60 magazine. Topics for Episode #188 of the Autoblog Podcast are the 2011 Ford Explorer, Audi’s A7 Sportback, the announcement of the Hyundai Equus coming to the U.S. market, hybrid/electric Porsches and zombie-like rumors of a new Ford Ranger for North American showrooms. We also pepper poor Mike with our impressions of his fine publication. It’s an hour-and-ten of stellar repartee this week, thanks for listening, see you next time!

Autoblog Podcast #188 – with Mike Spinelli from 0-60 magazine

In the Autoblog Garage:

Dodge Challenger R/T
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Sienna Limited AWD

News:

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Alex Nunez, Chris Shunk

Runtime: 86:17

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Autoblog Podcast #188 – with Mike Spinelli of 0-60 magazine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Dan Roth

Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted Friday, 23 July 2010, 4:34 pm

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge

chryslertcdn 250op Dodge picture Toyota and Honda may be improving the images of their minivans, but we mustn’t forget about the company that started it all: Chrysler. The very first Dodge Grand Caravan went on sale 27 years ago, and through all of the ups and downs that the automaker has faced over the years (especially in recent times), the Grand Caravan and Town & Country twins have always been a mainstay.

The current pair of minivans was introduced for the 2008 model year, so it’s only fitting that a slight mid-cycle refresh is on deck, and the folks at The Detroit News have snagged some spy shots of a Town & Country prototype out testing. In addition to modest exterior updates that include things like LED taillamps and a reworked rear bumper, expect Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to be slotted under the hood. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, this should account for a healthy improvement in fuel economy, not to mention power.

What’s most important for minivan shoppers, though, is interior refinement, and the 2011 T&C is expected to get a host of cabin upgrades. More comfortable seats, higher-quality materials and an integrated center console will be on hand, and we’d expect the nifty Stow ‘N Go and Swivel ‘N Go seating configurations to carry over, as well. Look for similar improvements to make their way into the Dodge Grand Caravan, as well. Thanks for the tip, Aaron!

[Source: The Detroit News]

Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Steven J. Ewing

2012 Dodge Durango (or is that Magnum?) revealed on Twitter Thursday, 22 July 2010, 4:33 pm

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

Ah, the magic of the interwebs. Chrysler has yet to officially reveal the 2012 Dodge Durango (which could yet be birthed under the name Magnum), but we’ve come across this rather nonchalant camera phone photo taken by one of the Twitterati.

Judging from the Durango/Magnum spy shots that have come through our hands, the exterior design hasn’t changed much during the SUV-turned-crossover’s development. If we’re honest, the design is a little milquetoast, but we’d rather Chrysler be executing simple designs rather than unsightly messes. Expect the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 to be under the hood when the SUV hits the road in early 2011.

[Source: Twitter]

2012 Dodge Durango (or is that Magnum?) revealed on Twitter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Steven J. Ewing

Viper ACR Roadster built for No. 1 dealer before production ended Monday, 19 July 2010, 11:58 pm

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Dodge, Specialty

Being the number one Dodge Viper dealership for 11 years has its perks – like being able to pick up the phone and tell the suits up at Auburn Hills that you’d like a convertible version of the diabolical Viper ACR. According to AutoWeek, that’s exactly what Woodhouse Dodge did after hearing that its cash cow was headed to the slaughterhouse, and surprisingly enough, Dodge obliged. What resulted was a mere 20 examples of a drop-top ACR, complete the coupe’s tweaked suspension, mammoth brakes and special final gears in the transmission.

If you’re thinking that hacking the roof off of a standard ACR-X is bound to play havoc with the car’s rigidity and aerodynamics, you’re probably right. That’s exactly why the ACR crew had to completely reinvent the roadster’s aero package with a stubbier rear wing and a redesigned front splitter – just to suit the topless car. As for rigidity, well, that’s just a sacrifice buyers are going to have to be willing to make. Dodge built just 20 of the cars for Woodhouse, complete with the same 21B build code set aside for the hard top cars. If you want one, get on the horn with Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Nebraska. Just make sure you’ve got $107,310 to blow at the same time. Short of cash? Dream the impossible dream by checking out AutoWeek’s photos at the link below.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Viper ACR Roadster built for No. 1 dealer before production ended originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Zach Bowman

Dodge recalling 22,000 2010MY trucks, SUVs over brake issue Monday, 12 July 2010, 10:31 pm

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Dodge, Jeep

Chrysler has found a defect with certain 2010 Dodge Nitro, Dodge Ram 1500, Jeep Liberty and Jeep Wrangler models that could hinder braking. An improper flare on a brake tube that connects the master cylinder to the hydraulic control unit is being blamed for the problem. The HCU is part of the anti-lock braking system, and the faulty flare may leak and lead to a loss of brake fluid, which could lead to reduced braking performance and heighten the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will replace the tubes on 22,118 vehicles at its own cost under safety recall starting in August. Concerned owners can also phone in at 800-853-1403 or visit The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safercar.gov website. NHTSA is tracking this effort under campaign ID number 10V315000.

[Source: NHTSA]

Dodge recalling 22,000 2010MY trucks, SUVs over brake issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Dan Roth

First Dodge Viper Cup race won by BMW art-car look-alike Monday, 12 July 2010, 2:58 pm

Filed under: Motorsports, Dodge

Ben Keating’s Dodge Viper ACR-X – Click above for high-res image gallery

Just after Dodge ended production of the current generation Viper, the newest iteration hit the track in anger at Virginia International Raceway. Ben Keating led the first race on Saturday from flag to flag with a Viper ACR-X wearing an almost identical livery to the BMW M3 GT2 art car that competed at Le Mans last month. However, Keating clearly had much better luck than the colorful German car.

Just because no one got past Keating, it doesn’t mean he ran away with the race. Jeff Courtney was less than a second behind the winner as they crossed the finish line. The final podium spot went to Ryan Schmisk who came up from last place on the grid.

Gallery: Dodge Viper ACR-X “art car”