Chrysler 300-300C Honored As Top Car of the Year at 2005 Detroit North American International Auto Show

A panel of journalists at the 2005 Detroit North American International Auto Show honored the Chrysler 300-300C as the top car of the year, outclassing other nominees that included the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang. To be eligible, panelists explained, the cars must be "all new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model release.

Chrysler currently produces the rear-drive 300 sedan, which is called a Chrysler 300C when it includes the optional Hemi engine. "The 2005 Chrysler 300 marked the Chrysler brand's return to a rear-wheel drive, Hemi-powered automobile for the first time in more than a decade. Chrysler has single-handedly reinvented the large, V-8 powered American sedan," stated a panel member. "With its bold looks that are uniquely American, growling Hemi power and enough attitude to cut a rap record on its own, the Chrysler 300C is a bad boy for hipsters and yet with its affordable sticker, V-6 optional engines, appeals to traditional full-size American car buyers."

Since 1994 the jury selection committee, comprised of car and truck journalists representing magazines, newspapers and television, honors a new car and a new truck that it believes has achieved a standard in their sectors in categories including value, innovation, ride, safety and handling. The Ford Escape Hybrid SUV was honored as truck of the year.

2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Released - Part Two

DODGE PRESS RELEASE PART TWO
The all-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is designed for outstanding ride and handling across a dynamic range. Chassis setup for the Dodge Magnum SRT8 is aimed at all-around performance with SRT-tuned dampers, specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings and large-diameter anti-sway bars. The ride height of the Magnum SRT8 is one-half inch lower than the previous Dodge Magnum, while the ESP has been specially tuned for the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8's performance handling characteristics.

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 meets the road with a new wheel and tire assembly consisting of unique 20-inch forged aluminum wheels shod with high-performance Goodyear F1 three-season tires that have asymmetrical tread. Tire dimensions are a hefty 245/45/20 in the front, and 255/45/20 in the rear.

The braking system of the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is engineered to provide benchmark braking performance, setting a new standard for cars in its class. All four wheels feature performance brake calipers developed by Brembo and finished in Dodge SRT red. Each wheel is equipped with four pistons for even clamping performance. The Dodge Magnum SRT8 has 360 x 32mm vented rotors upfront, with 350 x 26mm vented rotors in the rear.

The car is striking with its raised beltline and roofline pulled down tautly around the windows. Stylists made functional improvements that resonate with the Dodge brand's character and contribute to performance, including an all-new front fascia that helps increase cooling through integrated ducts that help direct air to cool the brakes. A front air dam reduces lift, while in the rear, there is an all-new fascia with an integrated wake modifier and aggressive cutouts to accommodate the dual 3.5-inch exhaust tips.

The exterior styling of the Dodge Magnum SRT8 is also unique with a body-color grille insert with chrome trim, satin-finish front and rear bumper inserts, body-color mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging. Bright Silver, Brilliant Black and Inferno Red Crystal Pearl coat colors are available.

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 interior features power-adjustable, deeply sculpted and highly bolstered sport seats in the front complete with performance suede inserts to hold the occupants during maneuvering. All seats have contrasting red stitching. Other amenities include "carbon fiber" leather trim for better grip on the steering wheel, and special carbon fiber finishing on the center stack. Full instrumentation panel display, including a 180-mph speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges, befits the performance-oriented character of the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8's interior.

Standard features include AM/FM radio with 6 disc CD changer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power adjustable pedal cluster and rear cargo net. Available options include power sunroof, heated seats, supplemental side air bags, and the Trailer Tow Group which offers load leveling and height control. SIRIUS(R) Satellite Radio and a UConnect(TM) hands-freecommunications system with Bluetooth(TM) technology is also available. Safety and security features come standard.

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is assembled in Brampton, Ontario, Canada at the Brampton Assembly Plant.

2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Released - Part One

DODGE PRESS RELEASE PART ONE
"The 2006 Dodge Magnum is bold, powerful, street-smart and full of life," stated Darryl Jackson, VP, Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. "With a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI(R) engine up front, and 71.6 square feet of cargospace in the rear, the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 hauls in more ways than one. At Dodge, the HEMI continues to resonate with our customers," Mr. Jackson continued. "The current take-rate for HEMI in the Dodge Magnum is 43%. The all-new SRT 6.1-liter HEMI quenches the thirst for even more power."

The Dodge Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineers started with a solid foundation - the 2006 Dodge Magnum - and successfully injected SRT DNA in order to produce a car that can cover a quarter mile in the high 13-second range plus haul home a brand-new 27-inch TV. "From the day it was introduced, the Dodge Magnum screamed performance," announced Dan Knott, Director, Street and Racing Technology, Chrysler Group. "Now, SRT engineering and the 6.1-liter HEMI will take Magnum to the next level."

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 includes key SRT attributes in ride and handling across a dynamic range Benchmark braking, performance-inspired interior appointments and exterior styling, as well as the raw performance of SRT's big-bore version of the HEMI engine are offered. Performance figures for the all-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 include a 0-60mph time in the low 5-second range and 60-0 mph braking in about 110 feet. The Dodge Magnum SRT8 can accomplish SRT's signature performance test of 0-100-0mph in the mid 16-second range due to its capability of covering a quarter-mile in the high 13-second range.

The new 6.1-liter SRT engine version of the legendary HEMI engine was inspired by the original family of HEMIs - particularly the namesake hemispherical combustion chambers that provide power and efficiency. Visual cues, including the classic orange-painted cylinder block and black valve covers are also prevalent. The new engine also matches the legendary "Street HEMI" of the 1960s and 1970s with its 425-horsepower rating. But the Dodge does so with less displacement. The 6.1-liter HEMI's 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds that of the Street HEMI. The new SRT HEMI is subject to many requirements that older engines didn't have to meet, including requirements for emissions and fuel efficiency.

With Chrysler Group's clean and efficient all-new 5.7-liter HEMI engine as a starting point, SRT powertrain engineers developed 85 more horsepower by engineering more cubic inches, increasing the compression ratio, redesigning the cylinder head, intake and exhaust systems for increased flow, and increasing engine speed. For more displacement, the Dodge Street and Racing Technology engineers bored out the diameter of the cylinders in the HEMI by 3.5 millimeters each in order to increase the total displacement to 6.1 liters from 5.7 liters. Compression ratio was also increased to 10.3:1 from 9.6:1, adding engine efficiency and power. Engine breathing was increased with new higher-flow cylinder heads, a specifically designed intake manifold, and exhaust headers with individual tubes encased in a stainless steel shell, all unique to the 6.1-liter HEMI engine. Larger-diameter valves and reshaped ports in the heads allow for maximized airflow. The intake manifold was designed with larger-diameter and shorter runners for higher-speed tuning.

Exhaust is routed through a large-diameter (2.75-inch vs. 2.5-inch) exhaust system with 3.5-inch chrome tips. To increase horsepower more, performance-oriented camshaft profiles were developed to allow more air in and out of the cylinders, and manage a higher engine speed. Dodge Magnum SRT engineers increased the HEMI's peak power output engine speed nearly 20%, to 6,000 rpm from 5,000 rpm previously. Intake and exhaust valve stems are hollow, and the exhaust valve stems are filled with sodium to help dissipate heat more efficiently. The high-performance SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is strengthened with redesigned components, including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft, high-strength powdered-metal connecting rods, floating-pin pistons (cooled by oil squirters), and an oil pan modified to manage oil return to the pan sump at high engine speeds.

Power for the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is channeled through an A580 five-speed automatic transmission with specially calibrated driver-selectable AutoStick(R), which offers fully automatic or manual shifting selection. A heavy-duty four-flange prop shaft sends the torque from the transmission to an upgraded differential and axles.

2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab Pickup Truck Released

Dodge recently released the Viper-engine powered truck, the 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab Pickup Truck. With a base price of $50,850, Dodge is hoping there will be demand for high-end sportster owners looking to add a high-end powerful truck to their stable. Adding versatility while maintaining performance, Dodge introduced the four door quad cab as family friendly with seating for six and automatic transmission.

The Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab Truck is powered by a 8.3-liter V-10 Viper engine that outputs 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque. Estimated fuel rating is 11 mpg. Overall truck length is 227.7 inches and weighs 5618 pounds. The Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab is reported to clock a 5.6-second 0-to-60 time. Other specifications of the Dodge truck include 15.0-inch front rotors, 13.8-inch rear discs and three-channel anti-lock braking system.