Sergio Marchionne's Dodge Challenger STR8 Fetches a Whooping $175,000 for Charity

The one-off Dodge Challenger SRT8 belonging to Chrysler CEO Serio Marchionne and called "Pitch Black" has officially hit the auction block, fetching $175,000 during the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Florida over the weekend.

If you all remember, the one-off 2011 Challenger SRT8 was far from a run-of-the-mill model. It came packed with plenty of custom details that were included to make it stand out from the model line. And that’s on top of the 470-horsepower output the muscle car was capable of.

So yeah, it was quite the exclusive steed that Marchionne dutifully sent to auction to benefit the United Way for Southeastern Michigan community group. As far as the winning bidder is concerned, the lucky man was apparently an avid car collector who added a pretty impressive one-off Challenger SRT8 to his collection, as well as a 540-horsepower Hemi V-8 crate engine from Mopar.

A unique Challenger SRT8 and a Hemi V-8 engine? Sounds like an impressive haul at an auction, even for its $175,000 price tag.

In addition to boasting a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces a stout 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, Sergio Marchionne’s Challenger SRT8 Pitch Black came with a bevy of custom details that when added together, you won’t be able to find in any other Challenger.

The details really speak for themselves, particularly the aero components that include a set of custom mixed “Dark Charcoal” racing stripes, lowered suspension that makes use of a Mopar adjustable coil-over kit, a Mopar exhaust system, smoked taillights and a set of factory forged 20-inch wheels with a matte-black finish.

Inside, the Challenger SRT8 Pitch Black features black leather seats embroidered with “SRT” and “392” logos, as well as a state-of-the-art SRT-exclusive Electronic Vehicle Information Center, among other goodies.

Top 5 Elise-Based Sportscars

How many cars can you spin off of one platform? Just ask Lotus, and they'll help you turn the Elise into your own sportscar.

There’s little question that the Lotus Elise is one sweet-handling car. It’s such a nimble platform that Lotus itself has spun it off into a variety of other vehicles: the Exige, 2-Eleven, 340R, Europa…. But so have other automakers. Since Lotus is as much an engineering consultancy as it is an automaker, it has provided the Elise platform to a variety of paying customers which have transformed the car into products of their own. Here are five of our favorites.Arguably the most prominent of the Lotus-based sportscars is the Hennessey Venom GT. Based on the Exige and retaining much of its styling, the Venom is one of the fastest cars on the road. It holds the Guinness record for the fastest 0-300 km/h acceleration run, and recently recorded a top speed of 265.7 mph.Hennessey stretched the chassis to make room for a twin-turbo 7.0-liter V8 cranking out 1,244 horsepower. That’s a lot of power in a package that tips the scales at 2,685 lbs. – which may be a good 600 lbs. more than the Exige, but still packs one of the highest power-to-weight ratios in the game.Just as comprehensive as the Hennessey’s transformation is that which Tesla undertook to turn the Elise into its electric Roadster. In place of the 1.8-liter four, Tesla installed an all-electric powertrain with as much as 288 hp, fueled by a lithium-ion battery. The result may be heavier than the Elise, but when it emerged in 2008, it stood as the fastest electric car on the road, reaching 60 in just 3.7 seconds. Tesla has since followed up with the Model S sedan, has a Model X crossover in development and plans a follow-up Roadster, but the original will stand the test of time as the game-changer that put Tesla on the map.Tesla wasn’t the only company to turn a Lotus into an electric sportscar. Zytek undertook a similar process with the Elise, and Lotus itself did the same with the Evora, but so didChrysler. Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2008, the Dodge Circuit EV concept packed a lithium-ion battery and a 200-kilowatt electric motor to crank out 268 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of instantly-available torque. It also had some signature Dodge styling elements that made it look like something of a junior Viper, but while it was earmarked for production, development was ultimately canceled as Chrysler’s EV program was shut down.When a German team sought to revive the Melkus brand, it chose the Elise platform as its starting point. From there it developed the RS 2000, a gullwinged sportscar with a German engine (souced from either Volkswagen or Opel) that packed 270 horsepower, plus fiberglass bodywork, a more luxurious cabin space than Lotus itself ever installed and a unique suspension set-up. With all these modifications, the price topped over 100,000 euros, and Melkus found few buyers. So it came as little surprise when the company shut down last August, consigning the Melkus name once again to the dustbin of history.The Melkus wasn’t the only German take on the Elise, though. Opel used the same platform for its Speedster. The GM division didn’t just use Lotus for the underpinnings, though: it had Lotus build it for them, including a Vauxhall version for the UK and a Daewoo for Asia. Instead of a Rover or Toyota engine, the GM version used GM engines: either a 2.2-liter four with 145 horsepower or a turbocharged 2.0 with a more prodigious 197 hp. Production ran from 2000 until 2005 when GM shut down the program. But we have a feeling these won’t be the last cars to use the Elise platform and wear a different badge.

2014 Dodge Durango Debuts With 8-Speed Transmission

Look forward to a nine percent bump in fuel economy if you’re thinking about buying the 2014DodgeDurango. 

Unveiled today during the 2013 New York Auto Show,the 2014 Durango gets an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver that mild improvement. It’s also helped by a new Eco mode that alters the transmission’s shift timing while dulling throttle response. The V8 models also use cylinder deactivation to reduce consumption.

Most of the body-on-frame SUV remains the same, but it does get mild styling enhancements to the front fascia including a floating crosshair grille, projector headlights and LED accents. The rear also getsDodge’sLED “racetrack” tail lamps – the same you’ve likely seen on the Charger.

2013 New York Auto Show Complete Coverage

In-cabin technology is also updated with new nine-inch screens in the driver and front passenger seats for the available Blu-ray / DVD entertainment system. There aren’t many standout changes with the Durango for the upcoming model year, but it does also get a new three-spoke steering wheel with standard paddle shifters.

Power from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 both remain the same at 290 and 360 respectively. Those engines still offer 6,200 and 7,400 lbs of towing capacity as well.

New York 2013: 2014 Dodge Durango Is Dead On Arrival

For the 2014 model year, Chrysler gave the Dodge Durango a fairly extensive refresh. Sadly, it won’t matter how much the updates help Durango sales, as the Durango nameplate will be phased out in the next few years for an all-new three-row Jeep Grand Wagoneer. However, don’t let that bit of planned obsolescence trick you into ignoring the updates applied to the 2014 Durango. The changes are mostly aesthetic and help to tie the Durango in with newer Dodge models like the Charger and Dart. Now the brand’s trademark, the Durango gains a set of somewhat squared-off “racetrack” LED taillights; however, unlike the sedans, the SUV’s LEDs are less of a dot-matrix-like design. Up front, the Durango sports a more angular grille and revised headlights with hockey-stick-shaped LED running lights. Inside, the cabin is upgraded, and uses the same large touchscreen and digital gauges found elsewhere in Chrysler’s lineup. There is also a new rotary shifter for the automatic transmission. That transmission is the big mechanical change for the 2014 Durango. A new ZF-licensed eight-speed automatic is standard on both V-6 and V-8 models. The extra cogs nets a 10 percent increase in V-6 fuel economy — Dodge estimates 25 mpg highway —without sacrificing towing capability, which is rated at 6200 lbs. A 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is also still available. It’s too bad that the Grand Wagoneer is coming soon — the 2014 Dodge Durango looks great, and it will be sad to see it go so soon.

2014 Dodge Durango First Look

In accordance with Chrysler's newfound spirit of continuous improvement, the 3-year-old Dodge Durango gets a major spiffing-up for 2014. A mild exterior refresh and interior refinements plus a powertrain update conspire to keep the three-row crossover fresh for a few more years. There's also a minor shuffle in the trim choices, with Crew being replaced by Limited and the Rallye package becoming a stand-alone trim. The SXT, R/T, and Citadel remain.
The main change made by Dodge to the 2014 Durango is the addition of Chrysler's new eight-speed automatic behind both engines (3.6-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8), boosting efficiency by around 9 percent. Official numbers have yet to be released, but we're promised 25 mpg highway for the V-6, yielding a 600-mile range. A center console-mounted rotary transmission selector comes with the deal, as do steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The 3.6-liter V-6 makes 290 hp (295 hp on Rallye) and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 cranks out 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Best-in-class towing capacities of 6200 and 7400 pounds for the V-6 and V-8 are also promised. While rear drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available. The transfer case on all-wheel-drive V-8 models features a low range gear for improved off-roading capability and a neutral mode that allows the Durango to be flat-towed. A new Eco Mode is standard with the new eight-speed and improves fuel economy by optimizing transmission shift points and throttle sensitivity as well as managing the Hemi's cylinder deactivation system and the interactive deceleration fuel shut-off (IDFSO). The latter cuts fuel delivery when the vehicle is coasting. Eco Mode is the default setting upon start up, but can be disabled by a center stack button.
Outside, the look up front is bolder and more aggressive with revised lighting, front fascia, and crosshair grille. Projector headlights are new across all trim levels. Rallye, Limited, R/T, and Citadel trims get hockey stick-shaped LED daytime running lights along the bottom of the headlights; R/T and Citadel models also get HID headlamps standard. Projector foglights in the taller front fascia are new. The new, slimmer crosshair grille floats in its shell, while each trim gets a unique mesh insert that is repeated in the lower fascia. Around back, the Durango gets Dodge's "racetrack" rear lighting graphic (here composed of 162 LEDs, and 30 more operating the brake lamps) found on the Charger and Dart, and the trailer hitch is integrated into the new rear fascia. All V-8 models along with R/T and Rallye V-6 models get dual 3.5-inch exhaust tips, while other V-6 models get a single 3-inch outlet. Wheel choices expand to seven, including 18-inch and 20-inch sizes with unique styles for each trim as well as silver painted, polished aluminum, and Hyper Black finishes. In addition to the above, Rallye and R/T models get a monochromatic look with dark-tinted headlamps, body-colored fascias, wheel flares, grille, and sill moldings. The R/T also sits 20mm lower for a sporty appearance and improved handling. An update to the electrical architecture brings Adaptive Cruise Control, which brings the car to a stop, plus collision alert and mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection. Buttons on the rearview mirror dial emergency crews or roadside assistance without the need for a cellphone.
Inside, the redesigned dash features a 5-inch or 8.4-inch central screen plus a 7-inch display between the tach and speedometer. Redundant audio and climate controls as well as an SD card slot, USB port, and auxiliary jack are just below the center screen. A new three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated controls and paddle shifters is available. Chrysler's Uconnect telematics system gets another upgrade with an improved voice command system and an embedded cellular 4G link that provides access to apps and can make the vehicle a Wi-Fi hotspot. Uconnect allows hands-free control of apps including Pandora, iHeartradio, and Slacker and can read and respond to text messages. The nav system's Garmin graphics are less cartoonish and can portray 3-D images of buildings in select cities, and the screen's background coloring now coordinates with the interior color way. Rear-seat riders can now enjoy high-def video entertainment via twin 9.0-inch-diagonal screens mounted to the front seatbacks with separate HDMI and RCA jacks for each as well as an available Blu-Ray player. Second-row captain's chairs are an option, with a choice of a tall or short center console. The standard 60/40 split second-row bench can handle passengers and long objects such as 10-foot-long 2x4s with the front passenger seat is folded. Dodge claims the Durango can fit a 6-foot couch and coffee table when the second-row and 50/50 third-row seats folded. Reclining and heated rear seats are also available. In all, there are up to 50 different seating configurations and as much as 85 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row. With rumors of a Jeep Grand Wagoneer coming to replace the Dodge Durango as Chrysler's three-row offering, some may wonder why the automaker is updating the crossover after just three years. Regardless of the reasons, the 2014 Dodge Durango's new duds, safety equipment, eight-speed transmission, and renewed focus on improving fuel mileage make a compelling argument for the big Dodge to stay.

2014 Dodge Charger SRT8 Now Offered With $2495 392 Appearance Package

A new 392 Appearance Package is available on the 2013 and 2014 Dodge Charger SRT8 full-size sedan. The special appearance package is, of course, limited to just 392 units and will be available to order in April.

The 392 Appearance Package consists of “392 HEMI” fender badges in gloss black with a charcoal grey metallic insert, the roof, center section of the power bulge hood, side mirrors, and rear spoiler painted in Pitch Black, a satin black SRT lower-body side stripe with a wider upper and narrower lower band, and Black Vapor Chrome split five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, a 392 dash plaque displays the vehicle serial and build number, while the engine features a custom 392 engine cover. The Dodge Charger SRT8 with 392 Appearance Package is available in Bright White Clear Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Plum Crazy Pearl Coat, HEMI Orange Pearl Coat, and TorRed Clear Coat.

The Charger SRT Appearance Package will cost $2495, bringing the cost-of-entry with a regular Charger SRT8 to just under $50,000. The new 2013 Charger SRT8 Super Bee base model starts at $42,990. Based on the last Charger SRT8 we tested, the 392 buyers of the Charger SRT8 392 can expect 4.4-second 0-60 mph runs and 12.8-second quarter mile times, courtesy of the brawny 6.4-liter 470-hp V-8 under its hood.

2014 Dodge Durango teased again

Dodge has released an additional teaserwith the 2014 Durango facelift ahead of a New York Auto Show debut later this week.

Following an initial teaser with the taillights released last Friday, Dodge has launched another one but this time they are showing the updated headlights featuring an LED strip.

Dodge says the refreshed Durango will bring "class-executive features" and "state-of-the-art technology", while the engine lineup will probably be carried over from the current model.

As a consequence, a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 offering 360 bhp (216 kW) and 352 Nm (260 lb-ft) of torque is expected, along with a V8 HEMI 5.7-liter outputting 360 bhp (268 kW) and 528 Nm (390 lb-ft). These two engines will be linked to a new 8-speed automatic gearbox and an optional AWD system.