Photos: 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Audi R8 V12 TDI

Audi TTS

Bei Jing Shi Guang Ming

BMW 1-series

Chevrolet Camaro Bumblebee

Chevrolet Volt

Chrysler ecoVoyage

Chrysler ecoVoyage

Dodge Zeo concept

Dodge Zeo concept

Dodge Zeo concept

Fisker Karma concept

Fisker Karma concept

Honda Pilot concept

Hummer HX

Photo: Reuters, AP, AFP, DPA, Getty Images, Bloomberg News

STARTECH Refines the Dodge Caliber

STARTECH Refines the Dodge Caliber
Sporty Design and Engine Tuning for the CRD Diesel
Tuning 'Made in Germany' for the Dodge Caliber: STARTECH offers a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement program, and engine tuning for the diesel model.
To add more sporty emphasis to the characteristic appearance of the Dodge Caliber the STARTECH designers have developed an aerodynamic-enhancement kit that adds to the compact car's striking design.
The STARTECH front fascia not only visually upgrades the front; it also reduces lift on the front axle.
The sides are given a more homogenous appearance with the STARTECH side body cladding that gives the Dodge Caliber a lower and sleeker appearance.
The rear of the Dodge can also undergo sporty modifications: The custom-tailored STARTECH lift-gate attachment continues the bullish contour of the rear fascia over the entire width of the rear. The rear fascia with stylized tailpipes left and right gives the Caliber a more powerful look. The fascia can be complemented with the STARTECH sport exhaust system. The rear spoiler is attached to the liftgate and stylishly rounds out the STARTECH designer suit.
For the Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD with common-rail turbodiesel engine STARTECH offers powerful and reliable power tuning that ups power output by 40 hp / 29.4 kW. The STARTECH SD3 performance kit consists of a plug-and-play control module that can be installed by any authorized Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealer in half an hour, thanks to an included custom wire harness. Like the production models the STARTECH-tuned Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD meets EURO IV emission limits.
With STARTECH SD3 tuning peak power output of the 2.0-liter common-rail four cylinder engine with Diesel particulate filter jumps from standard 140 hp / 103 kW to 180 hp / 132 kW at just 4,000 rpm. Even more important for everyday driving is the increase in peak torque from 310 Nm to 360 Nm between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Thus equipped sprint time from 0 - 100 km/h is shortened from 9.3 to 8.6 seconds. Top speed of the tuned Caliber diesel model increases to 201 km/h.
STARTECH offers a stainless-steel rear muffler with one oval tailpipe on either side for all engine variants of the Caliber. There are two versions, one to be combined with the STARTECH rear fascia and one for installation in combination with the stock bumper. The exhaust system lends the Caliber not only a more thrilling rear appearance but also a more powerful exhaust note.
STARTECH offers more driving fun in the form of custom-tailored modifications to the suspension of the Dodge. Progressive-rate springs precision-calibrated to the standard shocks lower the ride height of the vehicle by some 30 millimeters.
Wheels make a car and STARTECH offers various custom-tailored STARTECH Monostar tire/wheel combinations with 19- and 20-inch diameters for the Dodge Caliber. The palette of suitable Monostar IV five-spoke wheels ranges from size 8.5Jx19 all around with tires up to 245/40 R 19 in size to an especially exclusive version with size 9Jx20 wheels and 245/35 R 20 tires.
The STARTECH program also offers numerous customization options for the interiors of all Caliber models: The STARTECH Lifestyle interior package will go on sale in the near future.
Extravagant highlights can be added with striking STARTECH accessories: Polished aluminum serves as the material of choice for door-lock pins, shifter and foot pedals. Also available are high-quality floor mats with STARTECH signet.

Source: Startech

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Dodge Sprinter First Plug-in Hybrid

Press Release
DaimlerChrysler Expands Concept Plug-in Hybrid Program
Next-generation plug-in hybrid concept will be built on the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter platform
• DaimlerChrysler is the only automaker to test plug-in hybrid technology in the United States with customers
• Lithium-ion battery research will accelerate future hybrid development
• Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power
• Industry first: PHEV combined with diesel for maximum fuel efficiency
In a display of commitment to the development of hybrid powertrain architecture and advanced batteries, DaimlerChrysler is expanding its concept plug-in hybrid program to include the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter.
Up to 20 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in the United States between now and the first quarter of 2008 as part of a test-fleet program. Four of the vehicles, built on the previous-generation Dodge Sprinter, already are in operation with customers. DaimlerChrysler is the only auto manufacturer currently evaluating a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrain (diesel and gas) configurations in real-world, customer-operation service within the United States.
Battery development is one of the keys to the success of hybrid and fuel-cell transportation. Lithium-ion holds the greatest promise for battery technology. A number of the Dodge Sprinter PHEVs will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries that are about half the weight and have much greater storage capacities when compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries. The vehicles will yield technical information through real-world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries."For plug-in hybrid technology to move forward, a dramatic leap in battery technology is necessary," said Mark Chernoby, Vice President - Advance Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler Group. "The energy storage systems in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV concept fleet will provide valuable field experience on the possibilities with lithium-ion battery technology."Plug-in technology lends itself to commercial applications where the vehicle returns to base after each shift to be plugged into the power grid. In short stop-and-go routes, the vehicle will use very little fuel.
The Dodge Sprinter PHEV has the ability to drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power. It accomplishes this with a switch on the dashboard giving the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed, or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being offered in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV: diesel or gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.
Plug-in hybrid technology is part of DaimlerChrysler's advanced propulsion technology umbrella that also includes exceptionally efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesel technology, ethanol flex-fuel and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.

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DaimlerChrysler Opens Sprinter Assembly Plant in Charleston, S.C.

• Inauguration with Governor Mark Sanford
• Offered under Dodge and Freightliner brands, U.S. now second-largest market for Sprinter
• All-new 2007 Sprinter is longer, wider and taller, and features the segment's most best-in-class advantages
• More than 25 advanced safety and security features, including all-new ADAPTIVE ESP®
• New Sprinter arrives in Spring
Charleston, S.C., Mar 27, 2007 - The DaimlerChrysler plant in Ladson, South Carolina, just outside Charleston, today officially kicks off production of the Sprinter for the U.S. market under the Dodge and Freightliner brands. The plant was inaugurated in the presence of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. The benchmark in its class, the Sprinter has been assembled and sold in the U.S. since 2001 and has captured a firm commercial customer base of knowledgeable business owners, fleet mangers and van buyers looking for even more from their work vehicle.
The former plant in Gaffney, annual capacity around 22,000 units, no longer could cope with the growing sales. A production capacity of 32,000 units now is available at the new plant on the U.S. east coast where 180 employees are working to reassemble the Sprinter on a 42,780-square-meter (460,000 sq. ft.) site. $35 million was invested in the plant.
"The Dodge Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter set standards in their sector for safety, variability and environmental protection. We are proud to be able to offer our latest product in the van segment also on the American market so soon after its presentation. I thank all colleagues who made the opening of this plant possible today through their personal effort and commitment," said Wilfried Porth, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Unit of DaimlerChrysler AG on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony.
North America's top-performing van, Sprinters for the U.S. and Canada are offered in three vehicle lengths on two new wheelbases. With a line-up of cargo vans, passenger vans and chassis cab models, it also boasts three roof heights – the most among full-size vans. Powered by two all-new V-6 engines, a 3.0-liter diesel or 3.5-liter gas engine, standard equipment includes ADAPTIVE ESP. Taking electronic stability programs to the next level, ADAPTIVE ESP features additional sensors that now take into consideration vehicle payload further reducing the risk of vehicle skidding and loss of control.
The all-new Sprinter goes on sale this spring.
autoblog.com

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Dodge Viper Srt-10 Mopar Concept

During the 2007 North American International Auto Show, Dodge, maker of quality Dodge parts once again shocked the world with its new 600 horsepower Viper. The beast of a car attracted all the press people present at the show--it was like a flame attracting so many moths. The Dodge Viper SRT-10 concept's look was courtesy of Chrysler Group's aftermarket performance division Mopar.
The impressive 600-horsepower figure that the new Viper has is made possible through addition of extra 90 horses over the old model. Viper's engine is a monstrous 8.4-liter V10 from where Mopar tapped an additional 75 horses made possible through better cooling - giving the all-new Viper a monstrous 675 horsepower.
"With 600 horsepower – 90 more than before - and 0-to-60 performance in less than four seconds, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 sets a new benchmark for the ultimate American sports car," that is according to Kipp Owen, Director-Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Engineering Chrysler Group.
To further complete the power of the beast, Mopar fitted an adjustable suspension and blacked-out 19" lightweight alloy wheels with accompanying Michelin rubber. The Mopar Viper was also displayed in a stunning anthracite-gray paint job with an offset neon-red stripe running up the front, over the roof extending on to the giant rear wing.
The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 have more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.
Mopar is an acronym used in place for Motor Parts. It is an automobile parts and service arm of the DaimlerChrysler American brands formerly owned by the Chrysler Corporation. Mopar was first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and from then has been continuously used.
But as time passed by the term Mopar was given a broader usage among car enthusiasts and was used for any Chrysler-owned brand namely Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, or DeSoto and later was also used for AMC and Jeep vehicle. The reason for this is that the Chrysler name refers to both the parent company and to one its brands. Say for instance if one wanted to refer explicitly to the parent company, another word was needed which is Mopar.
Chrysler Corporation is not the only one engaging in the naming game. Ford Motor Company is also in a similar situation. Ford enthusiasts often use the abbreviation FoMoCo to refer to the generic Ford-brand parts. General Motors enthusiasts on the other hand do not have to deal with such confusion since an unadorned GM always means the corporate parent.