So far, they’re on the right path. Recently, Popular Mechanics awarded 2012 Dodge Durango with an Auto Excellence Award for outstanding versatility.

Durango was mentioned for being a “highly capable workhorse” that is “able to traverse terrain that would humble most sport utes.” In fact, during a test on sand dunes in Western Michigan (yes, there’s sand in Michigan) a Durango was used to tow other trucks that became stuck on the course.

Popular Mechanics adds, “it drives with a sharpness that belies its 2½ tons and its commodious interior,” and “on the highway, drivers can luxuriate in the rich materials, throne-like seats and an abundance of available features, including a 360-hp V8 and adaptive cruise control.”

What makes Durango tick, and beat out the competition? An all new Pentastar V6 engine that comes standard in all SUVs from the auto maker. Pentastar has received rave review across the board, and throughout all vehicles in Chrysler’s Dodge-Jeep-Fiat line. It produces best-in-class 290 horsepower, while achieving 23 mpg highway. Best of all, driving range comes in at 550 miles to a tank.

The vehicle’s engine also features best-in-class towing of 6200 lbs with V6, 7400 lbs in the V8. Who says it’s a bad investment to still buy American? Shame on them!

Source: Popular Mechanics

Dart receives the honor of being Chrysler Group’s first vehicle built on top of Fiat’s architecture, named a Compact US Wide or CUS-wide.

“2013 Dodge Dart is wide, ranging from millennials, young professionals likely buying their first car, to empty-nesters, those with active lifestyles who appreciate good value but don’t want to sacrifice quality and amenities in their choice of vehicle.”

Dodge Dart buyers get to choose from three separate four-cylinder engines, along with a mix of three transmissions in this front-wheel vehicle.

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 160-horsepower, as well as 160-horsepower 1.4-liter turbo and 2.4-liter 184-horsepower, all come with either a six speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.

As for this lively design, front and rear end on Dart borrows from two other Dodge sedans: Avenger in the grille, and Charger out back. 2013′s Dart also sports dual exhausts.

According to the Chrysler release, Dart “offers a special blend of style, performance and innovation” similar to the late 1960′s model.

Image: Washington Post

According to Dodge records, sales peaked at 75,000 units in 2007. By 2008, Nitro became a victim of the US auto industry recession, and never recovered. Nitro only sold about 22,500 units that year.

The final 2011 Dodge Nitro to roll off Toledo’s assembly line was a white base model, pictured below:

Image: Toledo Blade

Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne called the Nitro a “knockoff” of Jeep Liberty, and “should never have been built.” Harsh words boss.

Last month (November 2011) only 2,500 Nitro vehicles were built. From now on, the Toledo line will build the Liberty.

On the up side, Dodge dealers are offering great incentives to help sell off their remaining Nitro stock. A new model will run shoppers just over $22,000 (before discounts), as well as 0% financing for 60 months.

Dodge has revealed its Alfa Romeo–based compact car for 2013, and announced that Dodge Dart will debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show. “The Dart features three engines and three transmission options and aggressive styling reminiscent of the larger Charger,” according to Inside Line.

Sadly, reports also state that Dodge Dart will be Front-Wheel-Drive, not a muscle car. Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta is not as long or wide as Dart will be. This is because Americans love some big cars! It will be the exclusive compact car offered from this auto maker.

Dart will have three different inline-four-cylinder engines: a 2.0-liter, a turbocharged 1.4-liter, and a 2.4-liter Multiair.

2.0 and 2.4-liters are part of Chrysler’s new engine family. Both make 158 and 173 horsepower, respectively, and come with direct injection.

The turbo will allegedly be similar to that found on board Fiat 500. This powerplant makes 170-hp, yet it delivers better fuel economy than the other engines.

Source: InsideLine

Busch has stated that he is seeing a psychologist, and that his recent actions were “inappropriate.”

Roger Penske decided that a race at Homestead-Miami Speedway would be Busch’s last, following the ESPN reporter incident, along with other temper flare-ups.

Source: CBS Sports

Each year, Canada holds a contest to figure out their toughest half-ton truck. This time, a 2012 Ram 1500 pickup becomes the Canadian Truck King.

Ram sold 5,282 pickups in Canada this past October, 53% more than in Oct. 2010. Ram remains the 2nd best-selling truck throughout Canada, where many North American models are produced, including Richmond, Va Ram 1500 models.

Five Canadian Truck King Challenge judges checked out pickups in tests like towing 8,000 pounds, carrying 1,800 pounds, and off-roading. Ram was officially crowned “Best Half-Ton Pickup Truck.”

“The testing performed by the Truck King Challenge is a great third party evaluation of the highly competitive half-ton truck segment, and we are thrilled that our Ram 1500 took top honors,” said Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada’s president and CEO. “The Ram 1500 is the most awarded Ram truck ever and has the longest lasting line of pickups in Canada. It’s no coincidence that more Canadian pickup buyers are switching to Ram 1500 than to any other truck.”

Source: PickUpTrucks.com

“We will look at decoupling some of the features in the future…we will start with…decoupling the DVD and sunroof,” Gilles explained in a web chat. This “decoupling” is code for stripping down features for costs sake. Gilles added that to make a 2013 Durango SRT8, they’ll look to the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 for inspiration.

Source: Motor Authority

Fans were confused when Dodge initially released its 4-Door variant Charger remake in the mid 2000′s. These same car lovers were excited to see a nostalgic reboot of Challenger, a vehicle last popular around 1971.

In the end, it all comes down to price and performance. Check out this comparison of the 2012 Dodge Challenger against the supercharged Charger sedan.

2012 Dodge Challenger

2012′s Challenger is battling it out with Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang for top American made sports car.

Challenger is also fighting Charger, in a way. Both are remakes of classic Dodge vehicles. And when it comes to looks, Challenger is #1. Available in three trim levels: base, R/T and SRT8. Challenger is powered by a multitude of engine options: 305 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 or 5.7-liter HEMI V8 (producing 372 horsepower) for the standard car, with 376 horsepower for the R/T. SRT8′s 6.4-liter HEMI V8 blows both away, with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.

Challenger’s average 0 – 60 time is around 6.8 seconds, and this rear wheel drive vehicle is still able to produce an estimated MPG rating of 18 City, 27 HWY. One downside for buyers is its coupe-like cargo space of 16.2 cu. ft. (which, honestly, still isn’t bad for a 2-Door). Pricing ranges from $24,175 – $42,555 MSRP.

2012 Dodge Charger

Ok, so you need 4-Doors, but don’t want to skimp on performance. Luckily, the 2012 Charger comes in not three but FOUR trims: SE, Rallye, R/T and SRT8.

SE and Rallye have a 3.6-liter V6, with 370 horsepower 5.7-liter V8 on R/T models. SRT8 features a 6.4-liter V8, with both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive available on Rallye and R/T models. 0 – 60 times and pricing are similar to Challenger: 6.4 seconds and $24,585 – $44,161 MSRP. The vehicle also shares average MPG with its 2-Door sibling: 18 City, 27 HWY.

So, it all comes down to space. You’re going with Charger, right? WRONG – cargo space on board the 2012 Dodge Charger is actually less than Challenger – with 15.4 cu. ft. of cargo room. Surprised? Don’t be – because in the end both Charger and Challenger offer a multitude of great standard and optional features. Give each a test drive at your local Dodge Dealer, and see which vehicle feels right.

Source: AOL autos (1 / 2)

In addition to receiving high scores in these tests, the minivan achieved a ‘Good’ rating in frontal, side and rear crash protection.

Caravan offers 40 standard / available safety features for 2012, some of which include: front seat mounted airbags, curtain air bags, driver-side knee blocker, and all-speed traction control.

“Safety-conscious parents shopping for a family hauler should be pleased with today’s minivan choices,” said David Zuby, IIHS Chief Research Officer.

“With the latest addition of Dodge Grand Caravan…Chrysler Group has 11 vehicles that have been named Top Safety Pick,” added Scott Kunselman, senior vice president. “This latest recognition by IIHS underscores our commitment to engineering safety and security across all vehicle segments.”

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is available at dealerships nationwide, and is a great find at for those looking at a Dodge or Ram Van in Richmond, VA or New York, NY.

Source: Sacbee

SRT Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles calls these performance models “functionally designed and purpose-built vehicles.”

SRT is trying to shake its previous image of a sub-division seen as producing muscle cars which were all flash and no substance. Turbo-charged powerplants, HEMI engines and the latest in suspension and exhaust options will certainly help.

Source: WCF