Various “Special Service” models will be available, including police intercepters and emergency EMT / firefighter trucks. This is the second such redesign of a Dodge vehicle, Dodge Charger Pursuit police car was introduced back in 2011.

“The Dodge Durango Special Service SUV is designed to handle the rigors of everyday use by police and fire departments,” the company stated in a press release.

Law enforcement and other first responder versions of Durango will include a powerful Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 or optional Dodge Charger Pursuit 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Top tow capacity is 7400-lbs, along with a 550-mile drive range.

Chrysler has already began taking orders for Durango Special Service from law enforcement, fire departments, and other fleets.

“We’re incredibly excited to add the Dodge Durango Special Service to our lineup of law enforcement vehicles,” added Peter Grady, VP of network development and fleet operations.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Thank you, Inside Line.

Called “Stryker” it was created by Vince Galante, a Chrysler designer and Viper owner. It aims to capture “the sinister look and ‘evil grin’ of the original,” according to DriveSRT. What do you think?

Pic via Motor Authority

Just when you think product placement and animation are a difficult mix, FX Network’s Archer proves even a cartoon can effect auto sales. In the latest installment of the hilarious spy-satire TV-series, which airs Thursday nights at 10, secret agent Sterling Archer receives his dream birthday present: a fully loaded Dodge Challenger. Not only is the vehicle supercharged, but it comes with hidden machine guns, anti-chase devices, and a stocked bar (filled with apple juice, as Dodge does not condone drinking and driving.)

Check out the preview below, and we highly recommend viewing this laugh out loud series Thursday nights, or catch up via Hulu and Netflix:

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