Dodge parent company Fiat is ready to roll out their Alfa-Romeo small sedan later this year, fully capable of hitting 40 miles per gallon. The car might head over to the United States, as a Dodge-branded vehicle.

Fred Goedtel, head of Chrysler’s assembly operations, said “that the small Dodge-branded car will be installed in the company’s Belvidere, IL assembly plant in August and that official production will begin sometime in the first quarter of 2012.” The Alfa-based car from Dodge will have help getting 40 mpg thanks to Fiat’s MultiAir engine technology.

Source: MotorTrend

No clue? That’s ok. It wasn’t an 80′s blockbuster. Although, “The Wrath” did feature a Dodge concept car that was violent, invincible, hissed ala KITT, and loved plowing through other cars to kill its prey.

“The Wraith” was a refurbished 1981 PPG Turbo Interceptor. Probably the most hardcore K-Car models in the history of the Five-Star dealer, Turbo Interceptor was seen on race tracks as an Indy World Series Pace Car. For the film’s production, its body was beefed up and painted black.

The movie model (built in 1982) was a more advanced Dodge M4S Turbo Interceptor – which stands for “Mid-engine 4-cylinder Sport. 6 prop cars were built, 4 of which were only bodies and destroyed during filming. Another two fully-functional props were built for an estimated $1,500,000. The Dodge M4S was powered by a Mopar 2.2 “Trans” four cylinder engine twin-cam that produced 440 horsepower. And, in case you didn’t figure it out by now, was very much turbocharged.

Originally grossing a mere $1,500,000 “The Wraith” has become nothing short of a cult classic for automotive movie lovers.

Thanks to “www.thewraithcar.com” for the info!

3. Muscle – Flex It

Car enthusiasts love the roar of a powerful engine, and you can’t deny that drivers want to go as fast as possible; we all have places to go and less time to get there (or so we believe). Now well into the 21st century, the industry bares witness to a nostalgic peak in car purchasing. Ford’s new Mustang GT and Bullett models are eye catching and perform well on the road, as well as with buyers. Dodge, which resurrected the Charger a few years back, now steps into the nostalgia design ring with an all new Challenger. And what does Dodge’s Challenger bring under the hood to back up their record pre-sale requests? How about a 6.1-liter V8 SRT HEMI for starters.

Green muscle cars? It may sound like an “oxy-moron” – However, With the Chevy Volt and Dodge Zeo concepts stirring up auto industry experts you may soon be able to reach 65 mph in under 4 seconds, while saving Mother Earth. If nothing else, powerful electric vehicles will keep your ear drums from popping down at the drag strip. They sure do look different…And speaking of looks…

2. Design – Flaunt it

Again, nostalgia is key in today’s high end car market. Drivers want the safety of a space age vehicle with the looks of a 1960′s classic. Dodge is already on it’s way to claiming the classic car lovers’ hearts with the 2009 Challenger. Looking more like The General Lee than the new Charger, Challenger has already fascinated Auto Show audiences across the globe. Fresh looks and new ideas will always help keep you ahead of the pact.

1. International Growth

When you can sell in North America, why not give the UK a try! Chrysler recently expanded their Dodge Jeep Chrysler products to overseas markets, in an effort to take a larger chunk of UK change and to spread the word (world wide) that Dodge is a name you can trust. Just last month, Chrysler UK moved forward with a plan to merge their three-brand dealerships and give English car lovers a shot at owning a reliable and recognizable American made automobile.

The ’71 Demon’s front end displays classic American muscle car design – along with a mean grill and hood scoops that burst with ferocious horsepower that would give Starsky & Hutch a run for their money.

2008′s Demon concept looks more like a morph between the ’71 original, a Viper and Dodge Avenger. Still a scary front end to see barreling down at you, this update looks less muscular and more coupe. No word yet on if a hard-top Demon will also be available.

Remember Al Bundy’s “Mighty Dodge” a.k.a. 1974 Dodge Dart? The rear end of ’71′s Demon has similar qualities. Yet, Demon’s butt-end has a lot more power then the Dart’s ever did – where you could blast-off from 0 – 60 in 7 seconds! Plus, you could probably fit two weeks worth of groceries in the trunk. Or, as they would say on the Sopranos, “a couple a badies in dere.”

No official word on the 0-60 from 2008′s Demon, but the rear is obviously ultra-modern. She’s even reminiscent of a Porsche. Duel exhausts remain while trunk size diminishes radically.

Step inside the 1971 Dodge Demon – You have a pretty basic dash (is that a cup holder to the right of your AM radio?), and yes…a steering column shifter! Haven’t seen one of those since riding around in Mom’s 1980 Malibu.

In 2008 drivers demand comfort as well as spectacular design inside and out. The race car set up for Dodge’s Demon concept wraps you in luxury along with horsepower. And my, what a fancy dashboard!

When all is said and done, it’s hard to compare a classic muscle car from over 30 years ago to the space age designs Dodge pumps out today. One fact is certain – the thirst for rebirths is alive and well in car land, and the Dodge Demon could soon be on her way to reincarnation.