The Dodge R/T convoy (complete with road grime and dead bugs spattered on the front fascias) rolled into Cumberland Valley Motors last night to be a part of the annual kick-off festivities for the All-Chrysler Nationals. Upon pulling into the jammed parking lot, we were greeted with great examples of Dodge and Plymouth muscle in all shapes and sizes. From high-winding 340 small-blocks to ground pounding big-inch Wedges and HEMIs, the black top was ablaze with high impact colored Barracudas, Challengers, Demons, Dusters, Chargers, Road Runners and much more. We even saw some “oddities” roll through like an ultra rare “Mod Top” 1970 Cuda 340. All weekend, the RLD staff will be capturing the sights and sounds from the Carlisle Fairgrounds so make sure to check back daily to see what we turn up. Now, if we could only find a way to post the smell of smoking tires from the burnout contest!

Courtesy of RLD

The post Dodge Flexes Its Detroit Muscle at Carlisle! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

When Kurt Busch is not running his No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Sprint Cup Charger on the NASCAR high banks, he’s busy helping others in need. The Kurt Busch Foundation www.kurtbusch.com/foundation lends meaningful support for the betterment of organizations. They get involved in the areas of health care, education, career training and rehabilitation and lend support to military families going through rough times.

Kurt wanted to do something very cool to raise funds for his foundation and collaborated with us and Mopar® to customize a “one-off” 2011 Charger R/T. This awesome looking ride is painted in our new Redline Red color and features a yellow centered racing stripe. It’s also been fitted with door scoops inspired right from the 1970 Charger R/T. The rear spoiler and front fascia are also unique and tell folks this is no ordinary R/T model. Black chrome 20-inch wheels and Mopar Performance lowering kit give the Charger and even more aggressive stance. The 370 horsepower 5.7L HEMI® V8 will breathe a little easier and have an even throatier note thanks to Mopar Cat-Back exhaust system. On the inside, Mopar Katzkin® leather seats featuring Busch’s signature and number are fitted on the high-buckets.

“This is one fabulous Dodge,” said Kurt. “I’m delighted with what Dodge and Mopar have done and how they’ve helped the Foundation. They’ve done a stand-out job on this car. Someone is going to be very happy driving this amazing Dodge around town.”

This is the second time the Kurt Busch Foundation has conducted a car raffle as in 2009, a lucky winner laid some rubber in a Challenger SRT8. So don’t be left at the curb and put in gear as only 5,000 raffle tickets will be sold for this head turning Charger R/T. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kurtbusch.com for $100.00 each. Additional photos of the Charger along with a schedule of events to see this muscle machine in person can also be found on the website.

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post Win a Tricked Out Charger R/T from the Kurt Busch Foundation! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

Fast Five will make its high octane fueled debut in theaters on April 29th, but race fans will have chance this weekend to see our own Robby Gordon and his No. 7 wrapped Fast Five 2011 NASCAR Dodge Charger driven compete this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Throughout the month of April, Robby’s menacing looking Fast Five Charger will compete at the Texas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Richmond International Raceway.

In Fast Five, our HEMI® powered Chargers have a starring role throughout movie and really kick it into high gear with adrenaline packed action scenes. We also have another surprise under our hood, during the Final Four Tournament this Saturday on CBS, we’ll be airing our new TV commercial featuring both a 2011 Charger R/T and the 1970 Charger from the original Fast & Furious in an interesting plot that proves car chases make movies better. Here an uptight mother of British royalty from the 1700’s tries to circumvent the relationship between her daughter and an unwashed commoner. It’s a tale of forbidden love of the high-horsepower magnitude that has both parties racing across a barren landscape door handle-to-door handle as the Chargers do a little “bump drafting” and swap paint.

Make sure to check back at Red Letter Dodge for a special announcement on how you could win a tricked out 2011 Charger R/T along with some really cool swag and a special invite to watch the premier of Fast Five later this month with some really cool guests!

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post Fast Five to Hit the High Banks at Martinsville appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

During the HEMI Highway Tour in late 2010, our Dodge Ambassadors Scott and Heather stopped by Hennessey Performance in Sealy, Texas for a shop tour and to checkout all the cool “eye candy” for late-model enthusiasts. Now you veteran gear heads know Hennessey has been a major player in making modern day super cars even more wicked, mean and nasty. Their talent pool includes a combined 100 plus years of experience in design, manufacturing, testing and installation of high-performance upgrades.

With over a one thousand city and highway “break-in” miles, our new 392 HEMI® SRT8 Challenger was ready to make some noise. When Hennessey gave us the invite, we couldn’t resist the temptation to strap our Challenger on their Dynojet 248C chassis dynamometer. Now we know the 392 HEMI is rated 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft.torque at the flywheel, however we wanted to know how much was getting to the rear wheels. The Hennessey technicians quickly quick set-up the chassis dyno and calibrated the equipment. We fired-up the mighty 392 and made some warm-up runs and then dropped the hammer. Like a sucker punch to the face, the graph on monitor flashed the numbers – 432 rear wheel horsepower and 424 rear wheel torque! The Hennessey guys were amazed and impressed on how stout the numbers were for a bone stock engine. Now granted, our Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual probably helped minimize the inherent parasitic loss of horsepower and torque as it travels along the drive train to the rear wheels. Still, the guys began crunching the numbers and concluded the actual power is north of the factory 470 rating. Think of it as an added bonus at no extra cost. So, sit back and turn your speakers up and listen for yourself!

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post That 392 HEMI® Sure Sounds Sweet! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

The time has come to switch on the ignition and hit the button for the sixth annual LX Spring Fest in Irvine, California. For those of you just tuning in, the Spring Fest is the largest gathering of late-model Dodge Challenger, Charger, Magnum and Chrysler 300 vehicles on the planet. Think of it as a huge family reunion of like-minded car junkies who live and breathe power, performance and personalization. The weekend’s festivities kicked into gear Thursday night with a cruise to the infamous Beach Burger restaurant in Huntington Beach just blocks away from the Pacific Ocean. The parking lot was jam filled with the coolest and most outrageous cars from hundreds of enthusiasts who drove in from all parts of the country including Canada. The brisk evening air was saturated with the sights and sounds of 600 horsepower supercharged HEMI® engines, custom pant jobs and cool sound systems. Enthusiasts and club member’s had a chance to get caught up with old friends and partake in some great bench racing. If you couldn’t make out to this year’s Spring Fest no worries, we’ll be posting some great pictures and videos. Be forewarned though, it’ll make you wish you were here and part of the fun!

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post Spring Fest 6 –Hit the Ignition Button! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

Bo and Luke may have no problem outrunning Sheriff Roscoe Coltrane’s Monaco police cruiser but they finally met their match. Our friends at Edmunds.com pitted the big-block powered General Lee against the new 2011 Charger R/T. Even though the General Lee packs 440 cubic inches which allows it to fly higher and jump further, it was no match for its younger offspring on the asphalt. Our new Charger R/T was quicker in 0-60 and quarter-mile times and its highly tuned suspension and brakes give it an advantage over its B-Body ancestor when “running from the law”. Now, imagine the trouble the Duke boys could have caused in Hazzard County if they had a new 370 horsepower HEMI® Charger R/T.
Check out the video for all the tire smoking excitement!

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post The Duke Boys Get Shut Down! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

We shocked both fans and detractors this year by unveiling a total of six new or significantly revised models in rapid-fire. While the public went absolutely wild for vehicles like the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Charger, we poured no less of ourselves into the heavily altered offerings like the 2011 Journey and Grand Caravan along with our fun to drive Avenger. Whereas most manufacturers are content to slap a new front fascia on a vehicle for their annual updates, we went whole hog, leaving no stone unturned. Drivetrain, suspension, interior and exterior alterations were all part of the recipe, and we spent plenty of hard-working hours to make sure everything turned out just right. When all of the knots were tied, we took a deep breath and handed our new fleet over to the ever-skeptical eyes of the automotive press to find out exactly what’d they make of our efforts. Here is just a sprinkling of the great reviews we’ve received.

What’d they find? When it came to the 2011 Avenger, reviewers praised both the all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 under the hood as well as our handsome new interior. The crew at TheCarConnection.com even went so far as to say that “the new dash looks great, with convincing quantum leaps in style and materials.” We’re glad you noticed.

Some of the biggest news to roll out of our offices comes courtesy of the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. This icon of drag racers and street cruisers now has more muscle and less fat with its new 470 horsepower 392 HEMI® that’ll even go further on a tank of gas than last year’s model courtesy of our ultra trick fuel savings technology. All the intelligent brawn won over the crowd at Car and Driver. After spilling a little ink on just how much fun it is to fling this big boy around a race track, they said, “Whether or not the displacement of the rejuvenated engine is a coincidence, the improvements to it and the car it powers were not only intentional, but very effective.”

Speaking of muscle, the 2011 Charger found favor with more than a few writers. Autoblog.com praised our meaty sedan for its slightly retro design cues borrowed from the hallowed halls of the late 1960s “Coke Bottle” design, and Road & Track gushed a bit about the sharp new interior inside the car. “Gone is that flat plastic, boring dash and center console. In its place: an all-new design that doesn’t skimp on softness or style.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

The 2011 Durango received no less love from the crew that knows cars and trucks best. Motor Trend said that “despite being larger, heavier and offering the same V-8 engine with a modest power increase, the new Durango hits 60 mph 0.7 seconds faster than the old model, pulls an additional .08 g on the skidpad and gets slightly better fuel economy all the while.” Even The Truth About Cars shared a little love for the attention to detail that we worked into the vehicle’s interior.

Now what about the 2011 Grand Caravan? We know that minivan buyers spend more time in their vehicle than just about anyone else, so we packed our family cruiser with as much usability as possible. TheCarConnection.com said that “elsewhere inside, the Grand Caravan sticks with the most functionally fleshed-out minivan on the market.” With our stow-and-go seating, spots for seven occupants total and a load of clever storage bins, the Grand Caravan is built for tackling family commutes with one hand tied behind its back.

While there were plenty of models that garnered great reviews from our media introduction, few found the kind of favor that the 2011 Journey enjoyed. Autoblog.com gushed on the new leather seating and dash design, saying “The combined effect is one very clean, very well put-together dash – a colossal improvement on what was one of the most haphazard and discount instrument panels in the industry.” We don’t know whether to blush or cry on that one, but we’ll take our compliments where we can get them.

We could go on and on about the numerous reviews and the positive responses from our friends in the media. However, our work is never done and there’s always room for improvement in any new car. We’re awfully proud of the work we’ve done with our new models. We poured nearly everything we have had into these vehicles, and reading the positive comments on our handiwork, we can’t help but feel that Dodge is moving toward a future that can’t be beat. Check out the full reviews of the Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey to get the complete story, or head over to your local dealer and take one for a drive and make up your own mind.
Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post Our Report Card From The Automotive Press appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship Brad Keselowski received a special award during last weekend’s race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Unlike the trophies he’s won in the past, Brad simply couldn’t hoist this one over his head in the winner’s circle or nail it on the wall of his family room. What we wanted to do was acknowledge Brad and his team for their stellar championship season in a huge way. The award he received on Sunday was powered by a 470 horsepower 392 HEMI® and wrapped in a 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8. This wasn’t just showroom stock, plucked from a local dealer’s lot. No sir, Brad’s new ride was customized by our friends from the “Mopar Underground” team with a trick paint scheme and interior along with 22-inch matte black rims. These factory gear heads also applied special “2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship” decals to the front fenders along with free-flowing Mopar/Corsa cat-back exhaust system. We bet Bryan Viger who heads up Dodge Motorsports had a hard time handing over the keys of the BKR (Brad Keselowski Racing) Commemorative Edition 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. Like you, we’re sure Bryan wanted to have his own version of “Happy Hour” and run some hot laps around the 1.5 mile speedway!

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post Brad Keselowski’s Biggest Trophy appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

Dodge has reinvented the way we drive and has ignited a fresh new outlook on all our great products for 2011. Take our Journey for example. This crossover has received major changes in the exterior styling and power train department. We’ve returned the suspension system and made it more nimble and fun to drive in all weather conditions while reducing cabin noise. We also added more ponies under the hood, 283 to be exact, giving the Journey a 20 percent shot in the arm increase of power. Thanks in part to our award winning new 3.6-Liter Pentastar V6 that also produces 260 lb.-ft. of torque that comes in handy when towing your jet skis to the lake.

However, it’s the Journey’s new interior that we’re really proud of. Our engineers and designers spent a great deal of their time, love and energy and made wholesale improvements and refinements. First on the “to-do” list was to redesign the seats to offer more comfort and support along with new colors and trim levels. Once planted behind the seat, the next item that catches your eyes is the beautifully crafted one-piece instrument panel with a larger cluster that is back lit. This instrument panel provides a softer glow as not to burn your retinas out on long evening road trips. From an ergonomics standpoint, we moved the shifter to a new location and sculpted the panels so now the controls are easier to reach and your knees have more room to stretch out. If you have a tendency to carry a lot of ‘stuff’ during your commutes, we’ve added more storage bins that are larger because let’s face it, you’re going to bring more items than you really need on those family vacations.

From the driver experience, longer, wider and softer arm rests provide a cockpit-like feel. The new redesigned multi-functional three-spoke steering wheel with its bevy of integrated controls will make you feel like Hans Solo piloting the Millennium Falcon while making the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! Navigating the galaxy or a trip to the family cottage, just got a lot easier with our latest and greatest in vehicle connectivity and customization. Our new PowerNet electrical architecture gives you the world at your fingertips with the available Uconnect® Touch command center. From navigation to voice-command music selections to the ability to check fuel prices, the all-new Uconnect®, the Touch media center makes life an excellent adventure for all. We have Four Uconnect® Touch models available, all featuring easy-to-use controls and class-leading technology. With its touch screen display and user-friendly, touch-key categories, connecting and controlling personal devices is simple, intuitive and customizable.

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post Dodge Journey’s “Inner Sanctum” appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

The sixth annual LX Spring Festival is rapidly approaching like a 7,000 horsepower HEMI® dragster on a four second pass. This gathering of diehards will take place on Saturday, March 26 in the Orange County Great Park (formerly MCAS El Toro) in Irvine, California. We want to spread the word among the Dodge nation and in case you’re new to our community, the LX Spring Festival brings together well over 700 owners and enthusiasts of our late-model Dodge Charger/Magnum/Challenger vehicles (our Chrysler 300 cousins are also part of the action). This is the largest gathering of our late-model performance cars and you’ll see everything from wild customs to mild modifications and everything in between. We’ll also have our stunning new 2012 Charger SRT8 and 2011 Green With Envy Challenger SRT8 on display. Our SRT engineers and techies will also be on hand to provide all the juicy details on our new ground pounding 392 HEMI® along with answers to just about any question you throw at them. We’ll also have some cool drifting exhibitions from Samuel “The Crazy Swede” Hubinette along with other fun filled activities.

“Spring Festival 6 will be the largest gathering of passionate LX/LC/LD owners to date, with attendees driving or flying from 27 states, 4 Canadian Providences, Sweden and Germany” said event organizer John Fortuno. “Each year the event grows leaps and bounds due in part to great team effort of the guys and gals from the SoCal LX club. This year we are at a record pace and have already exceeded last year’s totals. Spring Festival is where the owners get a chance to share the rides and meet Chrysler and Dodge’s leadership. To say that you will have nearly 1,000 registered to attend is great, but when you consider the oldest vehicle is 6 1/2 years old is impressive. Spring Festival is not a display of generations of a brand or model, it is Modern Mopar at its best.”

If you plan on attending, make sure to register online now and be prepared to have a great time, meet lots of cool people and burn some rubber!

What: 6th Annual Festival of LX’s
Where: Orange County Great Park! (MCAS El Toro)Irvine, California
When: Saturday, March 26th, 2011
Register Here: http://socallx.com/Registration/tabid/140/Default.aspx

Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge

The post A Gathering Of The Faithful appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.