Dodge boss confirms Viper resurrection in 2013

It was only a few months ago that we reported on the last Dodge Viper rolling off the assembly line. Now, Chrysler plans to revive the model for 2013, according to a report by the Detroit News. The confirmation comes directly from Chrysler itself, with Ralph Gilles, head of Dodge, telling the Detroit News that the Chrysler board has given the project the greenlight and that development is on schedule. Gilles said that the new Viper won't be based on any Ferrari or Alfa Romeo model, in particular the Alfa Rome 8C Competizione, as some have speculated given Chrysler's alliance with the Fiat Group. As Gilles also serves as head of design, he provided some hints as to the Viper's new look. "Where the cabin is, relative to the wheels, is unique. The Viper cabin is very rearward and the hood is very long. Few cars in the industry are designed with those proportions anymore." The new Viper won't be getting a Ferrari engine either but may sport a new or updated power plant from the last 8.4 liter V10 that came with over 600 horsepower. But Gilles welcomes Fiat's input for the next Viper. "Fiat has an awesome ability to tune cars. I want the new Viper to be a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people. We've never had stability control on a high-performance car, which is about to happen on the new car." Source: Detroit News
http://www.worldcarfans.com/110120129834/dodge-boss-confirms-viper-resurrection-in-2013

Dubbed "Stryker," the new Viper's mascot merges elements of the car's former badges to create a tough new image for the company's flagship muscle car, The Motor Report website said.

Edmunds Inside Line said the new logo was designed by 20-something Vince Galante and dubbed "Stryker.â?? The story said the new logo is only the third since Viper was launched as a 1992 model, following earlier logos "Sneaky Pete" and "Fang."

SRT design boss Mark Trostle said the team knew it had spot-ted a winning image the moment Galante dropped his sketchbook on the meeting table, according to The Motor Report.

As Trostle explained to the website, "We said, â??Thatâ??s it.â?? We knew Vince had created a new icon. The new Stryker badge is the most refined, sinister looking and beautiful badge yet, just like
https://dealerconnect.chrysler.com/portal/Controller/Portal

Have You Seen Stryker?

Stryker Logo
https://dealerconnect.chrysler.com/portal/Controller/Portal

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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew, Albany (N.Y.) Times Union, Feb. 14
o Chrysler knows a thing or two about minivans; for 2012, the Dodge Caravan returns with a five-model lineup, the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union said. In full cargo mode, the Grand Caravan can hold up to a cavernous 144 cubic feet of gear, the paper said. The 3.6 liter V-6, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, delivers 283 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque, enough to make the vehicle class competitive and fine for all driving situations, the review said. The Grand Caravan is stable feeling, with a conveniently tight turning radius; ride quality is firmer than most of its peers, though still comfortable, the article said. When it comes to moving people and cargo, minivans are the hands-down champs, and Chrysler has been working this segment since they built the first minivan 28 years ago: Their latest models are fine representatives of the breed, the review said. With well thought out features like their signature stow-and-go seating, the Grand Caravan remains a front row choice in the class that they created, the Times Union said
https://dealerconnect.chrysler.com/portal/Controller/Portal

Chrysler LLC Restructures and Expands Incentive Plan to Benefit Members of the U.S. Military and Their Families

A $500 cash allowance will be applied toward the retail purchase or lease of a new, eligible Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle. A three-year lube, oil and filter service contract also is provided. All franchised Chrysler LLC dealers in the U.S. are eligible to participate.

Eligible consumers include the active military, active military reserve, as well as retired military and retired military reserve with 20 years of service. Honorably discharged veterans are eligible for this program within six months of their discharge from active duty. The vehicle sale or lease must be registered in either the name of the eligible participant or registered in the name of an immediate family member living in the same household.

"Chrysler thanks the men and women who wear the uniform for this country, and their families who support them, with the 2008 Military Consumer Cash/Service Contract program," Michael Keegan, Vice President - Volume Planning and Sales Operations, Chrysler, said. "We would like to honor those who serve by extending our military-only benefits program to include Chrysler and Dodge products in addition to Jeep, as a special offer to our servicemen and women."

Originally, the Chrysler military discount program applied solely to the Jeep brand lineup of vehicles, but has been expanded to include the three-year service contract and now applies to the entire Chrysler LLC portfolio of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products.

Military Initiatives

This incentive is in addition to Chrysler’s recent announcement joining America Supports You(ASY), a Department of Defense program that connects nonprofit support groups with military men and women and their families.

Chrysler also supports the Freedom Calls Foundation and Operation Gratitude, two ASY homefront groups dedicated to improving morale for soldiers and their families. The Freedom Calls Foundation connects troops deployed in Iraq and their families in the United States through videoconferencing, and Operation Gratitude lifts troop morale through the delivery of care packages filled with items donated by citizens in the United States.

The 2008 Military Consumer Cash/Service Contract program applies to all 2008 model year Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, but excludes the Dodge Viper, Dodge Sprinter and all SRT8® model vehicles or fleet vehicles.

http://www.jeep.com/en/experience/news/articles/?guid=2008_3_6_restructures_and_expands_incentive_plan

Chrysler Brand Wins 2008 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Award

• Consumer perception data leads to Chrysler brand being chosen for a best exterior design honor
• Award reinforces brand's standing as the leader in design, agile performance and innovative technology

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 25, 2008 - The Chrysler brand's reputation as a leader in design, agile performance and innovative technology at a great value was reinforced by Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, as the brand received a 2008 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Award.

The Chrysler brand won for Best Exterior Design – Non-Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Hatchback at an award ceremony held in New York City on March 19 as part of the New York International Auto Show media preview week. Chrysler brand vehicles include the Chrysler Sebring Sedan and Sebring Convertible, PT Cruiser, 300, Town & Country, and Aspen.

The Brand Image Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public. They are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research's Brand Watch Study.

"This is a great honor for Chrysler as it is based on consumer perceptions of our brand," said John Plecha, Director – Chrysler/Jeep® Marketing and Global Communications. "Products like the Chrysler Sebring, 300, and Town & Country have put us at the forefront of the industry in terms of style, design and innovative technology at prices that surprise and delight our customers. It is terrific to see the Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch Study reinforce that consumers embrace striking designs."

"Understanding brand perception is important to gauging vehicle value," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst of Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "Because brand is very important to consumers as they decide which vehicles they are considering and, ultimately, what vehicles they will buy, it is important to study their perceptions of various brands, the attributes that contribute to perceptions, and how those perceptions shift over time."

In total, Kelley Blue Book handed out 17 awards to automotive brands.

Information on the full lineup of award-winning Chrysler vehicles is available at www.chrysler.com.

http://www.chrysler.com/en/experience/news/articles/?guid=2008_3_25_300_kelley_blue_book