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This is from a review from detnews.com of the 300C SRT-8. It is compared to the Cadillac CTS-V and Benz c55 AMG. Both cars cost more than 10,000 than the 300 SRT-8.

"But as I passed the young highway construction worker in goatee, blue jeans, yellow hard hat and orange vest, I could see his head swivel ever so slightly to follow the progress of my brilliant black 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8.

Ah, so this is what the marketing folks mean by an "aspirational" vehicle.

And what red-blooded American male wouldn't want to take a turn behind the wheel of the SRT-8, an uber-macho Detroit sedan on steroids, powered by a super-size edition of Chrysler's iconic Hemi V-8?"

"The first Jeep Grand Cherokee created the luxury sport-utility market," said Jeff Bell, Vice President - Jeep. "Since then, many very strong competitors have intensified the full-size SUV market. Yet, none have matched Grand Cherokee's combination of legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, on-road refinement, technological innovations and safety features."

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales in March 2005 were 18,828 units, lifting sales to 3,013,296 units since the 1992 introduction of the vehicle. Last month's Grand Cherokee sales were up compared to February 2005 (15,531 units) and March 2004 (17,105 units).

The first Jeep Grand Cherokee (code named ZJ) was introduced as a 1993 model. It achieved levels of comfort, ride and handling previously unavailable in a sport-utility vehicle, and was the first SUV to be equipped with a driver's side air bag.

The second generation Grand Cherokee (WJ) was introduced in 1998 as a1999 model. Among its noteworthy features was the new Quadra-Drive® transfer case. A new concept in four-wheel-drive systems, it incorporated a progressive, speed-sensing torque transfer coupling. The system marked the first industry use of Vari-Lok axles that had progressive, speed-sensing torque transfer differentials, in both front and rear axles. Combining Quadra-Trac II® and Vari-Lok yielded the revolutionary Quadra-Drive system, which, without any driver involvement, keeps the vehicle moving even if only one wheel has minimal traction - a key customer benefit under all driving conditions.

The current model (WK) was unveiled last year. All-new from the ground up, the award-winning 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best Grand Cherokee ever. Besides three new full-time four-wheel-drive systems, two new transfer cases, all-new independent and front suspension, rack and pinion steering (Jeep firsts), and an all-new five-speed transmission, the current Grand Cherokee was the first Jeep vehicle available with the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 and the Multi-Displacement System (MDS). MDS imperceptibly deactivates four cylinders when the V-8 is not needed. (The all-new 2006 Jeep Commander, due in showrooms this fall, will also be available with the HEMI engine.)

The design of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is athletic and contemporary, yet embodies classic Jeep styling, including the Jeep brand's signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel openings. The new interior is refined, featuring a two-tone instrument panel with an easy-to-read instrument cluster, firm, beautifully crafted seats, chrome accents throughout, a gated automatic shifter and plenty of storage bins.

Safety features include Electronic Stability Program, an All-Speed Traction Control System, advanced multi-stage air bags with an Occupant Classification System, anti-lock brakes, and SmartBeamTM headlamps that automatically and quickly adjust high-beam brightness and intensity, depending on nighttime light sources or traffic.

Jeep brand sales continued their monthly sales acceleration by posting sales of 40,491 units in March, an increase of 1 percent over February 2005 sales.

The bold automotive heritage that was launched with the Dodge Brothers first touring car in 1915, and lives on in the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger, is showcased in "Dodge Legends," a special exhibition running May 24 – Aug. 21 at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Celebrating more than eight decades of automotive engineering and design excellence, "Dodge Legends" features 19 significant vehicles that build on the brand’s early reputation for unprecedented dependability to also embrace the tough, fast, powerful and street-smart image it revels in today.

These bold characteristics converge in the new 2006 Dodge Charger. "Dodge Legends" heralds the introduction of the new Charger, which provides exactly what performance enthusiasts want in an American muscle sedan: more power, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking, functional and aggressive-looking exterior enhancements and a race-inspired interior.

Among the other exhibition vehicles that spotlight Dodge heritage are:

• 1996 Dodge Viper GTS – The original Viper roadster was tapped as the Indianapolis 500 pace car in 1991. The introduction of the GTS version resulted in a second pace car appearance just five years later.

• 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A – In 1966 the Sports Car Club of America created the Trans-American road racing series for “production small sedans” and GM and Ford eagerly showcased their “pony cars.” With the debut of the Challenger, Dodge’s first pony car, and the third generation Barracuda, Chrysler also entered Trans-Am racing.

• 1968 Dodge Charger – Completely restyled from previous models, this Charger became known as the “Coke bottle” design—featuring a new roof line and hidden headlights.

• 1956 Dodge Royal Lancer D-500 – The D-500 was a pivotal car for Dodge, and marked the brand’s transition from conservative family vehicles to absolute race-ready performance cars, making Dodge a serious contender in NASCAR, forever transforming Dodge’s image.

• 1939 Dodge Town Coupe – Dodge celebrated its 25th anniversary with the introduction of this vehicle with all-new styling, evoking the glamour of ocean travel by dubbing them “Luxury Liners.”

• 1929 Dodge Senior Six Roadster – The first full year of Chrysler Corporation ownership of Dodge Brothers resulted in the elevation of the company’s Senior models to a level of luxury not seen in any previous Dodge vehicles. An important engineering feature of 1929 Dodge vehicles was the industry’s first downdraft carburetion system to enter mass production, creating higher horsepower and easier starting.

• 1915 Dodge Brothers Touring Car – The oldest car in the exhibition heralds the Dodge Brothers conversion from the world’s largest supplier of automobile parts to manufacturers of their own car. It was met with such enthusiastic success that the Dodge Brothers became the third largest manufacturer of cars in their first full year of business.

"Dodge Legends" also offers a perspective of many aspects of Dodge lore and legend:

• The Dodge Brothers launched their car with an innovative advertising campaign that became a classic. Legendary adman Theodore McManus simply rented billboards across the country. On them first appeared the words “Dodge Brothers.” After time had elapsed, sign painters returned to add “Motor Cars” as the next line. After another curiosity-building interval they returned to add the final line: “Dependable.” The campaign brilliantly capitalized on the Dodges’ fame as suppliers of Model T mechanical parts, and generated intense public interest. The cars backed it up.

• The Dodge Brothers never tried to sell cars based on top speed; their first car “chugged’ out of their plant in 1914 with an engine whose basic design lasted until 1928. But they built a durable car and drive train, and that made Dodge cars suitable for racing, especially rough and tumble dirt track racing. By the 1920s Dodge vehicles—some fitted with special 16-valve overhead cam cylinder heads sold by makers of racing equipment—were a familiar and successful fixture on dirt tracks.

• Dodge cars remained “dependable” and, by extension, practical into the 1950s when American affluence made “practical” obsolete in the U.S. market. Virgil Exner revamped Dodge’s fusty styling for 1954 and Dodge’s version of Chrysler’s HEMI V-8—dubbed the “Red Ram”—also became available. Dodge’s suddenly sporty image led to its first Indianapolis 500 pace car. Soon Dodge was selling its own version of the Chrysler 300, the D-500. From there NASCAR, drag racing and, ultimately, Vipers running at LeMans, were part of the Dodge image.

The 55,000 square foot Walter P. Chrysler Museum is on DaimlerChrysler’s Auburn Hills, Mich. complex. The Museum offers three stories of more than 65 vintage, classic, muscle and concept vehicles interspersed with interactive displays and historical exhibits. The Museum also features a 125-seat movie theater highlighting three continuously running short films and a gift shop brimming with exclusive and hard-to-find scale models and collectibles.

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is located at Featherstone and Squirrel Roads and is accessible from I-75 at exit 78.

Museum admission is $6 for adults and $3 for seniors and children 6 – 12. Admission for children five and younger is free and group rates are available. There is no additional charge for "Dodge Legends."

The Museum is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and noon – 6 p.m. Sunday.

Visit the Museum’s Web site at www.chryslerheritage.com or call 888-456-1924 for further information.

• Size of badge increases 145 percent

• Take-rate for the HEMI® is 44 percent

• 556,614 HEMI engines sold
  

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 20, 2005 -Chrysler Group is building a bigger, better HEMI badge.

“By increasing the size of the HEMI badge, we’re building awareness and helping our customers communicate what they’re packing under the hood,” said George Murphy – Senior Vice President, Chrysler Group Marketing.  “With more than 500,000 sold, the HEMI V-8 engine continues to resonate with consumers.  The HEMI has become a brand within our brands.  Across our Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge lineups, the take-rate for the HEMI is 44 percent.”

For Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Jeep Grand Cherokee, the HEMI badge will increase 145 percent in size.  For Dodge Ram and Durango, the size of the HEMI badge will increase 136 percent.

First introduced on the Dodge Ram 2500 in 2003,  Chrysler Group HEMI V-8 engine is elegantly simple.  It achieves power, fuel economy and emissions goals with a design that is uncomplicated and cost effective.  The versatile HEMI V-8 engine powers the Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Ram and Dodge Durango.  Launching this spring, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger will also feature the HEMI.

Improving fuel economy by as much as 20 percent, Chrysler Group’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7-liter HEMI engine is in demand.  For 2005, MDS is available on the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Following are current vehicle-specific take-rates for the HEMI V-8 engine at Chrysler Group:

Vehicle                                HEMI Take-Rate
Dodge Durango                   53 percent
Dodge Ram 1500                48 percent
Dodge Magnum                   46 percent
Dodge Ram 2500/3500    13 percent
Jeep Grand Cherokee         19 percent
Chrysler 300                       41 percent

• Dodge Charger is back...starting at only $22,995

• Dodge Charger R/T, with legendary HEMI® V-8 performance and fuel-saving Multi-displacement System, starting at $29,995

• Electronic Stability Program (ESP), All-speed Traction Control and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) standard on all models

• Modern design for today's muscle car enthusiasts

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 06, 2005 -Chrysler Group today announced U.S. pricing for its all-new 2006 Dodge Charger.  Featuring modern coupe styling with four-door functionality, American rear-wheel-drive muscle car genes, available HEMI® V-8 performance and a host of standard safety and security technology, the 2006 Dodge Charger captures the essence of Dodge Chargers from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s in a modern interpretation.

The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger is $22,995, including $675 destination.  The Dodge Charger will begin to arrive in dealerships this spring.

“Dodge Charger offers bold styling and performance at a tremendous value,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President – Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group.  “For a base price of less than $23,000, Dodge Charger’s muscle car styling comes with standard safety features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), All-speed Traction Control and four-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (ABS).  The Dodge Charger R/T, featuring the legendary 340-horsepower HEMI V-8 engine with the fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS), delivers 0 to 60 times of less than six seconds…for less than $30,000.

“Whether we’re talking cars, trucks or minivans, Dodge is all about affordable performance, and Dodge Charger is no different,” said Jackson.

All versions in the 2006 Dodge Charger lineup are equipped with standard world-class ride and handling and accident-avoidance features, including ESP, All-speed Traction Control, ABS and a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®, which provides a full range of performance to match a variety of driving styles, situations and road conditions.

Chassis components have been specially tuned to provide spirited driving and handling performance to match the personalities of each Dodge Charger in the lineup.

2006 Dodge Charger SE
The 2006 Dodge Charger SE is equipped with a 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine and is tuned to offer athletic and nimble steering and handling attributes.  Other standard features on the Dodge Charger SE include 17-inch tires and steel wheels with bolt-on wheel covers, AM/FM/CD radio system with four speakers, driver and passenger lumbar support seating, electric rear window defroster, manual tilt and telescoping steering column, power mirrors, power trunk lid release, power windows (driver one-touch) and locks with auto reverse sensing system, remote keyless/illuminated entry, speed control and a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system.

The starting U.S. MSRP of the 2006 Dodge Charger SE is $22,995, including $675 destination.

2006 Dodge Charger SXT
The 2006 Dodge Charger SXT also comes with a standard 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine, which provides an outstanding blend of performance and fuel economy, estimated at 19/27 mpg.  The engine delivers 250 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3800 rpm.

In addition to the Dodge Charger SE standard features, Dodge Charger SXT includes 17-inch tires and aluminum wheels, 60/40 split folding rear seat with center armrest, leather steering wheel and shift knob, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, fog lamps, illuminated visor mirrors, Boston Acoustics Sound System with six speakers and 276-watt digital amplifier, chrome grille and heated mirrors.

The starting U.S. MSRP for the Dodge Charger SXT is $25,995, including $675 destination.

2006 Dodge Charger R/T
The 2006 Dodge Charger R/T model is equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with MDS, which offers 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.  The MDS seamlessly alternates between four cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand.  This increases fuel economy up to 20 percent depending on driving conditions, without sacrificing vehicle performance.

Standard features on the 2006 Dodge Charger R/T beyond those on the Dodge Charger SXT include performance brakes and suspension that is tuned for added "touring" performance, 18-inch aluminum wheels and all-season performance tires. Dual-exhaust pipes, heated/folding mirrors and leather seats also are standard.

The starting U.S. MSRP for the Dodge Charger R/T is $29,995, including $675 destination.

The 2006 Dodge Charger SE, SXT and R/T are available in seven exterior colors, including Bright Silver Metallic, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl, Brilliant Black, Magnesium Pearl, Midnight Blue Pearl, Cool Vanilla and Silver Steel Metallic.

2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T
Dodge also announced pricing today for the limited-run 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, which will go into production later this summer. Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will be distinguished by two exterior paint colors – “Go ManGo!,” an updated metallic orange paint initially used for the 1970 Dodge Charger, and “Top Banana,” another high-impact heritage paint name.

In addition to the special exterior paint colors, the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will feature an exclusive front fascia with a chin spoiler and black honeycomb grille, unique black “Daytona” and “HEMI” decals, signature heritage R/T badging and a black rear decklid spoiler.  The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T also will include large, bright, dual-exhaust tips and 18-inch polished wheels with painted pockets. 

The interior of the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will feature performance front seats with suede inserts and embroidered “Daytona” logos on the front headrests.  Body-color accent stitching will appear on the front and rear seats and on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.  A matching body-colored center stack bezel, a “Daytona Limited Edition” display on the electronic cluster and a sequentially numbered limited-production Daytona badge on the instrument panel will complete the unique Dodge Charger Daytona R/T interior.

The powerful HEMI engine, which is boosted to 350 horsepower on the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, will provide a unique throaty exhaust note and feature a HEMI-orange engine cover. 

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T also includes a Road & Track performance handling package featuring 18-inch Michelin MXM4 ASP tires, load leveling suspension, performance brakes and performance steering gear.

The starting U.S. MSRP for the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is $32,495, including $675 destination.

Additional passive and active safety and security features on all 2006 Dodge Charger versions include rear sill reinforcement and structure, energy-absorbing steering column, advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger airbags, occupant classification system and available side-curtain airbags.

Production of the 2006 Dodge Charger SE, SXT and R/T begins this month at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with vehicles available in North American markets later this spring. The 2006 Dodge Charger joins the award-winning Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 vehicles built there. 

Limited production of the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T model in modern Go ManGo! paint will begin early this summer with vehicles available in North American markets soon after.  The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T model with Top Banana paint will be available after the limited production of Go ManGo! vehicles is complete.

With a U.S. market share of seven percent, Dodge is the fourth-largest nameplate in the United States and the eighth-largest nameplate in the automotive industry.  In 2004, Dodge sold more than 1.1 million vehicles.  Dodge brand sales are up three percent year-over-year in 2005.

"Looking for a modern muscle car alternative to the new Ford Mustang GT and Pontiac GTO? You'll need power numbers like 355 horsepower, 365 lb-ft of torque, and a price under $30,000 to compete. But what about a turbocharged front-wheel-drive Dodge Neon weighing less than 3000 pounds with the ability to push well over 20 pounds of boost? Is this a modern muscle car? It definitely is. It's even scary to drive at times, like some of the most bitchin' muscle cars of the 1960s."

"...But the most remarkable thing came to light when the stopwatch stopped watching the cars lap: The Crossfire with its 1-minute 35.09-sec. time was a remarkable 3.79 sec. per lap faster around the Streets of Willow Springs than the Boxster [1:38.88] , and 1.45 sec. ahead of the 350Z [1:36.54]!

All this while being a very kind ride on the street, offering a smooth-enough ride, the ease of an automatic gearbox and the freshest, most distinct exterior styling. And that engine! Neither the Porsche nor the 350Z -- in a virtual tie for second place after the points in all categories were added up -- even came close, although the Nismo is the clear winner in terms of price. But we aren't testing MSRPs. So mark your calendar: This is the day a Chrysler took on a Porsche and a Nissan at the racetrack...and won!"

Swift Jeep Chrysler Dodge has red hot one of a kind cars and trucks in stock available for immediate delivery.

2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8!

2005 Dodge Ram 1500 SRT10 Quad Cab!

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