Modern Mopar Magazine

Wiring Issue: 2013 Challengers

By MMM | Published March 17, 2013

March 17, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Chrysler Group is recalling approximately 2,500 model-year 2013 Dodge Challengers now in customer hands to address a potential short-circuit.

This condition could cause a wire harness to overheat and possibly lead to fire. Chrysler Group is aware of seven such incidents. None caused injury.

Affected owners are being contacted directly – by telephone and by mail. They are being advised to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers. Loaner vehicles will be provided, free of charge, until repairs are complete. Chrysler Group further advises affected owners not to park their vehicles in or near any structures.

Customers who are uncertain if they are affected should take the above precautions and inquire with their dealers.

This action affects only 2013 Dodge Challengers assembled with V-6 engines during an eight-week period ending Jan. 24, 2013.

The total recall population is 4,459 vehicles, of which approximately 1,900 are in dealer hands.

Posted in Challenger, Chrysler Group | Leave a comment

2013 SRT Viper GTS-R Documentary to Air on SPEED TV

By MMM | Published March 14, 2013

In advance of Saturday’s Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the season-opening event of the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patron, the SRT Viper GTS-R will be featured in a one-hour documentary entitled, “SRT Viper: Soul Survivor,” airing on Speed TV this Friday.

The behind the scenes television feature follows SRT Viper events during the past year, beginning with its unveiling at the New York International Auto Show last April, as well as events at Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, Barrett-Jackson auctions and several ALMS races where the SRT Motorsports team and two Viper GTS-Rs prepared for their historic return to full-time road racing in 2013.

The documentary takes an in-depth look at the rebirth of the GTS-R race car with unprecedented all-access coverage of SRT and Riley Technologies as the team prepares for its historic return to the race track.

The Viper’s successful racing heritage began in 1996 with its first racing entry, the original GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997 to 1999 FIA GT championships in addition to the three consecutive one-two finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTS class.

The premier of “SRT Viper: Soul Survivor” will air on Speed TV, at 8 p.m. Friday March 15 Eastern with an encore presentation set for March 15 at 11 p.m. Eastern time.

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Mopar, Magneti Marelli Partnership Extends w/ Matt Hagan’s Charger Funny Car

By MMM | Published March 14, 2013

Mopar’s aftermarket partner, Magneti Marelli is expanding its relationship with Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer care brand, as well as its involvement in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing series. The international automotive parts supplier will partner with Mopar as primary sponsors of Don Schumacher Racing’s Dodge Charger R/T driven by Matt Hagan for multiple races during the 2013 season.
Race fans will notice a fresh new look to Hagan’s Funny Car starting this weekend at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., as a ‘Magneti Marelli Quality Auto Parts Offered by Mopar’ primary paint scheme will be highlighted on the Dodge Charger R/T entry. The same scheme will soon be displayed on the team’s transporter, as well as driver and crew uniforms.

“2013 is a very important year for us to educate the aftermarket world that Magneti Marelli stands for Quality Automotive Parts for All Vehicle Makes and we are very proud to partner with Don Schumacher Racing and Matt Hagan to build that awareness,” says Pietro Berardi, Magneti Marelli CEO of Global Aftermarket, about the partnership expansion. “It’s a perfect match since Magneti Marelli has a long history of motorsports involvement and we are excited to expand our reach within the NHRA racing. We are looking forward to a successful season with Matt Hagan as well as Allen Johnson who we also sponsor.”

“We are excited to continue and expand our relationship with Matt Hagan and Don Schumacher Racing by including our partnership with Magneti Marelli and continue to raise awareness for our brands and quality products,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Along with our Mopar fans, we look forward to watching and supporting Matt and his hard-working team as they compete for another championship. The extension of our partnership with Magneti Marelli to include this primary sponsorship bolsters our collective commitment and support of NHRA drag racing.”

Mopar’s involvement with the NHRA originated in the 1950s with legendary racer Don Garlits, and includes a long-standing relationship with Don Schumacher and his team that began in 1970. Magneti Marelli’s history is steeped in racing tradition as well, having been involved in Formula 1 since 1950, as well as World Rally Championship and most recently the American Le Mans Series with the Chrysler Group’s SRT Viper program. Both brands’ involvement in motorsports has provided not only sponsorship, but a supply of high-performance parts and advanced technologies.

Mopar and Magneti Marelli’s racing alliance began at the start of last season with the associate sponsorship of the Don Schumacher Racing team and that of 2012 Pro Stock Champion Allen Johnson. After exploring the opportunity to be more closely involved with Mopar in NHRA, the choice to increase Magneti Marelli’s participation and promote both brands’ passion for racing and quality parts was an easy one to make.

The two brands partnered in April 2011, combining Mopar’s 75 years of U.S. automotive parts and service prowess with Magneti Marelli’s 93 years of international automotive parts experience to create an automotive parts giant that provides quality parts for all makes and models of vehicles nearly as quickly as one of Matt Hagan’s final elimination runs on the drag strip.

The partnership and launch of the “All Makes” parts program for the North American aftermarket gave the Chrysler Group dealership network and its customers the ability to service competitive make and model vehicles with high-quality parts at an exceptional value, creating one-stop service and parts shops for customers.

Since its introduction, the “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” program has grown to encompass more than 30 product lines and in excess of 2,000 part numbers, including top-selling maintenance products such as filters and brake components. Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar product lines also feature electrical products, exhaust products, window motors and assemblies, wheel bearings and hubs, water pumps and timing belts, remanufactured starters and alternators, chassis and suspension components as well as air conditioning components.

Posted in Chrysler Group, Matt Hagan, Racing | Leave a comment

Chrysler Group CEO Marchionne’s Customized 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 to Auction

By MMM | Published March 12, 2013

In support of United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM), a package of Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne’s customized 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and Mopar’s latest HEMI® V-8 crate engine will be auctioned with all proceeds going to UWSEM. The auction will take place during the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Fla., April 4-6, 2013.

This special contribution runs concurrent with United Way’s annual community giving campaign that was launched in September with a $35 million fundraising goal for the organization. Marchionne, who serves as Campaign Chair for the campaign, helped kick-off the annual campaign on Sept. 14 with a symbolic torch lighting ceremony on Detroit’s Hart Plaza.

“It gives me great pleasure to thank Sergio Marchionne and Chrysler Group for their commitment to Detroit and its surrounding communities,” said Michael J. Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Through the generous support of those who open their hearts and wallets during the Barrett-Jackson auction, United Way can capitalize on the ability to accelerate the impact of its work in three interconnected areas: education, income and basic needs.”

Marchionne’s personal, one-of-a-kind 2011 Pitch Black Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 features a set of custom mixed “Dark Charcoal” racing stripes that were hand laid by the designers in the SRT brand design studio and applied by the master painters from the Chrysler Group’s Product Design Office.

The Challenger SRT8 392 has been lowered using a Mopar adjustable coil-over suspension kit to add even more performance attitude to its aggressive stance. The car also features a Mopar exhaust system. The SRT designers wanted a sinister look from every angle, so the tail lamps have been “smoked” and the iconic 392 HEMI® fender badges have been re-created in gloss and satin black finishes. The factory forged 20-inch-by-9-inch wheels have been finished in matte black to complete its menacing looks.

The interior features custom-trimmed black leather seats embroidered with SRT and 392 logos. Inside the instrument cluster, the SRT-exclusive Electronic Vehicle Information Center with performance pages provides the driver with trip information, multimedia information from the Media Center radio, along with instant feedback for 0-60 mph, 60-0 mph braking, one-eighth mile and quarter-mile elapsed times along with various G-force measurements.

As equipped from the factory, Marchionne’s Challenger SRT8 392 is powered by the proven 392-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) HEMI V-8 engine that pumps out 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque across a wide rpm range while still delivering up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway with its six-speed manual transmission. This legendary V-8 has gained some serious technology over the years and now features an active intake and an innovative cam in cam variable-cam timing that manipulates timing and overlap. Like the original 392 HEMI models from Chrysler Group, this Challenger backs its road presence with performance numbers such as 0-60 mph in the high 4-second range and quarter-mile elapsed time in the high 12s.

Mopar’s newest all-aluminum crate engine – the Gen III 426 HEMI V-8 is rated at 540 horsepower and 530 ft.-lbs. of torque for the buyer who wants even more hard charging horsepower from under the hood.

For information on online and phone bidding, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com/bid/.

Posted in Challenger, Chrysler Group | Leave a comment

Test Drive a Ram Truck During the Oklahoma City Auto Show for a Chance to Win Rodeo Tickets

By MMM | Published March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – From March 7-10, 2013, Chrysler Group LLC will bring interactive vehicle exhibits to the Oklahoma City International Auto Show, including a ride-along test track simulating off-road driving and a multi-brand vehicle test drive.

Fans test driving the 2013 Ram 1500, recently named 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year, may be eligible to receive two complimentary tickets to attend the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo (RNCFR) while ticket supplies last.

“We are proud to be a part of the Ram Rodeo Series and to give our mutual fans the opportunity to ride and drive the most innovative lineup of full-size pickup trucks on the market,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. “The Ram Truck test drive will be engaging and memorable for riders as they experience the refined interior, capabilities and handling of the Ram 1500, 2500 or 3500.”

As part of the multi-brand vehicle test drive, attendees will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of their favorite Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, and FIAT brand vehicles from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. March 8 and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. March 9 and 10.

The 28th annual RNCFR, taking place from April 4 – 6, at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City will showcase national championship rodeo competitions from across the country competing in the seven traditional rodeo events, including saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. The RNCFR will feature performances by country music stars following the events taking place on April 5 and 6.

For the last 32 years, the Ram Truck brand has proudly sponsored the Ram Rodeo Series. Starting with only 18 events in 1981, the Ram Truck brand and local Ram Truck brand dealerships have teamed up to host over 560 rodeos a year, across the United States. The Ram Rodeo Series was created to be an experience to showcase the sport as it blends local dealer involvement, while paving the way for future generations of cowboys and cowgirls through scholarships, auctions and various initiatives.

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Solid Qualifying Performances for Mopar at Phoenix

By MMM | Published February 24, 2013

Mopar drivers and teams rolled out solid qualifying performances for the Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second event on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Don Schumacher Racing’s Johnny Gray drove his Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to the top of the scoring sheets in a dominant manner with the two best runs of qualifying, posting a pass of 4.034 seconds at 313.80 mph to earn the top qualifier honors. It is the second consecutive year Gray has earned the pole position at Phoenix and the fourth time of his career.

DSR teammate Matt Hagan put his Mopar into the No. 2 spot with a best run in Friday qualifying of 4.062 sec / 311.20 mph. Fellow DSR driver Ron Capps, currently second in the Funny Car standings on the basis of his runner-up finish in the season opener last weekend, posted the fifth quickest pass, while another Mopar teammate, Jack Beckman, has qualified tenth. Jeff Arend (13th) and Todd Lesenko (14th) bring the total to six Dodge Charger R/T entries in the sixteen qualified positions for the elimination rounds.
In Pro Stock qualifying, all four full-time Mopar entries earned spots in top half of 16-car field for final eliminations with a total of seven Dodge Avengers moving on to compete on Sunday.

V. Gaines led the HEMI®-powered contingency in both Friday qualifying sessions by posting the second quickest elapsed time run of 6.529 sec / 212.63 mph which was good enough to keep him in the No. 2 qualifier position. The No.1 qualifier moniker went to Mike Edwards who set a track record low e.t and top speed of 6.498 sec /213.13 mph.

Mopar’s Allen Johnson posted the best run of the third qualifying session with a 6.542 second, 212.03 mph pass to earn a three point bonus and secure a fifth place spot. Jeg Coughlin Jr., runner-up in the season opener, qualified right behind his teammate in sixth spot.
“We’re steadily making ground with both Mopar cars and the things we tried on mine in the third round, we put on Jeggy’s (Coughlin) car in the fourth round so he picked up a little there,” says Johnson. “We have very raceable cars for tomorrow. We’re not quite as fast as we want to be but we’re close and still leaving a little on the table. Having lane choice is going to be really critical for tomorrow’s racing as the right lane is much better than the left, so we want to maintain lane choice at all costs.”

Last week’s winner at Pomona and Pro Stock points leader Vincent Nobile claimed the eighth quickest qualifying run of the weekend, which means all four Mopar drivers will be given the all-important lane choice for first round of final eliminations. Nobile, Coughlin and Gaines currently hold the top three positions in the points standing while Johnson is in sixth place.
Three additional Dodge Avengers have made the field with Chris McGaha, Matt Hartford and Deric Kramer securing the 12th, 13th and 14th spots respectively.

The Arizona Nationals will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD with 90 minutes of qualifying coverage airing on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 a.m. (ET) and again at 8 a.m. (ET). Three hours and 30 minutes of final elimination coverage will be presented Sunday evening starting at 8 p.m. (ET).

Funny Car 1st Round Match-Ups:
1. Johnny Gray (Dodge Charger R/T) vs. 16. Robert Hight
2. Matt Hagan (Dodge Charger R/T) vs. 15. Phil Burkart
3. Courtney Force vs. 14. Todd Lesenko (Dodge Charger R/T)
4. Cruz Pedregon vs. 13. Jeff Arend (Dodge Charger R/T)
5. Ron Capps(Dodge Charger R/T) vs. 12. Tony Pedregon
6. John Force vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria
7. Bob Tasca III vs. 10. Jack Beckman (Dodge Charger R/T)
8. Tim Wilkerson vs. 9. Del Worsham

Pro Stock 1st Round Match-Ups:
1. Mike Edwards vs. 16. Steve Kent
2. V. Gaines (Dodge Avenger) vs. 15. Larry Morgan
3. Jason Line vs. 14. Deric Kramer (Dodge Avenger)
4. Greg Anderson vs. 13. Matt Hartford (Dodge Avenger)
5. Allen Johnson (Dodge Avenger) vs. 12. Chris McGaha (Dodge Avenger)
6. Jeg Coughlin (Dodge Avenger) vs. 11. Rodger Brogdon
7. Erica Enders-Stevens vs. 10. Shane Gray
8. Vincent Nobile (Dodge Avenger) vs. 9. Greg Stanfield

Posted in Chrysler Group, Racing | Tagged mopar, nhra | Leave a comment

Our Flicker Photostream

By MMM | Published February 23, 2013

If you have a few minutes (or hours) to kill, flip through our Flickr photostream and mark your favorites!

Modern Mopar Magazine’s photostream on Flickr.

Posted in Magazine Infomation | Leave a comment

Jeep Cherokee Returns

By MMM | Published February 22, 2013

Jeep® Cherokee. The name is instantly recognizable as the most capable and versatile mid-size SUV in the world. For 2014, Jeep brings the Cherokee name back to North America with the debut of its all-new mid-size sport-utility vehicle.

Set to debut at the New York International Auto Show in March, the all-new, “no-compromise” 2014 Jeep Cherokee sets a new standard with even more best-in-class capability, exemplary on-road driving dynamics, and fuel economy improvements of more than 45 percent versus the outgoing mid-size SUV model.

The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be built in the United States at Chrysler Group’s Toledo Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio, and will arrive in dealer showrooms in the third quarter of this year.

Posted in Jeep | Tagged cherokee, jeep | Leave a comment

Mopar All Fired Up for Phoenix

By MMM | Published February 22, 2013

February 21, 2013 , Phoenix, Ariz. – After a strong showing by Mopar entries at the opening event of the 2013 National Hot Rod Association Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season last Sunday, which included a title win after three Dodge entries battled their way to the final elimination rounds at the Winternationals, teams and drivers are anxious for a repeat performance at the Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix this weekend.

Vincent Nobile posted the first victory of the season after a final round face-off against fellow HEMI®-powered teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Pro Stock, to put the pair 1-2 in the Pro Stock standings. The Dodge Avenger of V. Gaines is close behind in third spot on the basis of a strong qualifying performance that saw him equal his best start as no. 2 qualifier, and a second round win against Allen Johnson. Johnson’s Pro1 isn’t too far behind sitting fifth in the standing, putting all four full-time Mopars in the top-5 in points heading into qualifying at Phoenix.

All four also have experience winning at Firebird International Raceway. Nobile beat Johnson in final eliminations to earn a title win in 2011, while Johnson’s last win at Phoenix was in 2005. Gaines’s victory in 2008 ended a seven-year winless streak for him, while Coughlin is hoping to take home a third title win from the event to build on his runner-up performance to start the 2013 season.

“The last six runs we made in Pomona, the two during Saturday qualifying and four we made on race day, gave us so much confidence and that feeling is leading us into Phoenix with a lot of positive attitudes,” Coughlin said. “The only thing we could have done better was win the race so we’ll try to take that final step this weekend. Phoenix would be a great place to put the JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger in the winner’s circle.”

“I love coming to this race because I love the area, and while the facility is older, the track surface is good and we’ve had both success and some disappointments here,” said Johnson who finds running at Firebird has always been bittersweet. “We’ve celebrated a win here and it’s also where my dad (Roy) suffered a heart attack (in 2009) but was saved, so we have some history here and I hope to add one more good memory.”

While Don Schumacher Racing’s Ron Capps lost his final elimination Funny Car match-up to Courtney Force in the season opener, his confidence is high due to his past performance at the popular desert track, which includes two wins in five final round appearances and two No. 1 qualifying positions. Capps sits second in the standings with his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Johnny Gray right behind him in third spot.

Matt Hagan is happy with his solid qualifying effort and quarterfinal finish in the Mopar Dodge Charger R/T last week but is looking to build on his seventh place spot in the top-10 standings. Meanwhile, defending NHRA Funny Car Champ Jack Beckman, ninth on the scoring sheets, would love to become a four-time winner at Phoenix.

“I’ve had great luck at Phoenix, and I don’t know why,” said Beckman of the three wins he’s posted there in the last five years. “Three of my 15 Funny Car trophies came at Firebird. I don’t think I drive any better there, I don’t think our tune-ups are better there. But it is a cool feeling where you’re familiar with the winner’s circle.”

Posted in Chrysler Group, Racing | Tagged mopar, nhra | Leave a comment

USW Forged … forges ahead!

By MMM | Published February 18, 2013

Many Modern Mopar readers are familiar with the innovative wheel designs of USW Forged, which has been around since the birth of the LX platform back in 2005. What many readers may not know is that last year the parent company that owned USW Forged was bought out by an overseas company which planned to dissolve USW Forged, the wheel designs, and the brand all together. Luckily a group of enthusiasts who were intimately familiar with the brand heard of this development and immediately met with the new owner to find a way to preserve the USW legacy. Shortly after their meeting these enthusiasts constructed a plan and purchased USW; thus preserving the brand and its history of providing high quality and unique wheel designs to the Mopar enthusiast community. Although the operating offices have been moved to Houston, TX, the manufacturing still takes place in Southern California. That’s right … Made in the USA!

Not only have the brand and designs been saved but now the wheels are built to even higher exacting standards and each set is DOT safety rated. Their meticulous wheel manufacturing process focuses on quality, reliability, and safety. With new blood also came new innovation; USW now offers their wheel designs in centerline, concave, deep concave, and new monoblock forged versions. Finishes include chrome, polished, powdercoated, painted, and even a carbon fiber finish. Staying true to its roots, each set of USW Forged wheels is built from aircraft-grade 6160 high quality aluminum tempered to a T6 hardness. If you are in the market for wheels be sure to check out USW Forged at www.uswforged.com or call them at 713.680.8170. Be sure to mention you are a Modern Mopar reader for a limited time 10% discount off your custom forged wheels!

USW Forged
713.680.8170 main
info@uswforged.com

2855 Mangum Road Suite B208
Houston TX 77092
www.uswforged.com

Posted in New Products | Tagged press release, usw forged | 2 Comments