Japanese Students craft a Dodge Ram Truck out of a Mazda MPV

We received some e-mails asking us if the green-colored Ram truck hiding behind the Chrysler-ized Prius 300C we showed you earlier today was a tricked out Dodge, or if, like many other project cars shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this too was a replica. The answer is it's a Ram Truck clone based on the Mazda Bongo Friendee, which is a Japanese domestic market MPV with seating for eight, offered between 1995 and 2005. Like the Prius 300C, the Ram Truck Friendee was built by a team of students from the Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology.

Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop

________________________RAM TRUCK FRIENDEE________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________MAZDA BONGO FRIENDEE______________________

Dodge Says Next Viper's Looks to be Inspired by “a Naked Woman on the Beach”

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, the head of Chrysler design boss and head of the Dodge brand, Ralph Gilles, told reporters today that the next generation of the Dodge Viper is going to be “drop-dead beautiful” sporting a look inspired by “a naked woman on the beach”.

With sales of the previous generation steadily declining over the years (only 392 were sold in 2010, when production ceased), a totally redesigned Viper could be just what the doctor ordered for Dodge.

As previously reported, the new model won’t be based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, as some sources suggested, while Gilles also clarified that it’s not going to have Ferrari powerplants either. The Dodge boss was also confident regarding the cost-effectiveness of the Viper, stating that it will be profitable.

The 2013MY Dodge Viper is scheduled to make world premiere next year.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Automotive News

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

America's Top 10 Selling Vehicles in 2010

The U.S. auto sales numbers for 2010 are out and once again, Ford's F-Series pickup truck has been crowned the best-selling vehicle of the year, a title which it has held for 34 years in a row. According to Autodata Corp., the Dearborn-based brand moved 528,349 units of its F-150 light-duty and F-250, F-350 and F-450 heavy-duty trucks in 2010, recording an impressive increase of 27,7 per cent over 2009.

The Chevrolet Silverado took second place with 370,135 units, or some 158,000 less than the F-Series. Sales of GM's pickup truck were up 16,9 per cent from the previous year.

Despite Toyota's recall debacle, the Camry finished third overall earning the title of the best-selling passenger car in the States with 327,804 units, posting an 8.1 per cent drop from 2009. The Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla followed in fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Overall, U.S. automakers had four vehicles on the Top 10 list, while Japanese carmakers took six spots. For more details check out the complete list below that includes percentage changes from 2009.

1. Ford F-Series------------- 528,349 (+27.7%)
2. Chevrolet Silverado ------370,135 (+16.9 %
3. Toyota Camry ------------327,804 (-8.1 %)
4. Honda Accord-------------282,530 (-1.7 %)
5. Toyota Corolla------------ 266,082 (-10.4 %)
6. Honda Civic---------------260,218 (+0.2 %)
7. Nissan Altima-------------229,263 (+12.6 %)
8. Ford Fusion---------------219,219 (+21.3 %)
9. Honda CR-V-------------- 203,714 (+6.5 %)
10. Dodge Ram-------------- 199,652 (+12.6 %)

2010 Dodge Sport Cars Viper SRT10 Final Edition

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 6, 2010 - To celebrate the final year of production for the current-generation Dodge Viper, Dodge Sport Car is building a limited production run of just 50 2010 Viper SRT10 "Final Edition" models.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 "Final Edition"

The current Dodge Viper that we've all come to know and love is heading to that faraway automotive graveyard in the sky. Fret not – we have it on good authority that all supercars go to heaven. To commemorate the occasion, Chrysler has announced that it will build a limited edition 2010 Viper SRT10 "Final Edition" models with a production run of 50 Viper SRT10 Final Edition models.

The Final Edition Viper Sport Car models will be available in Coupe, Roadster and ACR (American Club Racer) model configurations and each will feature a Graphite Clear Coat body with a painted black center stripe traced in red. Viper Coupe and ACR Final Edition models include a black windshield surround. All Final Edition models carry unique side sill badges.

Inside, each car will get side sill badges along with red accent stitching on the black surfaces, plus red painted halo surrounds on the gauge cluster and bright stainless steel screws in center stack bezel. A numbered plaque will be featured on the shifter bezel and the updates will be finished off with Viper Final Edition floor mats.

Available in Coupe, Roadster and ACR (American Club Racer) model configurations, each Final Edition Viper exterior features a Graphite Clear Coat body with a painted black center stripe traced in red. Viper Coupe and ACR Final Edition models include a black windshield surround. All Final Edition models carry unique side sill badges.

The black interior features custom red accent stitching, red painted halo surrounds on the gauge cluster and bright stainless steel screws in center stack bezel. A numbered dash plaque (1-50) is located on the shifter bezel just above the unique Viper Final Edition floor mats.

All Viper Final Edition Coupe and Roadster models will wear six-spoke wheels painted in Anthracite, while ACR models will come with five-spoke Sidewinder wheels in black.

Mechanically, there are no changes to the Final Edition Viper. The beasty sports car retains its standard 8.4-liter V-10 engine, producing 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. That means all Final Edition models will rocket from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, while being able to hit a top speed of 202 mph. Production of the Viper Final Edition will begin this summer, with just 20 coupes, 18 roadsters, and 12 ACRs being produced. Despite not having pricing information available yet, if you want one, you better get your order in quick.

Dodge will build 20 Final Edition Coupes, 18 Roadsters and just 12 ACRs, each dipped in a bath of Graphite Clear Coat with a black center stripe that's outlined in red. Coupes and ACRs will also get a black windshield surround that the Roadster does without. Capping off the exterior are anthracite six-spoke wheels for the Coupe and Roadster and black Sidewinder wheels for the ACR.

Production of the 2010 Dodge Viper Final Edition models is scheduled to begin in early summer.

1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car Hits the Auction Block, Again

You are looking at the first Dodge ever to use the Charger nameplate, the 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car. Developed in late 1963 on Polara underpinnings, it was used by Chrysler to showcase its newest engine at the time, the now iconic 426-cubic inch (7.0-liter) Hemi V8.

Owned by several collectors over its 47-year existence, this rare piece of automotive heritage is going to be auctioned off at this year’s Automobiles of Arizona event held at Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, on January 20. RM Auctions hasn’t released an official estimate yet, but last time it changed hands in 2007, it fetched US $1.1 million.

Currently found on the late John M. O’Quinn’s estate, the 1964 concept car has been completely restored by multiple award-winner Fran Roxas and it has one of the original 15 race Hemi engines, rated at 600+ horsepower.

According to the spec sheet, the first Charger also comes with a 3-speed automatic transmission, independent torsion bar front and rear semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension, 4.56:1 “Sure Grip” rear axle and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

Looking at the photos it’s clear that the car is in pristine condition – it has been kept in climate-controlled storage – and I, for one, would definitely prefer to buy this gem over a modern vehicle costing the same amount of money.

By Csaba Daradics

Source / Photos: RM Auctions

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Triple Recall for Dodge Affects Over 144,000 Journey and Ram Vehicles

The Chrysler Group is recalling certain Dodge Journey crossovers and Ram trucks in three separate actions to repair defective steering wheels, airbags and noisy rear axles.

The largest of Chrysler's recalls involves 65,180 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2007, through September 7, 2008. According to a posting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], the wires within the front door wire harnesses may fatigue and break. If this happens, the side-impact sensors may not work resulting in inoperative side airbags. Chrysler said it will replace the left and right door wiring harnesses free of charge.

The second recall affects a total of 22,274 Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks to address a problem with the steering system. NHSTA said these vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod resulting in the potential loss of steering. The Detroit automaker will fix the aforementioned issue by replacing the left outer tie rod free of charge.

Finally, the Chrysler Group is recalling 56,611 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from September 2009 through December 2010 to fix components within the rear axle. "Some vehicles may experience a noise (growl, grind) coming from the rear axle bearing which could eventually seize," said the NHTSA posting.

All three recalls are expected to begin in February 2011.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________