2013 Dodge Viper

When the last Dodge Viper rolled off the assembly line in July, there were only rumors about a new generation. A couple of months later, new information leaked about a possible successor, said to have been an “Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione with a Viper face”, much to the dismay of Viper fanatics. Some even went as far as to speculate that the Viper could be based on the Alfa’s platform.

Now, The Detroit News reports that Chrysler officials confirmed that next summer we will see the 2013MY Viper adding that it won’t be based on Alfa’s supercar. In particular, Dodge CEO, Ralph Gilles, said that the new Viper “is not based on anything else” and any similarity with the Alfa is accidental, as the two cars have different proportions.

“Where the cabin is, relative to the wheels, is unique” said Gilles. “The Viper cabin is very rearward and the hood is very long. Few cars in the industry are designed with those proportions anymore” he added.

Mr. Gilles also reassured that “there won’t be a part of the car that’s untouched” and that the 2013 Viper will be “a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people”.

Indeed, the previous generation was an unforgiving beast, without any electronic gizmos, bent on destroying those who treated it with disrespect. Granted, this accounted for much of its appeal, but a more drivable Viper is not such a bad idea – or at least it isn’t for some.

The extent to which Dodge plans to dilute the sports car’s much character is not known at this point. We just hope that Chrysler will keep a fine balance between the ingredients.

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is minivan that have price range at $21,800. With boxy styling reminiscent more of the original model rather than the jellybean look of more-recent revisions, innovations such as Stow-N-Go fold-into-the-floor second-row seats, kid-friendly features like Swivel-N-Go seating and a rear-seat entertainment system, available in-vehicle wireless internet, and a relatively-low asking price (not to mention the copious sums of cash Chrysler puts on the hood), the Grand Caravan aims to maintain Dodge‘s slice of the shrinking but still important minivan market.
2010 Dodge Grand Caravan.

The front-wheel-drive 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is equipped with one of three V6 engines. The base SE trim gets a 3.3-liter V6 good for 175 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic is standard. Fuel economy for this engine — at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. The SXT comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 197 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque and gets 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Optional on the SXT is a more modern 4.0-liter V6 rated at 251 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, as well as a superior 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. Both SXT engines come with a six-speed automatic. The 4.0-liter Grand Caravan goes from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, which is quick for a minivan.

The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan has strong safety scores and plenty of versatile passenger and cargo space. Its vast interior is widely praised, with an innovative seating arrangement and enough entertainment features, standard or optional, to keep the kids entertained on road trips. The Grand Caravan comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, active front headrests and full-length side curtain airbags. Optional on both the SE and SXT trims are second-row integrated child booster seats (requires Swivel ‘n Go). Optional on the SXT is the Security Group, which adds rear parking sensors, a blind-spot monitoring system and Rear Cross Path. The latter feature audibly warns drivers of cross traffic in both directions to help prevent a side-impact collision. A rearview camera is also available.