As the speedy Dodge Viper wraps up production, it gets the chance to make one last showcase. The Viper Cup race series will feature a total of 10 events held at five tracks across the country, starting this weekend. The rules are pretty simple: entrants must take to the field in more or less identical 2010 Viper ACR-X models. The winner walks away with $6,500 in cold hard cash, plus another $1,000 in Mopar Vouchers for parts and the like. Prizes trickle down from there.

Each car in the series is a purpose-built Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X, 640 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque from its massive 8.4-liter V-10 engine. The car weighs 160 pounds less than the production model, and features a full aerodynamic package to improve downforce at high speeds. In short, they’re monsters, and should make for some brilliant racing on the track.

This weekend will actually see the first two events run, as the series doubles up at each track it’s going to, with a race on both Saturday and Sunday of each race weekend. First up is Virginia International Raceway, followed by Hallett Raceway, Pocono Raceway, Miller Motorsports Park, and Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch. The cable network Versus will be broadcasting each event in a 30-minute show format, so while the action won’t be live, folks can enjoy it throughout the country.  Dodge has also even thrown in a few “celebrity” names into the event, including Shaun Bailey, the associate engineering editor at Road & Track, and Sergent Michael Kohn, of Olympic bobsled renown.

When Chrysler LLC merged with Fiat some big changes took place. Models were slashed, while new models were planned. One of the biggest steps the automaker made was to separate Ram trucks into a separate division than its former name, Dodge. It only made since for the Ram brand to keep the trademark ram’s horns logo that adorned Dodge vehicles. So Dodge vehicles needed a new logo of their own. And it was a perfect opertunity for Dodge to reinvent itseld as a  sporty, youth-oriented brand — without pickups. So Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles adopted the twin red slashes of Chrysler Group’s SRT performance brand. The new twin red slashes are supposed to signify Dodge’s sporty character.  The red slashes will appear on new dealer signs, advertising materials, owner’s manuals and merchandise such as hats and T-shirts. On vehicles, the Dodge name will stand by itself in a new script that will appear prominently but without the red slashes. The first vehicles to get the new treatment will be the 2011 Dodge Charger and a seven-seat Dodge crossover that will replace the departed Dodge Durango. Both vehicles will debut in the fourth quarter.
The famous ram’s horns will disappear from other Dodge vehicles gradually in the replacement cycle.

For 2010, the Dodge Caliber got many updates improvements. In addition to many added cabin features, the new 2010 Dodge Caliber features new lifestyle-oriented models (Express, Mainstreet, Heat, Uptown and Rush) bundled with more features.

For customers looking for capability combined with added technology and refinement, the new Dodge Caliber Uptown adds automatic climate control, five-passenger leather seating, power driver’s seat and four-wheel Anti-lock disc Brakes (ABS) to the Caliber Mainstreet.

The new Dodge Caliber Mainstreet offers the features of the Dodge Caliber Express with added capability and style featuring standard 17-inch aluminum wheels, chromed crosshair grille, body-color door handles, fog lamps, folding front-passenger seat, 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seat, touring suspension, tachometer and 2.0-liter 16-valve World Engine with second-generation Continuously-variable Transmission (CVT2).

For customers looking for efficiency and value, the new 2010 Dodge Caliber Express delivers with standard Uconnect Phone, iPod Control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, power windows, mirrors and locks, 115-volt power outlet, cruise control, remote keyless entry, tonneau cover, air conditioning, four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and 2.0-liter 16-valve World Engine with fuel-efficient five-speed manual transmission capable of 31 mpg on the highway.

The all-new Dodge Caliber Heat model takes the Caliber Mainstreet model and adds a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch polished-aluminum wheels, four-wheel Anti-lock disc Brakes (ABS), performance steering, color-keyed instrument panel and seats, B- and C-pillar blackout accents and five-speed manual transmission. MSRP for the 2010 Dodge Caliber Heat is $18,625 (including $630 destination).

And for more power, Dodge Caliber Rush includes a unique five-speed manual transmission mated to a larger 2.4-liter World Engine with 172 horsepower (128 kW) and 165 ft.-lb. (224 N•m) of torque. Equipment differences from the Caliber Heat include 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, SRT-designed spoiler, automatic climate control, Premium Sound Group, Media Center 430 radio with touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive. A CVT2 with Auto Stick is optional.

New 2010 Dodge Journey models add more capability, value and refinement. Delivering more excitement, functionality and value, the 2010 Dodge Journey offers several all-new models packed with upgraded features, all-wheel-drive capability at a best-in-class price and seven-passenger seating to give customers everything they need packaged at a value they can afford.

Compared with its previous lineup, the new entry-level Dodge Journey model gives customers a slew of standard features, including 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, sunscreen glass, body-color mirrors, floor mats and passenger grab handles. A standard fuel-efficient 2.4-liter World Engine powers the Dodge Journey and delivers 25 miles per gallon (mpg) highway fuel economy.

For young families who need more seating, the Express package on the entry-level Dodge Journey model includes 5+2 Flexible Seating, providing a third row that allows owners to comfortably seat seven passengers.

For customers who want more power, the all-new Hero package adds a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 35 percent more power and 40 percent more torque. This quality-proven 235 horsepower (175 kW) 3.5-liter V-6 engine with dual exhausts paired with a six-speed transmission adds more capability, driving performance and 24 mpg highway fuel economy to the Dodge Journey, as well as seven passenger seating.

Attracting singles and young families looking for style, performance and capability, the new Dodge Journey Heat model includes Uconnect™ Phone, iPod® Control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, remote start, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), HomeLink universal transceiver, tonneau cover and six premium speakers with subwoofer.

A true family vehicle loaded with comfort, premium amenities and refinement—the new 2010 Dodge Journey Crew adds even more standard features to the well-equipped Dodge Journey Heat model, including the 5+2 Flexible Seating Group for seven-passenger seating, automatic climate control, premium gauge cluster, 9-inch rear DVD entertainment system , chromed interior accents, chromed roof rack, chromed door handles, 19-inch painted machined wheels and body-color side sills.

For luxury-minded customers who want it all, the new Dodge Journey Uptown takes it up a notch with leather-trimmed seven-passenger seating, power sun roof, Media Center 730N navigation system with 30-gigabyte hard drive and real-time traffic monitoring, Parkview™ rear back-up camera, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 19-inch chromed wheels, and chromed body-side molding.

The 2010 model year marks the last run of the 600-hp Dodge Viper. To keep performance high for the next 12 months, the automaker is adding new colors, enhancing performance and releasing several limited-edition models. Standard Viper SRT10 models receive two new exterior colors: Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat. A new shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from .74 to .80) improves high speed acceleration (the 0-200 mph run drops by 14 seconds). The track-bred ACR models get a new short-throw shifter, and new aerodynamic tweaks to the rear wing lower drag while improving downforce (top speed bumps up to 184 mph on the ACR model).

The Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, paying tribute to the record-setting run at Laguna Seca, is identified by its unique two-tone Black Clear Coat/Red Clear Coat exterior color (the opposite of the original Viper ACR color). Other cosmetic enhancements include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights and red stitching on the seats. The Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR gets an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite stripe outlined in red. In the name of exclusivity – only 10 cars will be produced with the unique striping on both the exterior and steering wheel.

As the new year is right around the corner, we will take one last chance to celebrate the Grand Caravan’s 25 years in production. For the 2009 model year Dodge came out with a Special Edition to celebrate the anniversary. This year, the Dodge Grand Caravan is celebrating an amazing 25 years in production, with, hopefully many more years to go. To celebrate 25 years as the consummate family vehicle, Dodge is unveiling the SXT 25th Anniversary Edition Dodge Grand Caravan. Enhanced with new 17-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray painted pockets, standard perforated leather seating and exclusive black wood (Dark Olive Messe) on the instrument panel, glove box and doors, the SXT 25th Anniversary Edition is the culmination of 25 years of innovation.

The first 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups are on their way to dealers. Production began of the Heavy Duty Rams is happening at the Saltillo, Mexico plant. The trucks are specifically aimed at contractors, small-business owners and construction companies, as well as recreational users who tow boats, horses or other vehicles. The big Rams are the first new products that will be coming from Chrysler for the 2010 model year. The new pickup incorporates many of the changes that appeared on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. A new crew cab is available, giving Dodge an entry into a body style that accounts for nearly half of all heavy-duty pickup sales. In addition, there’s a significantly upgraded interior, increased towing capacity and a smoother ride that uses a hydraulic spring at the rear of the cab to reduce bouncing. Buyers can select a 383-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI or a 6.7-liter, 350-horsepower Cummins Turbo Diesel engine with 650 pounds-feet of torque.