Rides : Check Out The Mopar Dodge Charger Redline Concept

While there are no doubt still a few purists who are grumbling about the two most recent generations of Dodge Charger being four-door sedans (though we have to wonder if they were this vocal when the last Charger before that – a four-cylinder, front drive hatchback – was being made), it’s hard to argue against the 21^st century Chargers’ styling and performance, the latter being especially potent in SRT8 form. We’re especially fond of the new 2012 Charger, with styling that more closely mirrors that of the iconic 1968-’70 models and more powerful yet more efficient powerplants.

However, even the Charger SRT8 – packing a 6.4L Hemi V8 that makes 470hp – is a bit of a weakling by modern super sedan standards. Chrysler’s in-house performance parts and accessories arm, Mopar, isn’t taking this matter lying down. In fact, it has gone so far as to create a concept car for next week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but there’s much more to this concept than a cat-back exhaust system and big wheels.



The centerpiece of this red rocket – dubbed the Charger Redline – is Mopar’s new 426 Hemi crate engine. No, it’s not the legendary Gen 2 Hemi, aka the Elephant Motor, but a 426 cubic inch (7.0L) aluminum block version of the Gen 3 Hemi. It’s rated at a raucous 590hp and is now on sale (though it’s only intended for track use). No word on what transmission it’s matched with, but we’re betting it’s the stock SRT8’s 5-speed automatic.

Other performance-oriented upgrades include a cat-back exhaust system, front strut tower braces and high performance brake pads. And while the 590hp is easy to notice when you stand on the gas, the visual changes are even more readily apparent. The Charger Redline rolls on Mopar’s 20” Black Envy wheels, while the body is given carbon fiber jewelry in the form of a front chin spoiler, three-piece rear spoiler, and rear-facing front door scoops that pay homage to the sculpting on the 1970 Charger’s doors. Inside, this dynamic Dodge is fitted with aluminum shifter and instrument panel bezels and stainless steel pedal covers.



On the whole, we dig this thing. But unless the 426 Hemi get emissions certification and starts getting installed at the factory, there’s not much to get excited about here. We’d just like to see Chrysler truly go after the Cadillac CTS-V and the Germans by endowing the Charger (and Chrysler 300) SRT8 with 550-ish horsepower and a more modern automatic (or better yet, manual) transmission. Stop letting the big kids push you around!

Press Release

Mopar® Introduces Dodge Charger Redline Infused With New High Output 426 HEMI® Aluminum Crate Engine and More Aggressive Style
• New 2012 Dodge Charger Redline features three available Mopar® stage kits for factory-tuned performance
• Stage One features aerodynamic exterior components and interior accents
• Stage Two features bolt-on performance parts for improved power, handling and braking
• Stage Three features new high-output version of the powerful aluminum-block Gen III 426 HEMI® V-8 crate engine, delivers 590 horsepower
• Dodge Charger Redline will debut at 2012 North American International Auto Show

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Jan 2, 2012 - Delivering performance and an even more aggressive look, the 2012 Dodge Charger Redline is a 426 HEMI®-powered showcase of new Mopar® performance kits that will arrive later this year. The Dodge Charger Redline vehicle with all three Mopar performance stage kits will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

"Since the 1960s, the Mopar Brand has built a long history of adding power and performance to the Dodge Charger – and with the Redline, we Moparized the new Charger with modern-day performance and style while giving a nod to our storied past," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "With three kits, Mopar offers a tailored choice for every customer."

Stage I: Aerodynamic Carbon Fiber Exterior Components and Interior Accents

Based on the 2012 Dodge Charger R/T model, Mopar's list of Stage I modifications includes a full-width Mopar carbon fiber chin spoiler to give the Charger Redline a more aggressive appearance. Matching the Redline Tri-coat paint, the two-piece grille features a body-color painted-grille surround with black signature "crosshair" insert. Large 20 x 8-inch Mopar Black Envy Wheels feature a Pitch Black-painted wheel face with polished accents. Mopar carbon fiber door scoops highlight Dodge Charger Redline's signature body-side scallops and include heritage "R/T" badging to pay homage to the historic 1970 Charger model. A three-piece Mopar carbon fiber rear spoiler adds additional down force and provides an even more dynamic look. Emphasizing Dodge Charger Redline's fastback silhouette is Mopar's vinyl roof graphic in matte black.

The Dodge Charger Redline's cockpit design features premium materials and is further enhanced with a Mopar aluminum shift bezel and aluminum instrument panel bezel with Redline perimeter accent. For a more enthusiast-desired look, Mopar pedal covers are made from stainless steel and feature a rubberized pattern for improved traction.

Stage II: Mopar Bolt-on Performance Parts Deliver Improved Power, Handling and Braking

Designed and tested straight from the factory, the Dodge Charger Redline features Mopar's Stage II performance kit to enhance its already world-class power, handling and braking.

Allowing the Dodge Charger Redline's legendary HEMI® V-8 engine to perform at its optimal level, Mopar's cat-back performance exhaust system delivers an increase in horsepower and a menacing "throaty" sound. Under the hood, a front-tower cross-brace and front tower brace caps provide increased structural stability for improved handling dynamics. For ultimate braking capabilty, high-performance Mopar brake linings are track tested and deliver fade-resistance during hard braking use.

Stage III: Mopar's Gen III High Output 426 HEMI V-8 engine, with 590 Horsepower on Tap

Delivering 220 more horsepower than the 2012 Dodge Charger R/T, the Charger Redline features the new high-output version of the powerful and lightweight Gen III 426 HEMI V-8 crate engine (for race/off-road use only).

With its legendary 426 cubic-inch "Elephant Motor," the Dodge Charger Redline delivers 590 horsepower via a lightweight aluminum V-8 engine block that shaves more than 100 lbs. from the traditional cast-iron crate version. The new Gen III High Output 426 HEMI engine is professionally built and includes a stout, balanced lower reciprocating assembly that features a forged-steel crankshaft with six-bolt mains at 2, 3 and 4, and cross-bolted 4-bolt mains at 1 and 5. H-beam style rods are made from forged steel and coupled to forged 11:1 compression ratio aluminum pistons. Included is a revised windage tray to provide excellent oil dispersion and prevents oil aeration by the crankshaft.

The Gen III High Output 426 HEMI engine's valvetrain starts with a more aggressive roller camshaft with .639 intake and .628 exhaust lift and cylinder heads that feature the latest designs for exceptional flow characteristics. To help stabilize the valvetrain at high engine rpm, tie bars are available.

Mopar cast-aluminum valve covers and billet fuel rails are also included in the Dodge Charger Redline's Stage III performance kit.

Rides : Mopar Offers Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Owners a Pickup Conversion Kit

If you were asked to name some of the most quintessentially American new cars sold today, there would be a couple of obvious choices like the Mustang and the Corvette. Another one, of course, should be the Jeep Wrangler. The simple, capable descendent of the segment-creating WWII runabout epitomizes the American ideals of freedom, mobility, and the ability to explore the vast and diverse beauty of the nation’s terrain.

Pickup trucks are also distinctly American vehicles, but Jeep hasn’t made one since the last Comanche rolled off the line in 1992. Before that, Jeep produced many trucks. Some were large. Some were small. Some even utilized a forward-control layout. And some, like the Scrambler, were based on the Wrangler’s forbears. Now, after a long hiatus (due in large part to parent company Chrysler’s desire to prevent the cannibalization of Dodge truck sales, something that was a non-issue for Jeep under Willys, Kaiser and AMC ownership), you can once again buy a new Jeep pickup…but there’s a catch.



It’s called the JK-8, but you won’t find it in the Jeep full-line brochure, or on most dealer lots. That’s because the JK-8 isn’t a production model, per se; it’s actually a kit that will be offered by Mopar (Chrysler’s accessory and performance parts arm) and turns the four-door Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup. The kit will retail for $5,499, and can be installed by your dealer or, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you.

So what’s included? New quarter panels, a bed floor, inside bed panels and a few other small components are made of sheet steel, while the removable hardtop (with t-top-esque “Freedom Panels” that are removable from it) and rear bulkhead are made of fiberglass. You also get an assemblage of tubing that allows the roll cage behind the rear seats to be removed while still maintaining the portion over the front seats.



While we don’t have a specific need for a Jeep Wrangler or a pickup truck, we do find ourselves drawn to this muscular mutt of a motorcar. And many Jeep nuts have been clamoring for a pickup for years, particularly after the company showed the Gladiator concept a few years ago. As a result, we’re betting Mopar won’t have any trouble selling every JK-8 kit it can box up and ship to destinations from sea to shining sea.

Press Release

Mopar Answers Call for Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck

Brand Announces Pricing for New JK-8 Kit

Priced at $5,499, the Mopar® JK-8 Kit enables owners to transform their Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited
into a pickup

Kit now available for ordering through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships

Dealership or skilled do-it-yourselfers may do the installation

Major components of the Mopar JK-8 kit include steel bed, inner and outer bedsides, sport bar extensions, Freedom panel assemblies, fiberglass hardtop and bulkhead

Kit shipped in JK-8 and Mopar-stamped wooden crate (85.25-inch by 62.25-inch by 30-inch), instructions included

July 14, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Jeep® enthusiasts now have the opportunity to transform their four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Mopar® JK-8 kit is $5,499. The kit, which comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, is now available for ordering through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships. The warranty covers kit materials and workmanship performed at a Chrysler Group dealership.

"Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are some of our most accessorized vehicles," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO, Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "New Jeep Wrangler owners typically spend more than $500 on Mopar accessories. For Jeep Wrangler Unlimited owners, our new Mopar JK-8 kit answers the call for even more radical customization. And it's yet another example of how Mopar will continue to support our brands with innovative features."

Prior to the introduction of the JK-8 kit, Mopar introduced numerous industry-first features including in-vehicle Wi-Fi, off-road camper trailers, vehicle-information apps and an Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS). Most recently, the brand introduced its Ram Runner off-road desert-racer kit.

Mopar first revealed its JK-8 kit at this year's Moab Jeep Safari. The kit takes cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980's. Major components include a spacious 44-inch by 50-inch steel bed, inner and outer bedsides constructed from stamped sheet metal, sport bar extensions, Freedom Panel assemblies, a removable fiberglass hardtop with a sliding rear window, two fixed side windows and a fiberglass bulkhead.

Staying true to the Jeep brand, the JK-8 kit offers Jeep Wrangler Unlimited capability in the form of a mini pickup. In addition, the top may be completely removed for an open-air experience.

A special badge is featured on the left rear quarter panel of each kit, celebrating the heritage of the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8, along with design implementations that were adopted from original J-8 military Jeep pickups.

For ease of purchase, the kit is available as a single part number (77070049) with all hardware and body panels included. The kit may be purchased and installed at a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram dealership.

Conversion Process
Two processes are involved in the conversion from a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a two-door pickup truck: disassembly and reassembly.

In disassembly, each rear door is removed. Next, the rear-bumper assembly, hard top and Freedom Panels are removed, followed by the rear portion of the interior, which includes seats and carpeting. Exterior trim parts are removed and preserved; inner and outer body panels are removed by drilling out the spot welds, which allows the panels to fall away and avoids having to cut into the sheet metal. The rear sport bar is cut away and removed along with B-pillars.

Reassembly into a two-door pickup truck begins with installation of the B-pillars, cross member, floor-pan assembly (truck bed), and the inner and outer quarter panels (welding is involved in assembly). Next to be installed is the bulkhead reinforcement assembly and sport bar extensions, and finally the installation of the fiberglass bulkhead itself. The kit, with components delivered e-coated, is then prepped for paint. Windows are installed to the hard top, which is then installed on the vehicle. Exterior trim parts are then reinstalled.

Following is information regarding some of the main components included in the Mopar JK-8 kit.

Mopar JK8 Body Weld Kit Complete (All parts are sold together in one complete kit)

Freedom Panels: Fiberglass panels over front seats.

Hardtop: Made from fiberglass, the hard top may be removed and features a sliding rear window.

Bulkhead: The bulkhead for the kit is made of fiberglass and separates the cab from the bed of the truck, and permanently attaches to the vehicle.

Bed: The spacious 44-inch by 50-inch bed features strong steel construction.

Inner/Outer Bed Panels: Bed panels are stamped sheet metal and provide durability and functionality.

Sport Bar Extensions: New sport bar extensions replace the rear portion of the sport bar that is removed for the conversion. These bars complement the structure of the vehicle.