вторник, 4 сентября 2007 г.

2008 Dodge Magnum - Car News

2008 Dodge Magnum - Car News




For those of us that find the concept of a $40K, Mustang-humbling muscle wagon a mouth-watering one, but think that the current Dodge Magnum SRT8 looks a bit too bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to actually humble any Mustangs, hold on until this fall for the dramatically facelifted 2008 Magnum. Due in August of 2007, the updated Mag Wag gets a more aggressive front-end with slimmer, chrome-trimmed projector-beam headlamps set lower within the fascia. On the SRT8, Dodge’s trademark gunsight grille has been reduced to a more palatable size, while the new sculpted hood features a gaping and functional hood scoop, a la Charger SRT8. The rear end is unchanged.

Lesser Magnums also feature a front-end restyle, albeit with a bigger version of the grille. R/T models offer optional HID headlamps and, for the first time, chrome-clad 20-inch wheels.

The 2008 Magnum interior features some minor upgrades, but honestly, after a quick glance inside, the “upgrades” don’t do much to bring it anywhere near the Honda/Toyota benchmark for material and build quality. LED-illuminated cupholders and door pockets are optional—woo-hoo.

The dirty parts remain unchanged, which is no bad thing, particularly in the case of the Hemi-equipped, 340-hp R/T and 425-hp SRT8.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10




The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.

While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque.

Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer’s basic formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing and higher engine speed.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10’s deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. The two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.

Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved emission control. The headers’ stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.



The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe’s hard top with its “double bubble” styling makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster. The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Plus, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.



The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe cockpit retains its characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented, highly functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and 220-mph speedometer.

Five interior colors will be available in 2008: black, and four new color combinations in black/red, black/blue, black/slate or black/natural tan. A choice of bezel finishes on the center instrument panel and console adds to the increased level of customization.

"The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 delivers die-hard performance enthusiasts a perfect combination of outrageous power, exceptional performance and stunning good looks," said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Motorsports and SRT Marketing and Product Planning. "And now with a whole new range of interior and exterior colors and options to choose from, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 redefines how a customer can personalize their Viper."