2010 Dodge Circuit EV

it wears a new coat of tangerine paint and a cute electrical double-entendre name (Charger, it seems, was already taken), the Circuit is obviously the EV's twin - albeit with a few tweaks. The most notable modification lies with the front fascia, where designers added the Dodge four-bar grille in an attempt to disguise the Circuit's Lotus origins. The remainder of the car - headlamps included - is carried over from Lotus' Europa, which keen-eyed sports car enthusiasts will certainly notice.

Underhood, things haven't changed since we first saw the Dodge EV. The Circuit still uses a 200 kW (268 hp) electric motor, which produces a whopping 480 lb-ft of torque. Chrysler claims that torque lets the Circuit hit 0-60 mph in less than five seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 13 seconds. Top end is reportedly more than 120 mph.

Powering that motor is a lithium-ion battery pack, mounted just behind the cabin. Chrysler's mum on the technical details here, but says the batteries will provide enough power for a 150 to 200 mile range. Recharging can be done in four hours via a 220-volt outlet, or in eight hours with a standard 110-volt household outlet.

Chrysler says all of its ENVI concepts - the Circuit included - are production intent and could reach dealers by 2013. That said, we wonder how much of a market exists for a low-volume, high-cost electric roadster built in part by Lotus. Just ask Tesla Motors...

To read more about the 2010 Dodge Circuit EV, go to our 2009 Detroit auto show blogs coverage. All the latest blogs from the Editors of Automobile Magazine can be found HERE. We've got our whole staff wandering the floor at Cobo Hall bringing back live photos and more information about all the new debuts from Detroit.

Dodge Challenger SRT8 HD Wallpaper

Dodge Challenger SRT8

2009 Dodge Ram Accessories

And the most popular accessory for the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is … a brand new set of Mopar tubular side steps.

The award-winning Dodge Ram is the most accessorized vehicle in the Chrysler Group LLC product lineup, followed closely by Jeep® Wrangler, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. “Mopar offers more than 70 proven, quality-tested accessories and parts for customers to personalize their Dodge Ram,” said Pietro Gorlier, President & Chief Executive Officer, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care. “For all of our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, we offer more than 280,000 parts and accessories for customers to customize or refresh their rides.”

Top 10 Mopar Accessories For Dodge Ram

Following is a list of the top 10 most popular Mopar accessories and performance parts – that Dodge Ram owners purchase to personalize their trucks:

1. Tubular Side Steps: Provide skid-resistant stepping surfaces for easy vehicle entry and exit; available in black or chrome and constructed of light-weight anodized aluminum or powder-coated steel. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP):

Regular Cab - Black $307.00 Regular Cab - Chrome $461.00
Quad Cab - Black $358.00 Quad Cab - Chrome $563.00
Crew Cab - Black $389.00 Crew Cab - Chrome $614.00

2. Bed Liner: Features ribbed design for outstanding drainage. The skid-resistant, under-the-rail liner is tailored for a perfect fit and provides full use of integrated vertical and horizontal storage dividers. MSRP: $325.00

3. Trailer-Hitch Receiver: Designed as a one-piece welded assembly and built to match Dodge Ram’s impressive towing capacity, the hitch receiver is covered with a two-layer, E-coat paint finish that resists rust. MSRP: $126.00

4. Trailer-Tow Mirrors: 8.75” x 7.75” mirrors offers improved visibility while towing with convex spotter (3.5” x 4.25”) glass for superior blind-spot visibility. Mopar trailer-tow mirrors manually telescopes out 4.5” and folds in. Heated, power control and defrost function remain active. MSRP: $436.00

5. Front-air Deflector: Constructed of shatter-resistant polymers and custom molded to complement Dodge Ram’s bold front-end styling, the front-air deflector creates an air stream that directs insects and road spray up and away from the hood and windshield. MSRP:

Smoke $89.10
Body Colored $109.00
Chrome $109.00

6. Deluxe Molded Splash Guards: Designed to be rigid yet forgivable, splash guards are paintable and provide excellent lower-body protection as they are custom-molded to the contours of Ram. MSRP: $43.45/pair

7. Sport Performance Hood: Features an integrated scoop for an aggressive look, the sheet metal replacement hood is manufactured with original equipment materials for a perfect fit and finish. MSRP: $976.00

8. Fiberglass Tonneau Cover: Custom-designed for a perfect match with any Dodge Ram exterior color, the durable, easy-opening cover includes inner and outer liners to prevent cracks and features a built-in tailgate lock for added security. MSRP:

5.7' Bed $1,250.00
6.3' Bed $1,290.00

9. Soft Tonneau Cover: Made of shrink-resistant fabric that features a snapless design for an ultra-clean look, the durable Mopar tonneau cover resists mildew, water and Ultra Violet rays. MSRP:

5.7' Bed $391.00
6.3' Bed $415.00
8.0' Bed $470.00
RamBox $394.00

10. Fog Lights: Designed specifically for Dodge Ram, Mopar fog lights undercut inclement weather and minimize glare. MSRP: $175.00

All-New Dodge Ram

In addition to Mopar accessories, Dodge Ram is loaded with features that set it apart in the full-size truck market. One standout feature is the industry’s first-and-only RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; a two-foot bed extender and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats.

The 2009 Ram also includes a first-in-segment coil-spring five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle that provides ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) while its best-in-class aerodynamics (.387 Cd) improve fuel economy and performance.

Dodge kills Caliber SRT4

The Caliber SRT4: Dodge's fastest small car is dead.

Dodge is dropping its fastest, most powerful small car for the 2010 model year. The Dodge Caliber SRT4 -- a turbocharged, muscle-bound version of the Caliber -- is being discontinued.

"The Dodge Caliber SRT4 was planned for a limited production run in the highly competitive sport compact market segment," Dodge said in a statement.

Dodge did not provide information on the number of Caliber SRT4s sold since the vehicle was introduced in late 2007.

The Caliber SRT4 was Dodge's attempt to add a little muscle-car panache to its smallest car. It was powered by a 285-hp turbocharged version of the inline four-cylinder engine built at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance factory in Dundee, Mich., operated jointly with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The six-speed manual transmission was supplied by Getrag, of Germany.

Chrysler's SRT (Street and Racing Technology) group now has five vehicles for 2010: the Chrysler 300C SRT8; the Dodge Charger SRT8, Challenger SRT8 and Viper SRT10; and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.