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Accident Prevention Begins With Individual Awareness
By Gary S. Rothstein
Whether you drive an SUV, a delivery van, an RV or a long haul truck, it's vital to always bring along one item ... your safety awareness! The safe operation of any vehicle is determined by the Read more...
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Living Larger Inside, Driving Smaller Outside: The 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
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Chrysler's Rip Roaring SRT Family of Vehicles
By Matthew Keegan
Step back in time some fifty years ago and you would see that the American automotive market was much different than it is today. Three companies dominated the scene: GM, Ford, and Chrysler with the newly formed American Motors making up the bulk of the sales. Volkswagen was new to the U.S. market with its legendary Beetle while Toyota was still a few years away from marketing its very first cars. Although the term “muscle car” wasn’t used until the 1960s, a series of “Hemi powered” vehicles from the Chrysler Corporation began to hit the streets. These particular models influenced this unique segment for several years until market changes in the early 1970s effectively eliminated that category. Today, muscle cars are back and the Chrysler Group is leading the way with its expansive line up of SRT vehicles. Although consumer tastes have changed as has the overall automotive market, Chrysler’s SRT family of vehicles remains a popular choice for performance enthusiasts everywhere. Read on and we’ll explore the vehicles that are shaping the new muscle car era.
Several years before Daimler-Benz and the Chrysler Corporation merged to form DaimlerChrysler, a team of Chrysler employees was tasked to invigorate the automaker’s line up with bold and exciting models. The first vehicle produced by “Team Viper” was the Dodge Viper, Mopar’s answer to the Chevy Corvette; a few years later it was followed by the Plymouth Prowler, a limited production retro-style roadster produced by a parallel group, “Team Prowler”. Clearly, Chrysler was attempting to erase its uninspiring K-car image with the production of these two models and although production was very limited, the vehicles managed to positively impact the Dodge and Plymouth brands.
Team Viper and Team Prowler
later merged operations to become SRT – Street and Racing Technology – a high performance automotive group that is part of the Chrysler Group at DaimlerChrysler. Although the Plymouth brand was eventually dropped, DaimlerChrysler decided to expand the SRT line up to include certain vehicles sporting Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler nameplates.
So, what qualifies a vehicle to wear the SRT designation? Several things including:
--Potent engines. Only the most powerful engines are reserved for SRT vehicles. While some are normally aspirated, many have been turbocharged or supercharged to beef up horsepower.
--Responsive handling. Relying heavily on its Mercedes connection, the SRT team employs state of the art steering and suspension systems in every model. Add in more powerful brakes and you have a vehicle that masters every turn and stops on a dime every time.
--Bold styling. No ordinary vehicle is eligible for the SRT treatment as massive aluminum wheels, front and rear spoilers, and bold air intakes are included to enhance performance. On the inside, race inspired aluminum pedals and sports car derived seating gives SRT drivers a true performance feel to match the energy brimming underneath every hood.
Currently, the SRT line up includes the following models with more vehicles expected to receive that designation:
Dodge: Ram SRT10 Quad Cab; Ram SRT10 Regular Cab; Viper SRT10 Coupe; Viper SRT10 Roadster; Charger SRT8; and the Magnum SRT8.
Chrysler: 300C SRT8; Crossfire SRT6 Coupe; and Crossfire SRT6 Roadster.
Jeep: Grand Cherokee SRT8.
Much like the muscle car era of long ago, SRT enthusiasts are beefing up their already potent vehicles with nifty aftermarket parts and supplies including supercharger systems, exhaust headers, cat-back exhaust systems, cool air intakes, lowering kits, traction bars, and more. Popular aftermarket performance suppliers are matching the introduction of every SRT model with new products of their own. Definitely, the SRT crowd is a unique group of automotive enthusiasts who simply won’t settle for the status quo.
The Chrysler Group will be changing the SRT line up over the next several years with the introduction of three more Dodge models: the Caliber SRT4, the Avenger SRT6, and possibly a version of the Nitro SUV – Dodge’s twin model to the Jeep Liberty. Last but not least, the ultimate blending of two generations of muscle cars will become evident when the Dodge Challenger makes its debut within the next three years. Yes, an SRT version of this most desired retro coupe will also find its way into the classiest of new classics.
Copyright 2006 – Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer for Premier Truck Accessories an important supplier of SRT aftermarket parts for the Ram SRT-10 as well as the SRT vehicles. Please stop by today to explore our vast inventory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
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<strong>GRAPEVINE, Texas</strong> (February 8, 2010) — GM announced
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made at the National Biodiesel Conference.
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<a href="/vehicles/innovation/news/2010/b20_biodiesel_020810.jsp">More...</a></p> - Coskata Inc. Unveils Semi-Commercial Feedstock Flexible
Ethanol Facility in Madison, PA
<p><strong>MADISON, Pennsylvania</strong> (October 15, 2009) — Coskata
Inc., a leading developer of next-generation biofuels,
today announced the successful start-up of its semi-commercial flex-ethanol
facility
located in Madison, PA. The accomplishment represents the
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<a href="/vehicles/innovation/news/2009/coskata_101509.jsp">More...</a></p> - Eco-Engineers from The Ohio State University Win Gold at 2009 EcoCAR Competition
<p>
TORONTO (June 12, 2009) — Today university students from The Ohio State
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Extended Range Electric
Vehicle (EREV). The winning team's EREV provides a practical solution
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impacts. The Ohio State's design was powered by a 1.8
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</p> - Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Passes 1 Million Miles
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<p>NEW YORK (Dec. 12, 2009) — With today’s opening of a Shell
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second generation hydrogen fuel cell system in development
by General Motors Co. is half the size,
220 pounds lighter and uses less than half the precious
metal of the current generation in the Chevrolet Equinox
Fuel Cell electric vehicle.
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</p> - Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Passes 1 Million Miles
No Gasoline or Tailpipe Pollution in Reaching Unprecedented
Milestone <p><strong>WARREN, MICH.</strong> (September 11, 2009) — More
than 50,000 gallons of gasoline have been saved so far
in the fuel cell Equinox, more than 100 of which are
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fleet in the world. The fuel cell electric Equinox runs
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The only emissions are wisps of water vapor.
<br />
</p> - NASA and GM Create Cutting Edge Robotic Technology
<p><strong>WASHINGTON</strong> (February 4, 2010) — NASA and General
Motors are working together to accelerate development of the next generation
of robots and related technologies for use in the automotive and aerospace
industries. </p> <p>Engineers and scientists from NASA and GM worked together through
a Space Act Agreement at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston
to build a new humanoid robot capable of working side by side with
people. Using leading edge control, sensor and vision technologies,
future robots could assist astronauts during hazardous space missions
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</p> - Surviving the Advanced Tech 'Valley of Death'
<p>One of the most difficult things about working with a new technology is helping people understand the “dollars and sense” associated with it. This is especially true when the technology is one that can be demonstrated, but is still a few years from commercial introduction. Take hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for example. <br />
</p>
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