New Car Models

Chrysler’s Mopar division continues to show off its customization skills with the introduction of four new vehicles, all of which will be available in fall 2012 as stage kits or, for those who like to do things themselves, can be configured “a la carte” from the Mopar parts catalogue.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the parts and accessories division of Chrysler (Mopar stands for MOtor PARts) recently unveiled the Mopar ’12 300 (a customized Chrysler 300 sedan), Fiat 500 “Stinger,” Mopar Jeep Compass “True North” and Dodge Dart “GTS 210 Tribute.” All will be on display to the public at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

“These head-turning ‘Moparized’ vehicles show how we can go to the next level of personalization,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “With our best-in-class offerings of parts and accessories, we give our customers every opportunity to further enhance the appearance and performance of their vehicles.”

The blacked out Mopar ‘12 300 transforms the Chrysler 300 flagship sedan into a performance tribute to celebrate Mopar’s 75th anniversary with unique appointments, select high-performance parts and appearance items such as a black chrome seven bar grille, blue A-line body stripes and 20-inch forged aluminum gloss black wheels.

An exclusive engine cover hints at the 363 horsepower 5.7-litre HEMI V8 harnessed in by a proven five-speed W5A580 automatic transmission controlled by a unique Mopar shifter. The rear differential has been boosted from 3.06:1 to a 3.91:1 final-drive ratio for enhanced acceleration – enabling 0-60 mph blasts in the low 5-second range. Handling is entrusted to a performance-tuned suspension with 42% stiffer front and 23% stiffer rear spring rates compared to the regular Chrysler 300.

The interior is monotone black with blue accents throughout. Mopar’s Katzkin perforated leather is used for the front power adjustable front heated seats and rear heated perches. The steering wheel (with die-cast paddles for shifting) and shifter handle are also wrapped in leather.

The dash and centre console feature matte carbon hydrographic inserts, while piano black forms the backdrop on the centre stack, gauge cluster, door panels and steering wheel spokes. UConnect touch screen display controls the infotainment system, as well as the 506-watt Alpine nine-speaker surround sound system.

For safety, the SafetyTec Group includes adaptive HID headlights with automatic levelling, Forward Collision Warning with adaptive-cruise control, Blind-spot monitoring  with Rear Cross Path detection, ParkSense front and rear sensors, LED rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental turn signals and puddle lamp. Additional safety features include rain-sense wipers and SmartBeam headlamps.

Only 500 are scheduled to be built inBrampton, Ont., and will be priced from $49,700 in the U.S. Buyers get a personalized owner kit in a customized Mopar box, Mopar-branded key fobs and Mopar ‘12 300 merchandise. The kit will include an original sketch of the car signed by the designer, a certificate with the vehicle identification number (VIN), exact date of manufacture and the series number, and a brochure highlighting the unique features of the vehicle.

The Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute picks up several matte-black trim pieces, including a lower chin spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler and rear-diffuser panel. A lightweight carbon-fibre hood with large air scoop and 18-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy titanium-coloured wheels. Inside, there is Ruby Red leather on the seats, steering wheel, door panels, center armrest and map-pocket inserts, accented with black stitching, and Piano Black trim on the shifter, cupholder and the dash-vent bezels. Maximizing fuel/air mix and spark advance, with an improved air-flow intake and low back-pressure exhaust takes the 2.4-litre MultiAir four-cylinder engine output up to 210 horsepower (from 184).

Like the Dart customization, the Fiat 500 “Stinger” also integrates two Mopar stage kits that deliver bold styling appointments and select high-performance parts. Giallo (yellow) exterior paint combines with unique blackened exterior and interior appointments to amplify the coupe/hatchback’s athletic styling. The Fiat signature “whiskers and logo” face and circular projector headlamps are finished in Black Chrome, as are the side mirror caps and door handles. The sides and roof get vinyl black checker graphics. Seventeen-inch Abarth Hyper Black aluminum wheels are shod with 205/40R17 performance tires for better grip on the power provided by the enhanced 1.4-litre MultiAir four-cylinder engine, while performance cross-drilled brakes bring things to a halt quickly, when needed. The yellow/black motif is carried inside, accented with carbon-fibre decaled instrument panel, Alcantara seat centres and a gloss black shifter ball.