Dodge Viper

Technical Specs

Standard Engine 8.4L V10

Standard Transmission 6 Speed Manual

Cylinders 10

Horsepower @ RPM 600@6100

Torque @ RPM 560@5000 (foot-lbs)

The Viper is Dodge’s flagship All-American, hand-built exotic sports car. With a traditional front-engine rear-wheel-drive design, the Viper has a four-wheel independent suspension with large wheels and tires and massive brakes. Offered as either a roadster or a coupe, the Viper was updated for 2008 but retains signature Viper design cues such as the crosshair grille, deep side scallops, swept-back fenders and a low hood line. A new 600-horsepower 8.4-liter engine was developed to meet emission regulations but the Viper is also capable of a top speed of 200 mph.

The Viper is a 2-door, 2-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the SRT-10 Convertible and the SRT-10 Coupe. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 8.4-liter, V10, 600-horsepower engine that achieves 12-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2009 Dodge Viper remains primarily unchanged following a complete redesign in 2008. The flagship of the Dodge lineup continues to sport an 8.4-liter V10 engine producing an impressive 600 horsepower and moving this exotic sports car to 60 mph in less than four seconds. For 2009, the Viper features a revised center console as well as a modified steel frame and fuel tank filler. Four new exterior colors have been added: Anaconda Green Pearl Coat, Graphite Metallic Clear Coat, Diamond Black Pearl Coat and Viper Bright White Clear Coat. A new six-spoke forged aluminum wheel is also available.

Dodge Magnum

The Magnum is Dodge’s sport wagon with bold, aggressive styling that shares a rear-wheel-drive platform with the Chrysler 300. The rear liftgate is hinged forward in the roof for easier access to the cargo area. Magnum R/T is powered by a modern version of the legendary HEMI V8 engine all-wheel drive is offered.

The 2008 Dodge Magnum receives exterior updates including new crosshair grille, additional chrome elements, extra detailing around fog lights, accent lines to highlight the hood and new wheels. A redesigned instrument panel, instrument cluster, center console and door trim panels highlight the interior updates along with additional satin-chrome trim and improved soft-touch surfaces. LED lighting is available for the cupholders and door pockets and SIRIUS Backseat TV with a one-year subscription to SIRIUS satellite video is available with the rear-seat Video Entertainment System. The Magnum SRT8 receives a new hood with functional hood scoop, new headlights, new front and rear fascias, new gauge cluster and SRT-exclusive Reconfigurable Display (RCD).

Dodge Charger

Technical Specs

Standard Engine 2.7L V6

Standard Transmission 4 Speed Automatic

Cylinders 6Horse

power @ RPM 190@6400

Torque @ RPM 190@4000 (foot-lbs)

The 2008 Dodge Charger receives a freshened interior including a redesigned instrument panel, new instrument cluster, updated center console, new cloth seat material, new soft-touch materials and satin chrome interior trim. New exterior colors are Dark Titanium Metallic Clear Coat and Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat. Charger SRT8 adds a Super Bee Special Edition with Surf Blue Pearl Coat, available Sirius BackSeat TV, SRT reconfigurable display, carbon-fiber pattern door handles and carbon-fiber leather-trimmed steering wheel.

The new Charger is a big, brawny looking car, with the longest wheelbase in its class. Its attractive interior has small sound system controls, but otherwise is very user-friendly. The rear seat is especially roomy.
The trunk opening is high, but there's an enormous amount of cargo space. Folding rear seatbacks on most trim levels enlarge that area.
The aerodynamic Charger's nose leans into the wind and it has a bold "crosshair" grille and a beltline below the side windows that drops as it moves rearward—then kicks up in the rear door to draw attention to its muscular rear fenders and large back tires.
The beltline also emphasizes the car's rear-wheel-drive layout, which was used by the old Charger and other classic 1960s muscle cars.


Road and TrackDriving the Charger hard with its available HEMI V8 at a challenging new Chicago area road racing track showed that the car can do fast laps because it has direct steering and good handling and braking, with a linear pedal feel. The power steering is a little light and it's no 5-Series BMW sports sedan, but most American sedans wouldn't have done as well.
Later, I drove the Charger with the HEMI on Chicago area roads and found it had a good ride over bumpy roads, although the steering also was a bit overassisted during normal street driving.


The majority of Charger buyers (65 percent) are expected to be males aged 40-59 with a $75,000 median annual income. About 75 percent are expected to have older children, some of whom might be driving Mustangs.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Technical Specs

Standard Engine 3.3L V6

Standard Transmission 4 Speed Automatic

Cylinders 6Horse

power @ RPM 175@5000

Torque @ RPM 205@4000 (foot-lbs)

The Grand Caravan is Dodge’s minivan that's offered in extended form. When the original Caravan went on sale in the fall of 1983 along with the Plymouth Voyager, it created a whole new market segment and introduced the term minivan to the market. For 2008, the name has changed to Grand Caravan and is available in SE and SXT trims. Dodge gives the minivan a total makeover with all-new designs to the exterior and interior, more than 35 new or improved features and more powertrain options. The wheelbase is two inches longer than the previous model and the ride and handling has been improved.

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has an all-new look featuring a more athletic appearance that’s complemented by a unique hood, front and rear fascia, grille and taillights. A new Swivel ‘n Go seating system allows second-row seats to turn 180 degrees to face the third row with a removable table that installs between the second- and third-row seats. A number of new comfort and convenience features include a standard front console with removable, dishwasher-safe cupholders, thirteen cup and bottle holders, one-touch power third-row folding seat, heated seats in the first and second row, removable flashlight in rear cargo area, second-row power windows and many more. For added safety, all-row supplemental side-curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Program with traction control and brake assist, LATCH child rear anchor system and an energy-absorbing steering column are standard. Three engines are available including a new 240-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 and a six-speed transaxle is available with the 3.8-liter and 4.0-liter engines.