New Ram Brand gets Dodge's Horns Logo, Dodge Adopts SRT-Like Twin-Red Slash

Late last year, Chrysler LLC split Dodge's lineup into two different brands, one for the firm's passenger vehicles, and the other comprised of the Ram truck models. Now it's time for the Detroit automaker to separate the brand's identities with a different logo for each brand.

As you can see in these official pictures, the Ram brand gets to keep Dodge's well-known horn logo while Dodge, which will be positioned as a sporty and youth-orientated passenger car maker, adopts a new insignia featuring two red slashes that's inspired by the Chrysler Group's SRT performance brand.

"It signifies our sporty character. Most SRTs are Dodges," says Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles. "On vehicles, the Dodge name will stand by itself in a new script that will appear prominently but without the red slashes."

Dodge plans to gradually phase out the horn logo from its current lineup. The first Dodge models to get the new Insignia will be this year's 2011 Charger sport sedan and a 7-seater replacement to the Durango based on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee (see official drawings here).

Via: Chrysler and Automotive News

Fiat Starts Combining Lancia and Chrysler Networks in Europe

In the continuing process of reorganizing Chrysler and Lancia, Fiat will be working to combine both brands' dealership and supply networks throughout Europe.

The combined-dealerships will be known as Lancia throughout mainland Europe and Chrysler in the UK. The reason for that is Chrysler is currently established in the UK, while Lancia is not.

By 2014 the Lancia/Chrysler network is hoping to have 1,000 dealerships throughout Europe.

By Phil Alex

Jeep Releases New Photos and Video of 2011 Grand Cherokee

The Chrysler LLC group has rolled out fresh pictures and a new video with some B-Roll footage of its all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee a couple of weeks ahead of the SUV's U.S. market launch in early June.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee will be offered with a choice of two engines including the Chrysler Group's all-new 290HP 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that delivers up to 23 mpg, and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360-horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.

In its latest press release, the company revealed prices for the entry-level 4x2 Laredo model that starts from $30,995, while the 4x4 version of the Laredo will start at $32,995. The new Grand Cherokee is built at the Chrysler group's Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit.

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Hyundai Officially Denies Ram-Based Pickup Truck Rumors

There was a rumor floating around this week that Hyundai is in talks with Chrysler LLC to sell a version of the Dodge Ram pickup under its own brand in the States.

Today, the South Korean-based automaker vigorously denied the story through an official statement made from its U.S division.

"Hyundai Motor Co. denies that there are any current plans to bring a pickup truck of any type into the U.S. now or in the foreseeable future," the company said in its statement.

"Hyundai is not in discussion with Chrysler in regard to a selling a rebadged Chrysler Corp pickup truck, or any other vehicle, in the U.S," the automaker concluded.

Chrysler LLC Recalling Over 40,000 Cars to Fix Ignition Switch

Today's recall comes from the Chrysler LLC group that is calling in 40,131 vehicles over a glitch with the ignition switch. The Detroit automaker said that the recall includes certain 2010 model year Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Charger, Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Ram vehicles.

According to Chrysler, in some of these vehicles the driver may be able to remove the key from the ignition switch prior to placing the shifter in park.

"This could result in the potential for unintended vehicle movement and could increase the risk of a crash," Chrysler said in a statement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The safety recall is expected to begin in July 2010, with the firm's dealers inspecting the affected vehicles and if necessary, replacing the wireless ignition module free of charge.

Dodge Fan Renders 2012 Durango SUV from Official Sketches

couple of months ago we broke the story on the official patent drawings of the next Dodge Durango SUV (see here), or whatever else Chrysler LLC bosses decide to name it. Andrew Currie from the 'Cheersandgears' forums took a couple of these sketches and rendered them to offer us a more realistic view of Dodge's full-size SUV.

The Durango's successor is believed to ride on the same or lengthened version of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, which was developed alongside the next generation Mercedes-Benz ML SUV.

Powertrain options will most likely include Chrysler LLC's new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar with 290-horsepower and a 5.7-liter V8 HEMI with 360 ponies, while an all-wheel-drive option is certain.

Via: Cheersandgears

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Prices Announced, Starts from $32,995

Chrysler's Jeep division has released pricing for the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee that will start at a U.S. manufacturer's retail price (MSRP) of $32,995, which includes destination. It will arrive in Jeep showrooms in the beginning of June.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee will be available with two engines. The base models get the all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which according to Chrysler, boasts an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Grand Cherokee, delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. The V6 is hooked up to o a five-speed automatic transmission.

For those in need of more power, there's an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (520 Nm), that's coupled to a "multi-speed automatic transmission".

The all-new Grand Cherokee will be available in three models - Laredo, Limited and Overland. For more details on prices and equipment, check out the list after the jump.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4: $32,995 (including $780 for destination)

Standard features on the Laredo 4x4 model includes Quadra-Trac I 4x4 system, 3.6-liter V-6 engine, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Trailer-Sway Control, front-seat side air bags and side-curtain air bags for front and rear, active head restraints, power 8-way driver seat with power 4-way lumbar adjust, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Optional features include a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine and a Trailer Tow Group.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4: $39,995 (including $780 for destination)

Limited 4x4 models add features that include Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system with Selec-Terrain, front and second-row heated leather seats, memory settings, Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge auto-leveling headlamps with SmartBeam, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sun roof, Parkview rear back-up camera, Parksense rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, Garmin navigation, rain-sensitive wipers and bright door handles.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4: $42,995 (including $780 for destination)

Overland 4x4 models add numerous features including Quadra-Lift air suspension, premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood bezels, leather-stitched instrument panel/doors/center console armrest, power liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.