Pentastar V6 to Find its Way Into 13 Models Across the Chrysler Group Range, Including 2011 Challenger

The Chrysler Group's new Pentastar V6 gasoline engine will either replace current six-cylinder units or be introduced for the first time on a total of 13 vehicles across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep range by 2013, the company announced this week.

The 3.6-liter V6 unit will be offered with different levels of output, the most powerful [for now] iteration being the one fitted on the upcoming 2011 Dodge Challenger, which will be rated at 305 bhp at 6,350 rpm and 268 lb.ft. at 4,800 rpm, representing a 55 horsepower increase over the previous 3.5-liter V6.

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Vilner Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600: "Bulgarian Job, but a Nice One"

That's the title that came with the press release on Vilner's Jeep Grand Cherokee tune that arrived in our mailbox, and we just had to use it. After all, it's always refreshing to see people in the auto industry with a sense of humor. Now, onto the little bit of info on this 600-horsepower Jeep.

Vilner, a Bulgarian tuner, has crafted this über-luxurious interior for the SRT600 Grand Cherokee. The Bulgarian tuner says the car has a "Vortech" turbo system (likely a Hennessey unit, as it's an SRT600) and, as you can see for yourself, a sea of grey leather and Alcantara highlighted by carbon fiber trim.

Other than that, there isn't much to say. Enjoy the pics below and don't forget to take a look at the press release which includes some hit catch phrases such as "your chances to sit in this car are close to zero" and "it smells like a LOT (and) expensive leather".

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Jeep Launches Mopar Accessories for New Grand Cherokee

The Chrysler Group's Mopar division has released a host of accessories for the recently launched 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Buyers can upgrade and customize Jeep's flagship SUV model with heaps of parts and accessories ranging from a mobile TV and WiFi tech that turns the vehicle into a wireless hot spot, to tubular side steps and a camper trailer. For the complete list of available parts and pricing, follow the jump for Mopar's detailed press release.

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Paris Preshow: Jeep Announces Fresh Euro Lineup, Two New Oil Burners

Jeep will debut an updated European lineup in Paris this year, and for the first time in a while it may actually appeal to Western European consumers. The 2011 Grand Cherokee, revised 2011 Wrangler, and the rest of the off-road crew are appearing to showcase two new forms of diesel power.

Naturally, Jeep won't be bringing anything new models to the Parisian table, but the diesel engines are here in order to help entice European buyers into giving the American Commando brand a closer look.

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Chrysler / Fiat US Plans Laid Out, New Dodge Viper on the way in 2012

It turns out Sergio Marchionne brought a gift when he spoke with Chrysler dealers down in Florida earlier this week. Can we guess what it was? No, the rumored Jeep truck was a bonus (and a no-brainer). High fives all around if you said 2012 Dodge Viper. The company showed dealers an early prototype of the next Viper finished in a candy-apple red color. According to one dealer present at the meeting, the Viper concept "resembled the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione with a Viper face." We shall see.

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2011MY Jeep Liberty: New Steering Wheel, Media Systems and Colors

After yesterday's news on the US-spec Fiat 500 and the redesigned Chrysler Sebring (renamed to '200') and Town & Country, and Jeep Patriot models, the subtle changes and upgrades on other 2011MY Chrysler Group products, including the Jeep Liberty (named Cherokee in Europe, Australia and other markets), went by somewhat unnoticed.

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2011 Jeep Patriot gets Tweaked, Proves it's all in the Details

Jeep has released images of its freshened-up Jeep Patriot, and it looks like...the Jeep Patriot. Although front and rear fascias have been facelifted, the differences are only noticeable upon very close inspection.

Outside, the Patriot gets a new body-colored grille, standard fog lamps, new 17-inch wheels, lower rear bumper, and a total of four new colors. On the off-road side of things, the 4X4 models receives a one inch increase in ride height.

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Chrysler to Show Dealers New Models, Discuss Future at Florida Meeting on Tuesday

Chrysler dealers will meet in Orlando, Florida tomorrow to discuss the Pentastar's future and their role in it. Some 1,735 (out of 2,314) dealers will be getting up close and personal with new models, as well as getting sneak peeks (call us!) at some of the upcoming model facelifts and updates including the refreshed Dodge Challenger and minivans, and the new Fiat 500.

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Soldiers Rip to Pieces and then Rebuild Army Jeep in Less than 4 Minutes!

For many, the world's most iconic automobile is not the Ford Model T or the Volkswagen Beetle. For them, it's the humble Willys Jeep. Serving in three wars, the Jeep (or MB) was built to fulfill a 1930s War Department requirement for a light 4x4 utility vehicle that was both simple and reliable.

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NHTSA Investigates Jeep Grand Cherokee Over Possible Fuel-Tank Defect after Fire-Related Deaths in Crashes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening an investigation of around 3 million Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 1993 through 2004 model years over concerns that defective fuel tanks could cause pose a serious fire hazard in crashes. The probe comes in response to a request from the Center for Auto Safety, which is a non-profit Washington group founded by consumer advocate Ralph Nader.

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2011 Jeep Wrangler Facelift: First Official Photos

The Chrysler Group has just lifted the wraps off its update/upgraded for the 2011 model year, Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4s. Highlights include a much-needed redesign of the interior with improved materials (or so the company claims) and a fresh styling, plus an all-new body-color hard top for the Sahara model and equipment upgrades that include a USB slot for the audio system.

Prices and availability for the 2011 Wrangler will be announced at a later date (though, Jeep said production began earlier this week at the firm's Toledo plant in Ohio). Until then, follow the break for a comprehensive high-res image gallery and the official press release.

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Chrysler Group to Offer More Products Than Ford, Toyota

A report from Autonews says Chrysler will be carpet-bombing car lots with up to 25 new models for its four sub-brands by 2013, up from 17. If new versions of the Dakota/Nitro/Viper don't appear, that number will be cut to 22. This still means that the littlest of the Detroit Three will be taking a huge step, challenging both its sales and marketing people with moving a lot of product.

Analysts and dealers seem to think that the leap in "fresh faces on the lot" may appear to be taking off more than the company chew. Not all seem to agree, however, with at least one general manager ready to jump in with both feet: "We're in desperate need of new product...I don't think that there's any number that would scare me away." That's the kind of Don Ready attitude that should make people excited about what Chrysler will be up to in the next few years.

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Chrysler Group's Belvidere Plant Rolls Out One Millionth Vehicle

he Chrysler Group's Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois reached a major milestone on Wednesday, July 28, when the one millionth vehicle, a natural green Jeep Patriot, that will be delivered to B.Z. Motors Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge dealer in Lewisburg, Pa, rolled off the assembly line.

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SPIED: 2011 Jeep Wrangler Receives an Interior Makeover As Well

Following on from last week's scoop with two exterior shots (click here and here) of the upcoming 2011 model year Jeep Wrangler, courtesy of the news website 'Toledoblade', the Chrysler Group enthusiasts over at Allpar have now come into possession of some revealing images of the facelifted 4x4's interior.

The photos show a redesigned dash with a new instrument panel and center console, and possibly higher-quality materials. There's also a new three-spoke steering wheel with a thicker rim, which now houses the audio and cruise controls. Other changes include the restyled door panels, a new audio system and the generous use of aluminum trim throughout the interior for a more upscale feel. For the complete set of scoop photos, hop over to Allpar.

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Jeep Adds Off-Road Camper Trailers to its Portfolio

Jeep and Mopar have teamed up to introduce a new pair of Jeep-branded off-road camping trailers that will be offered for sale in the U.S. starting this August. The designs of both the entry-level Trail Edition model and the Extreme Trail Edition are inspired by the Wrangler sharing many parts with the actual model including tail lights, wheels, fender flares and badges.

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Jeep UK Reheats 2010 Grand Cherokee Leftovers with SRT-Inspired Edition

It won't be long before Chrysler introduces the all-new generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee to the British market, but for now, UK buyers will have to do with the current model that's been spiced up with some SRT-inspired interior and exterior features and called the "S-Limited".

Production of the new special edition Grand Cherokee is limited to 250 units, all of which are powered by a 3.0-litre, six cylinder diesel engine producing 215-horsepower and 376 Ib ft of peak torque.

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Ford and Chrysler Group Recalling Certain Models

The Chrysler LLC Group and Ford Motor Co. have announced two separate (and not related) recalls on some of their vehicles.

Starting with Ford, the Detroit automaker is recalling a total of 33,728 of its 2010MY Transit Connect vans manufactured from December 5, 2008 through May 31, 2010 over a potential safety issue concerning the retention pushpin located on the headliner above the B-pillar trim on both sides of the vehicles.

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Chrysler Wraps Headquarters in Honor of 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

As part of its ongoing marketing campaign for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that is scheduled to arrive in dealerships later this month, Chrysler put up a dedicated 103 feet long and 52 feet tall building wrap at its headquarters in Auburn Hills.

The canvas wrap features the new Jeep model and the company's new tagline, "The things we make, make us", which made its screen debut in the very first TV spot for the 2011 Grand Cherokee (watch it here).

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Chrysler Releases First TV Spot for 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Being one of the most important launches of the year for the Chrysler Group and the first to come during the newly-formed alliance with Fiat SpA, the Detroit automaker is working hard to spread the word about the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as the change of philosophy in the company.

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Sticky Pedal Virus Hits Chrysler, More than 25,000 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass Models Being Recalled

The Chrysler Group is the latest automaker to issue a recall over potential problems related one way or another with gas pedals. The Detroit manufacturer said that it is going to recall a total of 25,336 2007MY Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass models to address complaints about sticky gas pedals.

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