On January 31st, Chrysler’s Mopar Division (a term coined from its original title, Motor Parts), celebrates its 75th birthday. And what  could be a better way to mark the occasion than unveiling four modified production vehicles created from the current Mopar performance catalog.

The official unveiling of these four, as of yet unknown machines (the image above is of Mopar’s existing Jeep Wrangler JK-8 pickup conversion), will take place tomorrow at 9.00 Eastern Standard Time at Mopar’s Accessory and Performance Parts Lab, located at 26001 Lawrence Avenue, Center Line, Michigan.

Present at the ceremony will be Pietro Gorlier, who currently heads up Mopar division, along with legendary drag racer Don Garlits. Once the four vehicles have been revealed, they will take pride of place on the Chrysler stand at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, which runs from February 10-19.

Live streaming of the official unveiling begins at 8.30 am EST tomorrow. For more information, click on the link below:

[Source: Mopar]

The Dodge Dart is being billed as Chrysler-Fiat‘s foray into the increased efficiency market that is growing quickly in the U.S. Now, Dodge customers who are already planning on buying one when they become available in 2013 have a little more to look forward to.

Mopar is offering a list of accessories and a few performance parts to spiff up the little sedan, though nothing in the go-faster department. So far, we’re aware of the following: a brake upgrade including new calipers, rotors and pads and an 18-inch wheel upgrade are the only available mechanical improvements.

Beyond that, you can opt for a hood scoop, carbon fiber grille insert, a matte black chin spoiler, oodles of chrome pieces, rocker panel extensions and much much more. In fact, there are 150 total accessories. That should be enough to make sure that your Dart will be different than any other on the road, if you want to spend the money to make it that way.

Aside from that, Dart owners can take advantage of options like a smart phone app to do everything from remote start to checking tire pressure. Remote 3G wifi will also make it a potential mobile hotspot and wireless charging for cell phones and mp3 players adds some tech flair. All of these goodies will be available from the get go when the car launches.

If it wasn’t abundantly clear before, it is now: the Dart is aimed squarely at a young, plugged in and constantly connected crowd of consumers.

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

See AutoGuide’s First Look Video of the new Dodge Dart below:

Discuss this story at Dartforums.com

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With the North American International Auto Show almost upon us, Chrysler has announced that it’ll be exhibiting Mopar enhanced examples of some of its mainstream offerings.

One of them is this, the Chrysler 200 Super S, which sports both cosmetic and mild engineering enhancements that actually give this milquetoast car a bit of sass. The former, which will be listed as a Stage One package through Mopar’s parts catalog, includes a prominent front chin spoiler, satin chrome trim around the grille and foglight housings, plus mesh inserts for the gloss black finished upper and lower grille portions.

Further aspects of the Stage One package include requisite rocker panel extensions, black chrome “200″ emblems, 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gray or hyper black, plus rump upgrades in the shape of a rear decklid spoiler, satin chrome light bar and a matte black lower diffuser.

A Stage Two performance kit, adds a coilover suspension, which drops the ride height and improves cornering thanks to a lower center of gravity, plus a cold-air intake kit for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and an after-cat low restriction exhaust with dual outlets that blend in with the rear diffuser.

Although not much more information is currently available, Chrysler has said that the Stage One and Two Packages for the 200S will be available through authorized Mopar dealers later this year.

GALLERY: 2012 Chrysler 200 Super S

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Preview here

CEC Wheels has long been an authorized distributor of high-end TechArt products for various Porsche models, but it appears that’s no longer the case.

They are currently liquidating their TechArt inventory at deeply discounted prices – so now would be a great time to snag some TechArt goods if you’ve been in the market for some.They stated that effective immediately they are no longer affiliated with TechArt and will be replacing their Porsche tuning programs with a new company shortly. Regardless, give CEC a call at 800-766-0064 to see what genuine TechArt products they have left for your Porsche.

An investigation is currently underway regarding a cross-continent auto-parts price fixing operation involving the authorities of Australia, United States, Europe and Japan.

These companies have supplied parts to both automakers and aftermarket companies in immense volumes that caused a certain government official to even declare that this investigation is the largest probe in U.S. history. A total of 20 automotive suppliers are under scrutiny although it is believed that the scope of the investigation is much greater. Selective companies that have been identified are publicly traded and, by law, must disclose involvement in the investigation to shareholders. However, private companies are not obligated to do the same.

Furukawa Electric Company of Japan is currently the first and only company to be convicted of price fixing in the investigation. Given a $200 million USD fine, three of Furukawa’s U.S. based execs face criminal charges and incarceration. Subpoenas have been handed down for raids against 19 suppliers over six supply sectors.

[Source: Autoblog]

Keeping vintage Ford Mustang enthusiasts happy, Ford have added a new full classic Mustang body shell to its Ford Restoration Parts catalog.

Along with the 1969 Mustang Fastback and the 1965 Mustang Convertible, the addition of the 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible body shell should be extremely popular. Featuring pronounced character lines, the 1967 body style is identical to what was used in the era’s Shelby GT350s and GT500s. The 1967 body shell is also wider and offers a larger engine bay than the 1964 1/2 to 1966 model. According to Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager Dennis Mondrach, “These days, the chances are fairly slim of finding a restorable, rust-free ’67 Mustang that has never been wrecked. As the value of classic Mustangs has increased over the years, garages, barns, and scrapyards have been picked clean.”

Moreover, Ford built these classic shells using modern welding techniques and manufacturing practices. The new ’67 body shell will be stronger and will be capable of handling 428 cubic inch big block engines while retaining an identical appearance to the original. The ’67 Mustang Convertible body shell will be on sale for $15,995.

GALLERY: 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible Body Shell

Higher than anticipated demand for the JK-8 Independence  conversion kit, designed to turn a Jeep Wrangler into a pickup truck, led Mopar division president Pietro Gorlier joking that,” Santa Claus is coming early.”

Given that orders for the kits are now outstripping original estimates (400 sales so far versus  250-300), clearly Christmas has arrived early for both Jeep enthusiasts and dealers alike.

It also shows there’s pent up demand for a factory built Jeep pickup, giving further traction to the idea that such a vehicle, based on the Wrangler might materialize down the road.

It’s no secret that Jeep brand president Mike Manley is a fan of the concept and now, Gorlier’s stance seems to echo Manley’s sentiments, the Mopar chief stating that, “when we go to the next generation of the Wrangler, (a pickup) will probably be considered.”

At present, the Wrangler is Jeep’s best selling SUV, so far some 111,045 units have been delivered this year, quite impressive for a vehicle that hasn’t seen a major update since 2006. And, given vehicle life cycles these days, an updated Wrangler probably isn’t too far off.

When it does eventually materialize, based on current demand from the JK-8 kits, having a pickup would no doubt bolster sales of the existing Wrangler lineup. It could also draw in buyers from other small pickups who, next year, will have very few options when it comes to new, compact truck offerings.

In the meantime, Mopar plans on supplying as many JK-8 kits as it can to dealers, though given the size of each package, it’s proving difficult for them to carry a large amount in stock. “The kit is too big and too complex to have too many on the shelf,” remarked Gorlier. That said he’s enthusiastic about the response so far. “It’s exciting for an aftermarket product.”

[Source: Ward's Auto]

MINI continues to use technology and connectivity to enhance the Mini driving experience with the release of a new app, called Driving Excitement, for its Mini Connected infotainment system. This new app allows the driver to do more than record their vehicle’s diagnostics.

The first mode in the Driving Excitement app is the Condition Check. The driver can run through a status check from engine temperature and fuel levels to the outside temperature and the chance of rain. When the Condition Check determines that all parameters are satisfactory for spirited driving, the system will declare, “Be Mini.”

The second function is Force Meter, an accelerometer that displays directional g-forces. Force Meter will record peak cornering forces as well as the driver’s steering input. The app’s Digital Sports Instrument mode can report engine coolant temperature and current engine speed as well as the amount of horsepower and torque produced.

Finally, the Mini Connected infotainment system now features a new Excitement Mode, which shuts off other functions within the system to only share key driving information so as to not distract the driver. Perhaps most clever of all, the Mini Connected also includes Dynamic Music, for enthusiasts who would like a soundtrack to their drive. Dynamic Music will help a driver choose up-tempo songs for fun, twisty two lane roads or relaxed music for the extended highway drives.

Get the complete Mini Connected app here.

Volvo‘s racing outfit, Polestar, has expanded its line of performance upgrades to Volvo’s turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder trimmed vehicles including the S60 sedan and XC60 and XC70 crossovers.

The package reflashes the T6′s ECU, increasing power from 300-hp to 325-hp and from 325 lb.-ft. of torque to 355 without any sacrifice to fuel efficiency, effectively bumping the three regular T6 models to Volvos S60 R-Design levels of performance. Surprisingly, this package has yet to become available for the flagship S80 T6.

Chris Dauerer, customer service Vice President of Volvo North America, says, “Just a few weeks after announcing the performance package for select T5 models, we have already received tremendous feedback from our customers. With Polestar, we are able to deliver our performance-minded customers the enhanced driving package they have been looking for now across a variety of our carlines.”

Want a better Volvo than the one driven by a teenage vampire? Expect the warranty-backed Polestar performance package to go on sale December 5 for $1,495.

[Source: Left Lane News]

If you’re  a car guy, then the name Haynes probably needs no introduction. The company, founded in Sparkford, Somerset, UK has produce a wide variety of workshop repair manuals for most popular makes and models of light vehicles over the last four decades. And many of us who like to tinker with cars probably have at least one or two stashed in the garage or basement.

However, until recently, Haynes manuals came strictly in the old fashioned pulp variety. Given the relentless march of the Internet through our lives and society, that’s all changed, with Haynes now offering some 50 of its best selling workshop books as digital editions.

The online versions are more than just simple PDF files, as they allow you to search for parts suppliers and incorporate videos of qualified mechanics performing the task at hand, giving a new dimension when it comes to figuring out certain aspects of vehicle repair and maintenance, thereby at least reducing, if not eliminating the trial and error approach most backyard do-it-yourselfers have to deal with at some stage.

Haynes offers users either a $25 one-year subscription or a lifetime one for just $30. Click below for a short demonstration on how the new digital manuals work.

Check out the video below