New S Appearance Package Offers Sporty Look for 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

New S Appearance Package Offers Sporty Look for 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

New S Appearance Package Offers Sporty Look for 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

The award-winning Chrysler Pacifica is now available with a new attitude, courtesy of the S Appearance Package. With the S Appearance Package, the 2018 Pacifica gets a sporty look featuring black accents inside and out. Already the most awarded minivan of both 2016 and 2017, the Chrysler Pacifica’s available new look is designed to attract even more attention.

“The Chrysler Pacifica definitely stands out in the school drop-off line, and its class-leading style has won over many new customers,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America. “The Pacifica’s S Appearance Package takes that style to the next level and offers our customers yet another unique personality that further differentiates Pacifica from the rest of the segment.”

The Pacifica’s S Appearance Package features Gloss Black accents throughout the exterior, including grille surrounds, eyebrow accents on headlamps, daylight opening molding and rear valance molding. Eighteen-inch wheels with a Black Noise finish are standard, while 20-inch Black Noise wheels are available. The Chrysler wing badges on the front and rear are Black Noise with a Gloss Black insert, while the “Pacifica” and “S” badges in the rear are also in Black Noise. A black roof rack is optional on the Touring Plus and standard on other trim levels equipped with the S Appearance Package.

Inside, the S Appearance Package includes black seats with Light Diesel Gray accents and the “S” logo; Light Diesel Gray stitching and Piano Black accents on the steering wheel; and Light Diesel Gray stitching and Anodized Ice Cave bezels on the instrument panel and door trim. All other interior elements are fully black, including the front overhead console, headliner, visors, second- and third-row cargo lighting bezel, A-pillar trim and center console.

The Chrysler Pacifica S Appearance Package is available for $595 U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and can be added to any Touring Plus, Touring L, Touring L Plus or Limited models in any exterior paint color. The 20-inch Black Noise wheels can be added to any model equipped with the S Appearance Package for an additional $995 MSRP. The S Appearance Package will be available to order this week and in dealer showrooms this fall.

The Chrysler Pacifica also receives additional updates for the 2018 model year, including standard SafetyTec across all gas and hybrid models, upgraded Uconnect 4 systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available 4G LTE Wi-Fi (late availability).

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica delivers class-leading gasoline and hybrid powertrains to the minivan segment. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromises minivan ideally suited for today’s families and has earned its spot as the most awarded minivan of 2016 and 2017.

courtesy: media.fcanorthamerica.com

Mopar Turns 80: No Signs of Slowing Down

Mopar Turns 80: No Signs of Slowing Down

Mopar Turns 80: No Signs of Slowing Down

Mopar celebrates its 80th birthday on Aug. 1. From humble beginnings as a name for engine anti-freeze, the Mopar brand has come a long way and shows no signs of slowing down as it rolls past 80 years on the history odometer.

Today, the Mopar name works harder than ever — delivering high-quality service, parts and customer care for FCA vehicle brands and owners across the globe. Mopar reaches more than 150 markets, offers a portfolio of more than 500,000 products, taps into a network of more than 50 parts distribution centers around the world and welcomes almost 3 million visitors per year to the brand’s online Mopar Owner Center.

Aug. 1, 1937, is when the Chrysler Corp. introduced its ethylene-glycol-based anti-freeze under the Mopar name – a contraction of the words Motor and Parts. Two years later the company would trademark the Mopar name as the portfolio of parts grew rapidly. That growth spurred the opening in 1953 of the Mopar Parts Depot near Detroit in Center Line, Michigan, which today still serves as the spiritual hub for Mopar, shipping more than 16.5 million parts a year.

Mopar’s performance heritage roared to life in the 1960s. Trailblazers including a group of engineers calling themselves the Ramchargers and NHRA icon “Big Daddy” Don Garlits push the speed envelope on the strip and cement the brand’s reputation for success at the track. The HEMI® engine also dominates in muscle cars on the street as passionate enthusiasts and owners begin to refer to any Dodge, Chrysler or Plymouth vehicle as a “Mopar” car, giving the brand name recognition unlike any other service and parts organization.

As electronics take on a larger role in engine and vehicle performance, Mopar boosts its emphasis on customer care and technician training. The Mopar College Automotive Program (CAP) is launched, partnering with community colleges and dealerships on a two-year education/internship to train the next generation of service technicians.

Mopar has equipped service technicians with advanced technology, such as the wiTECH wireless diagnostic system, to help repair vehicles faster and right the first time. The growth of hand-held wireless devices helps Mopar, through a series of vehicle-information apps, open a new channel of communication with owners.

In 2008, Mopar launches its quick, convenient Express Lane service in dealerships, offering easy access to critical service needs such as oil changes and vehicle inspections. Mopar Express Lane has rapidly expanded to encompass more than 1,750 outlets in operation in more than 20 countries.

From that single line of anti-freeze, Mopar’s parts portfolio now runs the spectrum from basic maintenance items to performance parts for Jeep®, Dodge, Chrysler, Ram and FIAT vehicles, to Magneti Marelli brand parts for a wide range of non-FCA vehicles. Mopar and its partners also service enthusiasts looking to restore classic vehicles or add a modern touch, such as the recently introduced Crate HEMI Engine kits.

The drag strip continues to be the home of HEMI and Mopar racing technology, with the Dodge Challenger R/T Funny Cars of the Don Schumacher Racing stable dominating the NHRA class. Mopar-backed driver Matt Hagan is running a special 80thAnniversary paint scheme on his car.

courtesy: blog.chryslergroupllc.com

Sonoma Wine Country Does Not Bear Fruit For Dodge And Mopar

Sonoma Wine Country Does Not Bear Fruit For Dodge And Mopar

Sonoma Wine Country Does Not Bear Fruit For Dodge And Mopar

There is beautiful wine country surrounding Sonoma Raceway in California, but Dodge and Mopar® drivers will not be sorry to leave. Jack Beckman set the pace for Mopar this weekend at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, turning in a valiant effort in his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car with a semifinal appearance.

Yet, despite Beckman’s best attempt, the Sonoma event ended a streak of 11 consecutive final-round appearances by Mopar Dodge Funny Cars in 2017. It was also the first time this year that neither a HEMI®-powered Funny Car nor Top Fuel dragster from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) appeared in at least one category final round.

However, Mopar Funny Cars still have claimed 12 of 15 event wins on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule this season, while Mopar Top Fuel machines have four wins to their credit.

At Sonoma, Beckman first drove his Mopar Dodge from DSR past Jonnie Lindberg on a clean pass in the first round when the young Swedish driver had issues at the hit of the throttle. Beckman next took down Del Worsham in round two, despite an explosion as the car crossed the finish line. Beckman gave up lane choice to J.R. Todd in the semis, but still looked like he had the race won when Todd smoked the tires at the starting line. Beckman’s car slowed as he worked his way down the track though, allowing eventual event winner Todd to make a come-from-behind pass for the win and end Beckman’s march.

Also in Funny Car, Tommy Johnson Jr. and his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T team from DSR began their day by defeating teammate Ron Capps in the first round for the second week in a row. Johnson next matched up against Courtney Force in round two, where each driver struggled to find traction at the starting line. Both pedaled but Force ultimately turned on the win light.

Matt Hagan, meanwhile, went out in the first round after smoking the tires in his Mopar 80th/Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car. He fell to Del Worsham even as Worsham also struggled to get down track.

In the Top Fuel ranks, Leah Pritchett set a track record during qualifying to earn No. 1 honors. She defeated Terry Haddock in her Papa John’s Pizza/Mopar Pennzoil dragster from DSR during round one, but dropped cylinders forced her to bow out in the second round to Terry McMillen.

Pritchett’s Mopar-powered Top Fuel teammate, eight-time champion Tony Schumacher, smoked the tires in his U.S. Army car when the light turned green in the first round. He tried to pedal but eventually was forced to give up and was upset by Scott Palmer. Even with the team’s recent struggles, Schumacher still secured a spot in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs during the weekend.

courtesy: www.drivesrt.com

Bulgari jewellery takes a trip in the Fiat 500

Bulgari jewellery takes a trip in the Fiat 500

Bulgari jewellery takes a trip in the Fiat 500
Fiat and Bulgari have agreed a prestige partnership to form an integral part of Bulgari’s “Roman Holiday” creative campaign, expressing the exuberant spirit and ‘joie de vivre’ of the two all-Italian brands worldwide.

For the campaign, 1,600 exquisite pottery miniatures of the historic Fiat 500F, to scale 1:6 and 1:12, have been produced to adorn the windows of around 300 Bulgari boutiques worldwide. These cars will be carrying “passengers” of great distinction: magnificent items of Bulgari jewellery, symbolising the finest Italian taste and style.

Bulgari jewellery takes a trip in the Fiat 500

The little white and gold models are reproductions of the most popular Fiat 500 of all time, the F series, built from 1965 to 1972. And on July 4th this year, this model’s work-of-art status was formally recognised, as one of its number joined the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, in New York. It was a well-deserved homage to the iconic little Fiat 500, which celebrates its 60th birthday this year and is a symbol of Italian creativity, capable of inspiring artists and designers all around the world, a unique expression of beauty and art.

The 500 project fits perfectly into the “Roman Holiday” summer campaign, Bulgari’s new creative programme originating from the famous film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, with advertising constructed around very colourful maps of Rome – home to both the most splendid cultural monuments and famous entertainment venues – which evoke the Eternal City’s hedonistic spirit. The irresistible joie de vivre of these drawings, by the young but already successful artist Lotta Nieminen, is well matched by the fun-loving, cheerful character of the Fiat 500, a global ambassador for Italy and emblem of mass car ownership.

Bulgari jewellery takes a trip in the Fiat 500

The model Fiat 500s are accompanied by miniatures of another Italian symbol, the Vespa scooter.

Some of the objects produced by the creativity of post-war Italian industry, of which the 500 and the Vespa are fine examples, cannot be judged merely by their appearance. Revolutionary in their design and concept, they exert a special, magical appeal, redefining shared assumptions, and are key masterpieces of industrial history. The Fiat 500, may have shaped automotive history but it has never been merely a car – in its 60 years of history, it has entered the collective imagination and has become an industrial icon of immense artistic and cultural value.

courtesy: www.fiatpress.com

The Fiat 500 Acquired By The Museum Of Modern Art In New York

Fiat 500

Fiat 500

The best-loved car in Fiat’s history, the icon that made Italians into car-owners, and worldwide ambassador for the country, celebrates its 60th birthday today with a special event that honours its history and the style and design that made it famous across the globe. Not by chance, it is joining the permanent collection of the MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art, in New York.

“While the Fiat 500 has unquestionably left its mark on automotive history, it is equally true that it has never been just a car”, said Olivier François, Head of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing Officer FCA. “In its 60 years of history, the 500 has transcended its material manifestation to enter the collective imagination and become an icon, which has now the honour of being certified by being acquired by MoMA in a tribute to its artistic and cultural value”.

“The Fiat 500 is an icon of automotive history that fundamentally altered car design and production” said Martino Stierli, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at MoMA. “Adding this unpretentious masterpiece to our collection will allow us to broaden the story of automotive design as told by the Museum”

The model acquired by MoMA will be a 500 F series, the most popular 500 ever, made from 1965 to 1972. Fiat’s “great little car” was an instant success worldwide, and the 18 HP of its 499.5 cm3 engine gave it a top speed of 95 km/h. Over 4,000,000 units were made from 1957 to 1975. From the New 500 in the late 50s, on to the Sport and then the D, both more powerful, followed by the F, which holds the record for the number produced, through to the more comfortable L, and finally the R.

The Fiat 500 is not just a symbol of mass car ownership. Over time, it has become a style and design icon. Unmistakable design has inspired the imagination of artists, who have responded with elegant, exclusive and sporty interpretations. It has achieved the feat of maintaining its identity while remaining youthful over 60 years of history and lifestyles, fashion and society. A successful car, but also a cultural phenomenon in centre stage for 60 years, never going out of fashion. With the launch of the new generation in 2007, the 500 appeared in a variety of original and cool interpretations, both hatchback and convertible, with an array of extraordinarily successful special editions (such as the 500 by Diesel, the 500 Gucci and the 500 Riva).

Success is reasserted by numbers: the Fiat 500 is the best-seller in Europe, ranking first in eight countries and among the first three in six others. The 2007 version won over 2,000,000 motorists in just 10 years and has reaped accolade after accolade since its debut, including Car of the Year and the Compasso d’oro design award.

The 500 is the symbol of Italian creativity which has always inspired artists and designers worldwide becoming an icon of beauty and art. Today, it makes another step forward becoming a work of art in its own right by the side of the other great icons of Italian design and yet again remaining “Forever Young”.

courtesy: www.fiat.com