2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket Special

There is no shortage of special editions in the Chrysler Group, which has just released details and a photo next to it for a model limited edition 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket until next week, Los Angeles Auto Show.

No prizes for guessing why such special called Challenger. On the outside, coupled with a color Dodge designers Stinger yellow body with a black border grille and matching band color profile revealed by the Yellow Jacket logo custom rear wing.

A set of design 20-inch five-spoke cast aluminum painted black exterior pockets complete the improvements.

What is interior, the Dodge has not yet announced the images, the company claims that the special Challenger SRT8 gets leather as standard with an exclusive group of Stinger yellow accents, a yellow jacket with embroidered logo and stitching accents silver.

"Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket adds another piece of nostalgia for the performance of our car rear-drive muscle coupe range in 2012," said Ralph Gilles, Managing Director - Brand and SRT motor. "Stinger yellow paint and decorations to speak directly to fans who appreciate performance of a product memorable and collectible color, which helps to provide more excitement and exclusivity."

Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket to keep the standard 6.4-liter V8 HEMI that is rated at 470 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque ..

Without going into detail, Dodge said it will build a limited number of models 2012 Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket for the U.S. market. The car will be available by the end of December with the first models arriving in showrooms in the first quarter of 2012.

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Chrysler CEO Says Lancia Ypsilon Not Coming to the U.S. After All, while Compact Model is “Under Review”

Back in 2009, the Fiat and Chrysler alliance had revealed plans for the U.S. launch of a compact model based on the Lancia Delta in 2012 and a Chrysler-badged version of the Lancia Ypsilon in 2013.

Now it seems that the automaker has changed its strategy. At the New York Auto Show, Chrysler and Lancia brand president Olivier Francois told Car&Driver that the Ypsilon-based Chrysler model is dead for the U.S. as the company believes it is too similar with the Fiat 500, upon which the Lancia subcompact is based on, and could hurt its sales.

For the record, during a recent press event in Turin, Italy, a Lancia official told Carscoop that the Ypsilon U.S. launch would largely depend on the market's response to the Fiat 500.

Another Lancia product that was also planned for North America is the Delta, showcased at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show with Chrysler badges. Although it was fairly well received by the American public and the company's strategy included a Chrysler-badged version of the Delta for the U.S., Olivier Francois now says the project is “under review” indefinitely (i.e. canceled until further notice).

However, it's possible that Dodge will get the car. Dodge brand president Ralph Gilles confirmed that his marque will definitely get a compact car to replace the Caliber, which could mean Chrysler will be left without the Delta. Gilles said that the Dodge compact sedan will be very fuel-efficient and that it will use Fiat-sourced four-cylinder engines.

By Dan Mihalascu

 

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Dodge Boss Says Chrysler is considering New Barracuda

Is there room in the U.S. market for an another retro-style muscle car? According to Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's chief designer and boss of the Dodge brand, the answer to that question is yes. At last week's SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas, Gilles told show-goers at the Mopar stand that he is "seriously thinking of how to revive the Plymouth Barracuda."

"There's a lot of pressure on us to bring the 'Cuda back," said Ralph Gilles. Speaking with reporters he added that "the customers have (been) stomping their feet for it."

Being that the Plymouth brand was phased out from the Chrysler Group's portfolio back in 2001, if the 'Cuda were to be revived, it would probably be marketed under the Chrysler brand. And like the original 1970s model, it would be based off the current Dodge Challenger.

This is not the first time that Chrysler Group has toyed around with the idea of bringing back the 'Cuda nameplate, but due to ownership changes and of course, last year's bailout, the company was forced to put all plans on hold.

Over the past years, we've seen a few concept models of the Cuda. At the 2007 edition of the SEMA Show, there was a custom-made build called the "BBP Project 'Cuda". That's the one featured in our photo gallery here.

The 'Cuda concept was handcrafted by Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, which coincidentally, was the same company that manufactured the original Challenger Concept that lead to the current production model.

Though many might think that it isbased on the Challenger, the 'Cuda study is actually built on shortened version of a brand new 2007 Charger SRT8. The design of the car was inspired by its 1970-74 "E" Body ancestors. It was auctioned off by Barret Jackson in 2008 for $159,500. Metalcrafters also created a convertible version of the 'Cuda concept, which you can check out here.

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