2011 Mopar Dodge Avenger rally car review and pictures

Mopar Dodge Avenger rally car review:

Mopar Unveils Avenger Rally Car to Celebrate New Relationship with Magneti Marelli

A new Dodge Avenger rally car was unveiled today at Chrysler Group LLC's Mopar Complex in Center Line, Mich., heralding the first collaboration in the brand's newly announced relationship with Magneti Marelli.

The public will get their first glimpse of the vehicle up close at the New York International Auto Show, April 22-May 1.

"Our Dodge Avenger Rally car showcases Mopar's new relationship with Magneti Marelli," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group's service, parts and customer-care brand. "Our companies worked closely together to bring this vehicle to life in a joint build that utilizes proven, quality-tested performance parts and accessories from Mopar and Magneti Marelli. We will gauge reaction to this vehicle and determine which parts will go into production."

Mopar's choice of a rally car to christen the new alliance with Magneti Marelli found its roots in the Italian aftermarket parts supplier's rich tradition in rally car competition in Europe, as well as the rising popularity of the motorsport in the United States. The build was conducted at Mopar's accessory and performance parts lab in Center Line, Mich., where the vehicle was prepared. The result is a rally car that blends American flair with distinct European tradition.

"This is a purpose-built vehicle with collaborative parts from Magneti Marelli and Mopar," said Dino Maggioni, CEO of Magneti Marelli Aftermarket. "We selected Magneti Marelli and Mopar parts, adapted them to the Dodge Avenger and made them unique. The result is a fascinating blend of these two iconic brands."

Starting with a stock 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat, Mopar and Magneti Marelli engineers transformed the vehicle into a race-inspired vehicle equipped to handle the most challenging rally courses, while reducing the weight of the vehicle by nearly 200 pounds.

The Dodge Avenger's interior was stripped down to bare essentials then outfitted with a variety of unique Mopar and Magneti Marelli parts to complete the conversion into a rally car, including a purpose-built center stack and console with a compact high-performance 1 GB data logger and an integrated GPS and inertial platform with real-time calculation of pitch and roll angles. A full 8-point Mopar roll cage, race seats with 5-point racing harnesses, steering wheel and diamond-plate foot well from OMP, a world-renowned racing component manufacturer, round out the interior transformation.

A new Dodge Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine powers the Dodge Avenger rally car, controlled by paddle shifts integrated into the steering wheel. To enhance performance, the exhaust system and Mopar cold-air intake boost horsepower from 283 bhp to 300 bhp. A high-performance Mopar/Magneti Marelli braking system provides a stable, solid braking performance under all driving conditions for the Dodge Avenger. As part of this braking package, a single-lever, dual-control rear braking system, which allows the driver to actuate both rear brakes in order to initiate the sudden slides and turns required in negotiating tough rally courses, is included.

A special Mopar/Magneti Marelli-modified suspension lowers the ride of the Dodge Avenger by 1.5 inches, improving handling, cornering ability and response as the vehicle zooms over rally course obstacles on durable Pirelli tires and unique Mopar/Magneti Marelli 18-inch alloy racing wheels. The exterior is finished in Brilliant Black and features a Mopar/Magneti Marelli graphics wrap with a rear spoiler, hood and mud flaps.

Upon completion of the vehicle, engineers conducted extensive performance testing at Chrysler Group's proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich.

Following is information on Mopar's Dodge Avenger Rally Car:

CHASSIS

Stock 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat

INTERIOR

• Flat carbon fiber inner door panels
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli unique carbon-fiber hydra-graphics center stack
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli fully programmable slim racing display with shift lights and alarm multi-color LEDs
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli unique carbon-fiber hydra-graphics center console
  
• OMP racing seats, branded Mopar
  
• OMP 5-point racing harnesses
  
• OMP steering wheel with Mopar/Magneti Marelli integrated paddle-shift system
  
• OMP footrests
  
• Mopar full 8-point roll cage
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli fire extinguisher
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli compact high-performance 1 GB data logger
  
• GPS box with integrated inertial platform with real-time calculation of pitch and roll angles

UNDERHOOD

• Dodge Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine
  
• Mopar tower-to-tower cross-car brace
  
• Mopar cold-air intake
  
• Mopar Cat-Back Exhaust w/Magneti Marelli tips
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli high-performance ECU with TC, DBW, VVT

BRAKES/GEARBOX

• Mopar/Magneti Marelli rally package rear brake system, with hand-operated rally brake
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli unique front brakes with 14.25-inch diameter front rotors and 13.5-inch diameter rear rotors
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli unique paddle-gear shift
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli shift knob
  
• Stock 6-speed 62TE autostick transmission

SUSPENSION

• Mopar/Magneti Marelli suspension system, lowering the car 1.5-inches
  
• WHEELS/TIRES
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli 18-inch alloy racing wheels
  
• 225/650 R18 competition Pirelli P-Zero tires

EXTERIOR

• Mopar/Magneti Marelli unique rear spoiler
  
• OMP hood pins
  
• Mopar/Magneti Marelli unique mud flaps
  
• Mopar and Magneti Marelli graphics, with logos from sponsor Shell Lubricants
  
• Mopar Brilliant Black body color