2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition Just Landed At Ottawa Dodge

Built to be tougher and bolder than the boulders it beats, this radical incarnation of Jeep_® Wrangler Rubicon takes command of all trails with authentic confidence. After a decade of winning accolades, awards, and respect, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition arrives with unique features designed to thrill hard-core fans. Climb in and head out in 4LO with the confidence of a true road warrior.

Take A Look At One Of The Largest Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Inventories In Ottawa

AN ELEGANT MASTER of ROAD AND TRAIL ALIKE

Incredibly smooth, undeniably controlled. This Grand Cherokee addresses all routes with the perfect manners born of a purebred. It is crafted to masterfully perform with style and grace, with a new 8-speed transmission that glides through each gear. A hushed, cushioned ride elevates every drive, in turn exceeding every expectation. A new and exquisite gathering of all the best has arrived, making the 2014 Grand Cherokee very, very grand, indeed.

Come on by 900 St. Laurent Blvd. in Ottawa to get a closer look.

For More Information on the price and features Click Here

The last of our three 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT’s has landed. These vehicles were produced in limited numbers and we were lucky to get three of them. Act fast before they are gone. For more information on the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT click here.

There was some excitement at Ottawa Dodge this afternoon as the brand new 2013 SRT Viper arrived. It has already been sold but will be in the show room for a few more days, so come by and take a look.

With the Viper being sold already and leaving the showroom soon we decided to take some more pictures while it is still around. Come by say hi and check it out!

We found this article on distracted driving by Richard Read, and found it to be quite interesting so we wanted to share it with you.

“We all remember what it was like to be a kid, trapped in the back seat, cutting up with brothers or sisters or schoolmates. Our parents would turn around and give us “that look”, promising all sorts of punishments if we didn’t keep still. Occasionally, they’d pull over to the side of the road, which was the most ominous threat of all. (In their defense, though, pulling over was often the only way to get our attention.)

Given those memories, it might seem that the biggest driving distraction for parents would be their unruly children. But as it turns out, that’s not entirely accurate.

Researchers at the University of Michigan recently spent eight months conducting a study at two of the state’s hospitals. Between October 2011 and May 2012, the team interviewed parents and caregivers of children ages one through 12 who’d been brought to the emergency rooms at those facilities.

During the interviews, respondents were asked how often they’d performed certain distracting activities while driving within the previous month. According to a press release, “[t]hese behaviors included talking on the phone (hands-free or handheld), texting/surfing the Internet, self-care (grooming, eating) child care (picking up a toy, feeding their child), getting directions (navigation system, map) and changing a CD or DVD.” A total of 618 adults participated, with 575 completing the full survey.

Most drivers had succumbed to at least four of the ten distractions suggested by the study’s researchers. But while child-care did rank high on the list, it wasn’t number one. Here are the top six results, in reverse order:

6. Texting

5. Entertainment

4. Directions

3. Self-care

2. Child-care

1. Phone calls

That’s right: though roughly 70% of drivers said that they’d been distracted by child-care duties within the past month, even more — about 75% — had taken or made calls behind the wheel.

While that might seem surprising, here’s one thing that’s not: folks who said that they’d never been involved in a motor vehicle collision were significantly less likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors.

Also worth pointing out: drivers who hadn’t buckled up their kids (as Michigan law requires) were 2.5 times more likely to report being distracted by child-care. (Duh, they’re called “restraints” for a reason.) For reason yet to be determined, those folks were also more likely to have texted from behind the wheel than their law-abiding counterparts.

Perhaps strangest of all: “Parents of minority race/ethnicity were significantly less likely to report their child always uses the age-appropriate restraint compared with white parents, even after controlling for education, income, child age, motivation to use a safety seat and personal seat belt use.” Researchers don’t understand why that may be, but you can bet they’ll follow up on that in future studies.”

Read the Full Article Here

May 9, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Dodge and SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brands today announced their partnership with Universal Pictures on the upcoming film ‘Fast & Furious 6,’ opening in theaters nationwide on May 24.

The partnership supports Universal’s latest installment in the Fast & Furious franchise with multitier marketing initiatives, including co-branded national, local and multicultural advertising campaigns, events, gaming, social media and merchandising.

The SRT brand supplied a 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 as the hero vehicle driven by the film’s hero, Dominic (Dom) Toretto, in various chase scenes throughout the movie. Toretto also drives a 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 and a vintage 1969 Dodge Daytona. The production used 10 Dodge Charger SRT8 vehicles powered by stock 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 engines.

“Dodge has been at the heart of the Fast & Furious franchise since the beginning and we are proud to be part of ‘Fast & Furious 6,’” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Like ‘Fast & Furious 6,’ Dodge fuels the passions of the automotive enthus

iast. Our innovative vehicles stand apart in performance and style, providing our customers with a way to express who they are and what they can do in the world.”

“Dodge continues to be as much a part of the Fast & Furious franchise as our all-star cast who have the opportunity to sit behind the wheels of the Dodge Charger, Challenger and Daytona,” said Stephanie Sperber, President, Universal Partnerships and Licensing. “We’re thrilled to showcase this partnership on screen, especially with the action-packed sequences involving Dodge vehicles, in what has become one of the most successful franchises in Universal’s history.”

Dodge created three new television commercials to promote ‘Fast & Furious 6,’ including national, dealer and multicultural spots. All ads feature clips from the movie interspersed with new vehicle footage. The first advertisements began running Sunday, May 5.

‘How to Make Your Car Fast and Furious’ National TV Commercial
The 30-second spot continues the 2013 Dodge Dart “How to” advertising theme; this time “infusing” the Dodge Dart with high-octane, smash-and-flash ‘Fast & Furious 6′ footage to create the fastest, most furious Dodge Dart yet. With stars of the film, the action-packed racing and the new, powerful Dodge Dart engine, viewers will be inspired to drive like they’ve never driven before.

The spot airs on network and cable television, including primetime, late night, sports and entertainment programming. It will be voiced over in Spanish and will run on various networks including ESPN Deportes, Galavision, Telemundo and Univision.

‘Flash to the Future’ Dealer Commercial
In this 30-second spot, a man is in a dealership and is interested in the 2013 Dodge Charger. As he sits in it and checks out the interior, a poster catches his eye – it is artwork of a Challenger promoting the Dodge Event and ‘Fast & Furious 6.’ Putting both hands on the steering wheel, he is instantly transported “into” the intense action of the new movie. He takes his hands off the wheel, and when the salesman comes and checks on him he quickly responds, “Awesome!” The spot ends with shot of the Charger, Challenger and Dart.

The spot will air in local markets across the United States.

Dodge is utilizing Shazam to create an interactive mobile experience for consumers, including the opportunity to enter their names for a chance to win a new 2013 Dodge Dart. When viewing Dodge ‘Fast & Furious 6′ television commercials from May 13 – June 30, viewers who have the Shazam App on their mobile phones or tablets will be able to tag the ads for expanded content (when prompted), including viewing the ‘Fast & Furious 6′ movie trailer, getting information on the 2013 Dodge Dart and entering the giveaway.

May 13, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Four Dodge and Chrysler vehicles earned “Best 2013 Total Quality^TM” honors in Strategic Vision’s annual Total Quality Index^TM (TQI).

Dodge Dart, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler 200 Convertible ranked highest in their segments based on responses from owners of 2013 model-year vehicles in Strategic Vision’s quantitative study of 17,568 owners. Strategic Vision measures “Total Quality” by studying more than 440 variables that encompass positive and negative experiences, including reliability, driving excitement, emotional attachment, and overall sales and service satisfaction.

“In today’s competitive market, customers expect and deserve a highly reliable vehicle,” Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group LLC, said. “This particular study recognizes that to excel in overall quality it’s important to also deliver well-crafted, exciting vehicles and ensure customer satisfaction after the sale. These honors show that customers appreciate the innovations in the all-new Dart as well the ongoing improvements we’re making throughout our product lineup.”

“Dodge Dart’s leading in the small car segment is extraordinary when you consider how much focus, design and competitive engineering exists within this important segment,” explained Strategic Vision Vice President Christopher Chaney. The Dodge Dart’s results in the TQI index prove that customers respond when “you mix super exceptional versatility, motivating exterior styling, and a strong array of high quality performing components and concepts,” Chaney added.

We are proud to announce that we will be one of few dealers for Magneti Marelli Automotive parts.

Take a look at our full Magnetti Marelli website at http://magnetimarelli.ca

See what makes Magneti Marelli stand out.

Magneti Marelli Brake pad kits are made with proper material and workmanship in North America.

Benefits of Brake Pad Kits

•Ceramic & Semi-Metallic per OE spec – High quality formulation
•Semi-metallic is superior to other semi-metallic in market
•100% Factory Installed sound dampening shims
•No squeak, No black dust on wheels
•All In One Hardware Kit – Complete Necessary Hardware

Read About All The Benefits Of Magneti Marelli Brake Pad Kits Below

Magneti Marelli Brake Pad Kit Feature-Benefits-Overview

May 15, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -

Dodge today announced that two new 2013 Dodge Dart “Special Edition” packages and a new Rallye Appearance Group are available in Dodge dealerships across the United States. These new packages, available on SXT and Limited models, combine features and content both exclusive to the segment and most frequently ordered by Dart customers.

Loaded with innovative technology, class-leading safety features and clever functionality, the 2013 Dodge Dart sets a new standard in the compact-car segment by offering unmatched personalization, roominess, style, functionality and fun-to-drive dynamics. And with the addition of the new Special Edition packages, even more distinctive style and value is available for compact car customers who are looking for the roominess of a mid-size car.

“These new Dodge Dart Special Edition packages show how we’re listening to our customers,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. “Since we launched the all-new Dart last June, we’ve been able to see how customers are ordering their Darts, and as a result, we have simplified our offerings to meet their requests – allowing us to offer them an even better value in the process.”

With a U.S. MSRP of just $595, the new 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Special Edition package combines stand-out styling and highly desirable features at one amazing price. For a starting U.S. MSRP of just $18,590 (all prices exclude $895 destination), the Dodge Dart SXT Special Edition features all the standard equipment on the SXT model, including a 2.0-liter 160 horsepower Tigershark 4-cylinder engine, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, power mirrors, air conditioning, 60/40 split folding rear seat, four-wheel independent suspension, 17-inch aluminum wheels, unsurpassed 10 standard airbags and much more.

The Special Edition package adds a unique black crosshair grille, dark tinted projector headlamps, projector fog lamps, LED racetrack tail lamps, integrated dual exhaust, Uconnect Voice Command with Bluetooth, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, front-passenger seat in-seat storage, remote start (with automatic transmission), USB port, rearview auto-dimming mirror with microphone, overhead console with sunglass holder, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, trip computer, vehicle information center, tire pressure monitoring display, active grille shutters and underbody aerodynamic treatment.

Along with the SXT Special Edition, Dodge Dart customers can also order the new SXT “Rallye Appearance Group,” which includes a unique black front fascia, Rallye badge and class-exclusive 17-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels for a U.S. MSRP of just $395.

The already well-equipped Dodge Dart Limited features a starting U.S. MSRP of just $19,995. For an additional U.S. MSRP of $1,810, the Dart “Limited Special Edition” package bundles the most popular premium features for a U.S. MSRP of $21,805.

The 2013 Dodge Dart Limited is packed with a slew of standard features, including the standard equipment of the SXT model plus unique bright grille, bright door handles, projector fog lamps, power heated mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps, 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen, Floating Island Bezel, ParkView rear back-up camera, 7-inch full-color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LED reconfigurable instrument cluster display, premium door trim panel with soft-touch upper surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio control and speed control, accent stitching on the instrument panel, power 10-way driver’s seat, including power lumbar support, driver and front passenger seatback pockets, overhead console with sunglass holder, front passenger in-seat storage, illuminated front cupholders, illuminated vanity mirrors, temperature and compass gauge, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet in console, speed sensitive power locks, power front windows with one-touch up/down, ambient LED interior lighting, automatic headlamps, active grille shutters, underbody aerodynamic treatment, tire pressure monitoring display and Limited badge.

The Dart Limited Special Edition package adds even more premium luxury features including: premium Nappa Leather seats, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, power sunroof, racetrack LED taillamps, Sirius/XM Satellite radio, Sirius/XM Travel Link, Uconnect 8.4-inch touch screen with Garmin navigation, dual-zone automatic temperature control, remote start and universal garage door opener.

May 15, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Ram Truck and SRT Motorsports today announced they have partnered with RCH (Ricky Carmichael and Carey Hart) Racing to field a team in the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

“The Ram Truck brand is looking forward to working with Ricky Carmichael, Carey Hart and Broc Tickle, and being part of RCH Racing’s success in the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Motorcyclists rely on durable, proven trucks. Look at any motocross parking lot and all you see are pickups. Motocross is especially effective in reaching younger truck buyers, and we expect our Ram Express will make a lot of new fans this year.”

Michigan-native Broc Tickle will campaign the No. 20 RCH Racing Suzuki in the premier 450 class for the full 12-race series. He finished ninth in the recently completed Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, advancing to the Main Event in all 17 races. It was his first season of 450SX competition with RCH Racing.

“I’m really excited for the outdoor motocross season to start,” said Tickle. “I feel like our RCH Racing team has made really big strides the last four months and we want to carry that over into the outdoor season. I had the best outdoor season of my career last year and when I think about how fast our Suzuki’s are right now, it’s really easy to get pumped. Working with Ricky – the greatest outdoor racer of all-time – is a huge bonus. I feel that we’re in a great position to have success. I’m healthy and I have something to prove to everyone Having Ram on-board for the motocross season is really cool because our fans are die-hards and they love trucks. I can’t wait to get to Hangtown (Motocross Classic just outside Sacramento, Calif.).”

Tickle finished third in last year’s motocross championship. He had an average finish of ninth.

“I am really looking forward to my first motocross season as an owner,” said Carmichael. “Broc had a great rookie season last year and we are hoping he improves this year on his Suzuki RM-Z450. The outdoors are a different animal from supercross and the whole RCH Racing team is looking forward to their first season racing outdoors.”

Hart, the team co-owner, agreed. “I’m really excited to have the RCH team racing their first motocross season. To change from the supercross season, we will be representing the Ram brand and running Ram livery on all of our bikes and hauler. The outdoor series allows us to help promote the Ram brand to a whole new audience. We are very excited to be working with their team.”

In addition to the traditional motocross stops, two new venues have been added to the schedule. The series makes its first visit to Muddy Creek Raceway near Bristol, Tenn. on June 1 and Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City on August 17. The season opens May 18 in Sacramento, Calif. Race coverage will be provided by NBC, NBC Sports and FUEL TV.

May 21, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram 1500 has been named a 2013 Automobile Magazine All-Star by the publication’s editorial staff for the third time in the past four years.

“The Automobile Magazine All-Star award puts the 2013 Ram 1500 on top of other half-ton trucks in the market,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This prestigious award doesn’t just focus on new trucks but all current model trucks and we’re proud to accept the honor.”

For 2013, the new Ram 1500 offers buyers best-in-class 25 MPG fuel efficiency, new technology and new features without sacrificing capability. Ram 1500–the most recognizable pickup on the road–mark

s a milestone for Ram as this truck delivers a truckload of pioneering and fuel-saving systems. Equipped with a choice of engines, including the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine or the award-winning Pentastar V-6, the Ram 1500 offers the best powertrains in the industry, known for their reliability.

Automobile Magazine’s testers put the luxurious Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn through its paces and were favorably impressed.

“The chocolate brown hide and thick stitching are of European quality, there’s real wood on the dash, and it comes without the tawdry veneer that looks like cheap plastic,” the article states. Automobile Magazine declares: “The Longhorn is the ultimate in cowboy cool.”

The 2013 Ram 1500 features first-in-segment technologies: eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start system, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and active air suspension. The 2013 Ram 1500 is available in nine trim levels and starts at $23,900 including $1050 destination charge.

Ram engineers changed every area of the truck – from a newly designed frame to new engines and transmissions to a new interior with the next-generation Uconnect® Access system. With best-in-class ride and handling and best-in-class aerodynamics, the 2013 Ram 1500 delivers unmatched content, performance and capability to truck buyers.

May 21, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active sports car race. The first event was held in 1923 and for driver and machine, it’s the ultimate test of speed, efficiency and endurance. Participation is by invitation only as the Automobile Club de I ‘Quest (ACO) selects the 56 entries. The 81st edition is set for June 22-23 at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

Two identically prepared SRT Viper GTS-Rs will return to the Le Mans stage for the first time since finishing one-two in the GTS class three consecutive years – 1998-2000. SRT Motorsports accepted an invitation in February from ACO to field the two-car team in the LM GTE Pro class.

“Racing is a cornerstone of Viper’s illustrious history,” said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer – (SRT) Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “Le Mans is a world stage. The GTS-R has enjoyed great success at Le Mans in the past and we’re excited to start a new chapter of Viper racing at that historic venue.”

The festive atmosphere and famous location of the semi-permanent race course southwest of Paris is a perfect international stage for the SRT brand.

“Racing is a big part of everything that SRT does,” said Beth Paretta, Director of Marketing and Operations – SRT Brand and Motorsports. “Racing is in our name – Street and Racing Technology – so the line is very blurred between what we do on the road and what we do on the track. We’ve enjoyed some past success at Le Mans, so you want to not only show well, but also run competitively on the track. The whole motorsports world is watching and it’s extremely exciting for us to be part of it and a big challenge to do well.”

Viper’s success in motorsports has served as a symbol to owners, the brand and even the company itself.

“Having the Viper return as a flagship, American sports car in general and SRT being elevated to a separate brand within Chrysler Group, it’s very symbolic for the company as a whole given the challenges we’re faced over the last four years,” said Paretta. “It was like a beacon while they were going through the darkest days of the company, when you weren’t even sure if the company was going to exist. You had this wonderful network and group of owners who were so passionate and loved this car so much because of the community and the friends that they’ve made just by owning this special car. So the idea that it could have gone away was very sad for them. The fact that it survived is something that a lot of people rally around and are so happy and rightfully emotional about because it’s such a big part of their lives.

“Just a few short years ago, there was a question about our existence as a company. So after a few years of hard work, not only did we survive but we’re thriving. This SRT Motorsports effort is a symbol for the whole company – showing that we did fight back and we’re going to be fighting in a very real sense on the track.”

The Viper hasn’t been on the Le Mans stage since 2000 but Paretta and the SRT Motorsports team have a good idea what to expect. They attended the race last year to formulate a plan should an invitation come.

“We went to do some research should we ever get back on the track at Le Mans and were astounded by the interest shown by the amount of fans who lined up and waited to simply get a glimpse of our SRT Viper GTS-R show car and take photos.” said Paretta. People came wearing all sorts of jackets, both Viper jackets and competitor jackets and it was interesting too that they very much crave to see this American rivalry between the brands; they take such pleasure in watching them kind of duke it out on the track. There are Viper Clubs that are very strong in Europe. They travel great distances to see races and they’ll travel great distances to be together for activities such as road rallies and track days. The Viper Nation is truly a global entity.”

Although Le Mans was the target, the SRT Motorsports team is somewhat surprised it came so soon. “The goal was to get to Le Mans but none of us thought that we’d get there our first year out, honestly,” continued Paretta. “We’re not taking any minute of it for granted because of the process of either qualifying or getting invited. Because we had a short year last year, we had to rely on a direct invitation. You can see how hard everybody is working, putting their heart and soul into this because to be there is just amazing.”

It wasn’t until August last year that the SRT Viper GTS-R made its official return to the track, competing in the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. While Le Mans is the biggest global race, Paretta quickly points out the importance of competing here at home.

“The American Le Mans Series and what will be United SportsCar Racing (the name of the consolidation of the two main North America sports car racing entities – ALMS and Grand-AM Road Racing) is the premiere sports car racing in North America. The North American market is very important,” Paretta commented. “That’s why a lot of the European brands choose the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am Road Racing to showcase their cars in the GT Class.”

“We know this program is very important to SRT owners around the world. At every race, whether it’s in the American Le Mans Series or at Le Mans itself, we have owner experiences where they can be with our team for the weekend to enjoy a true VIP experience. Owners get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s going on, meet the drivers and ask questions of the engineers. Hopefully, we’ll continue to go to Le Mans for many years to come but as a sports-car fan, if you can make the trip even once, it’s worth it.”

It’s difficult to overlook Viper’s previous success at Le Mans but SRT Racing Manager Gary Johnson points out the competition has changed since that last visit.

“The rules have changed over the years but we’re going with the same commitment to do our best,” said Johnson. “Our plan is to be as competitive as we can and see what happens at the end. I think it’s a dream come true for anybody that’s been involved in motorsports as the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle of sports car racing.”

Johnson is fully engaged in the process, even to the point of dreaming about the event. “It’s kind of funny,” he said. “I’ve been having dreams about Le Mans ever since we talked about getting invited. It’s just one dream that keeps repeating in my head. I’m thinking about it 24 hours a day I guess.”

From the SRT brand team to engineering, the perception of Le Mans is the same – the ultimate test.

“It means a lot to our customers because the racing pedigree of the car can largely be determined with this one annual race,” said Russ Ruedisueli, Head of SRT Motorsports Engineering – Chrysler Group LLC. “For our engineering team, it’s the ultimate endurance test to see how well we’ve developed the cars and seeing how they perform over 24 hours.”

“Everybody on the current team realizes our past success and how Viper teams before us have set a high standard. We can’t help but have that in the back of all of our minds, so we’ll work as hard as ever to hopefully live up to that same standard.”

SRT Motorsports has partnered with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the SRT Viper GTS-Rs. The two cars competed in four ALMS races in 2012 in preparation of the full 2013 season. In the first three races this year, the No. 91 has recorded three consecutive top-five finishes including a podium – third – at Long Beach. The driver stable includes Marc Goossens, Dominik Farnbacher, Jonathan Bomarito and Kuno Wittmer. They are joined by Tommy Kendall and Ryan Dalziel for the endurance events.

The Viper’s successful racing heritage began in 1996 with its first racing entry, the original GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997 to 1999 FIA GT championships in addition to the three consecutive one-two finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTS class.

Read this article from the Globe and Mail about the Dodge Grand Caravan

Sexy? No. But this rig is so cheap and useful you won’t care

JEREMY CATO
Published Monday, May. 20, 2013 06:00AM EDT
Last updated Monday, May. 20, 2013 06:00AM EDT

Surf over to the Chrysler website (chrysler.ca) and you’ll find a juicy incentive on the Dodge Grand Caravan, one so fat as to render the sticker price almost silly – more than $10,000.

Silly in a good way. If you’re a family type looking for the most sensible and cost-efficient way to truck kids around, don’t hesitate. Take all the money and bargain hard for a few grand more. Eventually, you’ll carve the $34,495 price of the Grand Caravan Crew Plus minivan I just tested down to something in the low-$20,000 range.

Meet a stupendous bargain, a smoking offer on a minivan – the most functional kid carrier ever invented. I know, minivans are so passé and they often leave long-time owners crying out, “I just can’t take it anymore.” The image thing, and fluctuating fleet sales, explain why, despite the bigmoney deals, Grand Caravan sales are down about 17 per cent this year in Canada.

And all that, in turn, explains why the future of the Grand Caravan beyond, say, 2015 is uncertain. As Automotive News recently noted, “it isn’t yet clear whether another high-profile Dodge, the Grand Caravan minivan, will morph into a crossover-like vehicle on a new platform in 2015, according to recent statements by Chrysler executives.”

Forget about the future. The present Grand Caravan is so utterly functional, so completely affordable, so thoroughly gratifying from a can-do perspective – it’s brilliant. And as exciting as an egg salad sandwich.

Unless, of course, you set your mind to employing all it has to offer. The Stow-’N-Go seats, for instance, should not be overlooked. Even after all these years, no other car company with a minivan – a shrinking pool to be sure – has managed to match the simplicity and usefulness of a second row of seats that can be neatly tucked away in a blink. And when not so disposed, the bins below are incredibly useful.

Or the third row. Like all of their ilk, I wouldn’t want to wrestle my way back there, but for short hops, little types will like them fine. And they flip up and down with an easy tug and push. Throughout, you’ll find cupholders and cubbies for stashing all and sundry for a long road trip.

The drive isn’t bad, either. A couple of years ago, Chrysler stuffed its good 3.6-litre V-6 under  that snub-nosed hood. At 283 horsepower, this reasonably fuel-efficient engine is plenty powerful and uses regular gas. Truth be told, there is so much smooth power here, I found it absurdly easy to light up the front-drive wheels. The six-speed automatic gearbox is modern enough, too, though I found the occasional hesitation in shifts.

The seats? My tester came with a $3,000 option package (29L) that includes leather upholstery, which is a must for easy cleanups of spilled juice boxes and such. Yes, they could contour to the shape of a human with just a little more aplomb, but they were decently padded and adjustable.

The rest of the $3,000 worth of extras run the gamut, from a 115-volt power outlet to a 28GB hard drive, to a 6.5-inch touch screen display, to heated front seats, a left power sliding door, Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system, lovely ambient lighting, overhead storage bins, a back -up camera – you’d think Chrysler would have nothing to add here. You’d be wrong.

Need to tow? The tow package adds $700. Remote starting and a security alarm adds $595. Heated steering wheel, $200. Video for the second- and third-rows, $1,750. Power folding rear seats, $650. Nine speakers, a subwoofer and a 506-watt amplifier, $800.

This list is here to make a point: you can stuff every feature imaginable into the Grand Caravan and not push the transaction price past $30,000. Come on now: where else can you get so much for so little coin? You can’t.

And all these odds and sods are easy to access and simple to use, even if you are not the least bit technologically savvy. The touch screen, for instance, is mounted high up on the centre console where it is visible and within easy reach of driver or passenger. Better still, the menus are utterly sensible, thoroughly intuitive and graphically delightful. A five-year-old could easily set a destination in the navigation system or cue up a song from the hard drive.

Now, while the engine is good, overall, the least entertaining part of the whole thing is getting from A to B. Yup, you’re wheeling around in a minibus, a dedicated people carrier whose sole purpose is to transport you, the gang in back and all your junk.

I’m okay with that and here’s why. The Grand Caravan is so cheap, even stuffed to the gills with extras. Choose it over, say, a comparably equipped crossover wagon of any sort, and you’ll have enough money left over to buy yourself a nice little used sports car or a terrific new motorbike.

Go figure, and when you do, plug that $10,000 into the calculation.

Tech specs
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew Plus
Type: Three-row minivan
Price: $34,495; $1,595 freight and PDI. As tested: $46,435
Engine: 3.6-litre V-6
Horsepower/torque: 283 hp/260 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 12.2 city/7.90 highway; regular gas
Alternatives: Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey

Go to caravan.ottawadodge.com for more information on the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan

May 24, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -

Expanding on the style, efficiency and driving enjoyment that has made the Fiat 500 an icon for nearly 57 years, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L expands the Cinquecento’s appeal by offering 42 percent extra interior space with comfortable seating for five, engaging driving dynamics and a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine with two fuel-saving, six-speed transmissions. All this comfort and technology is wrapped in contemporary Italian design with a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $19,100 (plus $800 destination).

“The all-new Fiat 500L expands the reach of the FIAT brand in North America, appealing to customers who like the contemporary Italian style of the Fiat 500 but need more space and functionality to match their lifestyle needs,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Fiat 500L offers the whole package, with best-in-class interior space, class-leading horsepower, exclusive technology features and the style that only Italians can create.”

Value-loaded Models
Leveraging the style, technology, efficiency and convenience features that made the modern Fiat 500 an international success, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L builds upon these attributes through four exciting models.

Fiat 500L Pop
Designed for customers who want Italian style, versatility, efficiency and personalization options, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L Pop includes a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine with six-speed manual transmission, premium Koni frequency selective damping (FSD) front struts and rear shock absorbers, bi-halogen headlamps with daytime running lamps, 16-inch chrome-accented wheel covers, all-season tires, stainless-steel exhaust tip, black exterior mirrors with driver- and passenger-side spotter mirrors; heat, air conditioning, power lock and windows with one-touch up/down, cruise control, body-color instrument panel, six speakers, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with trip computer, miles-to-empty, average fuel economy and tire-pressure monitoring (TPM) display; steering wheel controls, six-way cloth seats with driver and front-passenger height adjust, 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks with segment-exclusive fore-aft adjustment, recline and tumble/slide feature; tilt and telescoping steering column, 12-volt console and auxiliary power outlets, multi-position cargo area trunk panel, cap-less fuel-filler door, floor mats, interior observation mirror and dual sun visors with vanity mirrors.

In addition, the Fiat 500L Pop includes the innovative Uconnect 5.0 with its 5-inch touchscreen display, radio voice commands, handsfree phone, Bluetooth-audio streaming, text message reader, personalization settings and media hub (USB and auxiliary ports) for seamless integration of portable devices. Safety features include seven standard air bags, reactive front head restraints, vehicle theft security alarm, child seat anchor system and electronic stability control (ESC) with Hill-start Assist.

The 2014 Fiat 500L Pop model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $19,100 (plus $800 destination charge).

Fiat 500L Easy
Providing customers with versatility and efficiency and even more style and comfort features, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L Easy takes the Fiat 500L Pop model and adds standard 16-inch aluminum wheels, deep-tint rear glass, body-color exterior mirror caps, front-seat center console with armrest, leather-wrapped square-in-circle designed steering wheel, premium leather-wrapped shift knob with chrome accent, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel available in three colors, unique cloth seat fabric and six-speaker FIAT premium audio system with 520-watt amplifier.

The 2014 Fiat 500L Easy model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $20,195 (plus $800 destination charge).

Fiat 500L Trekking
For customers who want the perfect blend of rugged styling and versatility to match their active lifestyle, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L Trekking adds to the Fiat 500L Easy model with aggressively designed two-piece front and rear fascias with Grigio Chiaro (graphite) inserts, fog lamps, satin-finished “whiskers,” door handles and unique lower front- and rear-fascia accents, Grigio Chiaro wheel arch and body-side sill moldings, Grigio Chiaro recessed license plate area and lower left- and right-side reflector surrounds, and larger 17 x 7-inch aluminum wheels with wider 225/45R17 all-season tires. Inside, the Fiat 500L Trekking features a painted instrument panel bezel and a unique two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior environment that carries through on its leather-wrapped steering wheel, door and door-panel armrest bolsters, low-back bucket premium cloth seats and floor mats.

The 2014 Fiat 500L Trekking model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $21,195 (plus $800 destination charge).

Fiat 500L Lounge
Tailored for individuals who want their all-new Fiat 500L to reflect their stylish lifestyle and need for premium appointments and convenience technologies, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L Lounge model adds on to the Fiat 500L Easy model with an innovative Euro Twin Clutch six-speed transmission, 16-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, chrome body-side moldings and mirror caps, dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, premium vinyl-wrapped instrument panel available in two colors, premium heated leather front seats with power four-way adjust, two-way power driver’s side lumbar, 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks with segment-exclusive fore-aft adjustment, recline and tumble feature; integrated armrest with cup holders, automatic dual-zone climate control and auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass.

The 2014 Fiat 500L Lounge model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $24,195 (plus $800 destination charge).

Premier Packages Include No-charge Technology Features and More than $1,700 of Added Value
During the first year of Fiat 500L production, a no-charge Premier Package will be included with Easy, Trekking and Lounge models. This limited-time launch package will include ParkSense rear-park assist, ParkView rear back-up camera and Uconnect 6.5 with a larger 6.5-inch touchscreen and navigation. The Uconnect 6.5 features voice operation of navigation, AM/FM and mobile phones; handsfree phone and Bluetooth-streaming audio, text message reader, personalization settings, premium media hub with SD card reader, auxiliary jack and USB inputs.

For customers that want even more technology on the Fiat 500L Easy and Trekking models, the Premier Package +Beats/SiriusXM is available and adds SiriusXM and Beats Audio studio-quality sound system with six premium speakers, 6.5-inch dual-voice coil (DVC) subwoofer with trunk-mounted enclosure and eight-channel amplifier with Beats Audio digital sound processing (DSP) algorithm.

The First of the FIAT 500′s Landed at FIAT of Ottawa. Come By and Check Them out. Ottawa’s Newest FIAT dealer will be sure to get you the best deal. Located at 900 St. Laurent Blvd.

Get more information at http://www.ottawachryslerjeep.com/fiat-of-ottawa.htm

by Mike Driehorst

June 6, 2013 7:44 AM
Today marks the 88th anniversary of Walter P. Chrysler establishing Chrysler Corporation.Today through Sunday, the fourth anniversary of our venture with FIAT, we will look back at our history through today. We also invite you to join in on the reflection while offering your memories, pictures, video and other perspective you have on the history, the current operations and the future of the company.

Today, we’re looking at our innovations and technology.

Tomorrow, we’ll a look at our ads and badges.

On Saturday, we’ll spotlight our lifeline – our vehicles.

Finally, on Sunday, we’ll spotlight the significant investments and job growth since 2009.

Be sure to keep tabs on and join the activity on Chrysler Group’s Flickr page, ourChrysler Communications Facebook Page, @Chrysler on Twitter, thePentastarVideo YouTube channel. You also can keep tabs via the #Chryslergramhashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

Of course, our four-day celebration will include coverage from Saturday’s CEMA Charity Car Show and public re-opening of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum on Saturday in Auburn Hills, Mich.