After learning that General Motors would be disbanding its High Performance Vehicle Operations team to focus on less performance-oriented projects, our thoughts naturally turned towards Ford's SVT and Chrysler's SRT groups. Would Detroit's other automakers follow GM's lead and kill off their fellow speed divisions? Apparently not. Ford has gone on record stating that the SVT program will continue on in its current capacity and now Chrysler has

announced that it will continue to develop SRT versions of its volume sellers.

In a posting on Chrysler's Red Letter Dodge blog, Steve Bartoli, Chrysler's vice president for global product planning, had a few choice comments regarding the future of the Pentastar's SRT models, saying, "We are working on a sedan as we speak. We will look at many styling options." Admittedly, that's short on detail, but it does portend good things to come for fans of big HEMI engines and fat rear tires.

Autoblog

Ford is keeping SVT in their current capacity? Meanign doing nothing? The last Ford vehicle to carry the SVT badge was the freaking Focus. I understand SVT did some work on the GT500, but other than that, are the Taurus SHO and Fusion Sport considered SVT products?

Anyways, maybe we'll get an Avenger SRT, that'll.....do something.

Dropping the Caliber's turbo 4 would give it a much needed shot of EXCITEMENT!!!!

...wrong brand.

Anyways, maybe we'll get an Avenger SRT, that'll.....do something.

Torque-steer?

Torque-steer?

Well they did have an AWD system. I think it may have been discontinued but I'm sure the SRT guys could use it.

You mean they still make the Avenger? Jesus, I haven't seen one in quite a while, haven't seen an ad for one either.

You mean they still make the Avenger? Jesus, I haven't seen one in quite a while, haven't seen an ad for one either.

Would you bother to advertise a car that's near the bottom of the segment and sells mostly to fleets? Pontiac would/does, but you know.

I see them around. It's a wasted opportunity. Better powertrains and interior are the car's only really shortcomings, if you like the way it looks (which I do for the most part).

Yeah, I cannot believe anyone would spend actual money on either an Avenger or a G6.

Yeah, I cannot believe anyone would spend actual money on either an Avenger or a G6.

Especially with the deals you can get on a Charger now.

Good news and I'm proud of Chrysler for this.

Yeah, I cannot believe anyone would spend actual money on either an Avenger or a G6.

I cannot believe Chrysler came out with the Avenger in the first place.

I cannot believe Chrysler came out with the Avenger in the first place.

I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I cannot believe Chrysler came out with the Avenger in the first place.

I can't blame them for putting the car in their lineup, as a midsize family sedan is all but a staple these days.

However, I (and most others) WILL blame them for making the car a ball of crap.

My wife and I accompanied a friend of ours on a car-shopping excursion. When we went to a Dodge dealership, I told her to test the Charger and steer aWAY from the Avenger.

I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.

How?

Yeah, there isn't a good answer for that one, huh?

How?

Yeah, there isn't a good answer for that one, huh?

I cannot pretend that I understand the inner workings of Chrysler. This is a company with people who looked at the Caliber and thought, "Yes, people will buy this."

Yeah, I cannot believe anyone would spend actual money on either an Avenger or a G6.

You can't even get SYNC!

You can't even get SYNC!

But it has optional MyGig!!!!!!

I cannot pretend that I understand the inner workings of Chrysler. This is a company with people who looked at the Caliber and thought, "Yes, people will buy this."

Am I on crack, or are you guys on crack...?

Take a Toyota Corolla, or a Pontiac Aztec, or a Mazda 323, or a Ford Fiesta, etc etc etc....

I wouldn't look twice at any of them, I don't like their stying, I think they are terrible to drive and would prefer to not have any one of them for a daily driver.

They still sell Corollas, Aztecs, 323s, Fiestas etc, and IN GREAT NUMBERS.

Transportation is just transportation for millions of people, obviously.....?

:AH-HA_wink:

Mazda3 and Fiesta are way better cars. People buy the Corolla because it's known for being boring "reliable" transportation.

I can see the guys at GM developing the Aztek and saying "Yes, people will buy this."

They still sell 323s? Is it still 1991? 'Cause if it is, I'm way too young to have this hair in my special place.

I can see the guys at GM developing the Aztek and saying "Yes, people will buy this."

LSD is the only excuse for that.

The Caliber, like other Damiler era cars, aren't fundamentally bad cars, they're just unfinished or cost cut to hell in the interior. If the Caliber reviewed a new interior (which I don't know why it didn't but the Jeeps did), better noise isolation, and maybe some time around the track, it would be much better.

I am damn happy with my avenger that i pay for every month. No problems no rattles...nothing but happy driving.

They still sell 323s? Is it still 1991? 'Cause if it is, I'm way too young to have this hair in my special place.

Who said they believe you have hair in your bum? (Is that your "special place?!?!)

Cars over the years have sold for all sorts of reasons, CHEAP PRICE being a really good motivator. :AH-HA_wink:

ALL cars are not "enthusiast" cars, and poor excuses for cars have sold well over time, 20 years ago, 10 years ago, and today. In large numbers.

Trust me.

(Here! )

Edited March 12, 200916 yr by CMG

They still sell Corollas, Aztecs, 323s, Fiestas etc, and IN GREAT NUMBERS.

Still SOLD..... better? lol

Was that so hard?

That's what he said.

Was that so hard?

I'm still worried about the hair in your bum Satty....??!

I'm still worried about the hair in your bum Satty....??!

You have no idea how creepy that is, do you?

Well, after you telling us about people shoving small animals up their asses, I don't find much else quite as disturbing (or hilarious).

You have no idea how creepy that is, do you?

Exactly HOW MUCH HAIR are we talking?

*shudders*

Exactly HOW MUCH HAIR are we talking?

*shudders*

Getting even creepier.

I NEED A GROWN-UP!!!!!!!!!

Getting even creepier.

I NEED A GROWN-UP!!!!!!!!!

I love you UNCONDITIONALLY Satty.

Now...

EAT YOUR VIRUS!