2019 Dodge Challenger Wins Top Honors as 'Car of Texas' and 'Performance Car of Texas'; Chrysler Pacifica Wins 'Family Car of Texas' from Texas Auto Writers Association

Alfa Romeo Brand Also Wins at the 2019 Texas Auto Roundup

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Apr 17, 2019, 18:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

2019 Dodge Challenger crowned with multiple awards: Car of Texas, Performance Car of Texas and Performance Coupe of Texas
Chrysler Pacifica wins Family Car of Texas and Minivan of Texas for the fourth consecutive year
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio named Performance Sedan of Texas for third consecutive year
FCA US vehicles take home the most awards of any manufacturer at the annual competition

The 2019 Dodge Challenger was named Car of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Association.

The 2019 Dodge Challenger took the highest award as the Car of Texas at the annual Texas Auto Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), while the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica and 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio also picked up key honors.

The Challenger won a second overall award as the Performance Car of Texas, in addition to the Performance Coupe of Texas category. The Chrysler Pacifica remains the number one choice for families in Texas with four consecutive wins as the Family Car of Texas and Minivan of Texas. Alfa Romeo received consecutive accolades as well with the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio winning Performance Sedan of Texas for a third year in a row.

"Driving enthusiasts in Texas love horsepower, and the Dodge Challenger's classic muscular lines and monumental power won over our voters," said Michael Marrs, president of TAWA and co-host of the "In Wheel Time" radio show in Houston. "The Chrysler Pacifica continues to impress our members with its combination of family-friendly features, technology and versatility, while the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio offers Texans both performance and Italian design for an exceptional driving experience."

TAWA members used local surface roads and an autocross course set up by the Sports Car Club of America to evaluate vehicles in side-by-side comparisons. A total of 44 TAWA journalists attended and drove 29 vehicles during the two-day event.

FCA US won the most awards of any manufacturer with the following honors:

Dodge Brand
Car of Texas: 2019 Dodge Challenger
Performance Car of Texas: 2019 Dodge Challenger
Performance Coupe of Texas: 2019 Dodge Challenger

Chrysler Brand
Family Car of Texas: 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
Minivan of Texas: 2019 Chrysler Pacifica

Alfa Romeo
Performance Sedan of Texas: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

About 2019 Dodge Challenger
Dodge launches the most powerful SRT Hellcat lineup ever in 2019, by leveraging the power of the record-setting Dodge Challenger SRT Demon to introduce the new performance halo for the brand and the most powerful, quickest and fastest muscle car – the 797-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye.

The Challenger SRT Hellcat returns with output now starting at 717 horsepower and both Hellcat models feature a new dual-snorkel hood that pays homage to the distinctive Dodge design themes from some of its most famous muscle cars, including the 1970 Dart Swinger and 1971 Demon. The new R/T Scat Pack Widebody includes fender flares, adding 3.5 inches of body width, 20-inch-by-11-inch forged wheels, 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires and larger six-piston Brembo brakes in the front for improved on-road and on-track performance. The new Challenger GT rear-wheel-drive model extends its performance capabilities with standard Super Track Pak features, performance hood, splitter and seats, for the first time ever with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine.

Eight distinct models make up the reconfigured vehicle lineup for 2019: SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye. Numerous option packages offer all the upgrades, unique heritage cues and additional performance that Dodge//SRT customers demand. Challenger offers a full range of engine options, including the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 on SXT, SXT AWD, GT and GT AWD models, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 in the R/T models, the naturally aspirated 392 HEMI V-8 on R/T Scat Pack models, the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 on the SRT Hellcat and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V-8 on the SRT Hellcat Redeye.

About 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid reinvent 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. The Pacifica Hybrid takes this revolutionary vehicle a step further with its innovative, advanced hybrid powertrain. It's the first electrified vehicle in the minivan segment and achieves more than 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode, an all-electric range of more than 30 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles.

With more than 100 available safety and security features, the Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, available 4G Wi-Fi and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica has earned its spot as the most awarded minivan since 2016, with both the Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid serving as no-compromise minivans ideally suited for today's families.

About 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers race-inspired performance, advanced technologies, seductive Italian style and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium mid-size sedan segment. Crafted by Alfa Romeo artisans at the Cassino plant in Italy, the Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio feature Alfa Romeo's most powerful production engine ever with best-in-class 0-60 mph times of 3.8 and 3.6 seconds, respectively.

About Texas Auto Writers Association
TAWA is one of the most reputable automotive press organizations in the industry with a 30-year history of promoting quality and accuracy in automotive journalism and disseminating information about the industry through news-related print, online and broadcast media. TAWA produces two driving events each year — the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall. Media members enjoy driving and evaluating new vehicles competing for the coveted Car of Texas or Truck of Texas trophies. For more information, please visit www.texasautowriters.org.

About the Texas Auto Roundup
The Texas Auto Roundup, hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), is held every spring. The event allows dozens of journalists to evaluate a wide variety of cars, minivans and CUVs sold in Texas. At the conclusion of the event, the Association hands out a variety of awards including the prestigious Car of Texas, Family Car of Texas and Performance Car of Texas.

About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli. FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA).

FCA is an international automotive group listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."

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