Three Chrysler Group Vehicles Earn Honors From Autobytel and AutoPacific

Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Jeep® Grand Cherokee named Ideal Vehicle Award Winners for 2012

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Aug 03, 2012, 01:30 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger are winners of Chrysler AutoPacific's 2012 Ideal Vehicle Awards based on owners' ratings of their 2012 cars and trucks.

"Winning awards for Jeep and Dodge vehicles based on customer feedback is very gratifying," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group. "Recognition by the customers proves we take consumer input very seriously in all the vehicles we design and build at Chrysler."

The Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on owner ratings of 15 key attributes of their 2012 vehicles after 90 days of ownership. Measures evaluated by customers include power and acceleration, ride and handling, interior roominess and cargo space. More than 75,000 vehicle owners were surveyed by AutoPacific and were asked if they would change characteristics of their vehicles.

Praised for its smoothness on-road, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee claimed top honors in the Mid-Size SUV category. Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most-awarded SUV ever and delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand's legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and towing capability. It offers a driving range of more than 550 miles, superb on-road ride and handling, a world-class interior cabin, more than 45 safety and security features, and a variety of advanced technology features.

Contributing to Grand Cherokee's class-leading capability is the combination of Jeep's Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system and the Jeep Selec-Terrain™ traction control system that lets customers choose the 4x4 setting for the optimum driving experience on all terrains. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with three 4x4 systems, and with either a 290 horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 or an available 360 horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine.

According to owners, the 2012 Dodge Charger is the Ideal Large Car. Approximately 90 percent or more of Charger owners rated the Charger's exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, ride and handling and ease of getting in and out of the vehicle as ideal. A great majority of owners, 80 percent or more, also appreciate the Charger's interior lighting, driver's seat comfort, tires, interior storage compartments and safety features.

In addition to its iconic Dodge styling and spacious, finely crafted, easy to access interior, the Dodge Charger offers performance that is unmatched in its class. Charger features the award-winning Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine with an available eight-speed transmission that delivers the ultimate combination of power and fuel efficiency with 292 horsepower and up to 31 miles per gallon. It also features the available 370 horsepower 5.7 HEMI® V-8 engine.

The 2012 Dodge Challenger, which took top honors as the Ideal Vehicle for Sporty Cars, delivers more of what enthusiasts want — a more powerful and efficient engine lineup, maximum grip with a performance suspension design and athletic styling — all executed with quality and precision. It's unlike any other car in the way that it allows customers to customize their classic American muscle car.

The 2012 Dodge Challenger combines world-class ride, refinement and braking performance with more power and new track-tuned suspensions to deliver a thrilling driving experience. With its award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine producing 305 horsepower — 55 more horsepower than the engine it replaced — the 2012 Dodge Challenger SXT is the most powerful, refined and technologically advanced entry-level Challenger ever. And to top it off, it gets 27 mpg on the highway and comfortably seats five. Challenger R/T takes things to all-new heights with a 375 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with six-speed manual or five-speed automatic and available paddle shifters.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC