Chrysler Design Chief takes on Canada’s toughest Motor Sport Challenge…. with a Little Help from Dodge and Mopar®

St. John’s, NL. – Chrysler LLC Design Vice President, Ralph Gilles will drive a 2009 specially-prepared Dodge Challenger SRT8, alongside co-driver Karen Wagner, in Canada’s toughest and longest motor sports event: the third running of the Targa Newfoundland.

Nicknamed “Samantha” this customized Challenger will be gleaming in a one-off Super Sublime Green’ custom paint finish and looks set to attract the attention of motor sports fans throughout the world.

In addition to the special paint, “Samantha” has also been fitted with a selection of Mopar® Performance parts and Authentic accessories, all designed to help this special vehicle complete this arduous and demanding event. Mopar® is Chrysler LLC’s original equipment parts manufacturer and distributor and each of the parts fitted to this SRT8 Challenger ‘Samantha’ are available through the Mopar® distribution network via Chrysler, Jeep Dodge Retailers.

“With fully independent suspension, world class brakes and the most powerful rendition of a street legal HEMI® yet, our team hopes to repeat the success of their 2006 class win in a Dodge Caliber SRT4, but more importantly show the world how truly capable the Challenger is”, said Gilles.

Under the hood, the Targa Challenger has a 540-horsepower Mopar ® 392 Hemi® crate motor with 490 lb.-ft. of torque. It also features Mopar’s®: T/A hood, gauges, Holley throttle body and manual throttle cable, custom calibration for the programmable EMS (including launch/traction control) and custom Corsa exhaust.

Its effort from Chrysler LLC certainly draws from the grass-roots spirit that Targa Newfoundland evokes. Team Mopar® Underground is a collaborative effort of volunteers from the Product Design Office, Street Racing Technology (SRT®), Mopar®, UAW fabricators and mechanics.

“The team squeezed this project in-between their day jobs,” notes Ralph Gilles. “It was fueled purely by passion and a deep admiration that the Challenger evokes,” added Gilles, who leads this group of enthusiasts that create niche concept vehicles for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and other specialty shows.

For the second consecutive time, Gilles is accompanied by co-driver Karen Wagner who is an active co-driver in the U.S. and currently leads her class in the popular Rally America national championship. Gilles and Wagner will participate in the ‘Targa Open Division’ which allows for cars from 1961 to present to compete with most modifications allowed. In previous years, Chrysler has had a history competing in this class with a Dodge Caliber SRT4, Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8, Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Charger SRT8.

Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motor sports events in the world. The 7th Annual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John’s and will cover more than 2,000 kilometers over the challenging and twisting roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days. The race includes 400 kilometers of closed-road, flat out Targa stages.

Sponsorships: Two other partnerships were formed for this rendition in 2008. The Newfoundland Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge Retailers are the key sponsors in this event for the second straight appearance providing not only funds but also technical assistance to the team. “ For the first year, Sirius Canada has also partnered with Dodge and Mopar® Underground. SIRIUS Satellite Radio is available as a factory installed option on most Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles and standard on most high trim lines. SIRIUS Satellite Radio includes 12 months bundled service on all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. SIRIUS Canada is also sponsor of the SIRIUS Satellite Radio President’s Challenge for OEM entries at Targa Newfoundland.

About Street and Racing Technology (SRT): Street and Racing Technology (SRT) is Chrysler’s in-house performance engineering organization that focuses on five pillars for every SRT vehicle: bold exterior design that resonates with the brand image, a race-inspired interior, world-class ride and handling across a dynamic range, a standout powertrain and benchmark braking.

About the Dodge Brand: Dodge is Chrysler Canada’s best-selling brand and the fourth largest nameplate in the Canadian automotive market and has sold 105,345 units in Canada in 2008 through August. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. The Dodge brand’s first crossover vehicle — the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey — is currently the number one selling crossover in Canada. Chrysler Canada retailers across the country are now taking orders for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, which will arrive this fall. Four models are available in Canada: Dodge Challenger SE, Dodge Challenger SXT, Dodge Challenger R/T and Dodge Challenger SRT8®. Pricing starts at $24,995 and the Dodge Challenger SE achieves 12.2 L/100 km / 23 (mpg) in the city and 8.1 L/100km 35 (mpg) on the highway.

This fall, Dodge will be launching the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship starting at $25,995.