Well, that sounded like a member of the Fiberfab family to me, and I figured the "Porsche engine" would turn out to be a VW Type I with funky carburetors and/or strange-o cooling ducts. Nope! That's a Corvair engine underneath that battered fiberglass body.

In case you were in any doubt about the decade of this car's origin, here's a clue. Four-time DOTS honoree WhatWouldJesseDo was seriously considering buying this car and making it into a totally sensible daily driver, but the battered old GT-15 is now off limits. More on that sad story later today.

Back in those days, aftermarket sunroofs were serious- and leaky- status symbols.

Auto Analyst Mike Wall explained the decision to the Detroit News:

"Given where fuel prices are at, I'm not sure that people are following the old progression that the higher the trim-level, the bigger the engine...(Chrysler) needs to hit what the customer wants, and that may be a 4-cylinder engine with leather seats and a navigation system."

Dodge Avenger Tuner - Stormtrooper Designer: Scott Anderson, Senior Product Designer - Advanced Interior Design Studio Project Coordinator - Engineering: Brandon Thomas, Product Release Engineer - FWD Chassis Group

The Dodge Avenger Tuner - Stormtrooper is a sophisticated sedan designed to appeal to an adult tuner with an appreciation for technical superiority, exhilarating performance and unbridled luxury and style. The technical, yet organic nature of the Stormtrooper costumes from Star Wars inspired its execution. The Avenger Stormtrooper represents the holistic fusion of technology, racing, comfort and performance.

Smooth power is unleashed by the digitally-tuned 4.0-liter V-6 engine - that packs the punch of a velvet hammer. It features an all-wheel-drive powertrain and six-speed automatic gearbox with AutoStick steering wheel paddle shifters and KW custom coil-over suspension that is tuned for ride-height and damping. Its custom exhaust is from Borla. The large 20 x 9 custom Alcoa Forged rims come with die-sub custom graphics and Michelin 245/35R20 Pilot Sport PS2 tires. It also features a StopTech six-piston front and four- piston rear big-brake package, Xenon HID projector head lamps, Umnitza Predator halo lighting and Challenger fuel filler cap.

Exterior custom modifications on the Avenger Stormtrooper include:
• black-out high-beam parabola package
• tinted head lamp and taillamp package
• tinted PPG blue-magic glass
• billet exhaust tips
• front and rear fascias
• sill aero kit
• integrated rear spoiler
• rear door sail panels
• cold-air intake

Painted a custom pearl white, the Avenger Stormtrooper's story continues on the inside.

The Alcantara suede-lined interior features four black and white Dodge SRT8 bucket seats with red stitching and stripes to carry the driver and three lucky passengers for the thrill ride of their lives in style. The instrument panel, doors, headliner and pillars are swathed in this performance material. The custom Dodge "rim-shell" steering wheel and shifter paddles are constructed of black leather, white suede and red accent stitching and centering stripe. The centerstack/console features triple gauge pod and glossy pearl white finish.

Revolutionary technology abounds for the sophisticated tuner. There are two Azentek mobile PCs installed with 1.8GHz Intel Core Duo processors and two gigs of ram - one unit is in the front dash and one is in the rear seat center console. With the touch of a finger, the driver is "master of the vehicle network domain." ETAS' INCA software digital interface to the engine controller could allow the driver to have the capability to control its tuning and read vitals. The owner could even order parts or download engine calibrations through Mopar Performance Parts and could communicate with engineers and other Dodge owners in Web logs and chat rooms. The driver could adjust fuel maps (as opposed to static flashing) and even download Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) from a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership as he or she drives by.

Entertainment - Internet, gaming, music and video - is also controlled. Sync Bluetooth® links to any devices: phone, iPhone and Zune. Heart-pounding sound is provided by KICKER® Audio. It also features a Mopar Performance gauge pack with red accent LED lighting.

Dodge's decided to continue to "hit it" with their new ad campaign for the Dodge Avenger R/T. And by "hit it" we think they mean the accelerator with this new ad featuring NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne in the Avenger and Juan Pablo Montoya in the Ram-brand's big sedan, the Charger R/T. It's certainly a commercial that's more funny than the last ones for the platform prostituted Chrysler Sebring, although that's only due to the first-ever inclusion of the new 5-0 edition Charger at the end. – Ray Wert

Related:
Ad Watch: Can The Dodge Avenger Turn You Into Deep Purple, Batman Or A Salsa Dancer? [internal]

Chrysler Recalls SUVs After Dozens of Reported Fires [Reuters]

Related:
Oh What A Bad Feeling: Toyota To Recall 533,000 Sequoias and Tundras; More Recalls [Internal]

We'd heard initially the Dodge Avenger campaign might be something more hoontastic, so we already knew we'd be a bit disappointed by the campaign no matter how good it ended up. However, even through the disappointment, we tried to do our level best to keep our minds on a level playing field. Still, despite the attempts at mustering the positive energy, we couldn't get all that jacked up about this Sebring clone. Of the three ads, the best one's got to be the one above, which is called "tuned up" is supposed to "illustrate the fun that's available from Avenger's 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed Auto Stick transmission." All it really ends up doing in our mind is illustrating how much better looking the sheet "metal" looks on the Avenger than it does on the Sebring, and that "Smoke On The Water" can't be done justice with the sounds emanating from a 3.5-liter V6 engine. But that's just the first ad. The second two, found below the jump, are not much better. The first one, "superhero," is supposed to illustrate how you can be "Batman" to your kid. The third ad, which like all non-truck commercials targeting the Hispanic community, is called "passion," and is supposed to illustrate how you can have salsa dancers dance for you if you buy a Dodge Avenger. At least that's what we think it's supposed to do. Anyway, the press release for the clone-of-Sebring's also below. – Ray Wert

Marketing Campaign for the All-new 2008 Dodge Avenger Launches March 4 Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 2, 2007 - The unique technologies, gutsy performance and bold styling that are helping the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger shoulder its way into the mid-size car market are the linchpins of the marketing campaign kicking off this weekend for the Dodge brand's newest car.

"Tuned Up," for example — a 30-second TV spot that debuts Sunday, March 4 during NHL hockey on NBC — illustrates the fun that's available from Avenger's 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed Auto Stick transmission. Reinforcing the message that the 2008 Dodge Avenger is a high quality sedan that is a blast to own and drive, are new print ads, a second general market TV spot, multicultural TV and print ads, lifestyle and experiential events, gaming integration, interactive marketing, promotions and sweepstakes.

Still, it is at www.dodge.com/avenger where the tech-savvy target buyers of Avenger will find the mother lode of information about the all-new sedan. There, the key attributes of the 2008 Dodge Avenger are detailed in more than 70 engaging and interactive product story-telling modules using animation and video content.

"Our strategy is focused on appealing to import-inclined and multicultural consumers who are younger and more affluent than the segment," said Mark Spencer, Senior Manager - Dodge Marketing and Global Communications. "While the mid-size car segment tends to skew more female, the 2008 Dodge Avenger will be targeted toward a healthy balance of 30-somethings, and professional men and women who are outgoing, confident and independent. These people are heavy Internet users, so we've developed a robust Dodge Avenger Web site that will entertain and inform them."

"Dodge Avenger — with its bold, aggressive styling, innovative interior features, high levels of safety and reliability, great performance and handling, excellent fuel economy and affordable price — has along list of selling points that will impress consumers," said Tom Loveless, Director - Dodge Marketing and Global Communications. "Avenger is also important because it continues the brand's product offensive, which included the Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Nitro. The Dodge brand product portfolio has never been stronger."

Male targeted media placements for the Dodge Avenger will focus on sports, men's interest and active lifestyles, while female targeted placements were chosen to attract today's fashionistas. Connectivity platforms in key areas of music, social networking and fitness will be leveraged to bridge the gender split and appeal to both young men and women.

Dodge Home Page - As the focal point of the Dodge Avenger marketing campaign, the Dodge brand Web site continues to undergo enhancements and content improvements to meet the needs of Internet-savvy shoppers who routinely visit the Web long before they visit a dealer. Following in Dodge Nitro's footsteps, the Avenger Web site will carry more rich media, more dynamic photos, animation, video and sound. The site has information on more than 70 product features in four key categories — exterior, interior, performance and safety/security. Deeper navigation leads to product feature storytelling, or "why buy" discussion on key features such as the heated/cooled cupholder, the Chill Zone beverage cooler, MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System, the 2.4-liter World Engine, available all-wheel drive, and Electronic Stability Program with Traction Control.

Online - Complementing the Dodge site will be marketing elements for the Dodge Avenger that address the target lifestyle passions at such online sites as SI.com, MSN, FOX Sports, ESPN and Yahoo! Sports, The Onion and askmen.com. And for women, elle.com, Fandango, AOL Instant Messenger, Evite and Batanga will be leveraged to engage the consumer through social connectivity.

Television - The schedule has heavy sports and prime-time focus: the NBA on ABC and TNT, the NHL on NBC and Versus, and NASCAR on FOX. Prime-time shows include "Desperate Housewives," "The Nine," "Brothers and Sisters," "20/20," "Boston Legal," "House," "Prison Break," "24," "Law and Order," "Crossing Jordan," "Medium," and "Friday Night Lights," among others. On Monday, March 5, the 30-second TV spot "Tuned Up" will air on key networks including NBC and FOX, and in late night talk shows (Jay Leno, David Letterman, Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Kimmel). In the coming weeks, key African American programming includes "Girlfriends," "The Game," "Everybody Hates Chris," "CW," and "All of Us," and the "BET Awards." Hispanic network TV programming includes "Primer Impacto," "Despierta America," "el Gordo," "E la Flaca," and the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

DIRECTV - Dodge is the exclusive automotive sponsor of NASCAR Hot Pass, the satellite TV program for auto racing fans. Dodge Avenger will be advertised in rotation with other car lines on many of the program's outlets including the Hot Pass Mix Channel, the DVR showcase, online banner ads and via eNewsletters sent to over 500,000 subscribers.

Print - A custom unit to gauge handraiser interest in the Dodge Avenger was featured in the March issue of Lucky magazine. It is called the "Avenger sticker unit." Readers can pull branded stickers from the sticker page in the upfront section of the magazine to flag pages noteworthy for online or in-store shopping. Three ad pages wrapped the bold and beautiful Avenger sticker page and hit newsstands on Feb. 23. Meanwhile, three new print ads will run in over 50 magazines: Sporting News, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Spin, Elle, Glamour, Marie Claire, Jane, Men's Fitness, GQ, Maxim and People. African American, Hispanic American and Asian print will be featured in Essence, DUB, Rides, Audrey, Asian Week, Complex, and Latina to name a few.

Gaming integration - Later this month, Dodge Avenger will be featured in the Tom Clancy "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" video game produced by Ubisoft. Robust in-game active and static product integration will be further complemented via a cross channel promotion plan to include retail POS, print, online promotion and TV promo spots. Starting in April, players will engage in an online competition and one lucky grand prize winner will drive off in an all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger.

Promotion/Sweepstakes - In a tie-in with NASCAR driver Juan Montoya and his Dodge Charger Texaco/Havoline #42 Race Car, an online question-and-answer game called "42 Days of Racing" launches in mid-June. Consumers can test their NASCAR racing knowledge and win thousands of instant prizes. One grand prize winner will drive home in a 2008 Dodge Avenger.

Events - Through early summer, Dodge Avengers will be on hand at high profile events, including presenting sponsorship of " Self magazine's "Rock Bodies," and Elle magazine's "Fantasy Fashion League Draft Party." Branded events such as Hot Import Nights (in Chicago, Boston, and Washington, D.C.) and Taste of Chicago and Taste of Dallas will also showcase the all-new Dodge Avenger throughout the calendar year.

TV Commercials

"Tuned Up" opens in an indoor testing facility where a row of Dodge Avengers are being evaluated on dynamometers, their engines running. A technician is in the control booth, standing at a panel of scientific instruments. They include a row of Auto Stick gear shifters, just like those in the Dodge Avengers. Each shifter controls the speed of one of the 3.5-liter V-6 engines. Each time the technician engages a shifter, it causes one of the Dodge Avengers to emit a distinctive engine note. Eventually, he realizes that by "playing" the Auto Stick shifters, he can make the engines play the opening bars of "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple. The ad closes with a voice-over: "The all-new Dodge Avenger. It's a natural performer."

"Hot Pursuit" is another 30-second general market TV spot debuting in mid-March. It focuses on Dodge Avenger's heated/cooled front cupholder that keeps cold beverages cool and hot beverages warm. A man enjoying a Sunday drive in his 2008 Dodge Avenger presses a button to warm his hot drink in the cupholder. Above him, a fighter pilot radios to his co-pilot, "Commence heat-seeking missile test." A missile launches from the jet and begins chasing the Dodge Avenger. The driver is unaware that the missile is in hot pursuit because he's too busy enjoying his drive across winding roads. Finally, he turns off the heated cupholder, and the heat-seeking missile flies past him. The ad closes with a voice-over: "Did we mention it cools also? The all-new Dodge Avenger."

"Superhero" is a 30-second spot opens on the Dodge Avenger driving through a dark alley. It turns out of the alley and onto a bridge. The African-American driver says, "Home." As he continues over the bridge, then onto a more rural street, supers appear on the screen that list features of the Dodge Avenger: Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System, 6-speed Auto Stick, and 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The Avenger pulls into a garage. Our hero gets out of the car, walks around the back, and opens the rear door. His small son is asleep on the back seat . The announcer asks, "What does your child's favorite superhero drive?" Our hero lifts his son out of the car and carries him into the house. The voice-over ends with: "Technology, innovation, power. Perfect for the everyday superhero."

"PASION" is in two versions, Spanish and English. (The latter is titled "Passion.") It communicates the passion that lives within Hispanics and the all-new Dodge Avenger. Passion is reflected through quick cuts of a woman dancing the flamenco, a musician tuning his guitar, a person playing castanets, juxtoposed with shots of the vehicle in action. On-screen supers show the heated/cooled cupholders, the 3.5-liter V-6 engine and MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System. The voice-over ends with: "The all-new Dodge Avenger. Change your step."

Related:
Dodge Avenger, Assembled! Press Shots Of The Not-A-Concept 2008 Dodge Avenger R/T [internal]

The history of the Hillman Avenger is long, sordid and involves Chrysler, Peugeot and Volkswagen. And while some of the rally/saloon variants were pretty rad, the Avenger variant that simply cannot be fronted upon is the Uruguay-built Dodge 1500 pickup. Sadly, not much thought was given to the structural integrity of this South American truckcar and the vehicles apparently had a propensity toward chassis failure. Still, unlike its American cousin, the Rampage, the 1500 was at least driven by the correct wheels. We'd like to find one, beef it up, and add Plymouth Cricket bodywork and a 4G63 turbo, thus making it a Phantom Scamp GT. Would there be a more playatastic way to roll through Montevideo? We highly doubt it. – Davey G. Johnson

The Hillman Avenger

Related:
More El Caminos [Internal]

Any press release containing the words "Building on our successful launch on the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica" has a bit of a credibility problem. Fortunately, BorgWarner's spinmeisters aren't talking about the Pacifica itself. They're lauding the front wheel all-wheel drive system currently underpinning [dust collecting] upmarket examples of DCX's proto-CUV. ITM 3e is the first all wheel-drivery to reduce power to the rear wheels at highway speeds to improve fuel economy. It's yet another clever gizmo from the boffins who bring you the world's best paddle shifter (DSG). Anyway, this press release on BorgWarner's alphanumeric festival of torque-managed traction control tells us their grip-securing gee-whizzery will now migrate to the 2007 Sebring and 2008 Avenger. DCX aversive buyers needn't feel excluded; the company also sells its greasy bits to Ford, VW/Audi, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Honda, Caterpillar and Peugeot. – Robert Farago

Press Release:

BorgWarner All-Wheel Drive System to Debut in 2007 Chrysler Sebring and 2008 Dodge Avenger

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The 2007 Chrysler Sebring and 2008 Dodge Avenger will offer BorgWarner's Interactive Torque Management (ITM 3e(TM)) system as an option for drivers who value performance, fuel economy and stability. The sophisticated technology, which debuted last year, is the latest, next-generation interactive technology available as part of BorgWarner's growing iTrac(TM) torque management systems portfolio, a full- line of active torque management devices focused on the needs of the expanding front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive market.

"We are proud to launch another front-wheel, all-wheel drive application with DaimlerChrysler, using BorgWarner's new ITM 3e(TM) system," said Cindy Niekamp, President and General Manager, BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems. "Building on our successful launch on the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica, adapting this technology to additional applications was the natural progression. As a global leader in advanced front-wheel drive-based all-wheel drive technology, we are pleased to provide the next generation of Chrysler and Dodge drivers with the enhanced vehicle traction, stability and handling that the system offers."

In addition to providing the ITM 3e(TM) hardware, BorgWarner will also supply the electronics, software controls, and vehicle integration support. These capabilities are core competencies of BorgWarner and provide automakers like Chrysler Group with outstanding vehicle performance.

The ITM 3e(TM) system exercises sophisticated controls and algorithms to sense slip, and seamlessly converts the front-wheel drive-based platform to all-wheel drive within milliseconds. This augments vehicle handling by optimizing traction of both the front and rear wheels. At highway speeds, the system automatically reduces power transfer to the rear wheels, which improves fuel economy versus other all-wheel drive systems. In addition, the ITM 3e(TM) system is designed to work in cooperation with other vehicle systems like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability programs to further enhance traction and stability.

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA) is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 63 locations in 18 countries. Customers include Ford, VW/Audi, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Honda, BMW, Caterpillar, Navistar International, and Peugeot. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com/.

Related:
Porsche Working up Seven-Speed DSG for Entire Line [internal]

The blog at Cars.com obsessed with breaking toes on hard black rubber and chrome had pricing info on the latest mid-size sedan from the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid dropped into it's lap. And although pricing info on the SE trim level of the Dodge Avenger was announced at the Detroit Auto Show — pricing on the other trim levels wasn't really cared about yet available. Luckily for those interested in not-so-budget-priced mid-size sedans, Cars.com appears to have snagged all the info from the maws of the half-teutonic beast. And we've snagged it from them — along with a pretty little gallery to remind you of what the not-Sebring looked like at its Detroit Auto Show reveal last week. Pricing's below the jump. – Ray Wert

• Avenger SE: $18,220
• Avenger SXT: $19,120
• Avenger R/T: $22,870
• Avenger R/T (AWD): $24,870

2008 Dodge Avenger Pricing is Here [Cars.com]

Related:
Dodge Avenger, Assembled! Press Shots Of The Not-A-Concept 2008 Dodge Avenger R/T [internal]

Here are the press shots set up for you, all gallery-ready for your enjoyment, with the press release after the jump. We'll have our own pics from the reveal this morning up shortly — but for now, enjoy the super-hero redness. Oh, and thank the lord it doesn't look like its Mitsu-platform prostituted sibling, the Chrysler Sebring. – Ray Wert

Related:
Spy Photos: 2007 Dodge Avenger R/T [internal]

Spied! New Dodge "JC49" Crossover! [Winding Road]
The Dodge JC49 Crossover [Allpar]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Dodge Dakota [internal]

Related:
Spy Photos: Production Dodge Avenger; Avenger To Be Assembled! Dodge Dealer Memo Confirms Production Of New Sedan, Minivan [internal]

Take the body kit off the Dodge Avenger concept and what do you get? If you said "my next rental at Dallas—Fort Worth" you'd be partially right. It's the production Dodge Avenger, caught testing ahead of the Detroit auto show, where it's expected to debut ahead of a quickie rush to dealers by early '07. If you've been in a wormhole for the past year, you may not know the Avenger is the Stratus replacement and cousin of the new Chrysler Sebring. Don't worry sport-o, an R/T version is planned. – Mike Spinelli

SPY PHOTOS: New Dodge Avenger [World Car Fans]

Related:
Mopar's Revenge: Chrysler Reveals Dodge Avenger Concept [internal]

Dodge Avenger, minivans coming [Freep]

Related:
Not Yet Production! Dodge Releases Avenger "Concept" In A Barrage Of Bold; Spy Photos: 2008 Chrysler Town And Country [internal]

Related:
Mopar's Revenge: Chrysler Reveals Dodge Avenger Concept [internal]

[via World Car Fans]

Related:
First-Look Video of Ford Shelby GT: Enter The New Mustang, Same As The Old? [internal]

Dodge let fly with the official Avenger concept pics this morning, showing off the prototype sedan that will become the company's new midsized entry. As we mentioned, the concept is heading to the Paris show to introduce Europe to a model its citizens will see in their local forecourts sometime in 2008 — in continuance of Chrysler's continental invasion. It's a front driver and it'll likely to share fours and sixes (and a CRD oil burner for Europe) with its Dodge Caliber and Chrysler Sebring sibling when it arrives in 2007 as a 2008 model. Otherwise, details to follow in paree. Click through for pics.

Related:
Dodge Avenger Concept Shots Leaked [internal]