Mopar maneuvers into SEMA with a multitude of modified models

Wed, 05 Nov 2014

As the aftermarket and performance arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Mopar has a duty to extract everything from the company's models that it can, and there's no better place to show all of its work off than the annual SEMA Show.

Dodge really gets in on the act this year with several customs to show off different parts of the brand's performance heritage. Perhaps the most interesting among them is the track-prepped Viper ACR Concept (pictured above). It wears a custom body kit to produce even more downforce, thanks in no small part to a monstrous wing at the back. To shed weight, most of the interior is stripped out, as well. Next up, the Challenger T/A Concept takes inspiration from '70s Trans-Am racing in a livery of Sublime Green and matte black paint. The center scoop in the hood keeps the 6.4-liter V8 fed with cool air, and the special's 20-by-9.5-inch matte black wheels keep it planted in the corners.

Also getting the once-over from Mopar is the Charger R/T. It wears the division's body kit, and under the hood, a cold-air intake keeps the 5.7-liter V8 breathing. The suspension is retooled to hold the road better with a coil-over kit, upgraded sway bars and strut tower braces for the front and rear. The company is also showing off a snazzy blue Charger with a mean look. The final Dodge getting work from Mopar is the Dart R/T Concept with bright, O-So-Orange paint and a matte black hood with a scoop hooked directly to the air intake. The performance-oriented design is finished off with a coil-over suspension and big brake kit, as well.

The performance arm also works its magic in the Chrysler 200S at the show. Its wears Mopar's body kit in Phantom Black Tri-coat paint to really shine. A coil-over suspension and 19-inch, bronze-colored wheels complete the subtle design. And finally, Mopar turns its attention to the Fiat 500L and 500 Abarth. The generally awkward 500L tries to go for a high-class look for two-tone paint, a body kit and upgraded wheels. On the other hand, the Abarth is a bit more successful with a simple red and white two-tone design with a scorpion covering the front end, and there's a touch of extra performance too, thanks to some lightweight wheels and a cat-back exhaust.

Take a look at all of these concepts for yourself in the gallery, and scroll down to read Mopar's official announcement for all of them.

Mopar Goes All-in With Fleet of Customized SEMA Show Rides

The 15,000-square-foot Mopar Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show display will feature Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brand vehicles personalized with Mopar products

Hundreds of existing and prototype Mopar parts and accessories also will be showcased at the Las Vegas Convention Center

Dodge brings a high-powered collection of concepts and production performance vehicles, including the Dodge Viper ACR Concept, Dodge Dart R/T Concept and Dodge Challenger T/A Concept, as well as the new 2015 Dodge Charger Scat Pack powered by the 6.4-liter 392 HEMI® and the 707-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat and Challenger SRT Hellcat production vehicles

Mopar products and camouflage design combine to form the ultimate mobile outdoor base camp in the Ram 2500 Outdoorsman

Jeep® Renegade Riptide and Jeep Renegade Frostbite show how the newest addition to the Jeep brand can be customized to suit any lifestyle

Chrysler 200S Mopar delivers a sophisticated mid-size sedan with just the right amount of performance attitude

Fiat 500L Custom merges West Coast culture and Italian flair with an assist from a complement of Mopar products

October 24, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Mopar once again is gearing up to hit the Strip in full force at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 4–7, with a fleet of Mopar-modified vehicles and hundreds of existing and prototype Mopar products set to add sizzle at the world's premier automotive specialty products trade event.

The Mopar display is always a safe bet as a hot-spot stop for industry leaders at the mammoth gathering. Innovative Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brand show vehicles, all reimagined with Mopar products, will fill the 15,345-square-foot exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center and demonstrate how enthusiasts can sprinkle their own rides with a little Mopar magic by choosing from the brand's vast portfolio of parts.

"Each creation we dream up for SEMA represents an original, unique interpretation of how customers can personalize and transform their vehicles with an assist from Mopar products," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO-Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care. "Our modified SEMA rides prove that whether owners are seeking more power, performance and style for the street, extra capabilities to get the job done or the freedom to go off-road and beyond, Mopar has the products to help get them there."

Dodge Challenger T/A Concept
The Dodge Challenger T/A Concept is a Sublime Green example that the big gun in the Dodge brand's muscle-car arsenal hasn't forgotten its roots.

A modern interpretation of the legendary T/A package available in the 1970s for the Challenger, the Dodge Challenger T/A Concept draws on heritage-inspired cues but also calls on present-day performance modifications and new prototype products designed with an eye toward the future.

The Sublime Green paint is underscored by full-length matte black T/A graphics, flanking each side of the body, in keeping with the spirit of the original T/A. The matte black look carries over from the aggressive front fascia all the way to the rear deck-lid spoiler to provide an iconic, sinister appearance. The functional "Viper"-inspired center scoop hood with Mopar gloss black hood pins has been adapted to accommodate a Mopar induction system. Cooling air streams into the air box, chilling the incoming air to the 6.4-liter legendary 392 HEMI® engine via a hood scoop.

At the front of the Dodge Challenger T/A Concept, a Mopar matte black front splitter works in unison with the Mopar matte black gurney-lip deck-lid spoiler to provide additional downforce assist. Air Catcher headlamps on both the driver and passenger sides add a distinctive appearance with hidden LED lights creating a menacing glow, as well as working to provide a steady stream of cool air to the engine. Iconic heritage Challenger script T/A badges complement the front gloss black grille and rear deck-lid spoiler.

Underneath the extra wide 20-by-9.5-inch matte black lightweight forged aluminum wheels are Brembo six-piston calipers with two-piece slotted and vented rotors for ultimate handling and stopping performance. Rear and side exhaust tips are black ceramic-coated finish, and electronic cutouts offer the choice of a healthy rear exhaust stock sound or a louder, more robust side exhaust note.

The celebrated road-course racing reputation of the Challenger T/A package, best embodied by the legendary Sam Posey's success in his No. 77 Dodge Challenger T/A, distinctly influences the interior feel of the Dodge Challenger T/A Concept.

The race-inspired design elements offer weight reductions paired with increased chassis rigidity enhancements. The high-performance flat bottom steering wheel boasts perforated leather and gloss black bezels. Race-inspired carbon fiber seats with safety harness pass-through and T/A embroidered logos are enhanced with bolsters and high grip cloth design for improved lateral support.

Rear seat delete with brushed aluminum closeout panels achieve additional weight reduction. A pistol grip shifter is another heritage-influenced touch, and the 180 mile per hour (mph) speedometer stands out with white face gauges and platinum metallic trim ring. Accents include gloss black trim ring bezels and door release handles. The rear roll-bar is designed for enhanced chassis rigidity.

Dodge Charger R/T Mopar Concept
The world's only four-door muscle car is transformed with a healthy selection of Mopar parts and accessories, creating the Dodge Charger R/T Mopar Concept vehicle.

The current Charger's update of old-school muscle is further fleshed out by plugging in unique new Mopar products, including a front splitter, as well as Mopar side sills and sill extensions that boost handling and aerodynamic characteristics. At the rear, a unique Mopar valance frames the exhaust tips. A unique Mopar one-piece rear spoiler rises high, resulting in more downforce and a more dynamic rear profile.

The gloss black bedecked roof plays off the TorRed exterior paint. Granite Chrystal low gloss colors the forged Mopar lightweight 20-by-9-inch wheels, a feature included on many 2014 Mopar SEMA vehicles, reinforcing the positioning of the lightweight rims as the company's go-to performance wheel.

A Mopar cold air intake adds a jolt of horsepower to the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine of the Dodge Charger R/T Mopar Concept. Additional Mopar performance mods include a coil over kit, front and rear sway bars and front and rear strut tower braces.

Dodge Dart R/T Concept
The Dodge Dart R/T Concept demonstrates that in addition to value and style, the 2015 Dodge Dart has loads of potential to deliver the goods for performance enthusiasts.

The Dodge Dart R/T Concept flexes its muscle with athletic and agile performance styling cues. A Mopar performance matte black aluminum hood provides a sinister, contrasting look to the "O-So-Orange" painted concept Dart. The hood mounted duct feeds cool ambient air directly into the air box, while an air exhauster at the rear pulls hot air from the Dodge Dart R/T Concept's intercooled turbocharged engine.

An aggressive front fascia with an enlarged grille opening provides maximum airflow to the Dart's massive intercooler. New grille textures and LED fog lamp surround, along with select items from the Mopar Dart body kit (including a front chin splitter, side sill accents and rear fascia diffuser) amp up the car's attitude. In line with the more aggressive appearance, the back end boasts a unique three-piece spoiler, perched above prominent three-and-a-half inch exhaust tips.

Riding on 18-inch Mopar anodized black lightweight wheels, the power of the Dodge Dart R/T Concept is harnessed by a Mopar big brake kit, and handling is improved with an adjustable coil-over suspension. Like the hood, the roof and deck-lid have a matte black finish, creating a unique look that is poised to strike fear in the competition.

Dodge Viper ACR Concept
It's difficult, but yes, you can improve the ultimate hand-built American exotic supercar. For a blueprint, look no further than the Dodge Viper ACR Concept.

Ready to strike at the track, the Dodge Viper ACR Concept sports an aggressive carbon fiber front splitter and a competition rear wing anchored to the Snake's steel skin by sculpted aluminum stanchions. Many development hours in the wind tunnel achieved balance between the wing and stanchions, as well as how these elements work in conjunction with the front splitter to maximize downforce. Carbon fiber dive planes on the front fascia and hood heat extractors flanking the front fenders pour on even more aero downforce and aggressive styling cues. All of these lightweight carbon fiber elements work in unison to strike the perfect balance of maximum downforce for tight cornering and high speed maneuvers on the track.

The Dodge Viper ACR Concept races on satin black lightweight 19-inch front and rear wheels, with massive 15.4-inch Carbon Ceramic two-piece rotors with Brembo six-piston brakes. Brakes are kept to optimal temperature levels through carbon fiber brake duct openings in the front fascia. Differential cooler ducts rearward of the side windows supply fresh cool air to the differential for optimal performance. The signature ACR-style white paint is highlighted by a gloss black center stripe, accompanied by an offset Adrenaline Red stripe that flows from tip to tail, encompassing the competition spoiler with accented stanchion and end cap. The iconic heritage ACR side sill badge and Stryker front nose badge signify that this Viper is certainly a force to be recognized.

The race-inspired interior of the Dodge Viper ACR concept puts an emphasis on weight reduction for superior performance with unique styling cues that express its racing thoroughbred pedigree. Only the bare necessities remain as radio amplifier, speakers, carpet and NVH treatments have been removed to take advantage of every ounce. Carbon fiber virtually fills the cabin as every possible bezel has been replaced with this space-age lightweight material. Alcantara suede-wrapped steering wheel, shifter and seats provide ample grip to fully exercise its modified race suspension with razor sharp agility through the most demanding turns. A Header Red stripe that adorns the 12 o'clock position of the steering wheel provides an emotional connection to the exterior through the Adrenaline Red body stripe. Header Red accents carry over from the unique "Stryker" steering wheel badge to the iconic heritage "ACR" instrument panel badge with carbon fiber inlay, and are harmoniously joined by full interior accent stitching.

Chrysler 200S Mopar
Mopar has upgraded the production 200S model with parts and accessories from the Mopar portfolio of products showcasing how customers can tap into the Mopar Custom Shop to personalize their vehicle before they take delivery of their new car.

The simple elegance and extraordinary driving experience of the 200S model is amplified with the Chrysler 200S Mopar. With a Phantom Black Tri-coat exterior paint and a distinctive Ambassador Blue leather interior, the 200S Mopar immediately stands out. Adding to the standout appearance is the addition of a Mopar body kit, which includes a unique front splitter, side sills, rear side sill extensions and rear valance. The rear of the vehicle sports Mopar prototype quad exhaust tips. A coilover lowering kit and 19-inch wheels with a unique Mopar bronze finish round out the visual cues.

The Chrysler 200S Mopar isn't just visually different. It gets an added performance boost achieved through bolt-on Mopar performance parts, including Mopar cold-air intake, cat-back exhaust and a Mopar big brake kit that provides added stopping power.

Customers will be able to order a version of the Chrysler 200S Mopar show vehicle in the first half of 2015. Look for a Mopar body kit and Mopar wheels for the 200S to be available in the near future from the Mopar Custom Shop.

Fiat 500L Custom
Combining West Coast culture with Italian design, the Fiat 500L Custom provides a unique mix of color and styling for both modernists and traditionalists. A two-tone color mix pairs red on the lower body with black on the upper half, creating a stark visual appearance.

Sticking to its sporty roots, the 500L Custom has been lowered and rides on Mopar prototype lightweight wheels. Up front, a functional Mopar splitter, also a prototype accessory, provides downforce and adds to the stylish look. The 500L Custom also is outfitted with a Mopar cat-back exhaust.

The red-and-black theme continues inside the Fiat 500L Custom, from the seats to the door panels, and from the dash to the instrument panel and gauge cluster. Mopar seat covers feature red Katzkin leather and black Alcantara suede, along with red stitching. The instrument panel is adorned in a matching body-color red. The steering wheel carries the red-and-black theme as well.

Fiat 500 Abarth Scorpion
Performance is what brings the Fiat 500 Abarth Scorpion to life, providing an ideal canvas to showcase Abarth performance offerings for the production vehicle.

Forged lightweight Abarth wheels drive the Fiat 500 Abarth Scorpion, and a new Abarth cat-back exhaust system brings forth a deep, rumbling note from the sport coupe. The exterior color pattern follows the two-tone theme of the Fiat 500L Custom. A red-painted upper portion and white-trimmed lower half work together to accentuate the Abarth Scorpion logo, which is enlarged and appears as if it's crawling up the front fascia and hood.

Carbon mirror caps and accent-color fog lamp pockets are also part of the front exterior design package. Heading to the rear, a satin black rear valance houses the exhaust tips, and the rear tail lamps are modified with a smoky tint. The Fiat badges are accented in chrome trim with a satin finish.

Inside the 500 Abarth Scorpion, the same two-tone color split is present, with the Scorpion logo enlarged on the passenger side and Katzkin leather interior accented with color stitching and trim. Interior options for the 500 Abarth Scorpion are intended for future availability through the Mopar Custom Shop.

Mopar Brand
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was trademarked in 1937 with the launch of an antifreeze product but truly made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era. From Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, the brand soon expanded to include technical service and customer support.

Today, Mopar is FCA's service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in more than 130 markets, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for FCA brands.

Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for FCA vehicles – a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

Mopar-first Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with customers

Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format. First to offer complete vehicle-information kits in Spanish

Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot

Wireless charging: first to introduce in-vehicle wireless charging for portable devices

Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters

wiAdvisor: first to provide factory-connected tablet technology in the service lane for instant vehicle diagnosis

wiTech: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network

2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car

By Chris Bruce