The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT - Dodge's Replacement for the Neon

The Dodge Caliber has always struck me as a strange choice of a replacement for the Neon. Don't get me wrong; I like the Caliber's styling but it's 5-door, high-seating arrangement and cavernous interior call to mind an SUV more so than they do the Neon sedan. Nonetheless, the SRT is tuned and turbocharged for the racer crowd with the engine pushing 285 horsepower through the front wheels. erhaps Dodge was slightly confused when they conceived of the Caliber as its closest neighbors would seem to be the Toyota Matrix or the Pontiac Vibe but, interestingly enoug, neither of these vehicles come with the option to upgradeto an engne anywhere near as powerful as that available with the SRT4. Despite the fact that the Caliber defies classification it is clear that its styling and power make it stand out from the crowd.  The SRT models receive the obligatory hood scoop, along with a pair of rear facing vents in the hood. The front clip bristles with openings, allowing plenty of airflow through the mesh grille-work to the inter-cooler and radiator. Unlike some sporty vehicles, all the openings in the SRT-4 are fully functional. Evidently the power-train in this little beast generates some major heat that has to be dissipated. Continuing the theme of aggression are the sharp looking 19-inch five-spoke wheels and 225/45R19 tires that fill out the wheel wells nicely. Thanks to their thin spokes, the bright red painted brake calipers front and rear are clearly visible at all times. In regard to the interior, most reviewers agree that the dash materials are sub-par but that is great news for a company that specializes in restyling automobiles. AOL Autos had this to say about the configuration of the cabin:

The interior works fine from a functional standpoint with controls readily accessible and a radio where it belongs at the top of the center stack. At first glance there appear to be no redundant controls for the radio on the steering wheel, an impression that turns out to be incorrect. After driving a couple of blocks, I shifted my hands on the wheel and realized that there were two rockers on the back-side of the "nine" and "three" spokes, one for the volume and the other for the tuner. Although they aren't visible, these buttons are as accessible as a pair of paddle shifters.

I think all of the above should give anyone considering buying a Caliber enough information to make a good decision, and, if that decision were to be based on looks alone the SRT4 is a clear winner. Unique styling and a powerful engine make the 2009 Caliber SRT4 an attractive choice for anyone in the tuner community. Enjoy the pics!

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Rvinyl Performance Partners with ACC to Bring High-End Accessories to Customers

Rvinyl Performance Partners with ACC to Bring High-End Accessories to Customers

New York City, New York, August 14^th 2012 – Rvinyl.com Inc, a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive accessories has partnered with American Car Craft (ACC), manufacturer and designer of high-quality, custom-made stainless steel automotive accessories.  The development represents the next logical step for Rvinyl which has been integrating more traditional aftermarket accessories into its marketplace network which were previously dedicated almost exclusively to the sale of tint and film products which they designed and manufactured themselves.  The partnership is expected to bring ACC unique and high-end offerings to a larger customer base while simultaneously rounding out Rvinyl’s aftermarket accessory lines by providing luxury, custom options to those customers willing to pay more for quality and real stainless steel. Both ACC and Rvinyl have been major players in aftermarket auto accessory circles but their customers had rarely crossed paths as they had, until recently, focused on entirely different market segments. Rvinyl, founded in 2003, was for most of its history devoted almost solely to the design and manufacture of vinyl auto accessories.  Among the products for which Rvinyl is best known are the self-adhesive vinyl dash kit, headlight and taillight tints, window tint and a wide array of unique vehicle graphics and decals. The fact that Rvinyl has been, since its inception, an online only retailer allowed it to make inroads into marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon that remained largely untouched by brick-and-mortar businesses and manufacturers. American Car Craft (ACC) is a design company, dedicated to developing unique high quality products. With more than thirty years of experience customizing Late Model Muscle Cars, Chevrolet Corvettes, Camaros, Ford Mustangs, Raptor Trucks, Dodge Challengers, Chargers, Magnums, Vipers, Ram Trucks, Classic Hot Rods, Exotics, Minis, Miatas, Scions, Limousines, Vans and more they have developed a truly unique approach in catering to the aftermarket auto accessory community. Their product design concepts are based on flat 304 Stainless Steel sheet materials that are laser cut and then hand formed and crafted to produce truly amazing, high quality accessories you just won’t find from any other company. Our product line specialty is in the engine bay and continues throughout the vehicle to include custom grilles, stainless steel interior and exterior trim to state of the art digital graphics. Rvinyl has recently completed a major product integration and is excited to offer the restyling community ACC accessories for Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hummer and Pontiac vehicles at their website www.rvinyl.com.

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Dark Smoked Taillights on Ryan's 2006 Audi A4

Audi completely redesigned the ever-popular A4 in 2005 and added an even more powerful engine without increasing the size.  According to the auto maker, the A4 is intended to be "Unmistakably Audi" and serves a s a flagship of sorts by showcasing the brand's unique aesthetic which combines performance, sportiness and luxury. The real glass headlights are downward sweeping and taper ever so slightly inward, complimenting the newly designed grille similar to the one found on the larger A6. In addition to the updated front-fascia elements Audi has also begun to experiment with the use of colored bumpers that mach the body paint to accentuate the car's low center of gravity.

In addition to these exterior features the flared and highly arched wheel panels the rear ed of the A4 is smoothly rounded with what appears to be just the slightest hint of a spoiler on the trunk. The dual exhaust pipes serve not only to increase the performance of the A4 but give its raised rear end an even more aggressive ad athletic look than a single exhaust would. All in all the 2006 A4 is a thing of beauty and most reviewers agree it is well worth the money, especially when compared to upmarket competitors such as BMW.

Ryan submitting a great set of installation photos of the dark smoke taillight kit he purchased and they really do wonders for the look of the vehicle. He included a lot of great shots from multiple angles so take the time to admire his handiwork on this German beauty. Enjoy!