Dodge is putting its money where its Mopar is and going rallying with a new Avenger. The car will be shown to the public at the New York Auto Show next week, but we already have official images and video of the car in action.

Built in conjunction with electrical supplier Magneti Marelli, the Dodge Avenger Rally has had around 100kg stripped from its overall weight. Essential rally equipment such as a roll cage, racing seats and fire extinguisher system have been added.

To help with performance, Dodge has upped the power of the 3.7-litre V6 engine from 283- to 300bhp, with a paddle shift gearbox for quicker changes. There are also uprated brakes and Dodge has modified the rear brakes to allow for handbrake turns to help on rally stages.

The suspension has also been upgraded all round and now sits 4mm lower. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli tyres completes the Dodge Avenger Rally package and the company says elements of the rally car will make it onto production versions of the Avenger in the USA.

See video of the car on the move below:



Alisdair Suttie - 14 Apr 2011