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March 31^st marks the beginning of the 46^th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab Utah and just over a week ahead of the big offroading event, the folks at Chrysler have teased three of the unique concept vehicles coming to Moab. Each year, the Chrysler Group calls on help from the folks at the Mopar division to modify a handful of vehicles to catch the eye of show-goers while also being able to easily hold their own in the woods and for this year's show there will be at least three unique new concept vehicles. 

There have been no mentions of any Ram trucks coming to Moab but in past year, the Easter Jeep Safari has brought us awesome Ram concepts like the first RamRunner so it wouldn't be a huge shock if there were more than just these three concepts - whether they are more Jeeps, Ram trucks or maybe even a Dodge Durango.

by Patrick Rall

For this year's SEMA show, the Chrysler Group's Mopar division put together two massive displays, one inside and one outside, both packed full of gorgeous modern and vintage Chrysler Group vehicles.  In addition to those vehicles in the Mopar indoor display or the Mopar Midway running between the Las Vegas Convention Center's South and Central Hall, a great many exhibitors bring out some great examples of Mopar muscle cars (and trucks). Because of such a vast representation of Mopar madness, it took us a while to get through all the goods, but since we're nothing less than thorough, we've picked out a definitive (see subjective) lineup of the best Dodge products from this year's show.

This is the truck that could and SHOULD be the next offering from the SRT brand lineup.  The Ram 1500 Quick Silver is powered by the 6.4L, 392 cubic inch Hemi from the Dodge Charger SRT8 and Challenger SRT8, offering 470 horsepower and 470lb-ft of torque.  Mopar adds headers, a cold air intake and a sporty body kit to make for one incredible street truck that many Mopar lovers (like me) are praying to see reach production.

That's just the tip of the iceberg for salacious photos; check out the rest of our stunning SEMA galleries:

Best Booth Babes of SEMA 2011!

Best Rides of SEMA 2011!

Best Mopars of SEMA 2011!

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is arguably the best performing supercar in the world, with a variety of track records including famous tracks like Laguna Seca and the Nürburgring.  At the 2011 SEMA Show, Mopar brought out the powerful Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a spread of modifications similar to what differentiates the standard Viper SRT10 from the ACR model - and the Challenger SRT8 ACR is born.  This Challenger features a high performance braking and suspension package, a variety of weight reduction items and an exterior design theme that pays homage to the Viper ACR.  Unfortunately, this is only a "design study" so it may not see production...although it would certainly complicate the battle for the super muscle car title currently being fought between the Camaro ZL1 and the Shelby Mustang GT500.

The Mopar V10 Challenger Drag Pak is a factory production race car designed to compete (and dominate) stock and super stock drag racing divisions.  This monster debuted for the 2011 model year and toured the country in white with black trim but at the 2011 SEMA Show, Mopar brought out the Challenger V10 Drag Pak in Hemi orange...ironic considering that it is the high performance Challenger that doesn't come with a Hemi.  This super stock race built Challenger is powered by the Dodge Viper V10 - making it the most powerful and fastest production muscle car of all time.

Technically two cars, but these pro stock Dodge Avengers were probably the quickest two cars at the 2011 SEMA Show.  Mopar made the big announcement at the show that champion driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. would be returning to Mopar from his ride with General Motors to pilot the Jeg's-sponsored Avenger pro stock racer for the upcoming NHRA season.  Jeg will join Allen Johnson for the 2012 campaign as Team Mopar looks to tackle the field with the Hemi-powered Dodge Avengers.

There are few, if any Hollywood vehicles that are as recognizable as the 1969 Dodge Charger clad in bright orange, wearing the Rebel flag and 01 race number that many of us grew up knowing as the General Lee.  Optima Batteries brought out this beautiful example of the General Lee--which we believe to be a clone based on the lack of the beige padded roll bar-- but in any case, this bright orange '69 Charger made for a great piece of eye candy in the Optima display.

I have an appreciation for all sorts of cars, but deep down I'm a Mopar man.  I've owned Fords and Chevys, but my favorite cars have been my 1983 Dodge Mirada 340 and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340, and when I get to events like SEMA I'm always very excited to see what Mopar has in store for me.

 

This year, I have to admit that the indoor Mopar display was a little bare, although cars like the Challenger 1320 (click here for more info) and the new Dodge Avenger pro stock car (more info coming soon!) made the display worth the time.  

 

But there was still Mopar Alley.  The area connecting the Central Hall and South Hall runs you through a parking lot and atop a busy overpass, but for years now Mopar has bridged the gap with a variety of new and vintage Mopars -  both privately owned and featured vehicles owned by Chrysler Corporation.

Like an indomitable storm, the Formula Drift Series descended upon the streets of downtown Long Beach this past weekend for round 1 of the 2009 season, bringing with it the thunder of Team Mopar's tire-destroying Dodge Viper SRT10 drift car to a crowd of more than 40,000 fans. Also making an appearance was the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 drift car, giving fans a preview of things to come later in the season. Now entering its 5th season, the Formula Drift Series has grown exponentially in just a short period of time and has been a key player in exposing drifting to the U.S.