Auto News - 2013 SRT Viper (re)earns its stripes

Auto News - 2013 SRT Viper (re)earns its stripes. While this really doesn't qualify as "news," the above photo still has us excited enough to share. It's the first official image of the new 2013 SRT Viper with stripes. You see, we were a bit nonplussed when the Viper debuted at the New York Auto Show without its trademark livery. Perhaps it was to better focus attention on the sheetmetal's new curves, but we still missed seeing the lines down the middle on the show stand.

Chrysler has rectified that as shown in this single image of a red example on SRT's Facebook page. According to the caption, the example seen here is an engineering prototype undergoing dry-track stability control testing, an evaluation it apparently passed "with flying colors."

We're also reminded of a little tidbit that Chrysler design boss and SRT brand manager Ralph Gilles recently shared with us that he's quite proud about: The 2013 Viper's stripes will be worn underneath the clearcoat, not above. That's a change from the past model, and should result in both a better appearance and improved wear. The new stripes will be available in white as shown, but also in black and gunmetal pearl as cost options.

We're looking forward to seeing this car in GTS Blue Pearl with white stripes, as not only was the blue/white combo borderline iconic on previous GTS iterations, it also did a striking job of representing America's international racing colors.

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Auto News - NHTSA opens investigations on Chrysler 200 and Ford Explorer

Auto News - NHTSA opens investigations on Chrysler 200 and Ford Explorer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened new investigations concerning the Chrysler 200 and Ford Explorer. All of the vehicles in question are from the 2011 model year, with 87,000 200s and 83,000 Explorers being investigated.

NHTSA's Chrysler investigation concerns possible stalling problems, with the organization stating that it has received 15 complaints of the 200's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 stalling. "All 15 incidents reported stalling without warning during low-speed decelerations such as braking for a stop sign or traffic light," NHTSA's official release states. This investigation does involve both the sedan and convertible models.

Moving to the Explorer, NHTSA is investigating reports of power steering failure with the electric power-assisted system. In some instances, owners have complained that the system completely stops working, while other drivers simply noted greater effort being needed to turn the wheel. NHTSA writes: "Some of the complaints indicated observing a power steering warning message when the failure occurred. In some cases, the condition was corrected by turning the vehicle off and restarting. However, some reports indicate the condition returned after restart."

No accidents have been linked to either the Ford or Chrysler issues.

Keep in mind, these investigations are not recalls – merely a way for NHTSA to probe a certain model and determine if an official recall is actually necessary. Click here and here to read both of the NHTSA investigation reports.

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