Much more interesting to the common consumer are the Neon-based Dodge SRT-4 compact sedan and the Ram SRT-10 pickup.
The Neon SRT-4 is meant to appeal to the sport-tuner market that worships the previous version of the Honda Civic and the Acura Integra, so its 215-horsepower inline-4 should be capable of going 0-100 kmh in less than six seconds and top out at about 240 kmh.
Dodge's Ram SRT-10 will come with the same 8.3-litre V10 that runs the Viper, but its power output in the pickup isn't known yet.
MINIVAN UPGRADES: Because the Chrysler Group has had so much success selling minivans in a softening market, it's probably no surprise that they're going to add a couple of interesting new features for 2003.
The departure in this segment is the power sunroof, which should set both the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models apart from the competition.
Much more useful, however, are the moveable pedals, which allow the driver to take a much more comfortable and safer position in relation to the steering wheel. This should be especially useful to shorter people, since it may allow them to get farther away from the steering wheel's airbag in a deployment.
For the time being, it looks like the moveable pedals will only be available on the more expensive Town & Country model.
Both minivan models will be capable of holding the new DVD rear-seat entertainment system, however.
EARLY FACELIFT FOR COUPES: In an attempt to shore up sagging sales, the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring coupes will get major exterior upgrades for 2003.