One-Of-A-Kind 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Raises $1.65 Million For Charity; Sells For $825K

• Special one-of-one 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat sells for $825,000 at Barrett-Jackson Auction in Las Vegas to  Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and several Chrysler Group dealerships
• Engelstad Family Foundation matches auction price, bringing total raised for charity to $1.65 million
• 100 percent of sale price from auction of the fastest and most powerful muscle car ever benefits Las Vegas charity Opportunity Village
• Iconic one-of-one Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat features Viper-exclusive Stryker Red paint, special Hellcat badging, a custom VIN0001 build package in a HEMI® Orange painted engine case presentation box that documents the car’s build and additional one-of-a-kind memorabilia

September 29, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge auctioned the first production 707-horsepower 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN0001, the most powerful and fastest muscle car ever, for $825,000 at the Sept. 27 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas 2014 auction benefitting Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization that serves people with significant intellectual disabilities in the Las Vegas area. The Engelstad Family Foundation of Las Vegas matched the auction price, bringing the grand total raised for Opportunity Village to $1.65 million. With their generous donation, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat raised more money for charity than any other car in Barrett-Jackson history.

Barrett-Jackson waved all bidding and consignment fees, so 100 percent of the sale price goes to the charity.

“The $1.65 million raised by auctioning this one-of-one Dodge Challenger Hellcat at this year’s Barrett-Jackson auction means the most powerful muscle car ever will also have a very powerful impact on the people who benefit from the services of Opportunity Village,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge and SRT Brands, Chrysler Group LLC. “The VIN0001 muscle car was not only one of the hottest cars that rolled through the Barrett-Jackson auction lanes, it is also the ultimate collectible 2015 Dodge Challenger as Dodge is ensuring there will never be another one like it.”

The one-of-one special edition 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine and 0001 vehicle identification number (VIN), has an NHRA-certified quarter-mile time of 10.8 seconds at 126 mph with drag radials, 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque on tap right from the assembly line. Adding to the exclusivity, the donated muscle car is the only Dodge Challenger to ever have a Viper-exclusive Stryker Red exterior - hand-painted at the Dodge Viper paint facility - and it includes special Hellcat badging on the instrument panel and supercharger, specific VIN documentation and one-of-a-kind memorabilia.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN0001 has a class-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission with rev-matching downshifts, 15.4-inch Brembo front disc brakes with two-piece rotors and six-piston calipers, the largest brakes ever offered by Chrysler Group and 20-by-9.5-inch lightweight matte black forged-aluminum wheels. It will have newly designed interior trimmed in premium Black Laguna leather on performance-oriented seats, a modern dash layout featuring the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen and an authentic forged-aluminum supercharger plenum cover under the hood.

The auction package includes a 6.2-liter supercharger engine cover and a HEMI Orange painted base presentation box with a VIN0001 electronic vehicle build book and a video documentary on an iPad mini that shows the step-by-step build process of the car. The one-of-a-kind presentation box also includes still shots, vehicle footage, a customized key fob holder, an authentic Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat embossed Laguna Leather iPad sleeve, a SRT Hellcat lithograph and unique “birth certificate” for VIN0001. Additional information on the vehicle is available on the news feed page of www.driveSRT.com.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and several Chrysler Group dealerships, was the winning bidder at the auction.

The Engelstad Family Foundation was established in 2002 in honor of family patriarch Ralph Engelstad. Since then, the foundation has donated generously to the Las Vegas community.

“With 707 horsepower, the 2015 Dodge Hellcat is more than just the most powerful muscle car built by an American manufacturer,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “It is also the means to help countless people with severe intellectual and related disabilities reach their potential. We’re honored that Dodge chose our 2014 Las Vegas auction to sell Hellcat VIN0001 to support Opportunity Village. Not only will the wonderful people at this organization benefit from the sale of this muscle car, but the winning bidder will own a truly amazing piece of American automotive history.”

“We are so unbelievably thankful for the support of Dodge and Barrett-Jackson,” Linda Smith, Associate Executive Director, Opportunity Village, stated. “We are touched by their amazing generosity and support of our mission here to support individuals with disabilities by giving them the chance to lead independent and fulfilling lives.”

About the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, was founded in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1971. Its internationally renowned auctions are hosted in Scottsdale; Palm Beach, Fla.; Reno/Tahoe, Nev., and Las Vegas. The events feature hundreds of the world’s most sought-after, unique and valuable vehicles where they cross the block in front of a global audience. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, and complete event information visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694. Barrett-Jackson can be found on Facebook or followed on Twitter @Barrett_Jackson.

About Opportunity Village
Opportunity Village (www.opportunityvillage.org)  is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Opportunity Village was founded in 1954 by seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible. Now, 60 years later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States. Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves nearly 3,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.

About Dodge
The Dodge brand is tearing into its centennial year as America’s mainstream performance brand, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014. With the purification of the brand and consolidation with SRT, Dodge is getting back to its performance roots with every single model it offers. The consolidated Dodge and SRT brands will offer a complete lineup of performance vehicles that stand out within their own segments. Dodge will be the “mainstream performance” brand within the Chrysler showroom. SRT will be positioned as the “ultimate performance” halo of the Dodge brand, together creating a complete and balanced performance brand with one vision and one voice.

From muscle cars to compact cars, minivans, crossovers and full-size SUVs, the Dodge brand’s full lineup of 2015 models deliver best-in-class horsepower, class-exclusive technology, unmatched capability and a slew of cool features, such as LED headlamps, Dodge signature racetrack tail lamps, dual exhaust, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment centers and 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) customizable gauge clusters, to name a few. For the 2015 model year, customers will be able to drive the new 2015 Dodge Charger and Challenger, as well as the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Charger SRT Hellcat. The Dodge brand lineup also includes the 2015 Dodge Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey, including the new Crossroad model, and Dodge Viper.

Follow Dodge, SRT and Chrysler Group news and video on:
Chrysler On Demand (COD): www.chryslerondemand.com
Company blog: blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Company website: www.chryslergroupllc.com
ChryslerGroup360: www.chryslergroup360.com
Dodge brand: www.dodge.com
Dodge blog: blog.dodge.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge or www.facebook.com/ChryslerGroup
Flickr: www.flickr.com/dodgeautos or www.flickr.com/chryslergroup
Media website: www.media.chrysler.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/dodgeofficial or www.pinterest.com/chryslergroup
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial or  www.instagram.com/chryslergroup
Streetfire: www.streetfire.net/uploaded/chryslervideo.htm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge or www.twitter.com/chrysler
YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge or  www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo

Musician Will.i.am Unveils His New Lexus NX Design

Paris, September 25, 2014 – Musician, innovator and global entrepreneur will.i.am last night unveiled his personally designed new Lexus NX at an exclusive launch party in Paris. The highly-anticipated car was revealed ahead of an exclusive DJ set by the Grammy-Award winner, to attending guests from across Europe. Bearing his name, the special edition NX 200t F SPORT pairs the flair and creativity of will.i.am’s innovative personality with the eye-catching striking angles of the Lexus NX. With cutting-edge on-board technology, a sharply-styled exterior and an aggressive and sporty design, the NX is aimed at younger, urban and more design oriented customers. Speaking about the special edition SUV, will.i.am said: "When I found out Lexus wanted me to be involved in the Striking Angles campaign, my first thought was, can I design a car with you?  I’m honored to be launching my bespoke Lexus NX F SPORT in Paris –this car is super fresh and incorporates my personal style. My point of view is the best kind of design will encourage other people to interpret that design.” Alain Uyttenhoven, Head of Lexus Europe said: “Working with will.i.am to produce a bespoke take on the NX has been a fantastic experience. We were immediately struck by his passion to take the aggressive and bold design of the NX F SPORT to a whole new level. The striking design of the NX has already captured the imagination of customers worldwide and will.i.am’s bespoke take extends the car’s captivating personality and character in a new direction that embodies his unrivalled creativity and vision.” CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY One of the most innovative features of will.i.am’s bespoke NX is the ability to capture panoramic photographs and video footage whilst driving. Built into the customised body kit are four 180° interconnected camera lenses. The media that is captured can then be displayed on the smartphone screen of the driver or passenger, instantly via Bluetooth. To support the growing trend for consumers to own more than one mobile device, the bespoke car also features the Lexus NX patented Wireless Charging Tray. Located in the centre console box, the innovative technology allows smart phones and other compatible devices to be recharged by being placed on the tray, with no need for a cable. As can only be expected for a multi-platinum selling artist, the audio system inside the sports SUV is premium. It features a Lexus NX 10-speaker Pioneer Surround Sound System, consisting of 16cm speakers in the front and rear doors and a set of 6.5cm speakers mounted in the instrument panel. Under the bonnet sits Lexus’ all-new 2.0l VVT-iW turbo petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission, boasting 238 DIN hp / 175 KW and a hefty 350 Nm of torque at 1650-4000rpm. This will take the car from 0-100km/h in a brisk 7.1sec and 80-120km/h in 6.0sec. EXTERIOR Through a unique blend of innovation and design, will.i.am has added his own touch to the striking exterior of the NX, producing a lower, wider and bolder model. The bodywork incorporates an arresting blend of brushed aluminum, carbon vinyl and will.iam’s signature monochrome, matte pearl white paintwork with a black tinted panoramic glass roof.  Powerfully flared front and rear fenders are fused to a diamond-shaped body with lines generated from the spindle grille. As well as being lowered the bespoke car boasts a set of massive 22-inch alloy wheels. These alloys have been painted with a luminous black machine finish in contrast to the highly visible bright orange break calipers. INTERIOR Inside, the stylised bespoke car features a distinctive combination of high performance brushed aluminum and contrasting soft materials to create a bold, yet luxurious, interior design. The signature monochrome colour scheme continues inside creating a clean and cohesive overall look. Embroidered with will.i.am’s globally renowned #willpower logo, the modified leather seats provide the perfect viewpoint to appreciate the Lexus NX innovative central console and custom-built steering wheel. The musician has even specified luxurious Nappa leather and brushed aluminum floor mats. The Lexus NX was manufactured at the Lexus Miyata Plant, Kyushu, Japan.

About Lexus   Launched in 1989, Lexus has become renowned throughout the world for its pursuit of perfection, the outstanding quality and sophisticated high-technology content of its products, and for its unique concept of complete customer service. Further reinforcing the traditional Lexus values of unparalleled build quality, comfort and interior luxury, Lexus is currently rejuvenating its line-up, launching a new wave of emotional and inspirational products featuring bolder product execution, superior driving dynamics and state-of-the-art technologies. Today, Lexus remains the first - and only - premium automotive manufacturer to offer a comprehensive full-hybrid model range comprising the RX 450h, the GS 450h and GS 300h, the LS 600h, the ES 300h, the IS 300h and the CT 200h. In Europe, models featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive account for more than half of all Lexus sales. Lexus sold 43,241 vehicles in Europe in 2013 and aims to increase sales to 50,000 vehicles in 2014. The new NX mid-size crossover, to be launched in the second half of 2014, will represent another significant growth opportunity in the future years.