The Brains Behind the Blacktop Models!

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit was the perfect place for Dodge to announce the brand is adding exclusive Blacktop packages to its trio of seven-passenger vehicles — the Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey. These special edition packages will join the Avenger, Challenger and Charger to complete the Dodge Blacktop family, and will be on display again, starting this week, at the Chicago Auto Show.

“All of our sinister Blacktop packages include a unique, customized look that customers will identify with. Blacktops feature black headlamps, gloss black grilles and gloss black wheels, which make the vehicles so wicked,” stated Bob Broderdorf— Head of Dodge Brand CUV, MPV, & SUV. “With a starting U.S. MSRP of just $295 on the Durango, these Blacktop packages offer a tremendous value combined with customization straight from the factory.”

We sat down with Broderdorf’s Brand team to get their insight.

The Grand Caravan has proudly become the “first” for more than one category in the minivan segment. Besides being the very first of its kind, the Grand Caravan offers industry-exclusive second and third row “Stow ‘N Go Seating,” as well as the new industry-exclusive Blu-Ray™ DVD rear seat entertainment system. The Blacktop appearance package continues to pave the way for groundbreaking innovations. “The latest Grand Caravan innovation is the really cool customized Blacktop appearance package for only $595 that gives the Grand Caravan a stylish sporty look both inside and out that every mom and dad wants, while delivering its unmatched level of functionality, convenience, safety and value that a family needs,” said Grand Caravan brand manager, Mary Ann Capo. “And this customized one-of-a-kind look comes directly from the manufacturer. In addition to the exterior black accents, the inside has a unique look with an all-black interior, silver accent stitching and brushed aluminum trim.” The Dodge Grand Caravan is the best-selling minivan ever, most awarded and most affordable minivan and with the expected popularity of the special-edition Blacktop package, the Grand Caravan will continue its leadership tradition.

Matt Miller, the Dodge Brand Manager responsible for Durango, describes the Dodge Durango Blacktop Edition as enhancing the “bad boy” look of the Durango R/T with the thrill you’ll experience even before getting behind the wheel. “Blacktop as a whole appeals to many customers,” Miller stated. “We wanted to take the performance look of the R/T and Rallye and ‘amp’ it up.” The newly available “Granite Crystal Pearl” paint, coupled with the gloss black 20-inch wheels and grille, adds eye-catching presence to the Durango, while the interior draws us in with the flexibility of second-row captain’s chairs that offer easy pass through from the second to the third row. “At Dodge, we’re committed to engineering ’no-compromise‘ vehicles, and Durango delivers in spades – SUV capability with luxury and driving performance of modern crossovers costing thousands more, ” said Miller. The Durango Blacktop Edition package starts at an impressively low $295. This affordable, value-focused package creates a unique and aggressive attitude for the Durango. This SUV powerhouse will tow away the competition with change leftover for all seven passengers.

The Dodge Journey follows the same theme on other blacktop models, boasting 19-inch high-gloss black wheels over the standard 17-inch rims, but adds another interior feature to its Blacktop model with a striking 8.4-inch Uconnect® touch screen, the biggest in its class. Pieter Hogeveen, the Journey brand manager, highlights the popularity of the versatile third-row seating, a feature that most competitors do not offer. “The Journey Blacktop edition adds tremendous value as an affordable 7-passenger crossover that appeals to the younger crowd,” said Hogeveen. “The premium interior comes with a standard 8.4–inch Uconnect touchscreen radio and available black leather interior with light gray accent stitching that also includes heated seats and heated steering wheel. When opted for, upon remote start, the heated seats and steering wheel will come on while the vehicle is warming up, and for warmer climates, the A/C activates upon remote startup. These features make the Journey interior that much more inviting.” The Journey Blacktop package is offered at a U.S. MSRP of $995, which includes the Uconnect® touch screen and 19-inch wheels.

Can you handle the sinister styling of the 2013 Blacktop Special Editions?

**Courtesy of Dodge Redline