Mopar® Unveils Avenger Rally Car to Celebrate New Relationship with Magneti Marelli

A new Dodge Avenger rally car was unveiled in April at Chrysler Group LLC’s Mopar® Complex in Center Line, Mich., heralding the first collaboration in the brand’s newly announced relationship with Magneti Marelli.

The public received their first glimpse of the vehicle up close at the New York International Auto Show, April 22–May 1.


“Our Dodge Avenger Rally car showcases Mopar’s new relationship with Magneti Marelli,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Our companies worked closely together to bring this vehicle to life in a joint build that utilizes proven, quality-tested performance parts and accessories from Mopar and Magneti Marelli. We will gauge reaction to this vehicle and determine which parts will go into production.”


The build was conducted at Mopar’s accessory and performance parts lab in Center Line, Mich., where the vehicle was prepared. The result is a rally car that blends American flair with distinct European tradition.


“This is a purpose-built vehicle with collaborative parts from Magneti Marelli and Mopar,” said Dino Maggioni, CEO of Magneti Marelli Aftermarket. “We selected Magneti Marelli and Mopar parts, adapted them to the Dodge Avenger and made them unique. The result is a fascinating blend of these two iconic brands.”


Starting with a stock 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat, Mopar and Magneti Marelli engineers transformed the vehicle into a race-inspired vehicle equipped to handle the most challenging rally courses, while reducing the weight of the vehicle by nearly 200 pounds.


The Dodge Avenger’s interior was stripped down to bare essentials, then outfitted with a variety of unique Mopar and Magneti Marelli parts to complete the conversion into a rally car. A new Dodge Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine powers the car, controlled by shift paddle integrated into the steering wheel. To enhance performance, the exhaust system and Mopar cold-air intake boosts horsepower from 283 bhp to 300 bhp. A high-performance Mopar/Magneti Marelli braking system with a single-lever, dual-control rear braking system allows the driver to initiate the sudden slides and turns required in negotiating tough rally courses.


A special Mopar/Magneti Marelli-modified suspension lowers the ride of the Dodge Avenger by 1.5 inches, improving handling, cornering ability and response as the vehicle zooms over rally course obstacles on durable Pirelli tires and unique Mopar/Magneti Marelli 18-inch alloy racing wheels. 


Upon completion of the vehicle, engineers conducted extensive performance testing at Chrysler Group’s proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich.