Vehicles dressed with the ram-horn badge of Dodge from DaimlerChrysler tip toward the sporty side of automotive action and tote powerful engines. Leading this pack is the Viper SRT-10 roadster with a big-block V10, but a new sports tourer called Magnum packing a Hemi V8 follows it closely.

Excessively long at the prow and slinky low for a two-seat cockpit and raucous ten-cylinder engine exerting overwhelming muscle from a herd of horses, the SRT-10 Viper roadster from Dodge is America's most powerful sports car. It delivers 500 hp with 500 lb.-ft. of torque and more than 500 cubic inches in engine displacement. All of the torque, directed to Viper's 19-inch rear wheels, enables the roadster to romp from zero to 60 mph in less than four seconds, with its max running speed climbing to the racing zone of 190 mph. A heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission is standard, along with aluminum components for the four-wheel independent suspension plus huge Brembo disc brakes tied to four-wheel ABS. For 2005 models, Viper scores two new body tints -- Viper Race Yellow and Copperhead Orange.

Think of Dodge's SRT-4 performance sedan as a factory-sanctioned and affordable route into the world of street racers customized from compact-class front-wheel-drive (FWD) sedans. Aggressive styling at the prow reflects cues of street performance machines with a deep fascia etched with multiple air intake ports and cross-hair grille plus a horizontal port carved into the shapely hood. At the tail a tall basket-handle spoiler flies off the deck and works at speed to exert force on rear wheels and pin them to the pavement.

The cockpit has the look of a customized car as front wrap-around seats contain reinforcements in lateral and lumbar segments to support the torso when this car runs through a wiggly chute. Gauges with silver rims reflect easy-to-read silver faces, and the metal theme continues in the foot well on pedals made of cast aluminum with dimple surfaces. Driving the SRT-4 is a turbo-charger and aluminum inter-cooler attached to a dual-cam 2.4-liter four-in-line engine rated up to 230 hp with a heavy-duty five-speed manual shifter. New options include a Kicker/SRT Livin' Loud audio system with six-disc CD changer. The hot new SRT body color is called Orange Blast.

Dodge's compact-size sedan for 2005 comes in two versions -- a base SE edition and the value-packaged SXT. Both draw on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine worth 132 hp. The entry issue gets 14-inch wheel covers, bright highlights on the front grille and an audio kit with cassette deck and four speakers. Neon SXT adds air conditioning, power to drive mirrors and windows, a CD player and six speakers, remote keyless entry device and 15-inch aluminum wheels clad with all-season touring tires.

Options for the SXT include a six-disc CD changer, 15-inch aluminum wheels, a four-speed automatic transaxle and four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brake system (ABS). Also, the new SRT Design package brings styling cues derived from the SRT-4 with a bulging hood up front and fog lamps in the front fascia, plus twin exhaust pipes and a spoiler at the tail. (CONTINUED...)