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"Keyless Go" is an apt moniker in this age of multitasking, speed-passing, Easy-Fueling drivers. But 6,636 '08-'09 Dodge Challengers with automatics are in such a seeming hurry to get moving that they may do so even when their owners would rather they stay put.

Said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pressing and holding the Challenger automatic's stop/start button will turn the vehicle's engine off regardless of gear selector lever position. Turn the engine off, forget to put it in park, release the brake, exit the car, and you might just watch in astonishment as your spunky Challenger traipses down the hill without you.

So that the engine may be shut off only after the transmission has been placed in Park, Edmunds states that "Chrysler dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module." For more information about the recall that is slated to begin this week, Challenger owners may dial 1-800-853-1403.--Colin Mathews

Treading water (with increasing urgency) while their super-efficient diesel and gas models are still in development, Dodge and Ford are introducing engineering tweaks in their 2009 full-size trucks to eke out more efficiency from existing engines.

PickupTrucks.com cites "significant mileage gains" for the '09 Ram and F-150. In raw numbers, the F-150's 12 percent gain over 17 mpg by the EPA's ruler equals 19 mpg, not exactly the kind of numbers that earn awards from Greenpeace (those numbers are for an '08 Ford F-150 4.6-liter automatic 4X4 and an '09 version of the same, respectively).

Credit more gears and valves for Ford's mild mileage boosts, and a HEMI V-8 with variable valve timing for the Ram's extra 1 mpg for both city and highway. Swapping the previously standard four-speed automatic, Ford has finally installed a modern six-speed auto in the F-150 pickup. That new transmission, plus the three-valve head on the smaller (now base) 4.6-liter V-8 allow Ford to boost mileage up to 12 percent across the F-series lineup.

Meanwhile, Chrysler LLC's deliciously powerful HEMI 5.7-liter V-8 gets trick variable valve timing on its in-block camshaft (first used on the Viper) to boost horsepower and torque significantly, as well as squeezing out a tad more mpg. The new-for-'09 Ram continues to make use of a five-speed automatic transmission.

Bigger fuel economy news should come for both automakers when their newest engine technology debuts in the relatively near future. Ford's EcoBoost engines should bring much bigger mpg gains to the gasoline realm, and Dodge's new Cummins turbodiesel, rumored to ring in at 5.0 liters, should go head-to-head with GM's efficient new baby Duramax set to come out post-2009.--Colin Mathews

Wait, wait, wait...sorry, we got sucked into press release lingo land. That's how Dodge describes the 2009 Charger, just like the similar "four-door coupe" nonsense applied to the Benz CLS and VW Passat CC.

The Charger returns for 2009 with some moderate changes to a vehicle our own experts found to be a sharp-looking sedan. The capable, coupe-like full size performer-cum-cruiser sports some new cosmetics: to the Charger's mean, hunkered-down profile (replete with huge vision-obscuring C-pillars), tail lens cutouts are added to expose retro-style twin rear bulbs.

The bigger story is underhood, where Dodge's upgraded HEMI 5.7-liter V-8 resides. Boasting significant power upgrades, now at 368 horsepower, and 395 lb-ft torque, it manages increased performance with greater economy thanks to the fitment of variable-valve timing and the continued use of Chrysler's MDS (Multiple Displacement System) that shuts down up to four cylinders when not needed. There's now also a dashboard light indicating the engagement of MDS, which allows the driver to adjust driving habits to maximize the system's intervention.

Rounding out the major changes are an active transfer case and the fuel-saving Front Axle Disconnect on all-wheel-drive Chargers, which Dodge claims no other major manufacturer offers together in one car. While the active transfer case seamlessly transfers power to the front wheels when extra traction is needed, the front axle is both disconnected and the transfer case opened to reduce friction within the drivetrain and therefore reduce gas consumption.

It's a good day when we get more power and greater economy. Is that the silver lining to high gas prices?--Colin Mathews

Hot on the heels of the retail introduction of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, the Dodge boys are showing off a SEMA-ized version of an Ram R/T. The finished truck will break cover at the SEMA convention that runs November 4-7 in Las Vegas.

For those not familiar with the largest aftermarket trade show in the world, SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is a customizer's dream world. Manufacturers, vehicle modifiers, and parts makers ply their products at the fall gathering that consumes the entire Las Vegas Convention Center (nearly 2 million square feet).

While General Motors purchased the rights to make their 2010 Camaro "The Official Car of SEMA 2008," this hasn't blunted Dodge from gearing up for a full-on assault at the show with the new Ram and Challenger leading their charge.

According to Chrysler sources, their development team wanted this Ram to be something a customer could actually recreate with nothing more than a new Ram, a Mopar Accessories catalog, and a credit card. The starting point is a stock 2009 Dodge Ram Sport with two-wheel drive. This truck already has a slick aerodynamic drag coefficient (under 0.40 Cd). Under the hood is the improved-for-2009 stock 5.7-liter HEMI engine pushing a 390 horsepower. The drivetrain utilizes the stock five-speed automatic fitted with a high-stall torque converter that feeds the power to a set of 4.10 rear gears. Dodge estimates the run from 0 to 60 mph to take about 5.6 seconds.

Alterations to the classic code "B5" blue Ram R/T include a Mopar dual snorkel aluminum hood, cold air intake, dual exhaust, and carbon fiber accent stripes. The suspension is dropped and the stance looks even more hunkered down thanks to the chin spoiler, and body kit that includes sill and box pieces. Rolling stock (285/45R22 front and 305/40R22 rear) spin on a set of concept 22-inch machine-face wheels with dark accent pockets produced by the aluminum experts from Alcoa. Fuel goes in through a Challenger-inspired fuel filler. A hard tonneau with an integrated spoiler finishes off the bed that features an under-rail LED lighting system. Inside, the R/T theme continues with the brushed sill trim and Katzkin leather seats.

This announcement from Dodge will be the first from many manufacturers leading up to the SEMA show's opening. The show attracted 100,000 attendees in 2007. Stay tuned for more SEMA-related news…

The next Nissan Titan--which will be a restyled version of this new 2009 Dodge Ram--is ditching its "Endurance" V-8 for a version of Chrysler's HEMI eight-cylinder engine.

Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com reports that Nissan's truck engineers are basically handing over the next Titan to Dodge's truck team. The Nissan engineers are laying out performance specs, while it's up to Dodge to execute, he reports.

The deal isn't completely done yet, but Nissan's engineers expect the HEMI to be a part of the package, Levine says, along with a V-6 and a diesel.

Earlier this year, the two companies laid out the plan wherein the Ram would spin off a new version of the Titan. Nissan will pay Dodge to build the truck in Saltillo, Mexico, and will convert a big chunk of its Mississippi truck plant over to commercial-vehicle production.

Nissan and Chrysler seem to be waltzing into each other's arms--along with the truck project, the two are working to bring a Nissan Versa small car to Chrysler showrooms. We wouldn't be surprised if the upcoming big crossover based on the Nissan Forum concept ended up as a replacement for the Chrysler Pacifica, either.

UPDATE: PickupTrucks.com reports today that Chrysler's Jim Press confirms Nissan will get the HEMI, but Nissan spokespeople are still noncommittal.