Chrysler LLC's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineering organization recently awarded Alcoa Automotive Wheels, a division of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, platform placement of Alcoa’s Dura-Bright technology forged wheels within the Chrysler SRT family, including both Dodge and Jeep platforms. Placement will begin with the 2009 model year. Chrysler selected the patented surface treatment for the standard 5-spoke wheel fitted to the Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe and roadster. Alcoa forged wheels treated with Dura-Bright technology allow owners to maintain their sports cars’ appearance with minimal maintenance effort.

All wheels by Alcoa are forged from one piece of aerospace grade 6061-T6 aluminum. The forging process aligns the grain of the metal, producing a strong and durable wheel with lightweight benefits to enhance vehicle performance and fuel economy. Forged aluminum wheels by Alcoa are typically twice as strong while reducing weight by over 20% as a comparable cast aluminum wheel. All aluminum wheels for Chrysler's SRT organization are forged at Alcoa's Cleveland (Ohio) Works Plant.

Alcoa began supplying one-piece forged aluminum SRT wheels on the Dodge Viper SRT10 in 2002. The company has supplied wheels for all SRT8 fitments, including Chrysler 300C, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum and Jeep Grand Cherokee since 2004. The upcoming year will signal the first applications of Dura-Bright technology to the Chrysler SRT organization.

Vehicles fitted with aggressive brake packages, like the SRT10, typically generate a high level of brake dust. Viper owners will now be able to maintain the appearance of their vehicle with less effort to keep their wheels cleaner with Dura-Bright technology. Chrysler's SRT organization has also selected Dura-Bright technology for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Owners will appreciate the exclusive wheel surface treatment to easily clean away brake dust, dirt and road grime whether they use the vehicle for on-road or off-road performance.