Flash.(Briefs)

Mopar madness

Mopar, Chrysler's longtime supplier of performance parts and accessories, has developed a range of tuner add-ons for the Dodge Neon-based SRT-4, including a turbo upgrade kit designed to push output past 300 hp from the 230-hp, turbocharged 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder in the stock SRT-4. Three kits are offered for '03 and '04 models: Stage 1($399) that adds 10 hp; a middling Stage 2 upgrade ($999) that adds 30 hp to 50 hp; or the full-bore Stage 3 kit that nets 310 hp to 355 hp (depending on the options). Pricing for the Stage 3 goodies will be released this month.

iPod your Bimmer

A BMW/Apple Computer deal will allow owners of 2002 and newer 3 Series, Z4, X3, X5 and Mini Cooper models to hook up their iPods through the car's factory stereo system. A dealer-installed adapter connects the portable music player to the vehicle's sound system. Once connected, the iPod operates like a CD changer using the car's audio controls. The bad news: iPod is not compatible with premium audio systems (except in the 3 Series), and won't work with vehicles equipped with a navigation system, cassette deck or satellite radio. The adapter is $149 plus installation and goes on sale July 12 (later for Mini). See ipodyourbmw.com.

What's next, baggy pants?

You might as well make General Motors an honorary member of the hip-hop community. Besides its super-sic Escalades and H2s, the General is now in ...