2012 Ram pickup range updated with new gearbox, added power
September 4, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Truck , Work , Chrysler , Diesel Ram is going for broke with its 2012 truck range, increasing power in both the 5.7-liter Hemi and 6.7 Cummins diesel. The gas V8 gets a bump to 383 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline six now pushes 350 horses backed by 800 lb.-ft. of torque. Added to that, there’s a new six-speed automatic transmission with an updated torque converter. Ram says that the transmission should not only be stronger, but lead to improved fuel efficiency as well. With the new power in the big Cummins, the 4500 and 5500 series chassis cab trucks get a combined gross weight increase from 26,000 pounds to 30,000 pounds. Full details in the PR blast after the jump. Continue reading 2012 Ram pickup range updated with new gearbox, added power 2012 Ram pickup range updated with new gearbox, added power originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Jeep stands at attention
September 3, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: SUV , Etc. , Jeep , Toys/Games , Off-Road Jeep and Activision have partnered up once again, this time to produce a new special edition Wrangler designed to commemorate the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition is set to land on dealer lots on November 8 in conjunction with the launch of the latest chapter in the Modern Warfare video game saga. It packs aggressive 32-inch tires, special graphics on the front fenders and spare tire cover, a unique power dome hood and a stack of Mopar goodies. Those include a stout front bumper built to handle a winch, a revised rear bumper and rock rails among other bits. Based on the Wrangler Rubicon , the new special edition features live axles, locking differentials in the front and rear a two-speed transfer case to help you stock up on Mountain Dew no matter what’s between you and the local Costco. Inside, Jeep has outfitted the cabin with seats embroidered with the Call of Duty logo as well as a serialized dash plaque. There’s no word on how much the special edition will cost you when it goes on sale in a little over a month. Hit the jump for the press blast. Continue reading Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Jeep stands at attention Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Jeep stands at attention originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt
September 3, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show , Convertible , Chrysler , Lancia “Hello, Europe… are you ready to rock?” “We can’t hear you!” “We said… ‘Are you READY TO ROCK?!’” Well you’re in luck, because it’s nearly time to drop your tops and rock out to the all-new Lancia Flavia Cabrio ! Ignore your American friends when they try to tell you it’s just a Chrysler 200 Convertible wearing Lancia badges, they’re all just jealous. The Lancia Flavia Cabrio is set to make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show , along with a host of other new Lancia products. The 175-horsepower 2.4-liter I4 and six-speed automatic transmission come standard, and will make sure to push your butt back into its fine, fine (optional) leather. Sure, you can use the whole seat… but you’ll only need the edge. Check out the Lancia Flavia Cabrio in all its high-resolution glory in the gallery. There you’ll also get to check out the new Thema, Voyager, Ypsilon and Delta. Rock on! *Update: engine layout corrected to I4 Continue reading Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Fiat to build Alfa Romeo SUV alongside Jeeps in America, build small car in Italy
September 2, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: SUV , Etc. , Europe , Plants/Manufacturing , Jeep , Alfa Romeo , Fiat The Detroit News is reporting that Fiat may move its planned Jeep and Alfa Romeo SUV production from Turin to the United States. That would leave the Italian plant open and available to produce a new future city car. According to an unnamed source close to the situation, the decision is based largely on the fact that the Euro has made substantial gains against the dollar in the past few months. A little less than a year ago, Fiat announced that it would invest $1.44 billion in the Turin facility in order to produce Jeep and Alfa Romeo SUVs beginning in late 2012, but since then, the Euro has gained nearly 9 percent against the dollar. Needless to say, that makes the possibility of manufacturing Jeep vehicles abroad and importing them back into the U.S. considerably less profitable. Building the two vehicles here in America would keep Jeep assembly domestic and give Alfa Romeo a leg up when it comes time for that brand to re-launch in the land of the free. Fiat to build Alfa Romeo SUV alongside Jeeps in America, build small car in Italy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
PickupTrucks.com tests Ram Runner by Kore, compares with Ford SVT Raptor
September 2, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Aftermarket , Truck , Dodge , Off-Road Here at Autoblog, we’re big fans of the Ford Raptor . So when Dodge announced that Mopar would be prepping a Ram for a head-to-head duel, we were quite excited to see the outcome of that project. Officially revealed in all its glory on March 28 of this year , the Ram Runner kit is offered in seven component sets that allow you to build your Ram up as much as you’d like. We haven’t had the chance to test out the fully equipped Ram yet, but our friend Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com lined one up and took it out to the desert. Levine teamed up with veteran Baja racer Kent Kroeker, whose KORE suspension company built the components for Mopar and Dodge. The KORE-assembled Ram Runner features every option available in the kit, and Levine put all of them to the test. The truck was driven hard in the desert, spent a little bit of time in the air and then shuttled through Los Angeles traffic. How did it fare? Quite well, with the minor annoyance of an ABS system in need of recalibration. Read the write-up over at PickupTrucks.com to see why . PickupTrucks.com tests Ram Runner by Kore, compares with Ford SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
How Jeep jimmied the Pentastar V6 into the 2012 Wrangler
September 1, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: SUV , Etc. , Technology , Jeep , Off-Road We can quit wondering why it took so long for Jeep to drop the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 behind the round headlights of the 2012 Wrangler . According to Wards Auto, the engine had to undergo more than a few tweaks in order to be fit for duty in the trail-rated Wrangler. Engineers had to start by moving the alternator up and away from the middle of the engine to provide for greater water-fording capability. A new intake was also fitted to increase the kind of low-end torque buyers demand on the trail. Meanwhile, on-road civility was increased by changing the intake to draw from the engine’s left side instead of its right along with a unique acoustic cover. While those changes took a little research and development, they’ve obviously paid dividends in the Wrangler. Chrysler may apply a similar approach when the company moves to offer the 3.6-liter V6 in the Ram line soon. How Jeep jimmied the Pentastar V6 into the 2012 Wrangler originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Ford UAW workers approve strike authorization as bargaining tool
September 1, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Chrysler , Ford , GM , UAW/Unions We haven’t heard much concerning the contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and Detroit automakers, but that’s probably by design. The UAW is looking to expand, and it probably wouldn’t hurt organized labor’s chances to do so if these talks went smoothly. Still, what would negotiations be without the threat of a strike? The Detroit Free Press reports that at least four Ford UAW locals have overwhelmingly voted to authorize leadership to call a strike. The move, which is considered to be routine, comes only two weeks before the contracts with General Motors , Ford and Chrysler run out on September 14. The UAW has asked all local units to hold strike authorization votes by Friday. Ford UAW workers approve strike authorization as bargaining tool originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
2012 Dodge Journey also gets $3,000 price slash
September 1, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , Etc. , Crossover , Dodge The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn’t the only Chrysler model receiving a price cut next year, as the 2012 Dodge Journey is set to get significantly less expensive, as well. Chrysler has cut the price on the people-mover by $3,250 starting next year. That puts the vehicle’s MSRP at $18,995 before the $750 delivery fee is tacked onto the bottom line. The American Value Package offers a five-seat configuration for that stack of cash along with a push-button ignition, satellite radio, seven air bags and a touch-screen media interface. Unfortunately, AVP trim is only available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic. The excellent 3.6-liter V6 is still available on other models, however. Those who need a little extra space can add a third row for an extra $1,000. Even so, that still gives the Journey the honor of being the least-expensive seven-passenger vehicle on the American market at the moment. While we’re glad to see Dodge cutting its prices, we’re more ecstatic about the news that the automaker has finally ditched its confusing tangle of trim monikers for a slightly more comprehensible system. Moving forward, all Dodge models will fall under AVP, SE, SXT, Crew and R/T designations. Hit the jump to check the full press blast. Continue reading 2012 Dodge Journey also gets $3,000 price slash 2012 Dodge Journey also gets $3,000 price slash originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Motor Trend compares 2012 Jeep Wrangler with its 1945 CJ forebearer
August 29, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Classics , SUV , Videos , Jeep , Police/Emergency , Off-Road It has been over 70 years since the first Jeep rolled off the assembly line. The legendary off-road machine was instrumental to the Allied victory in World War II, and it became such a big hit with servicemen that the CJ was built for civilians after the war. More than 65 years after that first commercial CJ hit the streets, the Jeep name is still going strong. But how much different is the 1945 CJ than the current Wrangler ? Motor Trend looked into the transformation of the Jeep, and it translated its findings into an informative video. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself. The latest Wrangler may be two feet longer, nearly twice as heavy and feature almost five times more power than the original CJ, but the functionality that makes the Jeep a big hit with off-road enthusiast remains intact. Continue reading Motor Trend compares 2012 Jeep Wrangler with its 1945 CJ forebearer Motor Trend compares 2012 Jeep Wrangler with its 1945 CJ forebearer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler 200 sedan staying home, only convertible going to Europe
August 29, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Convertible , Etc. , Europe , Chrysler , Lancia , Fiat Fiat is getting ready to stick For Sale signs on the Chrysler 200 in the European market. However, it seems only the 200 Convertible will be making the trip across the pond, where it will wear Lancia Flavia badging. Why is the sedan stuck stateside? Fiat executives find it too costly to add a diesel option, and feel the 200 sedan won’t sell well without an oil-burning powerplant under the hood. The convertible, however, is viewed as an attractive offering (in a manner of speaking) despite the gas-only powerplant. Good news, American business travelers – you can now rent yourself a droptop Sebring 2.0 while jet-setting in Europe, too. Chrysler 200 sedan staying home, only convertible going to Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
