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Fiat Chrysler recalls 650,000 Dodge, Jeep SUVs for brake issue

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said Tuesday it's voluntarily recalling nearly 650,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs to ensure that brake-booster shields were properly installed. The recall affects mostly vehicles sold in the U.S. but also roughly 60,000 combined in Canada and Mexico. The shields were installed in 2014 in conjunction with a recall involving the same set of vehicles, which cover the model years 2011 through 2014. A review of warranty data led to an FCA U.S. investigation that discovered the problem. FCA says it is aware of one potentially related accident, but no injuries. The shields are designed to keep water away from the boosters, lest it cause corrosion or freeze in cold temperatures and negatively affect brake performance. Brakes will still function even if boosters are compromised by water, FCA says, but drivers may experience brake-pedal firmness. In some cases, a potential booster issue may trigger a warning light or activation of the anti-lock brakes. Customers who've observed any of those conditions are urged to contact their dealers. The automaker says it plans to notify affected owners that free service to check and repair the issue if necessary will be available in early November. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Recalls Dodge Jeep Safety SUV FCA

The 2018 Dodge Demon sounds like nothing else on the road

The Dodge Demon seems to have a torque problem, if making too much to easily contain can be considered a problem. In order to keep all that twist under control, the Demon has a new torque reserve launch system that works all sorts of engineering black magic to build boost without overloading the rear tires and brakes. That system, combined with the sticky Nittos and the fancy new suspension, should lead to some pretty spectacular 60-foot and 1/4-mile times. The way the system works is relatively straightforward. A bypass valve on the supercharger closes, "prefilling" the blower. In order to balance revs and torque, the computer can adjust fuel flow and spark on individual cylinders. The torque reserve kicks in when Launch Mode is initiated and the engine is turning at least 1,000 rpm. The goal is to reach peak boost quicker while efficiently putting down power. The side effect is a distinct exhaust note, which Dodge admits may make it seem like the Demon is broken. That seems to be the root of the "If you know, you know" tagline that the automaker has been using since the first teaser. Those interested can even download a ringtone, which might make it seem like you have a blown-out speaker on your phone. You can get a brief taste in the latest teaser video. In addition to the new info on the Launch Mode, Dodge released a couple of new teaser images. We briefly glimpsed one of these last week. It's a shot of the Demon's performance pages. The number 757 has appeared before, and all the talk of torque leads us to conclude that this is the Demon's torque output. The number 815 was seen in a separate teaser (shown below), which we feel may be the horsepower rating. If those numbers are correct, that would mean an increase of 108 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, totally reasonable numbers given all the Demon's modifications. The license plate photo is another equation or code. This one, 3.9+221=405, is just as cryptic as the others. Look for more news and hints at ifyouknowyouknow.com in the weeks leading to the Demon's reveal. Related Video: Related Gallery Dodge Demon Teasers View 17 Photos Dodge Coupe Performance supercharger dodge demon dodge hellcat

All-wheel-drive Dodge Challenger GT confirmed by EPA website

The US Environmental Protection Agency accidentally confirmed the upcoming Dodge Challenger GT by posting fuel economy figures for the all-wheel-drive variant of the muscle car. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the Challenger GT, which will come with the 3.6-liter V6 when it's released, is rated to get 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, giving the vehicle a combined rating of 21 miles per gallon. Those figures are slightly lower than the rear-wheel-drive Challenger with the same engine, which gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. While previous reports indicated that Dodge is planning to release the all-wheel-drive Challenger GT sometime in 2017, the automaker hasn't confirmed the vehicle. (Mopar's all-wheel-drive concept from last year's SEMA Show is pictured above.) With the EPA putting out the car's official fuel economy figures, the all-wheel-drive muscle car is definitely coming, and should be here before the entire Challenger lineup gets its expected redesign in 2018. And yes, we're still hopeful that the so-called Challenger ADR we saw in spy photos means we'll see all wheel drive and Hellcat power. Because Hellcat everything. Related Video: