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Dodge engineers trying to shoehorn Pentastar into Dart?

The fact that the Dart's launch has been a pretty dismal affair isn't what we'd call secret. Judging by its mounting inventories and poor critical reception, Dodge's successor to its unloved Caliber has struggled since it hit the market. And while both of those are difficult problems to address, at least their cause is well known - the powertrain.
Even Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has acknowledged that the powertrain options in the Dart are substandard, admitting at January's Detroit Auto Show that the powertrains are "less than ideal." Leading with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Fiat 500 Abarth left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers thanks to the laggy engine and dead throttle response (to say nothing of the manual and dual-clutch gearboxes that needed more refinement). The addition of the 184-horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark in the Dart GT has helped matters some, but apparently Auburn Hills doesn't think it's quite enough.
If rumors are to be believed - get that salt ready - a possible solution may be in the works. A report from Allpar is claiming that Dodge is considering fitting a Pentastar V6 into the Dart's engine bay. As the Mopar-obsessed website points out, the critically acclaimed Pentastar is available in three different sizes - 3.0 liters, 3.2 liters and the original 3.6 liters. We don't get the 3.0 here in the US, but the 3.2 can be found in the new Jeep Cherokee and the 3.6 has been seemingly fitted to every model Chrysler can shoehorn it into.

Dodge Durango could get eTorque mild hybrid system in 2020

The 2020 Dodge Durango appears slated to get a mild-hybrid powertrain option. That's the word from moparinsiders.com, which unearthed the news from documents relating to contract negotiation between the FCA and the UAW. Although the documents give no further details, it's a pretty safe bet that we're talking about Chrysler's eTorque mild-hybrid system, which was introduced on the Ram 1500 pickup and has since been extended to the Jeep Wrangler. Currently, the Wrangler offers the eTorque system on the 2.0-liter inline-four and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, both on the Sahara model only, while the Ram 1500 makes the mild-hybrid system standard with the 3.6-liter V6 and an option with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The V6 eTorque powertrain makes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque (Ram) or 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet (Wrangler). The Wrangler's four-cylinder eTorque is good for 270 horses and 295 lb-ft. The V8 version in the Ram is good for 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. In all cases, the eTorque system does not increase peak output over the standard version of the gasoline engine. The mild-hybrid system does provide a minor fuel-economy boost. In the Wrangler, the 3.6-liter with eTorque has EPA city estimates that are 1 mpg better than without the system. On the Ram's V8, eTorque adds 2 mpg city and 1 mpg highway. (The 2.0-liter sees no improvement in its EPA ratings.) It's not known whether the Durango will add eTorque to its V6, or V8, or both. Either engine could do with a fuel-economy boost, as the V6 is EPA rated at 19/26 mpg city/highway (RWD) and 18/25 mpg (AWD), while the V8 version has estimates of 14/22 mpg. Related Video:

2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit ambush prevention system enhanced to protect cops

For the 2018 model year, Dodge has rolled out some minor but useful updates to the Charger Pursuit police car. It now features a larger infotainment screen standard. It moves from 5 inches to 7 inches. But if police departments wish, they can opt for a massive 12-inch touchscreen that can replace a cumbersome laptop computer. The new standard 7-inch screen will also be handy for using the now standard rear-view camera, as well as the "Officer Protection Package," which is a no-cost option. This package, like last year, uses the rear-view camera and parking sensors to monitor whether someone is approaching behind the car. It's main use is preventing ambushes. When something is detected, an audible alert is sounded, and the camera sends video to the screen for the officer to see what's behind the car. It can also trigger the lights to go on, the doors to lock, and the windows to roll up. Selecting the "Officer Protection Package" also adds the "Fleet Safety Group," a new feature for the Charger Pursuit. This group of options adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Finally, a new color "IndiGo Blue," will be offered. It joins an array of factory and police-only colors for the Charger Pursuit. Interestingly, a Charger Pursuit can also be had in very bright colors such as "Go Mango" orange, and "TorRed" red. Related Video: