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Georgia judge slashes verdict to $40M in Jeep fire case

A judge in Georgia has drastically reduced the damages that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will have to pay to the family of Remington Walden, who a court said died as a result of the unsafe design of one of its vehicles. While the jury originally awarded the family $150 million at FCA's expense, Judge J. Kevin Chason cut that amount to $40 million, the Detroit News reported. The automaker may still appeal the verdict. The case dates to March 2012, when a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee in which four-year-old Walden was riding was rear-ended by another vehicle. Due to what the jury ruled was an unsafe fuel tank, a fire erupted, and Walden died in the fire. The family's lawyers successfully argued that the automaker knew there was a problem and didn't take sufficient action to address the issue, while FCA countered that its vehicles met the applicable safety standards when they were built. The jury found FCA 99 percent responsible for the fire and Walden's death, reserving the final one percent for the driver who caused the crash. The court awarded the Waldens $150 million in damages to be paid by the automaker: $120 million for wrongful death, and a further $30 million for pain and suffering. FCA, however, argued that the damages were disproportionate to the incident, noting that the $120 million was 11 times higher and the $30 million four times higher than any comparable awards upheld on appeal in the state. Chason agreed and cut the penalties extensively. The Walden family has reportedly accepted the reduced verdict. But according to the News, company spokesman Michael Palese said, "The reduction in the damage awards does not cure the many errors that tainted this verdict and denied FCA US a fair trial. We are considering our legal options." News Source: The Detroit NewsImage Credit: Jeep Government/Legal Recalls Jeep lawsuit court

Shanghai debuts, Jeep's new Rubicon anniversary rigs | Autoblog Podcast # 777

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Byron Hurd for a recap of the past week's worldwide debuts along with some updates from their recent adventures. They start off discussing the rumors of a new Ford Mustang Raptor and what that means in the context of previous rumors of a Corvette SUV. Then it's time to talk Shanghai, where Polestar, Buick, Volkswagen, Porsche and Lincoln all had big reveals. After that, they segue to Byron's trip to Moab for the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari preview where he drove the AEV Level II Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition. From there, they reminisce about Mustangs in a nod to the nameplate's 59th anniversary, after which they stick to the theme with a sub-$15,000 RWD used-car discussion. Is there anything worth buying in this price bracket in today's economy? Autoblog Podcast # 777 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown ShanghaiPolestar 4 is a Polestar without a rear window 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuts with big redesign, new hybrid option Volkswagen ID.7 fully revealed as VW's sleek and spacious flagship electric sedan 2024 Porsche Cayenne gets more power, screens, equipment 2024 Buick Envista revealed as a good-looking, quite-affordable crossover 'coupe' News Ford Mustang Raptor off-road coupe rumored for 2026 2025 Chevy Corvette SUV said to start with ICE power, not be EV-only What we're driving 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition: On the trail to six figures 2023 Easter Jeep Safari: The search for the missing pink Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: Podcasts Rumormill Auto Shanghai Buick Chevrolet Jeep Porsche Volkswagen Crossover SUV Concept Cars Electric Future Vehicles Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance Sedan Polestar

2021-22 Dodge Challenger Hellcat drops manual option

The six-speed manual has been dropped from the 2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat at least temporarily while it awaits a powertrain calibration update that will allow it to be sold again, Road & Track reports. The combination has been unavailable to order since November 2021, Stellantis said.  Dodge didn't give R&T much of an explanation regarding the combo's absence, saying only that a revised calibration that would allow the configuration to be sold is coming. When is anybody's guess. In the meantime, we're starting to wonder just how committed Stellantis is to offering its V8s to buyers who aren't opting for half-ton pickups or larger. The inline-six that is slated to replace the 5.7-liter Hemi variant in at least some applications is expected to debut soon. While the 5.7-liter Hemi has surely more than paid for itself at this point, it's likely that Stellantis is limiting availability only to its most profitable models, which help offset the CAFE costs associated with lower fleet mileage. And while Stellantis made quite a bit of noise in recent years about its customers wanting V8s, options for such have become thinner on the ground. The new Grand Cherokee is ostensibly offered with the V8 on its three top trims — Trailhawk, Overland and Summit — but only the last of those can be found anywhere in U.S. inventory with a Hemi under the hood. Trailhawk and Overland V8s simply do not exist. You don't have to take our word for it; you can look for yourself.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.