Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport Utility 4-door on 2040-cars

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FCA's shifter fiasco proves novel gear selectors are a bad idea

What's wrong with PRNDL? Why are automakers trying to overly complicate the simple task of selecting gears? If there's any lesson to learn from the recent news that NHTSA is investigating 853,000 Fiat Chrysler vehicles over its problematic gear selectors, it's that the trend of fancy shifters needs to stop. Now. Last year, NHTSA opened an investigation into Jeep Grand Cherokee models, and has now expanded this probe to include the 2012-14 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. The problem? The shifter – assembled by ZF – is confusing for many drivers. "Testing ... indicates that operation of the (electronic) shifter is not intuitive and provides poor tactile and visual feedback to the driver, increasing the potential for unintended gear selection," a NHTSA document states. More than 100 crashes and over a dozen injuries are linked to this problem, according to The Detroit Free Press. To us, the problem isn't just limited to FCA. These unnecessarily novel gear selectors are spreading like wildfire across the industry. Honda and Acura use a weird pushbutton setup. Lincolns have buttons on the dashboard. Jaguar's shifter electronically raises out of the center console. Mercedes uses a stalk with up-for-Reverse, down-for-Drive, push-for-Neutral arrangement. And what the hell is BMW thinking with its M cars? FCA has since abandoned the confusing shifters in question. The 300, Charger, and Grand Cherokee now use the rotary shift dial that's quickly proliferating across the company's brands. Simplistic gear selectors might not be sexy, but no one ever complained about not being able to find the right gear in a Hyundai Sonata. What's most interesting is that this NHTSA investigation could push FCA – and possibly other automakers – to redesign vehicle functions that otherwise operate as designed. Just because most people will never have a problem putting a Dodge Charger in Reverse doesn't mean there isn't a flaw with the design. But perhaps a more simplistic solution – good ol' PRNDL – would have prevented these issues from the start. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit Free PressImage Credit: Copyright 2016 AOL Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Jeep FCA shifters

New Jeep Wrangler caught nearly uncovered

Finally, after months of seeing Wrangler prototypes carefully covered up, we get a look at some prototypes with the bare minimum of camouflage. Starting from the front, the fascia looks just as it did in previously leaked images. In contrast to the outgoing model, the trademark grille slots are now taller, stretching nearly to the top of the grille surround. The headlights also intersect with the grille slots, resulting in slightly pinched slots at either end. Aside from the grille, we can get a clear view of the new horizontal, fender-mounted turn signals and the traditional exposed hood latches. Moving along the SUV, we find hinges at the base of the windshield, which seems to confirm that you'll still be able to fold it down for maximum wind exposure. And, as we've seen before, the doors have exposed hinges that indicate the doors can come off, too. We can also see that the Wrangler will be offered with both contrasting black plastic fender flares, and with body-colored versions. But unlike past models, the body-colored examples aren't completely painted, leaving a black strip along the edges. Interestingly, the fender vents seen on another fully exposed example of the Wrangler don't appear to be present on these prototypes. They could be covered, or they may be an optional appearance item. At the back, we now get to see the Wrangler's new taillights, which are LED units with an I-beam shape. The exposed gas filler cap is now gone, in favor of a permanently attached filler door. Both the license plate mount and rear window wiper have been moved, too. The license plate now mounts to the bumper, and the rear wiper hides at the base of the rear window behind the spare tire. The rear bumper also gets some red lenses that could simply be reflectors, or possibly rear fog lights. As previously reported, the new Jeep Wrangler is expected to make its debut at this year's LA auto show, with the first deliveries arriving to dealers not long after. It will be available with either a four-cylinder or V6 at launch, with a diesel coming later, and the truck sometime after that. Other new features to the Wrangler could include a roof with power sliding panels, and full-time four-wheel drive. Related Video:

Refreshed Chrysler 300 SRT won't be sold in NA

It looks like it might be time to bid farewell to the V8 rumble from the Chrysler 300 SRT - at least if you live in North America. The reported change comes as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reshuffles its ranks with the Dodge brand, re-absorbing SRT and building its muscular reputation with the Challenger and Charger Hellcat models. Meanwhile, Chrysler is taking a more mainstream approach, and that likely means the end of overt high-performance models from the division for now.
According to Automotive News, the 300 SRT will be discontinued in the US for 2015, but it won't be totally dead. Some right-hand drive markets will still get the brawny V8 sedan next year, a distinction that goes a long way toward explaining some spy shots we've seen recently.
The 300 SRT's North American demise probably shouldn't come as a total shock. In FCA's five-year plan, it says that the 300 is destined for a refresh to be unveiled later this year, presumably at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. There's no mention of the SRT model in the document, though, which seems to signal its end.