12 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab Auto Heated Leather Seats Sunroof Grille Guard on 2040-cars

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Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot boards meet to finalize merger

MILAN/PARIS — The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot will meet separately on Tuesday to discuss finalizing an initial agreement for a $50 billion merger to create the world's number four carmaker, sources said. A source close to FCA said the two companies could announce the signing of a binding memorandum early on Wednesday, followed by a conference call to explain further details later in the day. The two mid-sized carmakers announced plans six weeks ago for a tie-up to help them deal with big challenges in the industry, including a global demand downturn and the need to develop costly cleaner cars to meet looming anti-pollution rules. Ahead of the meetings, entities representing the Peugeot family, Etablissements Peugeot Freres (EPF) and FFP, unanimously approved a proposed memorandum of understanding for the planned merger, a source familiar with the situation said. FCA and PSA have said they would seek to finalize a deal by year-end to create a group with 8.7 million in annual vehicle sales. That would put it fourth globally behind Volkswagen, Toyota and the Renault-Nissan alliance. PSA's Carlos Tavares will be chief executive and FCA's John Elkann — the scion of Italy's Agnelli family, which controls FCA through their holding company Exor — chairman of the combined company. The group will include the Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands, allowing it to serve mass and premium passenger car markets as well as those for trucks and light commercial vehicles. Related Video:       Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot

2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel First Drive | To be continued …

DULUTH, Minn. — Ram gave us a new generation of its 1500 pickup for 2019, and weÂ’ve already had a lot of fun with it. WeÂ’ve driven the V6 and the Hemi V8 versions. WeÂ’ve tried it with and without the eTorque mild hybrid system. WeÂ’ve sampled the humble Tradesman, the rambunctious Rebel, the well-rounded Big Horn and Laramie, and the high-lux Limited. But now we get to sample one of the most anticipated updates, this one made for the 2020 Ram 1500 lineup: the third-generation EcoDiesel engine. With plenty of miles already spent with the new 1500 over the past year, we know the fresh generation of the Ram full-size pickup is already an overachiever. Its interior is class-leading, the ride is surprisingly comfortable, and the 1500Â’s handling is surprisingly agile for its size. So weÂ’ll focus on the heart of the matter: the new engine, starting out in a Rebel for a cruise around Duluth. Slated to go on sale later this year as a 2020 model, this is the third generation of the light-duty turbo-diesel engine, and it has undergone a significant  overhaul. The result is that this 3.0-liter V6 provides 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and an impressive (not to mention class-leading) 480 pound-feet of peak torque at 1,600 rpm. In addition, the EcoDiesel allows for up to 12,560 pounds of towing, and a 2,040-pound payload. If weÂ’re keeping score — as we know truck fans are — the Duramax diesel in the 2020 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra makes 277 hp (points to GM) and 460 lb-ft, with towing and payload yet to be announced. The Ford F-150 Power Stroke provides 250 hp and 440 lb-ft, with 11,400 pounds towing and 2,020 pounds of payload. Ram hasnÂ’t announced fuel economy yet, so the DuramaxÂ’s 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway are the figures to beat, while the FordÂ’s gets up to 22 city and 30 highway in 2WD guise. Ram spokespeople wouldnÂ’t budge on providing fuel economy hints, but RamÂ’s U.S. marketing director Mike Koval promised the EcoDiesel would be “very competitive” here. To be continued Â… RamÂ’s new EcoDiesel aims to perform better in all the major areas consumers care about – power, fuel economy, and NVH. To help with all three, the new motor includes low-friction turbo bearings, lower-pressure exhaust gas recirculation, lighter pistons, and a 15-pound-lighter engine block. At idle, the EcoDiesel is muted, with a bassy patter typical of a diesel — no surprises there. Sitting still, the truck is very quiet.

2022 Ram 1500's G/T package reportedly includes Mopar goodies

Ram will fill the gap between the Hellcat-powered, 702-horsepower TRX and the rest of the 1500 range with an option package called G/T, according to a recent report. It will allegedly make its debut for the 2022 model year. Enthusiast website Mopar Insiders learned from unnamed sources that the G/T package will be available on the Sport, Rebel, and Laramie models. While it won't send shivers down the TRX's spine, it will add a cold-air intake system from the Mopar catalog, a 3.92 rear axle, and a specific exhaust system. G/T-only exterior decals and what Ram refers to as a Sport Performance Hood (likely one with a vent) will add a sporty touch to the design. Inside, G/T-spec trucks will ditch the standard 1500's knee-high shift dial in favor of a TRX-like console-mounted gear selector and shift paddles. Leather on the steering wheel, a floor console, power-adjustable front bucket seats, LED footwell lighting, and package-specific trim pieces are also on the list of upgrades included in the bundle. There's a memory function to save your preferred seat, radio, and mirror settings, too. But, if you can't find a comfortable position by moving the eight-way driver's seat, you'll be able to electronically adjust the pedals as well. What remains to be seen is how much Ram will charge to add the G/T package to a Sport, Rebel, or Laramie truck. It hasn't announced that the bundle is on its way, let alone revealed pricing information or availability. If the report is accurate, we expect that additional details about the 1500's sportier sibling will emerge in the next few months. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.