2011 Ram 3500 Mega Cab 4x4 Longhorn on 2040-cars

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Tesla Model 3: Finding perspective

The reveal of the Tesla Model 3 this week was one of the biggest automotive events of the year. The car attracted 180,000 pre-orders in just 24 hours, gave the company's stock a jolt, and set Tesla on a more ambitious growth path for the rest of the decade. It's a staggering feat considering the Model 3 is one car, from one company that's just 13 years old. It begs the question: Is all of this attention warranted? Barclays analyst Brian Johnson urged investors to "take a deep breath," and be mindful that the Model 3 won't likely arrive in "significant volume" until possibly 2019. Though Tesla promises the car will launch in 2017, Johnson points to the slow rollouts of the Model S sedan and Model X crossover as cautionary notes. The potential extended wait didn't temper the enthusiasm of Tesla's faithful, and many put down deposits before they had even seen the car. Johnson compared the hype to a "Black Friday atmosphere," saying the social media buzz went from "insane mode to ludicrous mode," in a riff on Tesla's driving features. Still, the Barclays analyst was admittedly "curmudgeonly" when it came to Tesla's stock price. In comparison, Morgan Stanley called Tesla's shares undervalued, and expects the Model 3 to be the start of cataclysmic changes in the industry. "We have said for some time that, despite its many worthy accomplishments, Tesla had not yet truly disrupted the auto industry," according to a report led by Adam Jonas. "We are now getting a feeling that this may be starting to change." The Model 3 offers a range of 215 miles on a single charge, can sprint to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds, and has room for five. It will also be capable of charging on Tesla's supercharging network and features the company's autonomous technology. With a starting price of $35,000 before incentives, it's arguably the most futuristic car that's attainable for a wide swatch of American buyers, though the Chevy Bolt EV is comparable (200-plus-mile range, $37,500 MSRP before incentives) in many ways. The Model 3's attainability is what partially drove the hype. It was like Elon was whispering: Y ou can own the future. The question is now: Can Tesla deliver? If it does, this early fanfare will be richly deserved. News & Analysis News: Top Gear appears to be in turmoil as Chris Evans works four hours a day. Analysis: Is this a soap opera or a car show?

FCA CEO says the Ram 1500 Classic will live on, might even get an update

Ram intends to keep selling the 1500 Classic pickup truck for an unknown amount of time. According to a report from Motor Trend, FCA CEO Mike Manley during the company’s second-quarter earnings call said there are no plans to discontinue the old truck. Not only this, but Manley also suggested that Ram could give the Classic an update. In case you werenÂ’t familiar with RamÂ’s strategy of selling the 1500 Classic alongside the regular 1500, weÂ’ll lay it out for you: Ram released a completely new 1500 for the 2019 model year. Instead of discontinuing the truck it was selling before the new model, Ram continues to produce it under the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic name. Despite it being a 2019 model year truck, the Classic is the last-generation Ram. This is done so that Ram can offer customers a full-size truck option than is cheaper than the fancy new truck is capable of dipping down to. The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic starts at $29,340, whereas the regular 1500 has a base price of $35,135. If that makes a difference for enough people, then it makes financial sense for the old truck to stick around. However, Ram appears to be considering giving the old truck some new tricks, according to Manley. If that idea comes to fruition, then the Classic will start to look like an even better value proposition than it is today. Ram would have to act quickly, though, as the old truck just accelerates its aging by the day as each new pickup hits the market. Sales of the Classic were certainly an important contributor in the battle with Chevy to takeover the number two spot in the pickup wars. An even more attractive offering for the same low price sounds like a short-term winner to us. If Ram does refresh the 1500 Classic for 2020, donÂ’t expect it to last much longer beyond that model year, though. ItÂ’s already on life support at this point, and the new 1500 feels years ahead of it in every way.

2019 Ram Heavy Duty will have more than 170 available Mopar parts

When it comes to factory-backed modifications, few do it better than FCA's Mopar division. Just look at all the gear that's ready at launch for the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup. In the past month or so, we've seen the debut of the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty and 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cab models. At the tail end of the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, FCA revealed a whole host of Mopar parts for the heavy-duty Rams. The display truck is a 2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Big Horn with the 6.4-liter Hemi done up in FCA's Blue Streak paint. Most of the parts are going to be ready at launch, though Mopar says some are just concepts at this point. Actual parts include a black powder-coated "Ram Bar" in the bed fitted with five 5-inch LED lights. The lights are triggered by a switch box in the cab. Other Mopar parts on the truck include a bed step and fender flares as well as interior bits like rubber floor mats and stainless steel door handles. The truck is also fitted with a number of parts that aren't actually available. That includes the 17-inch beadlock wheels fitted with Goodyear tires. There are also rock rails and a bed-mounted spare that's good for up to 37-inch tires. Outside of the truck, Mopar will have a number of parts available at the 2500's launch. Customers can get a trailer camera, fifth-wheel hitch, gooseneck ball kit, bed extender, bed liner, a cargo ramp, toolboxes and more. Related Video: