2014 Ram 3500 Laramie on 2040-cars

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Stellantis dealer briefing hints at midsize Ram, Jeep Recon, Dodge Stealth

With dealers returning to regular life after Stellantis' Dealer Business Meeting 2023 in Las Vegas last week, bits of intel are escaping. Between reports in Automotive News, Mopar Insiders, and a now-deleted Reddit thread that Carscoops dissected, we can make out rough details about a few products on the way for Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram stores across the country. We'll start with Chrysler, which got the least attention during the event. The Pentastar, starved of product as if it were Stellantis' version of Jaguar, appears to have a refreshed Pacifica minivan in the works and continues to develop its first EV, due by 2025. That's the alpha and the omega there, at least publicly. Jeep's making moves on several fronts. The Jeep Recon forum got photos of an electrified concept brought to the meeting, the Recon Moab 4xe (pictured). It looks like an upsized Renegade, its tire size thought to be 285/70R17, same as the stock Wrangler Rubicon. Head to the thread to see the rest of the photos.  The end of the Cherokee is but a hiatus, Appearance-wise, a new version in the works is said to be a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee L that's about the same size as the outgoing model. When it launches in late 2024 as a 2025MY SUV, it could debut with a new name as well as hybrid and electric powertrains. The Grand Cherokee L, meanwhile, will get a mid-cycle refresh in 2025.   Adding to information previously reported about the 2024 Jeep Wrangler range, the 2024 Gladiator is said to get a Willys trim with upgraded spec. Mopar Insiders had cited communication to dealers that the Wrangler Willys would improve capability thanks to higher ground clearance and what's expected to be a gripper off-road wheel and tire package. At the dealer meeting, Jeep reps apparently said the Gladiator Willys would get high fenders, a locking rear axle, and 33-inch tires. The current Gladiator Willys fits a Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential and 32-inch mud terrain tires. The tow rating for the Gladiator range could see an increase from 7,650 pounds to 7,700 pounds. Above that, the Wagoneer range will expand with a 4xe version thought to come by next year. In the Dodge camp, the big news would be that the next Charger won't only be electric. Brand reps allegedly told dealers the car, which will come as a four-door despite the attention lavished on the two-door concept making the rounds, will get an internal combustion engine option.

Germany threatens to ban FCA vehicles over diesel emissions dispute

Germany is threatening to ban sales of FCA products over diesel emissions. According to the newspaper Bild Am Sonntag, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority found evidence of a so-called defeat device that shuts down certain emissions controls after running for 22 minutes. A standard diesel emissions test in the European Union reportedly takes 20 minutes to complete. FCA denies the allegations. "We believe all our vehicles respect EU emissions standards and we believe Italian regulators are the competent authority to evaluate this," the company said in a statement. The latter part of that statement drew ire from German authorities, especially after FCA declined to meet with German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt to discuss the issue. Graziano Delrio, the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, vowed to work with German authorities on behalf of FCA. According to EU law, FCA is required to homologate its vehicles in Italy because that's where its regional operations are based. When will the diesel-scented soap opera end? We wish we knew, but our Magic 8 Ball is covered in soot. Related Video: News Source: Financial TimesImage Credit: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg via Getty Government/Legal Green Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Emissions Diesel Vehicles FCA

2022 Ram 1500 adds G/T model to Rebel and Laramie trims

The 2022 Ram 1500 lineup is expanding with a new G/T trim that offers a few small performance upgrades and some items borrowed from the Earth-eating TRX. Don’t get too excited, though, because this package is paired exclusively with the 5.7-liter V8 eTorque engine — no superchargers here. Available with either the Rebel or Laramie trims, the G/T package adds a cat-back exhaust and cold air intake to improve performance. Both are yanked out of the Mopar catalog, so those changes are ones you could actually do yourself. The rest is a touch more exclusive. For starters, Ram includes paddle shifters, a console-mounted gear lever (no turn dial), unique bucket seats with high bolsters and a metal pedal kit. Those are bits you get on the TRX now, so itÂ’s great to see the lower level Rams benefitting from the monster performance truck.  On the tech front, Ram includes its Performance Pages in the infotainment system. Measuring 0-60 mph times and G-forces in a regular Ram pickup seems a little silly, but now you can do both of those things and take advantage of a myriad of other capabilities afforded by those Performance Pages. You can tell the G/T models apart from others by looking for the big G/T decals on the rear fenders. All G/Ts additionally gain a unique “sport performance hood.” Lastly, you get Mopar all-season floor mats. Pricing for the Rebel G/T starts at $57,070, while the Laramie G/T starts at $57,175, both including their $1,695 destination fees. Ram says the G/T models will go on sale in the third quarter of 2021. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.