2020 Ram 2500 Laramie on 2040-cars

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EPA suspected Fiat Chrysler of using 'defeat device' in 2015

U.S. regulators told Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in November 2015 that they suspected some of the automaker's vehicles were equipped with secret software allowing them to violate emission control standards, according to emails disclosed on Friday. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board accused Fiat Chrysler in January of using the software, known as a "defeat device," to illegally allow excess diesel emissions in 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks built between 2014 and 2016. Byron Bunker, director of the EPA's Transportation and Air Quality compliance division, said in a January 2016 email to Fiat Chrysler, obtained by Reuters under the Freedom of Information Act, that he was "very concerned about the unacceptably slow pace" of the automaker's efforts to explain high nitrogen oxide emissions from some of its vehicles. Nitrogen oxide is linked to smog formation and respiratory problems. Bunker's email said the EPA had told Fiat Chrysler officials at a November 2015 meeting that at least one auxiliary emissions control device on the car maker's vehicles appeared to violate the agency's regulations. Mike Dahl, head of vehicle safety and regulatory compliance for Fiat Chrysler's U.S. unit, responded in a separate email that the company was working diligently and understood the EPA's concerns. He added that if the EPA identified Fiat Chrysler vehicles as containing defeat devices it would result in "potentially significant regulatory and commercial consequences." The documents redacted the vehicles named, but two officials briefed on the matter said they referred to diesel models. The EPA's November 2015 meeting with Fiat Chrysler came two months after Volkswagen AG, mired in a major tailpipe emissions scandal, admitted to installing secret defeat device software in hundreds of thousands of U.S. diesel cars to make them appear cleaner than they were on the road.

2020 Ram Heavy Duty spy shots show updated lighting and new grille

We saw the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 nearly a year ago, but we have yet to get a full look at the new heavy-duty models, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500. We've seen a number of spy shots of the new truck — including the new Power Wagon — but it's been hard to make out details through the camouflage. These new spy photos give us our best look yet at the new heavy-duty pickup's exterior. The Ram 3500 pictured here appears to have the updated headlights and taillights from the Ram 1500. There are multiple headlight designs on the 1500, each depending on trim, so expect a similar variation on the Heavy Duty models as well. The grille, too, appears to have ditched the crosshair in favor of the new "RAM" badge in large lettering. One photo shows a single-pane sunroof, so it's unclear if the Ram 1500 Limited's panoramic glass will carry upward. One other notable addition is power-retracting running boards. While we don't have a good look at the truck's interior, past spy photos show that the Ram 1500's dashboard will carry over. We're hoping the rest of the truck's interior makes its way to the 2500 and 3500 models, too, as it's easily the best-in-class for the current crop of trucks. Stay tuned for more news on the new Ram trucks 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.

Mopar makes the Ram Rebel even more macho for 2016

Mopar is making the 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel a little more badass and charging a lot more money. This is the Mopar '16 Rebel. Customers that snag one of the 500 special-edition Rebels get some nifty visual upgrades from the Mopar catalog. The truck's plastic flares are bigger, and the "performance" aluminum hood comes with a big, matte-black decal. It's a macho truck. These special-edition Ram Rebels only come in two colors – Flame Red and Brilliant Black – and we're not really sure if the Mopar's traditional blue highlights work well on the red version. The dark hue ought to look the business, though. Either shade goes well with the standard 17-inch black wheels and black skid plate on the front bumper – the normal Rebel's skid plate is silver. Those are just the standard Mopar accessories on this special edition. The aftermarket division will happily sell Rebel drivers more performance-oriented mods, including a cold-air intake or cat-back exhaust for the Rebel's standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Even if you choose to pass on those upgrades, you're still paying at least $52,460 for the Mopar '16 Rebel. The basis for this truck, the 1500 Rebel 4x4, starts at $46,395, or $6,065 less than the Mopar special edition. While the body changes are cool, there's not enough here to warrant that kind of premium. The Mopar 16' Rebel will arrive in dealers later this summer. Related Video: