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2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is getting a meaner hood

Though we weren't really worried Dodge would discontinue it, we're glad to hear the Dodge Challenger Hellcat will continue into the 2019 model year. It's also getting some updates for the new year, as shown in these teasers from Dodge. The biggest one we can see is the hood, which trades the relatively subtle center scoop and dual heat extractors for a pair of big angry nostrils. Dodge says the twin hood scoops are a throwback to past Dodge performance models, take the Dart Swinger, for example. They also bring to mind some mid- to late-2000s Pontiacs, but we'll try to focus on the classic Mopars. A little bit of Photoshop work helps highlight some other aspects of the 2019 Challenger Hellcat. The Hellcat Widebody will clearly continue for the new year, too, as the vehicle in the teaser image has the bulging arches found on that Challenger as well as the one-year-only Demon. We can also make out five-spoke wheels that may have split spokes. Most of the body looks like the current model, too, so we don't expect any major changes to the chassis or powertrain. The only other information Dodge revealed about the 2019 Challenger is that more information will come this summer. So expect to hear more in just a few months. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Image Credit: Dodge Dodge Coupe Performance dodge challenger srt hellcat

Killing the Dart and 200 might lower FCA's fuel economy burden

Killing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 could allow FCA US to take advantage of an intriguing quirk in the next decade's fuel economy regulations. By increasing its ratio of trucks versus cars, the automaker might not need to worry so much about hitting the more stringent efficiency rules. At first thought, it might seem harder for an automaker with a ton of trucks to meet the government's mandated 54.5 mile per gallon corporate average fuel economy for 2025. However, every company doesn't need to hit that lofty figure, according to The Detroit Free Press. The exact target varies by the product mix between trucks and cars. "While passenger car and light truck categories have separate CAFE targets, it's still true that more trucks versus cars in a company lineup means a lower combined CAFE target," Brandon Schoettle, Project Manager Sustainable Worldwide Transportation at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, told Autoblog. "While passenger car and light truck categories have separate CAFE targets, it's still true that more trucks versus cars in a company lineup means a lower combined CAFE target." FCA US' current product blend has 80 percent pickups and CUVs, which means the company stands to benefit from a lower fuel economy target. It might not seem entirely fair environmentally, but this is a great move from a business perspective. The new CAFE rules aren't set in stone, according to The Detroit Free Press, but potentially taking advantage of the regulation is just one more reason to cut the Dart and 200. Modern crossovers also aren't gas guzzlers like older SUVs, which could make it easier to hit the fuel economy target. "Utilities offer practicality and versatility that cars do not, and now, built on car architectures, they do not penalize consumers on fuel economy as they once did," AutoTrader Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs told Autoblog. Schoettle warns that FCA is still making a gamble by killing the small sedans. "Depending on the previous sales volumes and how much these vehicles might have exceeded their specific CAFE targets, it's possible that these cars helped earn CAFE credits for FCA that they could bank for future use," he said. "Future sales breakdowns [car vs.

Chrysler recalling over 280k minivans because airbags may deploy on wrong side

Chrysler has issued a recall for some 2013 Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Ram C/V Tradesman vans built between May 10, 2012 and June 7, 2013. These vehicles may have a software error that would cause the wrong side (opposite side) airbags to deploy in a crash. With this defect, a left-side impact would cause the right-side airbag to deploy, etc.
The recall affects 281,500 vehicles in total: 224k in the US, 49,300 in Canada, 2,900 in Mexico and 5,300 in other locations. Chrysler will notify owners of effected vehicles, and reflash the offending occupant restraint control module to resolve the issue. Scroll down to read the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration press release.