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FCA delays Grand Wagoneer and next-generation heavy-duty Ram trucks

The upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer has had a tumultuous gestation thus far. At one point it was essentially confirmed, but later it was rumored to have been cancelled. In that context, the latest report from Automotive News is something of a mixed blessing. According to the publication, the Grand Wagoneer has simply been delayed, as has the next-generation Ram heavy duty truck line. This does not seem to affect the fully redesigned Ram 1500, which was previously reported to have been pushed back slightly to 2019. Automotive News says the information came from unnamed sources at the company. Nothing was said about how long the vehicles would be delayed. The publication also conjectures that FCA is delaying the models to save some money to help cover the company's $7 billion of debt , since re-tooling both the heavy-duty truck plant and eventual Grand Wagoneer plant will be expensive. View 6 Photos We reached out to Chrysler for more information on the subject, but the company wouldn't comment on the report. Even so, we wouldn't be too surprised if FCA is indeed delaying these products. The company has delayed a number of vehicles in recent years. In fact nearly every major FCA truck and SUV, including the Grand Wagoneer and Ram line, were delayed about a year and a half ago. We certainly hope the company doesn't delay the Grand Wagoneer for too long, since it's possible it will have a price tag of over $130,000. The profit margins on an SUV with that kind of MSRP would go a long way to helping to pay down the company's debt. Related Video:

Ram 1500 custom trucks for SEMA go high and low

For SEMA, Mopar only created two in-house custom 2019 Ram 1500 trucks, and they're fairly mild in terms of modifications, many of which are existing Mopar accessories. But at the very least they show two extremely different ways to upgrade a Ram, with one being an off-road-oriented Ram Rebel, and the other being a lowered, street-oriented truck. The latter mod has become a bit unusual in a world dominated by Raptors and ZR2s. We'll start by talking about the street truck, which is the only one of the two with its own unique name: Low Down. Its defining characteristic: It sits two inches lower than a standard Ram 1500. This was done with a concept lowering kit that Mopar does not offer. Another part not yet available is the hood, which features an aggressive scoop. Finally, inside are some concept aluminum pedals. There aren't plans for any of these to come to production yet, but you can be sure Mopar will be paying attention to the public's reaction, and if things go well, they could show up at a dealer near you. The other defining feature of the Low Down is its paint scheme, which is black over silver, with a stripe separating them painted in the same Brass Monkey bronze hue available on some of FCA's wheels. The factory Ram wheels also get a custom paint scheme. Aside from the special parts and custom paint, almost everything else is right out of the Mopar catalog, including the fender flares, bed cover, spray-in bedliner, 5-inch exhaust tips and cold-air intake. The Mopar-customized Ram Rebel doesn't get a fancy name, but it still gets plenty of tweaks. It uses the factory Ram lift kit, so it sits two inches higher than a stock Rebel. It also features 35-inch tires. Up front, there's the concept hood found on the Low Down. At the back of the bed, there's a new flashy matte black decal that will be available for Ram Rebels in the near future. The bed also has an available "Rambar" sport bar, with some Mopar auxiliary lights. The bed has a spray-in bedliner and a concept spare tire carrier. Out the back are the same 5-inch exhaust tips as on the Low Down. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Ram Multifunction Tailgate swings into the pickup truck tailgate fray

Let the tailgate wars escalate, says Ram. Today, the Ram 1500 responds to GMC's Multi-Pro tailgate with its own fancy way to get stuff in and out of the bed. Named the "Multifunction Tailgate," (very creative, we know) Ram decided to give the tailgate a 60/40 split. Before we get into functionality, just take a peek at how it looks closed. On the red Ram Rebel chosen to show it off, you're greeted with a sizable black line running down the entire height of the tailgate in an odd spot. The off-center nature of the split makes for a strange look no matter the angle. We have a feeling that a black truck would solve any kind of visual weirdness going on here. On to the important part: How does it work? For starters, you can use it just like a normal truck tailgate. Drop it down with a release button on the handle, or use the remote release. Ram says it doesn't give up anything in capability or toughness in this down position — it has a 2,000-pound load rating. What makes this tailgate unique is its swinging functionality, though. The tailgate is capable of swinging both sides open like doors. Think Honda Ridgeline, but there are two elements to swing out instead of just one. This allows for closer access to the truck bed. The benefits are obvious: easier loading and unloading, easier washout, and you can even use a forklift to load it up now, too. Both of the barn doors swing out to 88 degrees. It's possible to have just the right or just the left door open, or both at once. Ram Multifunction Tailgate View 10 Photos Ford started this tailgate war with its now simple-looking bed step, but now it finds itself the most back-to-basics offering in the group. GMC officially has the most complicated piece of tech with the various foldouts and all-out size, but Ram is somewhere in the middle with this one. We were fans of the swing-out tailgate on our long-term Honda Ridgeline, so let's hope this one proves just as useful. Ram will be at the Chicago Auto Show with this tailgate, so we'll be sure to give it a thorough shakedown on the show floor. Any 2019 Ram 1500 can be equipped with the tailgate as an option for $995. The center step can be tacked on separately for $295. We're told to expect Rams equipped thusly to roll into dealerships during the second quarter of 2019. Related video: