Is Dodge using a Hurricane, or going all-BEV? (Analysis)

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Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee BEV spoiler and engine bay

Analysis. Social media, forums, and comments sections have all seen complaints about Dodge’s future, which many claim will be “all BEV.” In point of fact, there’s never been any indication that this is Stellantis’ plan for Dodge—only for Chrysler.

What we know so far is that Chrysler-the-marque, as opposed to the no-longer-around Chrysler-the-company, is planning to go all-electric by 2030, and at last report was only working on STLA Large—but these are subject to change. FCA US, on the other hand, was looking at being just 50% electric in 2030. That means it’ll still be 50% not-electric.

The last credible installment from our sources claimed that an LB Challenger was indeed on the way, powered by a Hurricane twin-turbo straight six engine…

New York Auto Show ending soon—This is some of what you may miss

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camp jeep 2023

The New York Auto Show is closing soon; this is a quick overview of what you might miss if you’re not there, starting with the outdoors attractions—the Toyota Thrill Ride (professional drivers in a small paved area do make for some thrills) and Camp Jeep, also a thrill ride as you go up and down a steep, tall steel-surfaced roller coaster in your choice of Jeeps.

Furious Fuchsia Dodge Challenger Wins the Street Car Takeover Womens Class

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Kate Tout Dodge Challenger SRT8

The Street Car Takeover racing season began in late February at Bradenton Motorsports Park and among the spread of classes was the Women & Wheels class. As the name suggests, this class is made up entirely of women drivers and well-known Mopar racer Kate Toutkoushian took the class win in her Furious Fuchsia Dodge Challenger.Women … Read more

Dodge’s “gateway vehicle” is finally reaching dealers

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2024 Dodge Hornet

The Dodge Hornet, after a long sea voyage, is finally reaching dealerships. 

Dodge called the Hornet a “gateway vehicle.” Some thought it would be a hybrid Challenger or Charger to bridge the gap between gas-powered models and EVs; but it was a gateway in different ways—

A gateway to Dodge for first-time buyers
A gateway between FCA and Stellantis—between SUSW and STLA Small
A gateway between gasoline and electric
A gateway between Dodge as “only big cars and trucks” and Dodge as a full line 

One could also call the Hornet a gateway between past and future; the original Hudson Hornet was a full sized car, sold in several body styles, that won NASCAR and AAA racing championships with its six-cylinder engine and either two-barrel carburetor or twin single-barrels (Twin-H Power).

Jeep Submarine: Woman saved after hours under water

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underwater Jeep Wrangler submarine

A woman listed as “missing” with the police was found under water, protected by a Jeep Wrangler.A fisherman in Marion County, Texas, reported a submerged vehicle around forty feet from a boat ramp to the sheriff’s office. The dispatcher sent deputies and a tow truck, and as the operators were preparing to fish the Jeep … Read more

Here is the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 8.91 Timeslip

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2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Timeslip

When the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 was introduced last month, one of the key details of the limited edition, 1,025-horsepower muscle car was that it ran an NHRA-certified 8.91 quarter mile time. That makes it the quickest production road car sold in the U.S. market, beating the Tesla Model S Plaid by a … Read more

Recall Monday: VW in the spotlight, Mopar in the clear

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exploding seat belt pretensioner

There were no “Mopar” recalls again this week, but Volkswagen had a particularly bad time with front camera heaters overheating on 2020 Q7s, surprise-opening doors on 2023 the ID 4, breaking fuel pumps on the 2022 Taos, and inoperative airbags on the 2018-21 Atlas.

Tesla recalled the 2018-19 Model 3 for separating front suspension links, and Kia is fixing 2022-23 Carnival minivans whose power sliding doors may not stop for occupants. Oh, and the 2023 Hyundai  Genesis G90’s seat belt pretensioners may explode (see robot’s rendering). 

What’s left? 2019…

The ’Cuda at the NY Auto Show

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1970 Plymouth ’Cuda AAR at New York Auto Show

While most of the rumble at the New York International Auto Show came from the 1,025 HP Dodge Challenger 170 on the upper level, this interesting, and perhaps more historically significant, Mopar sat quietly parked among other vintage iron in the lower-level displays.

Mopar brands building up big inventories

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2023 Chrysler 300C

With both Canadian plants scheduled for an extended downtime and conversion for new products, Stellantis has been pumping out massive quantities of Chrysler and Dodge cars to keep sales up while production is down. According to Cox Automotive,  Chrysler had over 130 days’ supply of cars in inventory (mainly on dealer lots); both their vehicles … Read more

Exclusive: 2025 Ram 1500 REV Coming in Single Configuration

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2025 Ram 1500 REV

When the 2025 Ram 1500 REV all-electric half-ton pickup reaches dealerships in the latter portion of 2024, it will only be offered in a single configuration. The production version of the electric Ram pickup will only be offered in the four-door Club Cab, short bed layout that has been shown, according to a Ram Trucks representative talking with Stellpower’s David Zatz during the initial media day of the New York International Auto Show.

2024 Jeep Wrangler is more than it appears: In-person report

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Earlier, we reported on the Jeep Wrangler’s infotainment system updates, which include giving each and every model the same huge center screen—a screen kept horizontal and in “widescreen” format, so that it doesn’t stick up out of the dashboard. It’s a nicely integrated setup which fits right in, but while it adds utility on trails and on the road, it’s hardly the only improvement. Indeed, Jeep seems to be trying to greatly increase the value proposition of the Wranglers without dropping prices—and that includes adding a new, less-expensive 4xe option.

2024 Jeep Wrangler unveiled with bigger screens, quicker electrons, new models

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2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X with Warn winch

The new 2024 Jeep® Wrangler is being upgraded for 2024 with new capability, safety, and technology features…. For 2024, Jeep is adding its first full-float Dana 44D rear axle, an optional 100:1 crawl ratio, Warn winch, and increased 5,000-pound towing capability. These features were not included in the rumor posted at Stellpower last month. Jim Morrison, head of Jeep North America and a long-time “true Jeeper,” said that the full-flat rear axle makes it easier to upsize the tires, a common owner upgrade. Indeed, Wrangler customers often installed heavy-duty full-float rear axles already; now they can be installed at the factory, albeit only on the Rubicon.

Ram REV: added news from the reveal

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Carlos Tavares (left) and Mike Koval

Earlier this morning, we posted all the news we had on the Ram 1500 REV. Now, we can add a few more details from the launch—led first by Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares (at left, below), then by Ram leader Mike Koval, Jr.