Stellpower has moved to a new comment system which has greater security and more features. This system, emote, is shared by numerous other sites, so you can use one login for many sites (similar to our past Disqus setup, which we dropped due to performance issues). If nobody else has commented on a story yet … Read more
Ram has slowly but surely been working on global sales since its birth as a separate marque. Most recently, Stellantis used a motocross race in Germany, the MXGP, to publicize the Ram line and unveil the Ram 3.6 liter V6 eight-speed mild hybrid powertrain in Europe—a powertrain already the default choice in North America.
Ram actually announced the powertrain on June 7, with 305 hp and 365 Nm of torque; it is available in the Ram 1500 Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel in Europe. The system has a 430 watt-hour battery pack with 48-volt current during launch and gear shifts, with a 3kW DC to DC converter so it uses a 12-volt starter motor.
The NHTSA issued its weekly summary of recalls today.
Ford had an interesting fire recall on the 2020-23 Escape, 2022-23 Maverick, and 2021-23 Lincoln Corsair: engine failure can cause a fire. When Fords with the 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines have an engine failure, they can vent oil and fuel vapor which can be ignited by hot engine or exhaust parts, causing a fire.
The Wrangler 4xe has quickly become FCA US’ most popular plug-in hybrid. It has two advantages for buyers—it can save money compared with the base V6 gasoline engine, despite having about the same rated mileage, because it can be driven for a while on pure battery; and its has V8 acceleration which comes close to the all-out (and pricier) 392 V8.
The EPA’s ratings are 20 mpg with the base V6 and 21 mpg with the hybrid setup, but this excludes the all-electric portion. (The Jeep Wrangler has never been known as one of the best cars for gas mileage.)
EPA testing found 22 miles of electric power; they rated it at 49 MPGe. As a pure hybrid, though, the combined figure was 20 mpg. The diesel remains the most fuel efficient engine, with a combined 25 mpg (and $2350/year estimated fuel costs), but its acceleration is a far cry from the quick 4xe, and diesel fuel is pricey….
Early rumors claimed that the Ram Rampage to be made in Brazil used a heavy-duty version of the Fiat Toro’s independent rear suspension with rear disc brakes, a front wheel drive based chassis and powertrain (2-liter diesel or 260 hp 2-liter turbo gasoline engine, both coupled to a nine-speed automatic) and eventually take ethanol, since … Read more
A quarter of a century ago, Daimler took over the growing and highly profitable Chrysler Corporation in a move which proved disastrous to the American company. Chrysler at the time was fairly truck-and-Jeep-heavy in sales, but that meant that the company was well positioned for the rapid American move to pickups and crossovers. How can … Read more
Stellantis is changing its leadership in several areas. Ned Curic, chief technology officer, will take over Harald Wester’s job of chief engineering officer; Curic will be the Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, aligning the digital and physical product implementations. Tim Kuniskis At the former Chrysler, Tim Kuniskis, currently leading Dodge, will take over Ram as … Read more
Jeep announced pricing for the more-comfortable 2024 Jeep Wranglers, which have new convenience features and moderate changes to the front-end styling. The 4xe powertrain is now available on every model except the Sport (and Rubicon 392, which comes with the 392 cubic inch Hemi V8).
The price of the Sport appears to be unchanged from 2023 models, while Willys and the most popular model, Rubicon, have gone up somewhat. The 2024 Wranglers are better outfitted than they were in 2023, but Jeep faces new competition from the Ford Bronco and will be tackling the Volkswagen Scout in a year or three, as well. [details]
If you are a Dodge enthusiast waiting to buy a 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat with the six-speed manual transmission, we have some good news. The manual transmission option has finally been added to the dealership order bank system for the supercharged models, after having only been available for Challenger R/T and R/T Scat Pack models earlier in the model year. The six-speed transmission is still not listed on Dodge.com in the Build & Price section, but it is officially available through dealerships. [But this is not the end of the story—read on!]
This week’s list of recalls does not disappoint, with two companies having overheating batteries, Ford yet again fixing fires, and Tesla having steering wheels come off, because that’s something that still happens after over a century of cars with steering wheels. Ford’s fires affect the 2015-19 Lincoln MKC, and since it can involve fires while … Read more
Back in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Sony worked with a handful of automakers to create 17 unique-and-futuristic cars for the racing game Gran Turismo 6. That program asked the automakers to create a car that featured the most advanced technology that the teams could imagine to create futuristic cars in a virtual world, where gamers … Read more
Stellantis announced three new leaders in its design offices, two at Jeep and one heading the global user experience. Ralph Gilles, the company’s chief design officer, is remaining in his post. Vince Galante has been appointed vice president of Jeep® exterior design; he joined what became Stellantis in 2005, rising through the ranks and working … Read more
Chrysler-the-marque may end up with no cars in current production due to factory scheduling, for what may be the first time in its history (not counting ordinary factory model-year changeovers).
The 300 appears to be the first on the schedule to end production as Brampton shuts down for an extensive changeover. Then the Pacifica will cease production as its plant in Windsor closes for its own changeover. Windsor is one of the most recently renovated plants in the company’s portfolio, having shifted to a modern ergonomic assembly line system for the Pacifica. (Sterling Heights and Detroit/Mack Complex were converted afterwards.)
The Alfa Romeo Tonale, which is on its way to dealerships now, has completed EPA gas mileage testing for an estimated all-electric range of 33 miles, and a 77 MPGe rating. With a full battery charge and gasoline in the tank, the Tonale can run 360 miles; combined city/highway fuel economy as a hybrid is 29 mpg. It is billed as the most efficient plug-in hybrid C-sized SUV in its class.
Stellantis North America announced yesterday that Mark Allen, in charge of Jeep exterior design for the past 30 years, will retire at the end of this month. Today is the end of the month, so this is the final day in the Stellantis Product Design Office for the man who has overseen decades of Jeep exterior design.
STLA partner First Automotive Cells (ACC) has opened up the first of its three planned European battery plants in France. The line will produce 13 gigawatt-hours initially, rising to 40 by 2030. ACC was founded by Stellantis and TotalEnergies/Saft three years ago; Mercedes joined the group last year. Stellantis sells 24 battery-electric vehicles in Europe, … Read more