Stellantis staying in Russia, donating to Ukrainian NGO

Carlos Tavares

Stellantis has set up two Russian-invasion task forces, according to Reuters as cited in Automotive News. One is to comply with sanctions, and the other is to safeguard their 71 employees in Ukraine with a “24/7 dedicated support team.” Carlos Tavares stated that the company would continue to sell cars in Russia, even as most automakers … Read more

Dodge Charger Hellcats at Diecast Pub

GreenLight Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

We haven’t talked about new diecast cars based on the Dodge Hellcat models in quite some time, but even after more than 7 years, Hellcat related collectibles are still a hot commodity. Among both hardcore diecast collectors and casual Mopar collectors alike, those who like the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat … Read more

When will Compass, City drop the 2.4?

2.4-liter MultiAir Tigershark Engine

The 2022 Jeep Cherokee dropped all but one front wheel drive configuration, raised the specs of the base model, and eliminated the 2.4 liter four-cylinder. Why is there still one front drive version? Most likely to keep the 31 mpg advertised highway mileage, which is much tougher to achieve with four driven wheels. Dropping the … Read more

2022 Jeep Cherokee: base engine dropped, FWD in just one model

2022 jeep cherokee trailhawk

The sole four-cylinder engine on the 2022 Jeep Cherokee has been upgraded from the 2.4 liter, 186 horsepower powerplant developed during the Daimler years. It is now the 2.0-liter turbocharged GME, which provides 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. That is superior to the 3.2 liter V6’s output of 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet; … Read more

Direct Connection Sponsoring the MSHS Street Class for 2022

Direct Connection Modern Street Hemi Shootout

If you are reading this, you likely already know, but the Modern Street Hemi Shootout (MSHS) series is the premier racing organization for modern Mopar racers or classic vehicles powered by a late model Hemi. It is the biggest Mopar series with the fastest modern Mopar-powered race cars in the world (there is even a … Read more

More electric-Ram teaser drawing; Ram 3500 EV

2024 BEV electric Ram 1500

Ram released two more sketches which may show the styling direction for the electric Ram 1500, which now has a projected release date of 2024. Future heavy duty Rams will, according to the strategy presentation, use hydrogen fuel cells rather than batteries to power their electric motors, though buyers can also expect Cummins diesels to … Read more

Muscle Cars at the Strip has Autocross, Too

Muscle Cars at the Strip

We have talked a few times about the upcoming Muscle Cars at the Strip event in Las Vegas, which will be the location of the World’s Fastest Hellcat Challenge. Muscle Cars at the Strip, or MATS for short, is based mostly around the drag racing program, but there is also an autocross program sponsored by … Read more

Separated at birth? Opel and Jeep

Jeep Renegade and Opel Grandland twins

The new Jeep battery-electric shown earlier today bears a startling resemblance to the Opel Grandland. Both are made by parent company Stellantis, but they are unlikely to actually be the same—despite some appearances. The Jeep is reputed to be about the same size as the current Renegade, and to be made alongside a similar Alfa … Read more

First BEV Jeep: Cherokee or Renegade replacement?

first electric jeep

While there are rumors of the Belvidere plant being switched to making BEVs and the Cherokee switching formats in late 2023, the first electric Jeep will be this Renegade-sized-and-styled mini-crossover. Since the Renegade and Compass are Jeep’s big sellers in Europe, and Europe is moving all-electric long before the United States, doing a vehicle a … Read more

Stellantis rapidly accelerating BEV rollouts; Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler on the list

Around a decade ago, European Union (EU) authorities discovered that most diesel-powered cars violated the spirit of emissions laws; some went further, illegally detecting the test and changing engine behavior accordingly. The EU severely toughened the rules, to the point that some automakers have concluded that, by 2030, only electric vehicles will be marketable in … Read more

BEV Jeep, Ram launches; “Dare Forward 2030” (Updated 10:06 am)

Ram BEV cutaway

Stellantis has released its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan for the next eight years, with a commitment to reach carbon net-zero emissions by 2038. Carlos Tavares introduced the plan by saying “We are expanding our vision, breaking the limits and embracing a new mindset, one that seeks to transform all facets of mobility for the … Read more

Matt Hagan Drives His Dodge Charger Hellcat Funny Car to the Finals

Matt Hagan Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

This past weekend, the NHRA Camping World Championship Series drivers headed to Arizona for the second event of the 2022 season. The Arizona Nationals was also the second event for the new Tony Stewart Racing team and while they still haven’t pulled down an event win, Matt Hagan drove his Direct Connection/Power Brokers-sponsored Dodge Charger … Read more

Reminder—pick the Hellcat or a Dodge BEV!

Mopar has created an unprecedented Hemi powerhouse with the fire-breathing, supercharged Hellcat V8. Electric cars, meanwhile, are running less than 3.0 second 0-60 times and tearing up the quarter mile nearly as quickly. Automakers dislike the idea of putting resources up front into a whole new kind of car, but they like the BEVs’ lower … Read more

Two Jeep Safari concept drawings released

jeep easter safari concept 2

Drawings of two concepts to be shown off at the Easter Jeep Safari (April 9-17) have been released; one is to be “4xe electrified.” 4xe is the company’s name for a full performance hybrid system including all wheel drive and, at this time, a four-cylinder engine. Whether the company will keep the 4xe name or … Read more