Ram Unveils New 1500 Express Pickup Truck for Younger, First-Time Buyers

Ram's new version of the 1500 pickup truck, formerly known under the code name the “Adventurer”, has finally received an official designation. The Ram 1500 Express targets younger customers and first-time buyers and comes with a starting price of $23,830 (€16,677), including a $975 destination charge.

The truck is fitted with a standard 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that delivers 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque (552 Nm) and posts an average fuel economy rating of 20 mpg (11.76 l/100km). Available as a regular cab short-bed model, with either a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain, the 1500 Express comes in a monochromatic paint scheme, with body-colored grille, front fascia and rear fascia and a total of eight body colors available.

A grille with black honeycomb inserts, chrome-tipped dual exhausts, fog lamps and five-spoke 20-inch aluminum wheels are also part of the package.

Standard features include a locking tailgate, 160-amp alternator, 26-gallon fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp battery, heavy-duty front and rear shock absorbers, power steering, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling and a full-size spare tire.

The interior of the 1500 Express gets a heavy-duty vinyl 40/20/40 split-bench seat, with buyers being able to choose between vinyl or carpeted floor covering. Other features include air conditioning, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, six-speaker audio unit with CD and MP3 player, automatic headlamps, behind-the-seat storage bins, power accessory delay and tinted glass windows. Safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP and tire pressure warning lamp.

The options list is extensive and includes two rear-axle ratios (3.21, 3.92), anti-spin differential, engine block heater, trailer brake controller, Mopar chrome tubular side steps, Mopar chrome steel bed rails, folding and heated trailer-tow power mirrors, spray-in bedliner and under-rail bedliner.

For the interior, buyers can outfit the 1500 Express with a cloth split-bench seat, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a Sirius Satellite Radio. Finally, Mopar will offer more than 300 accessories for those who want to customize their ride.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence: DIY Mopar Kit Allows Owners To Turn Wrangler Into a Pick Up Truck

Some of you may remember the 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept study for a pickup truck version of the Wrangler, which for many reasons, never came to fruition. But if you happened to like the idea of a light-duty hauler based on the Wrangler, then Jeep may have the answer for you with its new JK-8 Independence package.

The do-it-yourself Mopar kit allows owners to convert a 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck with seating for two and a pickup style bed. After the conversion, the bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The package includes all the necessary parts such as the bed floor, inner and outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.

According to Jim Sassorossi, head of Mopar Sales and Marketing, an enthusiast that is very handy and works very fast can do the conversion over a weekend, but for most people, it will take a little longer than that.

The Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence will make its public debut along with five more vehicles at the annual Moab East Safari event, which takes place in Utah from April 16-24.

The specific JK-8 Independance model seen in the video and the photo gallery bellow, takes cues from the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s and is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana 44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears, plus a 4.5-inch long-arm suspension kit, 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear end of the 4x4.

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Fiat to Introduce Two New Dodge-Based Sedans in China and Russia by 2013

As time goes by, Fiat SpA’s integration with the Chrysler Group LLC deepens and the results become more evident with the two carmakers making several plans for the future. Speaking at Fiat's annual shareholders meeting on March 30, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed plans to launch two new Dodge-based sedans in China and Russia.

The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.

Both sedan models make use of a 40mm wider version Fiat's new Compact Wide architecture that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback. The same platform will also be used on future Jeep compact and mid-sized SUVs.

According to the report, the Italian automaker is still contemplating the launch of the compact sedan model in Western Europe, while the mid-size saloon may enter the European market under the Lancia brand.

We’ll remind you that Lancia is also considering the launch the current generation Chrysler 200-based Flavia sedan, which was shown as a concept at last month’s Geneva Motor Show, by the end of the year. If Lancia goes ahead with both plans, then the Dodge Avenger-based model will replace the Flavia.

Sources: Fiat, Autonews [Sub. Req.]

2011 DODGE AVENGER F/L [CURRENT GENERATION]

Ram Goes Big, Really Big with New Long-Hauler Concept Truck

The Chrysler Group claims, “they don’t get much bigger” than its new Ram Long-Hauler Concept truck and at a whopping 24 feet (about 7.3 meters) long, who can blame them? Based on a Class 5 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab, the monstrous Long Hauler rides on an extended wheelbase measuring 197.4-in. (5,014mm) in length, which is more than enough to fit a Mercedes-Benz E-Class (191.7-in)!

The concept truck is also 79.1 inches tall and tips the scales at an environmentally…unfriendly 9,300 lbs (4,218 kg), or close to 2.5-times as much as a Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. Ram says the Long-Hauler has a maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating of 37,500 lbs (16,783 kg).

Power comes courtesy of a 6.7-liter inline six-cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel engine rated at 800 lb.-ft. of torque, which is hooked up to a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission with four-wheel-drive transfer case coupled to a 4.88 Dana 110 axle with dual rear wheels. To quench its appetite, the Detroit firm’s engineers fitted the Long-Hauler with three fuel tanks with total capacity of 170 gallons (643 liters).

Other highlights include the full Kelderman Air Suspension and 19.5-inch Alcoa aluminum wheels, while Ram customized the apparently spacious 2+2 interior with several options such as a DVD player with overhead screen for rear seat passengers and a rear center console that includes a refrigerator, cup holders and tray tables.

The Auburn Hills automaker said that while only a concept for now, it will show off the Ram Long-Hauler across the country over the next eight months “to gauge public opinion” for a possible production version.

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Jeep Betting on Three New SUVs to Boost European Sales Five-Times by 2014

Jeep has disclosed plans to increase European sales from 25,000 units this year to 125,000 units by 2014. Europe will play a key role in Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne’s plans to double the brand’s global sales from 420,000 units last year to 800,000 units in 2014.

"Our plans for Europe are ambitious but doable. Europe for Jeep is an incredibly important market. We have been here for 30 years and half of our international sales historically were in Europe," Jeep CEO Mike Manley told Autonews Europe.

He added that in order to fulfill the ambitious plan, Jeep will roll out new products, including the company's first small SUV, and will expand its European network from 430 to 650 dealers by 2014. New Jeep models will include three fuel-efficient SUVs that will help increase sales in countries that have emission-based car taxes.

The small SUV is a Fiat-based vehicle code-named B-SUV that will be built in Toluca, Mexico starting in late 2013 or early 2014 and will be sold in Europe, North America and Latin America.

The second new model is a replacement for the Cherokee SUV (called the Liberty in the U.S.) that will begin production in the U.S. by early 2013 and will be launched in Europe by spring 2013. Codenamed D-SUV, the Cherokee’s replacement will be offered with AWD as standard while powertrain options will include a MultiAir version of Fiat's 2.0-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 170 horsepower.

Finally, the third new model is a compact SUV that will replace the Compass/Patriot models. Scheduled to debut in Europe by mid-2013, the car will be built at Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Italy. Codenamed C-SUV, the vehicle will be sold globally and will share components with the Alfa Romeo C-SUV that will also be built in Mirafiori by the end of 2012. The C-SUV will be offered with AWD and FWD.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Chrysler CEO Says Lancia Ypsilon Not Coming to the U.S. After All, while Compact Model is “Under Review”

Back in 2009, the Fiat and Chrysler alliance had revealed plans for the U.S. launch of a compact model based on the Lancia Delta in 2012 and a Chrysler-badged version of the Lancia Ypsilon in 2013.

Now it seems that the automaker has changed its strategy. At the New York Auto Show, Chrysler and Lancia brand president Olivier Francois told Car&Driver that the Ypsilon-based Chrysler model is dead for the U.S. as the company believes it is too similar with the Fiat 500, upon which the Lancia subcompact is based on, and could hurt its sales.

For the record, during a recent press event in Turin, Italy, a Lancia official told CoolPictures that the Ypsilon U.S. launch would largely depend on the market's response to the Fiat 500.

Another Lancia product that was also planned for North America is the Delta, showcased at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show with Chrysler badges. Although it was fairly well received by the American public and the company's strategy included a Chrysler-badged version of the Delta for the U.S., Olivier Francois now says the project is “under review” indefinitely (i.e. canceled until further notice).

However, it's possible that Dodge will get the car. Dodge brand president Ralph Gilles confirmed that his marque will definitely get a compact car to replace the Caliber, which could mean Chrysler will be left without the Delta. Gilles said that the Dodge compact sedan will be very fuel-efficient and that it will use Fiat-sourced four-cylinder engines.

By Dan Mihalascu

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