Check out the leaked Dodge Hornet, AKA the Alfa Romeo Tonale

The 23’ Dodge Hornet has been spied completely undisguised on the factory floor as a rebadged Alfa Romeo Tonale.

What the Fratzog?

You might have seen the Fratzog logo today at the Dodge EV press conference and wondered what the hell it was. Here's a little history on the badge we believe will be the logo for the electrified dodge brand.

Fratzog was the name of the emblem used by Chryslers Corporation Dodge Division from September 1962 though 1976. It was composed of three arrowhead shapes forming a 3-pointed star. When Dodge stylists designed it in the early 1960s, they had to have a name for it, and one of the designers came up with the meaningless name 'Fratzog', which ultimately stuck.

As the Dodge Division's logo, Fratzog was incorporated in various badges and emblems on Dodge vehicles. It was also integrated into the design of such parts as steering wheel center hubs and road wheel covers.

The Dodge Circuit EV

Dodge Circuit EV

 Dodge Circuit EV sports car, was a two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive, all-electric sports car shown to the public at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The car was based on the Lotus Europa S, and combined a lithium-ion battery pack with a 200-kilowatt electric motor, capable of generating 268 bhp (200 kW) and 480 lbf·ft (650 N·m) of torque. Chrysler claimed that the Dodge EV had a driving range of 150 to 200 miles (240–320 km), approaching the range and performance of the all-electric Tesla Roadster, which is built on the same chassis. According to Chrysler, the Dodge EV could be recharged in eight hours using a standard 110-volt outlet, or in only four hours using a 220-volt outlet, the type commonly used for electric ovens and dryers.

Dodge to be the eMuscle car brand.

Mid-Engined Dodge Viper Rendered To Rival Corvette C8

The Dodge Viper is gone but not forgotten. Since the Chevrolet Corvette is now a mid-engined machine, Abimelec Design imagines a revised Viper with its powerplant behind the driver. The resulting vehicle is handsome. Too bad there's no chance of this model ever going into production.

Abimelec Design's rendering uses the final generation of the Viper as the starting point. It even retains the hood scoop and vents, which are no longer necessary since the engine is in the back.

The big changes start at the B-pillar where Abimelec Design adds a more gradual slope to the rear deck. This creates the extra space for fitting the V10 engine in the back. The powerplant is visible through the glass. More rounded fenders make this Viper look a little less muscular than the real thing.

The last-gen's Viper 8.4-liter V10 pumped out 645 horsepower (480 kilowatts) and 600 pound-feet (812 Newton-meters) of torque. A six-speed manual sent the output to the rear wheels. The mid-engined layout would likely result in an improved weight distribution, which could make the model a better handling machine.

Dodge struggled to find buyers for the last-gen Viper, especially after the Challenger SRT Hellcat arrived with more power than the brand's halo car. It's still possible to find a few new examples at dealers if the big V10 calls to you, though.

FCA is expanding its program of measures to support coronavirus relief efforts

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As previously communicated to the company's employees from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Mike Manley, the company is in the process of converting its first plant to produce face masks for donation to first responders and health care workers. The first machinery has been delivered and installed with supply and donation coming on stream in the coming weeks.

FCA is expanding its program of measures to support coronavirus relief efforts, focused on two principal areas: charities providing food services to children and support for a range of technical, logistical and manufacturing programs, such as face mask production.

"There has never been a more important moment to help children and their families with vital needs in our communities than during this time of great uncertainty," said FCA CEO Mike Manley. 

Food programs for children in our communities
FCA will work in partnership with non-profit organizations and foundations that are providing food to children until schools return to session. Starting immediately, FCA will help provide more than 1 million meals to school-age children in the communities around our principal manufacturing plants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The program will then be extended nationwide in the U.S. and to Canada and Mexico, supporting similar relief efforts for kids who would normally access school meal services.

Mobilizing company resources
Following the first actions taken to start face mask production, the company is now investing technical, logistical and manufacturing resources at medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). With the donation of face masks produced by the company starting in the coming weeks, the company will invest to extend that production capacity to other plants and ultimately donate masks to first responders and health care workers across the world. Drawing on experience from the company's engineering and logistics team in Italy who are assisting a local ventilator manufacturer, FCA is engaged with other companies producing ventilators and other much needed medical equipment and PPE.

"In this time of need, we've focused our resources on those actions we can implement quickly and that will have the greatest impact, as we did in Italy as soon as the emergency started," added Manley.

Next Dodge Charger Rendered

The penning master, who often engages in social media adventures, has brought along a pixel work portraying a big coupe that mixes traditional Mopar styling cues with a futuristic design.

However, before we zoom in on the details of this proposal, you should know that Gilles, who used to helm the SRT sub-brand, also delivered the context of sharing the rendering.

Like many of you, the company's design team is working from home and, at least at this point, we're looking at one of the proposals showcasing an experimental design.

"While we are never to show future product on social media. I have made an exception this time as this experimental design of a Dodge of the future fell on the cutting room floor because the designer decided to make the yellow spoiler guards a permanent part of the theme. We had a really good laugh about it though!" the head designer explained.

Now, those yellow lip protectors see the designer behind this work harnessing this opinion-splitting habit that involves certain owners refusing to remove the said plastic bits. And while we're talking about the author of the rendering, it looks like this comes from a designer named Jack Liu. For instance, the gearhead is part of the team that penned the the Challenger 50th Anniversary Edition.

Hellcat-Powered Ram Rebel TRX Finally Official?

The “SRT” name is more than a name. It’s an acronym, and it has a long line of history that belongs to the automaker known as home – Dodge. “SRT” stands for “Street and Racing Technology”. Notice the “and”, as in, technology made for regular driving on the street and technology made for the racetrack – not street racing. Regardless, Dodge is known for making high-performance cars drivers just can’t help but want to race. Sure, if it’s just to get it out of your system once in a while, someone can go to an SRT Driving School and test the limits of an SRT vehicle themselves. Otherwise, there are several choices available – the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, or Dodge Durango SRT to get the most out of each lineup. The newest addition may be a Hellcat-powered Ram TRX.

Yes, we know, “It’s official, a Hellcat-powered Ram truck” has been the headlines of internet articles for some time now. It’s just the way news about the auto industry works. Look back at some of the earliest leaks of the Jeep Wrangler pickup truck back in 2017 – it was a whole year before the Jeep pickup truck was seen again. It wasn’t until later that year that Jeep released the 2020 Jeep Gladiator midsize pickup truck. So we get it – we’ve heard a lot about a possible Hellcat Ram truck, but this time it seems to be the real deal.

The Hellcat-powered Ram TRX pickup has been approved for production. It’s been several months since we saw anything about the mighty Ram Rebel TRX truck, spied back in March 2019. Just like the name says, it’s the Ram Rebel Tyrannosaurus Rex, powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine called the “Banshee”, able to produce 520 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. Coincidentally, there was once a time where the TRX was said to be powered by the legendary 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, able to produce 707 horsepower. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

So why would they want to cap it and not go into the 700’s? One would think a truck flying down the highway at 100 mph is a death wish. With Head of Jeep® Brand, FCA – North America Jim Morrison claiming the concept Ram 1500 Rebel TRX powered by a 575 horsepower, supercharged 6.2 liter HEMI could, handle the harshest terrains at speeds over 100 mph, that’s all some people need to hear to test it for themselves.

The Agnelli Family and its Companies respond to the COVID-19 emergency

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Agnelli Family and its Companies have put in place a series of measures, in coordination with the Italian Civil Protection Department, to support the Italian national health service in its care of the sick and to provide assistance to those who currently require it, or who will do so in future.

In detail:

• The Agnelli Family has made a €10 million donation to the Italian Civil Protection Department, as it manages the emergency at national level; and to Specchio dei Tempi /La Stampa (a social assistance organization which operates in the Region of Piedmont), to respond to the local health and social needs in the city of Turin and Piedmont.
• EXOR and its subsidiaries Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ferrari and CNH Industrial -  together with companies from outside the Group, including Ermenegildo Zegna and Pesenti Group – have sourced and purchased a total of 150 ventilators, alongside other medical equipment from various overseas suppliers, and are preparing for their immediate air transport to Italy.
• the automotive long-term rental company Leasys (FCA Bank) has provided the Italian Red Cross and ANPAS (the Italian National Association for Public Assistance) with a fleet of vehicles for the distribution of food and medicine to the sick, the elderly and people in need of assistance across Italy.
• EXOR, FCA, Ferrari and CNH Industrial remain in close contact with the Italian Department of Civil Protection, to provide the Country with scouting services – free of charge – to identify medical equipment and healthcare products available internationally, and to provide assistance with customs related matters to ensure expedited import to Italy.

These initiatives are in addition to those already in place:

• #DistantiMaUniti, a fundraising initiative promoted by the Juventus Football Club, which is live on the gofundme platform (www.gofundme.com/f/distanti-ma-uniti-dona-insieme-alla-juventus)
• #restoascuola, an initiative promoted by the Agnelli Foundation, together with the La Stampa and Specchio dei Tempi Foundation and La Stampa newspaper, to support long-distance teaching in schools, especially for those students who experience greater barriers to learning.

Ram Truck Unveils New 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition

• New Ram 1500 Southwest Edition packs additional features into new premium package
• Laramie Southwest to be offered exclusively in Texas and neighboring states
• Ram 1500 Lone Star continues to be Ram’s top seller in Texas

March 18, 2020 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Ram today unveiled the 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition, a new luxury trim aimed at the largest truck-buying region in the world. The Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition packages together popular appearance and luxury features.

 
The Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition will be offered exclusively in Texas and neighboring states.
 
“For nearly 20 years, Ram has recognized that Texas and America’s Southwest are the center of the truck universe,” said Mike Koval, Ad Interim Head of Ram Brand, FCA - North America. “Ram was the first manufacturer to offer a Texas-exclusive model and the Lone Star edition remains our most popular truck in Texas. Our new Ram Laramie Southwest Edition adds the segment’s best combination of performance, capability, luxury and technology.”
 
Outside, the Laramie Southwest Edition’s body-colored bumpers, mirrors and grille surround give it a sophisticated appearance. Subtle chrome highlights, including tow hooks, grille inserts, body side moldings and polished 20-inch wheels, provide exterior visual accents. Power side steps are also included and fold out of the way when the truck is parked or underway.
 
Inside, the Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition is loaded with features, technology and a unique feature. Among those features are the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with a massive 12-inch touchscreen, dual-pane panoramic sunroof and electronic trailer brake control. Also included are automatic high beam headlights, Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection, ParkSense® Front and Rear Park-Assist with Stop, remote tailgate-release and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Buyers have a choice of either a bench or buckets seats. All Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Editions are delivered with a heavy-duty Mopar locking console when the bucket seat option is selected.
 
The 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition is available in all powertrain options. Buyers can choose Quad and Crew Cab body configurations and 5 ft.-7 in. (Crew only) or 6 ft.-4-in. bed lengths.
 
Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition’s Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $45,380, plus $1,695 destination.
 
New 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Southwest Edition models will go on sale in the second quarter of 2020.
 

Ram Truck Brand
In 2009, the Ram Truck brand launched as a stand-alone division, focused on meeting the demands of truck buyers and delivering benchmark-quality vehicles. With a full lineup of trucks, the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab, ProMaster and ProMaster City, the Ram brand builds trucks that get the hard work done and families where they need to go. 
 
Ram continues to outperform the competition and sets the benchmarks for:

• Segment first 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel
• Towing capacity of 35,100 lbs. with Ram 3500
• Payload of 7,680 lbs. with Ram 3500
• Most luxurious: Ram Limited with real wood, real leather and 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen
• Best ride and handling with exclusive link coil rear and auto-level air suspensions
• Most interior space with Ram Mega Cab
• Most capable full-size off-road pickup – Ram Power Wagon
• Most-awarded light-duty truck in America
• Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup
• Over the last 30 years, Ram has the highest percentage of pickups still on the road