Major Revelations For Future Mopars Pour From FCA Dealer Conference


001-1999-charger-concept

This has been a big week for news, particularly if you’ve staked your tent in the Mopar camp. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been busily regaling its dealers in a massive conference in a zero-media-lockdown/no-cellphone conference at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada this week. Obviously intended as a sort of “state of the union” particularly with so many rumors swirling around about the future of the manufacturer and tales of further mergers, the meeting has also unveiled a succession of new vehicles, either in the flesh or in design.

Either way, these announcements are…well, were meant to be top secret. But as news tends to always do, leaks are springing up left and right. It bears noting that while there’s really no “official” word coming from Chrysler on these leaks, and that we’re relying on a few anonymous voices claiming to have been in attendance and posting in forums like Allpar and Jalopnik‘s Opposite Lock, we can’t help but get a little caught up in the excitement. Why? Because it is believed that FCA will be launching a major offensive within 12 to 24 months of at least 30 new or significantly refreshed models.

That’s a heck of a barrage of new and refreshed models and while we’re waiting to hear it from the horse’s mouth, we will try to keep our enthusiasm in check and share only what we’ve heard thus far:

Chrysler

  • A new Durango-sized SUV with stow-and-go seating was shown. Allpar claims it had a Durango’s interior.
  • Town & Country PHEV confirmed (again). A plug-in minivan was originally announced as part of five-year plan.

Dodge

  • The redesigned Charger will ride on the new Alfa Romeo Giulia’s rear-drive platform and supposedly draws inspiration from ’99 Charger concept car. Also, according to Allpar, is less weight and is expected to jettison the V8 offerings for a twin-turbo V6.
  • According to Jalopnik’s Opposite Lock, two new Challenger models are coming. Challenger ADR (American Drag Racer) and T/A. ADR should appeal to bracket racers and is more powerful than the SRT Hellcat, while T/A is aimed at competing with the new Z/28 and GT350.
  • The Barracuda nameplate will return as a smaller, more nimble Dodge offered as either a coupe or convertible, and won’t be as “retro” in styling as the Challenger.
  • A Dodge Durango SRT 392 will arrive, and according to Autoblog, sources within FCA have confirmed this as true.
  • The Dart won’t see the return of the “SRT4” badge but the GLH that will wield a turbocharged, 300-horsepower Hurricane four-cylinder, which is expected to arrive in a lot of different models over the coming years.

Jeep

  • Finally! A Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is due, and with all-wheel drive, and according to Allpar, gives the Jeep a 0-to-60 in under three seconds, although Automotive News cited a 3.5-second time from another dealer.
  • A full-sized, 8 passenger new Grand Wagoneer was on display, with FCA telling dealers its targeted at Land Rover. Originally slated for 2018 (like the new Dodge Charger), the new Wagoneer will likely have been bumped up to mid-2017.
  • The next Wrangler was also on hand, expected to be sold as 2017 model. According to Allpar, FCA is claiming 30 mpg, and is rumored to be a diesel model.
  • A Jeep Wrangler pickup was mentioned, but not shown.

Ram

  • A redesign for the new Ram 1500
  • A new Power Wagon was shown on stage with 37-inch rubber, with 35s being standard when it hits dealers. The next off-road truck appear “more focused” than current Power Wagons.

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Kevin Shaw

Editor-in-Chief – kevin.shaw@shawgroupmedia.com Kevin Shaw is a decade-long powersports and automotive journalist whose love for things that go too fast has led him to launching Mopar Connection Magazine. Almost always found with stained hands and dirt under his fingernails, Kevin has an eye for the technical while keeping a eye out for beautiful photography and a great story. He's also the co-author of "The Chrysler B-Body Restoration Guide."

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