Mopar Insiders Articles

Chrysler’s Forgotten 1996 Lugano Design Concept Clay Mockup of "Never Was" Chrysler is on Display at the Petersen Muesum The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is giving car enthusiasts a rare treat with its “Modern Concepts: Future Visions from the Recent Past” exhibit — and one of its most fascinating hidden gems is the 1996 Chrysler Lugano clay mockup. This never-before-seen concept car offers a glimpse into what could have been one of Chrysler’s most daring and elegant sports cars. https://moparinsiders.com/chryslers-forgotten-1996-lugano-design-concept/

Dodge Charger Daytona Prepares for 2026 Solid-State Upgrade Next-Gen Battery Tech Brings Big Changes to Dodge’s Electric Muscle Car The Dodge Charger Daytona (LB) has generated its fair share of controversy since its all-electric debut, and the 2025 model year is shaping up to add another chapter to that story. A couple of our sources close to Stellantis suppliers have confirmed that production of the 2025 Charger Daytona will be paused at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario between March and May 2025. The reason? Stellantis is preparing for a major upgrade — the introduction of Factorial’s solid-state battery technology. https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-charger-daytona-prepares-for-2026-solid-state-upgrade/

Off-road enthusiasts, get ready to rev up your engines and conquer the most demanding terrains with the latest offering from Jeep®! Today, Jeep® announces the launch of an upgraded Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) 2-inch lift kit, specially designed for the current Wrangler (JL) and Gladiator (JT) vehicles. This exciting enhancement includes specially tuned Bilstein 46-millimeter … (read full article...)

Could This Be Dodge’s New NASCAR Cup Car Design? Graphic Designer Shows Us How Cool A New NASCAR Dodge Charger Cup Car Could Be For years, speculation has swirled about Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series. Now, a talented graphic designer has brought that vision to life with a striking digital rendering of aDodge Charger SIXPACK stock car built to NASCAR’s Next-Gen (Gen 7) specifications. Turn 4 Graphics (@turn4graphics) has shared a first look at what a modern Dodge Cup car could look like, and the results are stunning. https://moparinsiders.com/could-this-be-dodges-new-nascar-cup-car-design/

Charger Daytona R/T Faces Tesla Model Y — On The Drag Strip Dodge's eMuscle Car Meets An Unexpected Rival and Falls Short It was supposed to be a day of speed and excitement. A Dodge Charger Daytona R/T Stage 1 — the electric rebirth of a legendary muscle car — lined up against a Tesla Model Y Performance at a local dragstrip. But instead of a clear victory for the Mopar machine, the results left many fans scratching their heads. https://moparinsiders.com/charger-daytona-r-t-faces-tesla-model-y-on-the-drag-strip/

Stellantis Faces Pressure to Streamline Brands With 14 Brands and Mixed Global Performance, the Automaker Considers Its Future Direction Stellantis is facing a major crossroads as it searches for a new CEO following the departure of Carlos Tavares in December. The automaker, formed from the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot S.p.A., has the largest brand portfolio in the industry with 14 distinct marques. This vast lineup brings both strength and complexity — and now, there’s mounting pressure to determine how many of these brands have a viable future. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-faces-pressure-to-streamline-brands/

Tony Stewart Joins Right Trailers NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout NHRA Rookie of the Year Replaces Tony Schumacher in Eight-Car Shootout at Gatornationals Tony Stewart is gearing up for a new challenge as he joins the Right Trailers NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout for the first time in his NHRA career. The motorsports legend and reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year steps into the eighth and final spot for this high-stakes, eight-car shootout happening on Saturday, March 8, during the 2025 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at the Gainesville Raceway in Florida. https://moparinsiders.com/tony-stewart-joins-right-trailers-nhra-top-fuel-all-star-callout/

FHP Busts Street Takeover, Destroys Challenger Trying to Flee Intense Chase Ends with Dodge Challenger Crash A recent video posted on the StateBoyzzz YouTube channel showcases a dramatic police chase involving a Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody fleeing from Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) through a suburban neighborhood in Riverview, Florida. The incident took place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, after a street takeover event that drew hundreds of spectators and participants. https://moparinsiders.com/fhp-busts-street-takeover-destroys-challenger-trying-to-flee/

Stellantis Reports Challenging 2024 Results, Eyes Stronger 2025 Automaker Remains Focused on Growth Despite Revenue and Profit Declines Stellantis has released its full-year 2024 financial results, reflecting a tough year for the global automaker with significant drops in revenue and profit. However, the company remains optimistic about returning to profitable growth and positive cash flow in 2025. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-reports-challenging-2024-results-eyes-stronger-2025/

Stellantis UAW Workers See Sharp Drop in Profit Sharing Checks Payouts Down 73% Compared to 2023 Stellantis has announced that United Auto Workers (UAW) employees will receive profit-sharing checks of $3,780 this year — a sharp 73% decrease from last year’s $13,860 payouts. About 38,800 workers are eligible for the checks, with some receiving more or less based on hours worked. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-uaw-workers-see-sharp-drop-in-profit-sharing-checks/

Stellantis Exec Confirms No New European Brands for North America Plans Focus on Existing Brands as the Automaker Adjusts to Market Challenges Stellantis has made it clear that it won’t be adding any more European brands to its North American portfolio in the near future. Jeff Hines, CEO of Stellantis Canada, recently told Automotive News Canada that the automaker is not planning to bring European brands like Citroën, Lancia, Opel, or Peugeot to the either the U.S. or Canada. This decision comes as Stellantis is focusing on addressing challenges with its current operations, particularly with brands like Fiat and Alfa Romeo, which have not been performing well in the North American market...

The landscape of compact vans in North America has experienced a notable void since Ram ceased the production of its ProMaster City lineup. While the future of Ram’s compact van remains uncertain, recent developments within Fiat’s repertoire, particularly the unveiling of the Fiat E-Doblò, present intriguing possibilities for the evolution of Ram’s offerings in this … (read full article...)

Kuniskis Says Ram 1500 Ramcharger Delayed Until H2 2025 Ram 1500 REV Pushed Back to Late 2026... Ram fans eager for the brand’s new electrified pickups will have to wait a bit longer. During a press briefing on Monday, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed that the launch dates for both the range-extending Ram 1500 Ramcharger and the all-electric Ram 1500 REV have been delayed. https://moparinsiders.com/kuniskis-says-ram-1500-ramcharger-delayed-until-h2-2025/

Stellantis Patents Innovative Rooftop Tent Design for Jeep® New Tent Design Offers Direct Access Through Removable Roof Panels Stellantis has filed a patent for a groundbreaking rooftop tent design specifically tailored for the Jeep® Wrangler. Unlike traditional rooftop tents that require bulky roof racks and add significant weight and height, this new design attaches directly to the vehicle’s roof, utilizing existing removable roof panel openings. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-patents-innovative-rooftop-tent-design-for-jeep/

1969 Dodge HEMI® Charger 500 Heading to Mecum Glendale Auction Rare NASCAR-Inspired Muscle Car Ready to Turn Heads The 1969 Dodge HEMI® Charger 500 is one of the most legendary muscle cars ever built, and a pristine example of this rare beast is heading to the Mecum Glendale auction on Saturday, March 22, 2025. With only 67 HEMI Charger 500s produced for the 1969 model year — and just 27 equipped with the 4-speed manual transmission — this car is as rare as they come. https://moparinsiders.com/1969-dodge-hemi-charger-500-heading-to-mecum-glendale-auction/

Dodge Hornet GLH Coming This Year Dodge CEO Confirms Production Version Will Arrive Later This Year Finally, Dodge is bringing the GLH nameplate back, after promising to do so in late 2022. The upcoming Hornet GLH is set to arrive later this year. Dodge CEO Matt McAlear confirmed the news in a roundtable interview with The Drive, stating, “[The Hornet GLH] was a concept, but you should see it this calendar year. Let’s leave it at that.” https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-hornet-glh-coming-this-year/

Fiat Brazil Gears Up for 2025 with Seven Major Model Updates New Engines, Restyling, and the Return of an Iconic Nameplate Fiat is making big moves in Brazil, announcing the launch of seven updated models by the end of 2025. With a mix of styling enhancements, powertrain upgrades, and new technology, the lineup refresh includes the Fiat Toro, Titano, Fastback, Argo, Cronos, Ducato, and the long-awaited return of the Doblò. These updates aim to keep Fiat competitive against rivals like Chevrolet and Ford in one of South America’s most important automotive markets. https://moparinsiders.com/fiat-brazil-gears-up-for-2025-with-seven-major-model-updates/

Dodge Needs It’s Own Version of the Jeep® Wagoneer S Could a Performance SUV Be Dodge’s Missing Link? As more buyers opt for SUVs than traditional cars, Dodge needs to expand its current lineup, and maybe another SUV is the answer. While the Dodge Hornet is nothing more than a rebadged Alfa Romeo, Dodge needs something to fit directly between it and the popular full-size Durango, and the all-new Jeep® Wagoneer S could be the basis for such a vehicle. https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-needs-its-own-version-of-the-jeep-wagoneer-s/

Maserati GT2 Stradale Makes Its Road Debut Race-Bred Performance Hits The Street Maserati has officially unleashed the GT2 Stradale, a road-legal version of its GT2 race car that embodies the brand’s deep motorsport heritage. After its global debut on August 16 at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, the high-performance machine is now set to hit the streets, starting in Europe this April. https://moparinsiders.com/maserati-gt2-stradale-makes-its-road-debut/

Stellantis Puts New Jeep® Compass Plans on Hold at Brampton Automaker Temporarily Pauses Production Plans... Stellantis has announced a temporary pause on the development of the next-generation Jeep® Compass (J4U) at its Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The move comes as the automaker reevaluates its North American product strategy, creating uncertainty for Canadian autoworkers and local suppliers. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-puts-new-jeep-compass-plans-on-hold-at-brampton/