Mopar Insiders Articles

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/

Chrysler EcoVoyager: A Forgotten Hydrogen-Electric Pioneer A Bold Step Towards Hydrogen-Electric Travel Back in 2008, Chrysler unveiled the ecoVoyager Concept, a futuristic, hydrogen-electric luxury vehicle designed for zero-emissions travel. While it never made it to production, it showcased bold ideas that pushed Chrysler’s design and technology forward. The ecoVoyager combined an electric motor with a hydrogen fuel-cell range extender, offering over 300 miles (482 km) of total range while emitting only water vapor. https://moparinsiders.com/chrysler-ecovoyager-a-forgotten-hydrogen-electric-pioneer/

Allison Kovalik Becomes The First Person To Run 9s With HURRICANE I6 Gen 2 Garage Team Is Now Aiming For The 8s... The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter HURRICANE High-Output (H/O) I6 engine is already proving to be a game-changer in the world of Mopar performance, and Allison Kovalik has just cemented its place on the track. Behind the wheel of her 1999 Dodge Dakota, Kovalik and her Gen 2 Garageteam became the first to run a 9-second quarter-mile with the new HURRICANE H/O I6 engine. https://moparinsiders.com/allison-kovalik-becomes-the-first-person-to-run-9s-with-hurricane-i6/

Stellantis Patents Eggshell-Based Tire Formula for Sustainability Automaker Aims to Reduce Harmful Tire Emissions with Bio-Waste Innovation In a move toward greener transportation, Stellantis (FCA US) has secured a patent for a new tire formulation that replaces conventional fillers with bio-waste materials—specifically, calcium oxide (CaO) derived from eggshells. This innovative approach aims to cut down on the environmental impact of tire dust emissions while maintaining performance. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-patents-eggshell-based-tire-formula-for-sustainability/

Ram Poised for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Return in 2026 Dodge Eyes Cup Series Comeback in 2028 Ram could soon be making a long-anticipated return to NASCAR, with sources suggesting the brand has submitted a formal application to join the Craftsman Truck Series for the 2026 season. If approved, it would mark Ram’s first official involvement in the series since withdrawing after the 2016 season. Meanwhile, speculation continues to grow regarding Dodge’s potential return to the NASCAR Cup Series by 2028, reigniting a brand legacy that has been absent since 2012. https://moparinsiders.com/ram-poised-for-nascar-craftsman-truck-series-return-in-2026/

Swamp Rat Alley Roars Back to the NHRA Gatornationals Four Iconic Don Garlits Dragsters Set to Thrill Fans on Display... The Petty Brothers Racing YouTube channel recently shared an exciting video featuring the legendary No. 43 STP Dodge Charger, the same car Richard “The King” Petty piloted to his fifth Daytona 500 victory in 1974. This iconic machine, powered by a roaring 7.0-liter (426 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8, remains one of the most recognizable stock cars in NASCAR history. The video captures the moment Timmy Petty and the Moonshine Speedshop crew fire up the historic race car, bringing its thunderous engine back to life. https://moparinsiders.com/petty-brothers-fire-up-the-43-1974-daytona-500-winning-dodge/

Custom 1977 Dodge Tradesman Van Up for Auction Vintage Dodge Van with New Orleans-Themed Custom Interior If you’re looking for a rolling piece of 1970s van culture, this 1977 Dodge Tradesman B200 Street Van might be the ultimate find. Currently up for auction on BringATrailer.com, this long-wheelbase Maxivan is finished in Russet Sunfire Metallic with custom multicolor graphics, capturing the essence of the custom van craze of its era. https://moparinsiders.com/custom-1977-dodge-tradesman-van-up-for-auction/

Dodge CEO Hints at Affordable Sports Car Dodge Eyes Sub-$30K Sports Car for the Future Dodge CEO Matt McAlear recently hinted at the possibility of a new sub-$30,000 sports car in a conversation with the ‘The InEVitable Podcast.’ As Dodge shifts its focus while maintaining its performance heritage, McAlear believes an affordable weekend car will be in strong market demand. https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-ceo-hints-at-affordable-sports-car/

VIPER V10-Powered Jeep® Wrangler (TJ) Up For Auction 505 Horsepower Meets Jeep's Iconic Two-Door... This isn’t your average Jeep® Wrangler (TJ). Currently listed on BringATrailer.com, this 2006 Jeep Wrangler X has undergone an insane transformation, swapping out its original powertrain for an 8.3-liter (505 cubic-inch) VIPER V10. Yes, you read that right—this lifted off-roader now boasts the heart of a Dodge Viper, making it one of the wildest TJ builds we’ve seen hit the auction block. https://moparinsiders.com/viper-v10-powered-jeep-wrangler-tj-up-for-auction/

4 Low-Mile Plymouth/Chrysler Prowlers Headed To Auction Headed To Auction At Mecum Glendale 2025 With No Reserve If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Plymouth or Chrysler Prowler, Mecum’s Glendale 2025 auction is bringing you six incredible chances to do just that. From March 18-22, a unique collection of these retro-inspired roadsters will cross the auction block, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to snag a low-mileage example of Chrysler’s boldest design experiment. https://moparinsiders.com/4-low-mile-plymouth-chrysler-prowlers-headed-to-auction/

Swamp Rat Alley Roars Back to the NHRA Gatornationals Four Iconic Don Garlits Dragsters Set to Thrill Fans on Display... Swamp Rat Alley is making its return to the NHRA Gatornationals for the third consecutive year, bringing fans an up-close look at four historic dragsters built and raced by the Mopar legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. As part of the 56th Annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway from March 6 – 9, 2025, this must-see attraction inside Hot Rod Junction will showcase key pieces of drag racing history. https://moparinsiders.com/swamp-rat-alley-roars-back-to-the-nhra-gatornationals/

Stellantis Unveils STLA AutoDrive: Hands-Free, AI-Powered Driving New Level 3 Autonomy Enhances Comfort, Safety, and Driving Efficiency at Slower Speeds Stellantis has officially launched STLA AutoDrive, its first fully in-house-developed autonomous driving system, marking a major milestone in the company’s technological roadmap. The system introduces Hands-Free and Eyes-Off (SAE Level 3) capabilities, allowing drivers to temporarily disengage from control while the vehicle navigates stop-and-go traffic at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph). https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-unveils-stla-autodrive-hands-free-ai-powered-driving/

Jeep® Secures Patent for Adjustable Door Air Deflector Patent Looks To Enhance Comfort for Wrangler and Gladiator Owners Jeep® enthusiasts love the open-air experience that comes with removing the doors on vehicles like the Wrangler and Gladiator. But at higher speeds, that freedom often comes with intense wind buffeting, making long drives less comfortable. Stellantis has now patented a solution—an adjustable air deflector designed to manage airflow and improve cabin comfort. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-secures-patent-for-adjustable-door-air-deflector/

2025 Fiat Toro Gains More Power with New 2.2L MultiJet Diesel More Horsepower, Torque, and Better Fuel Economy The 2025 Fiat Toro, one of Brazil’s best-selling compact pickups, has just gotten a major upgrade under the hood. Fiat has introduced a new 2.2-liter (134 cubic-inch) MultiJet I4 turbodiesel engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter (122 cubic-inch) diesel, delivering a significant boost in both power and torque. Available in the Volcano and Ranch trims, this new engine makes 200 horsepower (203 PS / 149 kW) and 332 lb.-ft. (450 Nm) of torque—an 18% increase in power and a 29% increase in torque compared to the outgoing model. https://moparinsiders.com/2025-fiat-toro-gains-more-power-with-new-2-2l-multijet-diesel/