Mopar Insiders Articles

In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Mopar enthusiasts are treated to a beautiful 1970 Plymouth HEMI® ‘Cuda convertible owned by Craig Jackson, the Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. Jackson is no stranger to rare and remarkable automobiles, but his Plum Crazy HEMI ‘Cuda holds a special place in his heart and muscle car history. Dubbed “The Quintessential Muscle Car,” the 1970 HEMI ‘Cuda is a legendary vehicle that captures the essence of American muscle power. With its distinctive styling, potent performance, and limited production numbers, it’s a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The story of Craig … (read full article...)

Alfa Romeo, the iconic Italian automaker, is gearing up for a significant reentry into the North American market by announcing a groundbreaking three-row SUV set to debut in the 2026 model year. The move marks a pivotal moment for the brand, which has faced challenges in gaining traction in the region over the past decade. Larry Dominique, Alfa Romeo’s Senior Vice President and Head of North America, recently expressed the brand’s commitment to a fresh start in the U.S. and Canada. Despite previous struggles, Alfa Romeo aims to redefine its presence in North America with five new vehicles slated for … (read full article...)

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling approximately 26,776 of its 2024 Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager minivans due to a potential issue with the traction control system (TCS). The TCS may not function properly when cruise control is activated, which could increase the risk of a crash. For Pacifica models, the suspect period began on April 28, 2023, coinciding with the start of 2024 model year production, and concluded on March 20, 2024. As for the Voyager’s suspect period began on September 14, 2023, when the 2024 model commenced, and ended on March 20, 2024, with the containment of suspect vehicles … (read full article...)

In a momentous triumph for Alfa Romeo, the 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio has clinched the prestigious title of “Sedan of the Year” from Top Gear Hong Kong. This accolade signifies a remarkable achievement for the Italian marque, affirming its dominance in the fiercely competitive automotive landscape. At the heart of the Giulia Quadrifoglio lies a Ferrari-derived twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine, boasting a formidable 505 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. This powerplant propels the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 3.8 seconds, with a top speed reaching an exhilarating 191 mph. Such performance figures underscore the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s … (read full article...)

In March 2023, Jeep® made waves in Italy by securing the eighth spot among the country’s best-selling car brands, according to data from Dataforce, a renowned data collection agency. What’s particularly remarkable is that amidst the vast array of automobile brands in the European market, Jeep managed to carve out its place, capturing 4.31% of the market share. What catapulted Jeep to this notable position was its all-electric Jeep Avenger (JJ), a compact B-segment UV, which played a pivotal role in bolstering the brand’s presence in Italy. While the Jeep Renegade and Compass typically lead the charge for the brand, … (read full article...)

Back in June of last year, our spy photographers caught a glimpse of what was anticipated to be the 2024 Jeep® Gladiator High Altitude. However, we were puzzled why it didn’t make an appearance when the updated 2024 Gladiator was revealed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. But today, we got an answer to the vehicle originally spotted with the introduction of the 2024 Jeep Gladiator NightHawk. Powertrain – Based on the Jeep Gladiator Sport, the NightHawk is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and boasts an impressive 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. … (read full article...)

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) has reported a total sales figure of 332,540 vehicles during Q1 2024, which relates to a 10% decline in total U.S. sales compared to the previous year. Despite the decrease, Jeep®, Chrysler, and FIAT brands all showed increases in performance for the Q1 2024 period. “As Jeep® prepares to deliver its first fully electric vehicle, the Jeep Wagoneer S, in the U.S. in the second quarter, the brand saw significant growth across its portfolio in Q1, and the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe are currently ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 … (read full article...)

The current Dodge Durango (WD) has been in production since December 2010. Despite being in production for the past 13-plus years, the Durango has continued to be a strong seller thanks to two successful updates, amazing towing capability, three-row flexibility, and its line of HEMI® V8 engines. During the recent United Auto Workers (UAW) contracts, we learned that Stellantis plans to replace the current generation with an all-new model for the 2026 model year. However, until then, Dodge will continue to push the current HEMI Durango models. According to our sources, Dodge will continue to produce the Durango with a … (read full article...)

For years, the Jeep Wrangler has reigned supreme as the go-to choice for American off-roaders. Its iconic design and legendary capability made it the undisputed leader in its segment. However, in 2021, Ford shook up the off-road world with the introduction of the sixth-generation Bronco, aiming squarely at the Wrangler’s throne. The Bronco arrived on the scene with a similar formula to the Wrangler (JL), offering both two- and four-door configurations with removable roofs and doors. This sparked intense debate among off-road enthusiasts, eager to see which vehicle would come out on top. Competition often leads to innovation, and Jeep … (read full article...)

The eagerly awaited updated 2025 Ram 1500 is now making its way to dealership lots, promising truck enthusiasts a host of updates and enhancements across its lineup. Let’s delve into what makes this new iteration of the Ram 1500 a standout choice for both work and play. What’s New? – The 2025 Ram 1500 introduces several new features to enhance performance and comfort. Notable additions include a power open/close tailgate with obstacle detection, premium interior materials and finishes, and advanced technology features such as the updated Uconnect 5 system with a 12-inch or new 14.5-inch touchscreen display. Additionally, advanced safety … (read full article...)

Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, has raised significant doubts regarding the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) during his remarks at the 2024 Freedom of Mobility Forum, yesterday. Tavares expressed concerns that a one-size-fits-all approach to EVs may not be suitable for every part of the world, emphasizing the need to move away from dogmatic thinking. “In a diverse world, it’s essential to acknowledge that current EVs may not cater to the needs of every society,” Tavares stated. He highlighted the challenges associated with EV batteries, emphasizing the necessity for a breakthrough in battery chemistry to significantly reduce weight and … (read full article...)

With over a year’s supply on dealer lots at the moment, Dodge is refocusing its marketing campaign for the compact 2024 Dodge Hornet crossover. The new campaign, dubbed “Inner Child Intervention,” focuses specifically on Dodge’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – the Hornet R/T. The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T is the brand’s first electrified performance vehicle, boasting a segment-leading 288 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of total torque. This impressive performance is achieved through a 1.3-liter turbocharged all-aluminum engine and an electric induction motor that powers the rear axle. In addition, the hybrid system features a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a high-power … (read full article...)

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling approximately 223 units of its 2024 Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager minivans. According to the latest recall, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 212, “Windshield Mounting.” The suspect period began on December 21, 2023, when the first vehicle was produced using incorrect masking tape in the windshield area and ended on January 4, 2024, when the tape was removed from the paint repair process. The suspect … (read full article...)

Yesterday, the Jeep® brand celebrated ‘4×4 Day’ by re-introducing the popular high-impact Tuscadero (PHP) exterior paint color on the 2024 Jeep Wrangler (JL). Jeep originally introduced the limited-edition exterior color in August 2021 on the 2021 model and continued it into early 2022 on Wrangler models. During that time, over 30,000 orders for Tuscadero-colored Wranglers were produced at the Toledo Assembly Complex, making it one of the most popular limited edition colors on a Jeep ever. Tuscadero is named after the Happy Days character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli’s girlfriend, Carol “Pinky” Tuscadero, a character who was known for her trademark pink … (read full article...)

Jeep® Brazil is gearing up to launch the 2025 Jeep Compass (M1). While the Compass received an important styling change two model years ago, the Brazilian-built Compass will be getting a revamped powertrain lineup for 2025, which includes gasoline (ethanol), diesel, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engines. The entry-level engine for the 2025 Jeep Compass will continue to be the 1.3 Turbo Flex T270 engine. This turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-four-cylinder is part of the FireFly or Stellantis Global Small Engine (GSE) family and was popular in the North American Jeep Renegade (BV). However, for Compass duty, the 1.3 Turbo Flex T270 produces … (read full article...)

The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is touted as the quickest, fastest, and most powerful muscle car in the world. With only 3,300 examples produced and certain dealers being allocated units, the 1,025 horsepower muscle car has seen massive dealer markups since the cars started reaching dealers. You may have heard about a certain Mississippi Dodge dealer (Mac Haik Chrysler Dodge, Jeep, and Ram) who sold a deployed soldier in Iraq, Demon 170 from underneath him. Once the story went viral on social media, the dealership terminated multiple employees, and even Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis stepped in to ensure … (read full article...)

The Dodge Durango has been instrumental in the Dodge brand’s “Brotherhood of Muscle” mantra for over a decade. While the first two generations of Dodge Durangos were body-on-frame three-row SUVs, the third generation that debuted for the 2011 model year placed the Durango on a unibody architecture. Still offering HEMI® V8 power and three-row functionality, the third-gen Durango (WD) morphed from a capable family hauler to a performance machine in 2018 with the introduction of the long-awaited Durango SRT. Since then, Dodge has reworked and updated the Durango into more of a performance-oriented offering, thanks to Dodge Charger-inspired looks, a … (read full article...)

RamCharger TRX, Might Just Be The Ultimate SUV! Digital Design, Makes Us Crave A Fullsize Ram SUV... Our friend digital artist wb_artist20 is at it again. You might remember some Ram 1500-based SUV designs like his Rebel-influenced RamCharger two-door and his TRX-inspired four-door performance off-roader. Now he has created something even better a TRX-based two-door RamCharger design. While the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is the quickest, fastest, and most powerful mass-produced truck … (read full article...) https://moparinsiders.com/ramcharger-trx-might-just-be-the-ultimate-suv/

The Abarth brand is celebrating its 75th Anniversary by showing off some new images of its upcoming Abarth 600e Scorpionissima – the most powerful Abarth ever. Based on the subcompact Fiat 600e, the Abarth 600e is a powerhouse for innovation and performance. With 240 horsepower, this B-segment crossover is set to redefine the compact electric vehicle (EV) landscape. These latest images show off the 600e Scorpionissima launch version, which will be produced in a limited number of 1,949 units (the year the brand was born). The Scorpionissima model boasts a combination of performance-driven design and cutting-edge technology. It’s not just … (read full article...)

Classic Mopar enthusiasts, buckle up! An awesome custom 1970 Plymouth Barracuda is set to turn heads and ignite some bidding wars at this coming weekend’s Mecum Houston auction. Set to cross the auction block on Saturday, April 6th, is this beautifully restored Barracuda, transformed into a breathtaking HEMI® Cuda’ replica. This Barracuda isn’t just a pretty face; it packs a serious punch under the hood. Painted in striking House of Kolor HEMI Orange, this masterpiece boasts a modern Gen3 HEMI® twist with a fuel-injected 6.1-liter (370 cubic-inch) HEMI SRT V8 engine. But wait, there’s more! This powerhouse is supercharged with … (read full article...)