Mopar Insiders Articles

1988 Dodge Shelby CSX-T Heads To Auction With No Reserve Rare Rent-A-Racer Survivor Offered On Hagerty The Dodge Shelby CSX-T may not carry the same fame as Shelby’s Mustangs, but it holds a special place in Mopar history. Built in 1988 as a collaboration between Carroll Shelby and Thrifty Car Rental, just 1,000 of these front-wheel-drive (FWD) turbo compacts were produced. All were finished in white with gray lower cladding and blue Shelby graphics, making them instantly recognizable to those who know their Mopar history. https://moparinsiders.com/1988-dodge-shelby-csx-t-heads-to-auction-with-no-reserve/

Stellantis Starts Exporting Jeep® Commander To The Middle East Stellantis Expands Exports with Brazilian-Built D-SUV... Stellantis is stepping up its global game with the announcement that the Jeep® Commander, the three-row SUV designed and built in Brazil, will begin shipping to the Middle East by the end of 2025. The move marks another milestone in the Commander’s international journey, opening doors in some of the most competitive automotive markets in the world. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-starts-exporting-jeep-commander-to-the-middle-east/

Jeep® Compass 4xe (J4U): Built for the Trails, Ready for Real Life Rugged, Refined, and Ready for Adventure The all-new Jeep® Compass 4xe (J4U) isn’t just a facelift—it’s a purpose-built evolution of the compact SUV that blends trail-capable engineering with smart interior upgrades for real-life adventures. Jeep took the already-popular Compass and gave it a serious off-road attitude, all while making it more practical and comfortable for families, pet owners, and weekend warriors. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-compass-4xe-j4u-built-for-the-trails-ready-for-real-life/

Could This Camouflaged Van Be the Next Ram ProMaster City? Prototype Appears to Match Fiat E-Scudo, Hints at Ram’s Return to the Small Van Segment A newly spotted camouflaged van riding on Stellantis’ “K0” midsize platform might be our first look at a future North American commercial vehicle. Captured by sharp-eyed photographer Walter Vayr (@GabetzSPYUnit), the prototype appears similar to existing Fiat vans sold in Europe, but some unique details have led to speculation that this could be a future Ram ProMaster City, slated for a possible 2026 launch. https://moparinsiders.com/could-this-camouflaged-van-be-the-next-ram-promaster-city/

The Brute Squad Take on the Rebelle Rally with Ram 1500 RHO Ram Brings Its Latest Off-Roader To The Desert... Ram is once again making its mark in the off-road world by partnering with “The Brute Squad” – a duo of experienced automotive journalists Jill Ciminillo and Kristin Shaw – to compete in the ninth annual Rebelle Rally. Set to take place from October 10-19, 2024, the Rebelle Rally is an all-women, off-road competition that covers more than 1,500 miles through unforgiving desert terrain. This year, Ciminillo and Shaw will be driving a 2025 Ram 1500 RHO, with Shaw at the wheel and Ciminillo handling navigation duties. https://moparinsiders.com/the-brute-squad-take-on-the-rebelle-rally-with-ram-1500-rho/

A Waterlogged Monster: 2017 Viper ACR Heading to Auction Vehicle restoration gurus, check your calendars! A flood-damaged 2017 Dodge Viper ACR is scheduled to go up for auction via IAA Dream Rides on Tuesday, September 2, at 12 p.m. CDT. This isn’t just any Viper. It’s an ACR-Extreme (American Club Racer), the most hardcore track-focused variant of Dodge’s final-gen snake, built to dominate laps with adjustable aero and premium components. According to the IAA listing, the car is listed with a North Carolina Salvage title, having suffered flood-induced damage, and is labeled as “won’t start.” It’s located in Greensboro, North … (read full article...)

Stellantis Hit With $190.6 Million In Fuel Economy Fines Automaker Has Paid $773.5 Million Since 2018 Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram, has once again had to open its checkbook due to failing to meet U.S. fuel economy rules. According to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the automaker paid $190.6 million in penalties this year alone. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-hit-with-190-6-million-in-fuel-economy-fines/

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Finds New Home Green Daytona Shines on Lou Costabile’s YouTube Channel Among Mopar enthusiasts, few cars inspire as much excitement as the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. With its massive rear wing and aerodynamic nose cone, the car was built for one purpose: dominating NASCAR’s high-speed ovals. While only 503 were ever made, survivors of this legendary “aero warrior” are now considered holy grails of muscle car collecting. https://moparinsiders.com/1969-dodge-charger-daytona-finds-new-home/

2026 Ram 1500 RHO: The Everyday Desert Runner Ram’s Baja-Inspired Pickup Proves Practical Can Still Be Fun Earlier this week, Ram gave us the opportunity to head out to the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan and get some seat time in the 2026 Ram truck lineup. While there were several standouts, one trim continues to leave an impression: the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO. Having already spent a full week with the RHO earlier this year, I had a good sense of what it brings to the table, but driving it again confirmed why this truck has quickly become one of my personal favorites in the Ram lineup. https://moparinsiders.com/2026-ram-1500-rho-the-everyday-desert-runner/

MagnaFlow Brings xMOD Exhaust to Ram 1500 RHO Now You Can Customize Your RHO's Sound MagnaFlow has rolled out its all-new xMOD Cat-Back Performance Exhaust System designed specifically for the 2025+ Ram 1500 RHO, and it’s not your average aftermarket setup. This system gives Ram’s factory performance truck something enthusiasts have been asking for—a customizable exhaust note with real performance gains. https://moparinsiders.com/magnaflow-brings-xmod-exhaust-to-ram-1500-rho

Stellantis to Invest $41 Million in New Mopar Parts Hub in Georgia Advanced Automation and Nearly 90 UAW Jobs Highlight Major Move Stellantis is doubling down on its commitment to better serve Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, Alfa Romeo, and FIAT owners across the Southeastern U.S. The automaker just announced a more than $41 million investment to build a state-of-the-art Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Forsyth, Georgia. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-to-invest-41-million-in-new-mopar-parts-hub-in-georgia/

Kaulig Racing Signs On As Ram’s First NASCAR Truck Team A Bold New Chapter Begins In 2026 Ram is officially back in NASCAR, and Kaulig Racing will be leading the charge. The team has signed on as the first factory-backed entry for Ram’s highly anticipated return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, starting with the 2026 season. https://moparinsiders.com/kaulig-racing-signs-on-as-rams-first-nascar-truck-team/

HELLCAT Minivan Shocks Woodward And The Drag Strip Rich Benoit’s Town & Country HELLCAT Swap Steals The Show Every once in a while, a build comes along that completely flips the script on what we think a vehicle can be. That’s exactly what Rich Benoit—better known as @Rich Rebuilds—did when he grafted the body of a Chrysler Town & Country minivan onto the full running gear of a Dodge Charger SRT HELLCAT. The end result? The world’s only HELLCAT-powered minivan, and it’s every bit as crazy as it sounds. https://moparinsiders.com/hellcat-minivan-shocks-woodward-and-the-drag-strip/

2026 Jeep® Commander Debuts In South America Refreshed Design, More Tech, and Lower Prices Keep Jeep’s Seven-Seater SUV On Top The Jeep® Commander has pulled the covers off its biggest update yet for the 2026 model year in South America. First launched in 2021, the Commander quickly became a leader among seven-seat SUVs in Brazil, selling more than 70,000 units to date. Now, Jeep is giving the locally developed model a fresh design, more high-tech features, and even sharper pricing to keep it competitive in a growing segment. https://moparinsiders.com/2026-jeep-commander-debuts-in-south-america/

Custom 2008 Plymouth ’Cuda Concept Heads To Barrett-Jackson One-Off Carbon-Fiber Muscle Car Built To Revive The Plymouth Legend When it comes to rare Mopar builds, few cars carry the mystique as this 2008 Plymouth ’Cuda Custom Concept, better known as the BBP Project ’Cuda. Set to cross the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, October 15–18, 2025, this hand-built creation blends modern SRT8 performance with unmistakable E-Body heritage. https://moparinsiders.com/custom-2008-plymouth-cuda-concept-heads-to-barrett-jackson/

Nearly 79,000 Jeep® Wranglers Recalled for TPMS Warning Light Issue Wranglers Face Inspection Over Pinched Antenna Cable Affecting TPMS Sensors Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling approximately 78,989 units of 2024 to 2025 Jeep® Wrangler (JL) vehicles due to a remote start antenna cable that may be pinched. This defect can cause the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light to fail to illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, “Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.” https://moparinsiders.com/nearly-79000-jeep-wranglers-recalled-for-tpms-warning-light-issue/

Alfa Romeo Stuns Monterey With Exclusive 33 Stradale Supercar Italian Icon Reborn Takes Center Stage at Car Week This past week, at the 2025 Monterey Car Week, Alfa Romeo delivered one of the most talked-about debuts on the Peninsula. The reborn Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale—a handcrafted supercar limited to just 33 units worldwide—made its North American premiere, captivating crowds at some of the week’s most prestigious venues. For enthusiasts, collectors, and historians of the brand, it was a rare opportunity to witness the modern rebirth of one of Italy’s most celebrated automotive icons. https://moparinsiders.com/alfa-romeo-stuns-monterey-with-exclusive-33-stradale-supercar/

Jeep® Canada Slashes Prices on 2026 Gladiator Midsize Adventure Truck Now Starts Under $50K CAD Jeep® is making a bold move north of the border, announcing significantly reduced pricing on the 2026 Jeep Gladiator (JT) lineup for the Canadian market. For the new model year, the midsize pickup now starts at just $49,995 CAD MSRP, marking savings of up to $11,400 compared to 2025 models. With destination, air tax, and fees included, the entry-level Gladiator Sport S comes in at $52,290 CAD. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-canada-slashes-prices-on-2026-gladiator/

2026 Jeep® Wagoneer Spied With Uncovered Face New Looks Have Strong Wagoneer S Influence Just over a week after Jeep® teased the premium 2026 Grand Wagoneer, we’re now getting our first clear look at its more mainstream sibling — the 2026 Wagoneer (WS). New spy shots show the updated model completely uncovered, giving us our best view yet of how Jeep is reshaping its full-size SUV lineup. https://moparinsiders.com/2026-jeep-wagoneer-spied-with-uncovered-face/

Alfa’s Road to Redemption Starts with the Dealers CEO Santo Ficili Says Alfa Romeo’s Future Depends on Fixing the Basics First Alfa Romeo has always had one foot in the past and one in the future—its racing pedigree and iconic designs continue to make it one of the most romanticized names in the auto industry. But as the brand aims for relevance in the modern era, its CEO Santo Ficili is keeping both feet firmly planted in reality. https://moparinsiders.com/alfas-road-to-redemption-starts-with-the-dealers/