We spent the last two days on the floor of the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, hanging out at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) exhibit. The core Mopar brands, share the largest exhibit at the entire show. So lets breakdown what you will see if you attend this year’s Chicago Auto Show.
First off, the Ram brand brought the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Multi-Function Tailgate. We will be doing a more in-depth review of this new tailgate design. But from what we can see, its a simple and smart idea for those who use their half-ton pickups as actual vehicles for work or play.
Ram introduced the 2019 Ram Chassis Cabs at the show. Available in 3500, 4500 and 5500 configurations Ram engineers set out to make the 2019 Ram Chassis Cabs the most capable, luxurious and hardest working Chassis cabs in the business. With sweeping engineering changes, new styling and interiors and the addition of the Limited trim level the Ram team accomplished just what they set out to do.
Ram also rolled out the new 2019 Ram 5500 Limited Crew Cab Chassis Cab. Marking the first time Ram has ever done a luxury Chassis Cab configuration. Up to now, the Laramie was the highest trim level available. Well after doing clinics and listening to their customers who haul or tow things such as horse trailers, race car haulers and large pleasure boats that need more than a 3500 offering, Ram has created the ultimate luxury tow rig.
Chrysler had many Pacificas on display including the new 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited 35th Anniversary package with the S Appearance Package. While the 35th Anniversary is more of an added content package, it offers some nice interior touches that make it stand out from an equally equipped model without the Anniversary package. Of course, they had the Chrysler Historical Collection’s 1984 Plymouth Voyager also on display to help celebrate. While the Chrysler part of the exhibit featured a ton of different Chrysler Pacifica models we haven’t seen, the same white 2019 Chrysler 300 S from the Detroit show was sitting in the corner by itself. We were surprised at the 300S since more people seemed to be checking out the large four-door sedan than the two minivans sitting next to it. (ADVERTISE THIS CAR MORE CHRYSLER!)
The Fiat brand was smack dab in the middle of the 116,000+ sq. Foot FCA exhibit. While the Fiat brand is showcasing the new 2019 Fiat 500X. Other cars that were featured were the brand’s Abarth offerings of the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. The brand had no problem boasting about their standard turbo engine lineup for all 2019 models.
The Dodge brand quietly rolled out a pair of Sublime cars for the media to see. While you walked into the Dodge part of the exhibit, they were the first thing you could see because they stuck out so well. They were surrounded by other high-impact colors like an IndiGo Blue Dodge Charger SXT AWD, a Plum Crazy Dodge Charger GT RWD and a Triple-Nickel Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT Redeye.
Dodge also brought a few new 2019 Dodge Durango models to show as well. Now for those who don’t know, last month Ford released their new Ford Explorer at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Included was the new 2020 Ford Explorer Interceptor which is built in Chicago. Now Detroit is home to the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) that produces the Dodge Durango. So what did we happen to find sitting in the middle of the Dodge exhibit in the Explorer’s hometown? A brand-new 2019 Dodge Durango Pursuit. We think there might have been something behind that one!
Of course, we can’t leave out the Jeep brand. While the Jeep part of the FCA display didn’t consist of a ton of Jeep models. There were four all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiators on display for the public to see. Jeep did set up an off-road course for its various Trailhawk and Wrangler Rubicon models to show the public what they are capable of. While we were there, Compass Trailhawks, Grand Cherokee Trailhawks, and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons were carrying members of the media around the Jeep off-road course. Jeep also had part of there exhibit featuring Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar with the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Nacho Concept in the center of it.
Mopar also has their display between the Dodge and Ram parts of the exhibit, featuring a wall of the latest Mopar aftermarket accessories as well as the Mopar-Modified Jeep Gladiator Concept on display. Mopar also introduced the Mopar-Modified 2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn 4×4 Off-Road Concept this morning.
Jeep wasn’t the only one with a driving course this year. For all those attending this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the Ram brand also has a course set up for the public to receive rides in various trims of the brand’s 4×4 models.
The Chicago Auto Show opens to the public, this Saturday, February 9th and runs till the 18th. The show begins at 10:00 am and goes to 10:00 pm every day (except the last, when it closes at 8:00 pm). The show is held at McCormick Place right in Downtown Chicago. For more information and to buy tickets in advance, go to ChicagoAutoShow.com.
Stay tuned to MoparInsiders.com for more photos and video from the Chicago Auto Show floor.
