My opinion on the FCA rumors

"WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe" (wesbarton89)
08/26/2015 at 18:40 • Filed to: None

As a nearly lifelong Dodge guy, I feel like I should probably weigh in on its offerings, as well as its stablemates.

In no particular order

SRT Durango: I can’t say yes enough to this idea. For some time it seemed as though Dodge was going to axe the Durango, and I can’t understand why, especially as a two-time first-gen Durango owner. I don’t believe they would invest the necessary funds into a vehicle that they’re going to just get rid of. So, from rumors, it’s the 6.4L Hemi, and not the 6.2L S/C variant, but I don’t think that’s a problem. In my (likely biased) opinion, the Durango, especially in R/T guise, is the best looking SUV on the market today, and far and away better than the awful, clunky looking second-gen. The first-gen had a rugged look, and I love the way they drive. The second one is just blocky, too big, and well, I don’t consider it a worthy Durango. The current ones though, especially with the racetrack LED tails and the 8-speed auto, they’re awesome. So, an SRT version, with a front fascia treatment, if possible, to mimic the upper-trimmed Chargers, I would be in love with. I could not afford one, but I would certainly have inappropriate dreams about it.

Dart GLH: Again, yes to this. Rumored 300hp with AWD? That I can get behind. I almost got a 2013 Dart when they first came out, but way too high monthly payments for what I could do at the time. I think, despite being a little disappointing based on reviews, that they’re sharp looking cars. They do have a proper manual available though, as well as good gas mileage, and three different engine options. Another engine there, and with the added AWD, it could be a good Focus ST competitor for sure. Maybe not quite Focus RS level, but possibly somewhere in between ST and RS. And starting under $20k? That’s a bargain. Also, a 1.8L turbo-four producing 300hp is nothing to sneeze at. Maybe not Ford EB levels of power, but they’re knocking at the door.

Jeep GC Trackhawk: Another good idea. 0-60 in 2.7 seconds? That is blistering speed, if it’s accurate, which with AWD and launch control, could be. Even the 3.5 second number being thrown around, for an SUV, is beyond admirable. Jeep needs to build this, and build lots of them, and make them look insane.

1999-based Charger: This could be good, depending on how much inspiration they take from the concept. The concept was a four-door design but had clear coupe-like proportions, and foreshadowed the door scallops that arrived in 2011. If they modernized it a bit, then it would definitely be a good look. Someone in the comments section of the FP posted this as the new Charger.

I can see some BMW i8 in the headlamps here, and a bit of 6th-gen Camaro in the lower grille opening, but generally, I like it. I have no way of knowing if this is in fact authentic, but if it is, I would have few complaints about it.

Dodge ‘Cuda: First off, the name. I don’t know how people will react to Dodge using its late brother’s model name on one of its own cars. I also don’t know how people will react to it possibly being sold alongside the Challenger as a smaller car. Of course, we all know that the original Chally and ‘Cuda were twins, and were downright insane in their own days. Beyond that, though, I’m hopeful.

It’s supposed to be smaller than the Challenger, and available in coupe and convertible variants. Since Fiat is using Miata architechture on their 124, I’m hoping that perhaps stretch and modify the chassis a little and use it for this car. Keep it RWD, small, available with a manual, and with Dodge looks, performance and powertrains, it could be a very big, very good deal for FCA.

Challenger ADR (American Drag Racing): 315s? 1,000+ HP? Dodge is crazy enough to absolutely go through with this. And if they do, I will applaud them, and gift to them 10 oil barrels filled with testosterone. It just sounds killer.

Challenger T/A: Umm yes. Bring back the snorkel hood, ducktail spoiler, and we’re talking. It apparently also has a revised suspension, as well as a rear-seat delete. This could be a real track-killer. I want to see this thing.

The rest, I haven’t really thought much about. These are just the ones I’m most excited about. Bring it, FCA. Rock on.

DISCUSSION (14)

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 18:46

Take the poll if you haven’t already: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/poll-fca-rumor…

Please.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
08/26/2015 at 18:51

Already took it! :D

Sam > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 18:51

I just think it’s strange that they would completely redesign the Charger so soon after the facelifted it.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 18:55

Thanks, the results so far are... interesting.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Sam
08/26/2015 at 18:57

Well from what I understand, this is for 2017-2018. It’s already on a 10+ year old platform. By the time the new one rolls around, the refresh will be 2-3 years old. It only kept the last style from 2011-2014. The LX Charger debuted in 2005, as a 2006MY. That lasted until 2010. This seems right in line with that.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 19:04

Since Fiat is their parent company, I wouldn’t mind seeing them do some kind of little Dodge Hot Hatch...Maybe something we can’t get here like a re-badged Abarth Punto.... call it a Colt GTi or Dodge Switchblade or Stinger something else coo. Plenty of fun old names to pull from......Just don’t let it suck Dodge, that’s all we ask.

Kinja'd!!!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/26/2015 at 19:06

They could do a Dart hatch. Maybe call it the Dodge Dart Bullseye.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 19:09

I’m most interested in the Dart, as a Subaru fan it’d be interesting to see how the chassis and AWD system compares to the WRX/STi.

RazoE > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 19:43

Kinja'd!!!

Now this, I like..

ChooChooMotherFudger > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 19:45

As a fellow mopar guy, I am pretty excited, but also worried. They have let us down before, and I was worried till they announced the Hellcat horsepower, and having driven my dad’s (best thing ever!) I am less worried. But I still wonder how many of these will ever see the light of day. I would love to see the Cuda, but I am not holding my breath.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > ChooChooMotherFudger
08/26/2015 at 19:56

Yeah, they have let us down, but I think most of the letdowns have been pre-FCA. As it stands right now, they’ve been pretty good about delivering on their promises lately.

Hot Takes Salesman > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/26/2015 at 20:14

Challenger T/A plus Continental Tire Sports Car Championship= much win

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/27/2015 at 15:01

as I have said many a time in the past; FCA has become THE go-to brand if you love speed, style, and have a very “happy go lucky” attitude to life.

It's the brand for the guy or gal who appreciates engineering, and adores having the machine come first, and the machine's profitability second

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
08/27/2015 at 15:10

I agree wholeheartedly. After the Daimler and Cerberus disasters, the Fiat merger really got Dodge turned around, and relatively quickly as well. It really breathed new life into them. Their marketing team is top-notch as well. Their ‘Predators’ commercial? (The one with “In The Air Tonight” gives me chills every single time I see it. Their Dodge Brothers 100 year anniversary commercials were also quite awesome.

Plus, Ralph Gilles? The man is a saint, and FCA are extremely lucky to have him on their payroll. The man is a true enthusiast, and one of the most unbiased, respectable people in the automotive industry.