Random news Jalopnik seems to have missed but other auto sites hadnt

"LJ909" (lj909)
01/17/2018 at 14:13 • Filed to: None

Image: Motor Trend

Kia Telluride heading to production: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! reports that the handsome Telluride concept from 2016 is heading to production. Handsome and square, it has 3 rows and will slot above the Sorrento. Borrego redux?

Speaking of Kia, a diesel Sorento is coming: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is reporting that Kia is bringing a diesel Sorento to market by the end of 2018. They are predicting that it will be the 2.2-liter turbo diesel inline-four that the Sorento gets in Europe. That engine makes 197 horses and a healthy as hell 325 ft/lbs of torque.

Sergio spills the beans on FCA’s future: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is reporting on some info FCA boss Sergio Marchoinne gave at the NAIS regarding FCA’s future plans. Here’s what they learned:

A 3 row Alfa SUV is coming before 2022. He also stated that not further developing Alfa and Maserati would be “financially suicidal” for FCA.

A Pacifica based crossover is finally coming with him saying they can get it up and running within 18 months.

Ferrari’s SUV is coming at the end of 19' or early 20'.

The Wrangler pickup is coming late 2019.

He doesnt think a Colorado/Ranger/Tacoma competitor would work for Ram and stated “we have not found an economic way to get this done.”

No more building Jeeps in Mexico.

Apparently hes given up on a merger and doesnt think it will happen, and if it did it wont happen while hes there.

His successor is going to be named soon. One name mentioned to take over for him is the ironically named Mike Manley who is over Jeep and Ram.

For 2018 the Kia Soul EV gets a range boost: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! thanks to a boost in capacity in its battery pack.

An X3 diesel and M model are coming: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! at the South Carolina plant. No word on the diesel specifics yet, but the “X3M” has been seen testing and it would only make sense seeing as there is a GLC63 AMG.

DISCUSSION (17)

Wobbles the Mind > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 15:12

See, I keep you all ahead of the game.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/kia-telluride-confirmed-for-production-and-likely-to-re-1818485572

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 15:16

I hate what Sergio is doing to Ferrari. If they want to boost production, just make more cars! You do not need an SUV for that. There are already more buyers than production. I would rather Ferrari keep production limited but that doesn’t work for the stock market.

However, I am cringing at the thought of the head of RAM running the show. Hopefully he will appoint someone worth a damn at Ferrari instead of micromanaging the best brands under FCA like Sergio. Dark days ahead!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
01/17/2018 at 15:17

PS, I really like that KIA. Hopefully the production version isn’t too watered down from the concept!

OPPOsaurus WRX > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 15:19

I saw the SoulEV at the Boston Auto show. It looks odd with the plastic cover over the grill

LJ909 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
01/17/2018 at 15:21

Yea I hate that Ferrari is stubborn in their production numbers, but willing to dillute the brand with a me too SUV.

LJ909 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
01/17/2018 at 15:22

Yea if the Stinger is any indication that SUV should come to market handsome as hell.

LJ909 > OPPOsaurus WRX
01/17/2018 at 15:23

Looks like a movie prop in some near future movie.

Arrivederci > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 15:44

Love that Telluride concept - hope they keep their stream of handsome cars coming. I never thought I’d own a Kia, but I already really like my wife’s Sorento, it’s a great rig with tremendous value.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
01/17/2018 at 15:49

At best it’s going to have more cladding, conventional lights, a regular rear door, and a higher beltline.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 16:16

Here’s to hoping!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 16:18

Exactly, it makes no sense. I understand the limited production to keep but brand “special” but why would you ruin that with an SUV. Most everyone on the forums are pissed haha

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
01/17/2018 at 16:19

I’m ok with most of that if they keep it pretty boxy. I dislike the amorphous blob CUV trend haha

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 16:23

A Pacifica based crossover is finally coming with him saying they can get it up and running within 18 months.

And so the Pacifica returns to its roots. I wonder what it will be called - maybe the Town & Country for maximum irony?

The Wrangler pickup is coming late 2019.

He doesnt think a Colorado/Ranger/Tacoma competitor would work for Ram and stated “we have not found an economic way to get this done.”

I don’t see how a small truck for RAM doesn’t make financial sense when apparently it does for Jeep. Maybe Jeep people are more willing to spend a fortune?

LJ909 > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!)
01/17/2018 at 16:28

Yea even though I dont care for crossovers, I hope this thing is going to Chrysler. They badly need another vehicle in their literal 2 car lineup. I think Town & Country would work as a crossover name though

From the article though it seems that they are going to look into a new age Dakota for Ram, but they feel that its a market segment they dont need to be in and I kind of agree. For one, no one has really been asking for a midsize pickup from them, and the coming Jeep pickup would just create not needed internal competition.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > LJ909
01/17/2018 at 16:31

has james may drivin a jaguar off the side of the telluride yet?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!)
01/17/2018 at 16:32

it doesnt make sense for ram BECAUSE jeep is doing it

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
01/18/2018 at 11:50

I’m going to disagree with you there. “we have not found an economic way to get this done.” sounds more like ‘we can’t make it cheap enough to make money on it’ than ‘we can’t compete with our other division.’ Jeeps sells for a premium for the level of engineering they have, which means a lot of profit.