2013 Dodge Challenger R/t Classic Coupe 2-door on 2040-cars

Auto blog

FCA UConnect fiasco could set over-the-air updates back years

Since cars have become more software dependent, most major automakers have been inching toward enabling over-the-air updates to keep vehicle electronics, ranging from infotainment systems to safety features, current. But there are only two car companies — Fiat Chrysler and Ford —± currently doing OTA updates, and on a limited basis. GM CEO Mary Barra announced last summer that the automaker will launch a new EV architecture and infotainment system capable of over-the-air updates "before 2020." The one exception, per usual, is Tesla. Since the release of the Model S almost six years ago, the maverick EV automaker has made routine OTA software updates a core part of its vehicle platforms and value proposition, and has sent out updates for everything from adjusting ride height to enabling Autopilot, largely without incident. When I've asked automakers why they can't do the same thing, I've heard reasons ranging from running afoul of their dealers (and archiac regulation) to security concerns. Automakers like Ford and General Motors say they want to act like tech companies, which routinely send out OTA updates for a wide range of devices, but overall the car industry still moves at a very cautious snail's pace. And when automakers do try to move faster and take more risks — unlike with a smartphone update, which people bitch about but live with — the consequences can be significant when things go wrong. That's the case with Fiat Chrysler America and its recent public-relations nightmare when an OTA update went awry. The update went out at the end of last week for the Uconnect system in late-model vehicles, and it made head units go into a near continuous reboot, which caused owners to not only lose access to entertainment features, but also critical functions like emergency assistance. Almost immediately, owners took to Twitter to express outrage, and FCA was caught flatfooted. A tweet went out on Monday on the UconnectCares Twitter account that read, "Certain 2017 & 2018 Uconnect systems may experience a reboot every 45-60 seconds. Our Engineering teams are investigating the cause and working towards a resolution.

eBay Find of the Day: Viper Defender from '90s TV show

As car lovers, it's always hard to find a good television show with decent cars, but what the 1990s show Viper lacked in acting, scripting and plot, it more than made up for with cool cars. For starters, the lead car was a Dodge Viper RT/10, but, on screen, it was able to morph into its "Defender" mode making it an armored coupe with a full arsenal of weapons.
Fortunately, you don't have to be a fan of the bad show to love its lead car, and if you really want one, a Defender is up for auction right now on eBay. According to the listing, this car is the real deal - not a clone - and it comes with a V8 engine (not sure what happened to the V10?) and plenty of swag and memorbilia. No word on its actual asking price, but with a day left and 42 bids already, the reserve has not been met at $133,400. The listing does add that this same car was listed at Mecum back in 2010, but did not get sold, even with a bid of $270,000.

Ron Burgundy returns for four more Dodge Durango ads

Dodge has released several more of its Anchorman 2-themed commercials, starring Will Ferrell as inept newsreader Ron Burgundy. The four spots, one of which is a sequel to a previous commercial, follow roughly the same pattern as previous ads, with Ferrell's Burgundy misunderstanding or generally making a fool of himself. For some of the ads, though, Burgundy is selling more than just Durangos - the red-suited host of San Diego's most watched news broadcast shilling the entire Dodge lineup.
We've included all four ads down below, and you can also hope over to our original posts to see some of the older commercials. Oh, and if you're getting tired of these - we aren't, aside from the Do-dge spot - just remember that Ferrell reportedly filmed around 70 ads for Dodge.