2015 Dodge Journey R/t on 2040-cars

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Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont engine-cover recall affects 350k CUVs

FCA is recalling 349,731 examples of the 2011-2015 Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont worldwide to better secure their engine covers. Of these affected vehicles, there are 144,416 in the US, 43,679 in Canada, 46,231 in Mexico, and 115,405 elsewhere. About 10 percent of them are also still at dealers, according to the automaker. Only models with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine are affected by this campaign. According to the company, the engine covers on these vehicles can be dislodged, and this can pose a fire risk if the loose part comes in contact with hot exhaust components. Warning signs of this happening include a noise under the hood, burning smell or a light on the instrument panel. The problem was discovered after three incidents on rough roads in Chile, and there was one minor injury there. According to FCA US spokesperson Eric Mayne to Autoblog, there have been eight occurrences of this issue reported in the US, but these were all related to "heat damage." There have been no reported injuries here. To fix the problem, dealers will install new engine-cover retainers on the affected models. These repairs will begin in August. As always for recall repairs, owners won't be charged. Statement: Engine Cover July 22, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 144,416 crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) in the U.S. to better secure their engine covers. Engine covers in certain vehicles may become dislodged. If they come in contact with exhaust components, it may pose a fire risk. This condition was discovered during an FCA US investigation of three incidents in Chile. In each case, the vehicle had been driven extensively on unpaved or uneven surfaces. The Company is aware of a single related injury, described as minor. Affected are 2011-2015 Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont CUVs equipped with 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engines. FCA US will install upgraded engine-cover retainers in these vehicles. The remedy will be available when customer notification begins next month; service will be performed free of charge. Vehicles equipped with six-cylinder engines are not affected. Additional Journey and Freemont populations also are subject to this campaign. They comprise an estimated 43,679 vehicles in Canada; 46,231 in Mexico; and 115,405 outside the NAFTA region. Of the 349,731 total vehicles subject to this campaign, approximately 10 percent remain in dealer hands.

Stellantis not looking for further mergers, including with Renault

MILAN — Stellantis Chairman John Elkann on Monday denied the carmaker was hatching merger plans, responding to press speculation about a possible French-led tie-up with rival Renault. Elkann said that the Peugeot owner, the world's third largest carmaker by sales, was focused on the execution of its long-term business plan. "There is no plan under consideration regarding merger operations with other manufacturers," said Elkann, who also heads Exor, the Agnelli family holding company that is the largest single shareholder in Stellantis. After abandoning the Russian market, at the time its second largest after France, and reducing the scope of its global cooperation with Nissan, Renault has been seen as a potential M&A target. Speculation intensified after an electric vehicle market slowdown forced it last week to cancel IPO plans for its EV and software unit Ampere. Its market cap remains stubbornly low at little over 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) despite a financial recovery over the past few years. Stellantis, the product of a 2021 merger between France's PSA and Fiat Chrysler and one of the most profitable groups in the industry, has a market cap of more than 85 billion euros when unlisted shares are factored in. It has a 14 brand portfolio also including Citroen, Jeep, Opel and Alfa Romeo. NEWSPAPER REPORT Italian daily Il Messaggero had said on Sunday that the French government, which is Renault's largest shareholder and also has a stake in Stellantis, was studying plans for a merger between the two groups. A spokeswoman for Renault said on Monday the group did not comment on rumors. France's Finance Ministry had declined to comment on Sunday. Stellantis has crossed swords with the Italian government, which has accused it of acting against the national interest on occasions. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso last week raised the prospect of the Italian government taking a stake in Stellantis to help to balance the French influence. Renault shares pared gains after Elkann's comments to stand 1.2% higher by 1220 GMT, having initially risen more than 4%. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, a Portuguese-national, last week said in an interview with Bloomberg that the group was "ready for any kind of consolidation" and that its job was to make sure that it would be "one of the winners". Analysts, however, question the rationale of a Stellantis-Renault merger, which would also expand the group's excess capacity in Europe.

Dodge Scat Pack for 5.7L Hemi V8 detailed, priced

Dodge revived the Scat Pack name back in November at the 2013 SEMA show. At the time, though, we were short of details on forthcoming upgrade packages, which were destined to add some oomph to the Challenger, Charger and Dart. We're still waiting to hear about the upgrades to the Dart's 2.4-liter four-pot, but Dodge has gone ahead and released the details on the upgrades to the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the Challenger and Charger R/T.
As we detailed in our original post, three different Scat Packs will be available that will allow customers to upgrade their cars without voiding the warranties. Starting with the $2,195 Stage 1 kit, owners will net an extra 18 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque thanks to a Mopar-branded cold-air intake, exhaust and ECU ref lash. Stage 1 is also the only package that could be installed outside of a Chrysler-authorized service center without voiding the warranty (a mechanically competent owner could even do it at home, we're told by Dodge). Stage 2 builds on the entry level Scat Pack, and adds performance camshaft kit, which boosts output over the stock 5.7 by up to 30 hp for $1,895. As with the Stage 1, the ECU is tweaked.
For those that want to go whole hog, they can add the Stage 3 for $4,995. The top-tier gets quite serious, adding CNC-ported cylinder heads, as well as high-flow headers and cats. Output over stock is 58 hp and 47 lb-ft of torque. Each kit comes with a pair of badges, just in case owners want a bit of visual flair.