2007 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab Hemi Lone Star Texas 1 on 2040-cars

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FCA adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to Uconnect

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has three showcases ready for this week's Consumer Electronics Show. The spotlight reveal is a "glimpse" of the fourth-generation Uconnect system, which now gets Apple CarPlay and Google's Android Auto. They lead the advances due to be rolled out this year, which include beefier internals for faster startup and processing, the next evolution of the Uconnect navigation system, capacitive touchscreens, and higher resolution screens. Going beyond the vehicle, a concept display will present solutions to help drivers achieve "Car. Life. Balance." That means, as we've heard before, a car that knows what you want before you realized you wanted it via monitoring your driving habits, communicating with other vehicles and traffic infrastructure, and prioritizing information in certain situations to keep the driver from being overwhelmed. A Waze-like community of road knowledge is also on the menu, and it allows for tagging of tag street conditions to inform other vehicles, and a follow-me mode where people can "request to follow other vehicles." Government types will want to scope out the 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit with an exclusive Uconnect system boasting a 12.1-inch screen and enhanced resolution that can speak to the officer's mobile computer. Have a read of the press release below for more details. FCA Announces New Fourth-Generation Uconnect® Systems at 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las VegasLatest technology advancements help provide Car. Life. Balance.• Uconnect team announces fourth-generation Uconnect systems featuring improved performance; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ will be available globally in select models during 2016• CES attendees will experience a digital technology concept display that explores future intelligent transportation• FCA exhibit to feature concept brought to reality, the Uconnect 12.1-inch built-in touchscreen that enables integration of law enforcement computer systems with the industry standard Uconnect touchscreen systemJanuary 4, 2016 - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. and its subsidiary FCA US LLC are heading to the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas with a display featuring the latest technology advancements in FCA vehicles and will provide a glimpse of the new fourth-generation Uconnect system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto."The Uconnect team is evolving Uconnect and making it even better," said Joni Christensen, Head of Uconnect Marketing, FCA US LLC.

Dodge unveils Special Service Durango for government fleets

Straight off its refresh, the Dodge Durango is slipping back into its dress blues and getting back to work. The 2014 Dodge Durango Special Service Vehicle boasts all the refinements and improvements that the refreshed, civilian-spec model received, most notably a 15-percent improvement in fuel economy.
Designed for police and fire departments, and as Chrysler's answer to the Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Chevrolet Tahoe PPV in the growing service SUV market, the Durango boasts a 600-mile range, thanks to the addition of an eight-speed automatic, available on both the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Equipped with the 360-horsepower Hemi, the Durango SSV can tow up to 7,400 pounds (the V6 is limited to 6,200 pounds).
Police and fire department Durangos get a few special features over the civilian models. The electric systems are ruggedized, with a heavy duty battery and a 220-amp alternator in place, while the engine's water pump and oil cooler are both stronger. The brakes are tougher, and a load-leveling suspension has been fitted, too.

Chrysler recalling 31k SUVs and vans

Chrysler is issuing recalls covering roughly 31,700 vehicles worldwide due to two separate problems. In both cases the company believes that most of the affected vehicles are either still on, or in transit to, dealer lots.
One recall covers roughly 10,700 Dodge Durango, Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT models from the 2014 model year built between January 16 and April 17, 2014. The SUVs need a software update for the cruise control. It's possible that when the cruise is on and the driver presses on the throttle, the acceleration could last a second after the pedal is released or two seconds for the SRT. Afterward, they return to the speed originally set by the driver.
Chrysler says it isn't aware of any accidents, injuries or even reported incidents of this happening in the real world. Also, in all cases, if the driver presses on the brake, the cruise shuts off. The automaker believes that there are about 6,100 affected SUVs in the US, 950 in Canada, 425 in Mexico and 3,200 outside of North America. The software upgrade will be ready shortly, the company says.