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Stellantis reveals STLA Large platform with EV and ICE support

Hot on the heels of a Jeep Wagoneer S teaser and photos of the prototype next-generation Dodge Charger (or Challenger), comes a reveal and details of what will likely underpin both of them: the STLA Large platform. It's one of multiple Stellantis flexible architectures that will be the basis of its upcoming electric cars, and apparently internal combustion ones, too. Stellantis says the STLA Large platform will be for D- and E-segment cars, crossovers and SUVs. In other words, it will be for midsize and large vehicles. For reference, lengths supported will be from 187.6 to 201.8 inches, and width will range from 74.7 to 79.9 inches. It will be highly flexible, too, with Stellantis claiming significant amounts of adjustability in overhangs, wheelbase, suspension placement and powertrain arrangement. The powertrain flexibility is quite impressive. Front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts will be supported. Single- and dual-motor layouts will be on offer. Internal combustion will be available, too, either on its own or as a hybrid. Apparently engines can be fitted either longitudinally or transversely, too. Battery packs with between 85 and 118 kWh of capacity will be offered, with Stellantis claiming that sedan-style vehicles could have a range of up to 500 miles. The packs will also be available in 400- and 800-volt designs. Stellantis noted also that the platform can "easily accept future energy storage technologies when they reach production readiness." This seems to hint that the company is looking at different battery chemistries and maybe even solid-state batteries that could be added more easily in the future. Furthermore, the platform is designed to handle impressive output. Stellantis says that some models on the platform will have 0-to-62 mph times in the 2-second range. Limited-slip differentials for improved power delivery and wheel-end disconnects for reduced mechanical drag are also on the table for this platform. All of these details fit well with the information previously given for the concept Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee and Jeep Wagoneer S. The former was previewed with both battery voltage architectures and a wide range of electric powertrains with between 456 and 670 horsepower depending on specification and upgrades. And that's just for the 400-volt system; the 800-volt option wasn't detailed. We've also seen photos of the Charger chassis seemingly with provisions for gas engines, likely versions of the Hurricane I6.

FCA will pay you to hack its systems

FCA is willing to pay you to hack its cars, as long as you tell the company how you did it. In an effort to enhance cybersecurity and prevent future incidents like the Jeep Cherokee hack last year, FCA announced it's working with Bugcrowd to find vulnerabilities in its vehicle software. Bugcrowd labels itself as a crowdsourced application security testing company. Users, or independent security researchers as Bugcrowd calls them, can find exploits or vulnerabilities in FCA systems. They then submit the information to Bugcrowd, who in turn supplies the info to FCA. The goal is to update systems and close any possible security breaches. FCA is offering bounties from $150 to $1,500 to any Mr. Robot types, with payment based on the size and severity of the flaw. FCA wants hackers to focus specifically on the UConnect website and the company's iOS and Android apps. No bounties will be given for anything outside the scope of those three things. Bugcrowd says it will not take any legal action against anyone who submits an exploit. While we think it's good that the company is taking steps to address these problems, it's not a groundbreaking maneuver. Other companies employ similar systems. Earlier this year, both Tesla and Uber announced that they're willing to offer up to $10,000 to hackers who find vulnerabilities in their system. For years, Microsoft has been paying hackers to find exploits. It also seems that FCA took its time to announce this plan, considering the Jeep hack happened nearly a year ago. If the partnership works, we can expect other automakers to make similar deals. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: FCA, Bugcrowd Jeep Safety Technology Infotainment Smartphone FCA

FCA is setting a five-year strategy: Here's how the last one played out

We're slightly more than four years removed from Sergio Marchionne last five-year plan for FCA, a tell-all where the Italian-American automaker divulged its plans for the 2014 through 2018 model years. It was a grand affair, where Sergio told FCA investors that all was right in Auburn Hills, Alfa Romeo and Maserati were making comebacks, and the fifth-gen Dodge Viper received a mid-cycle refresh. You can read every last one of those past predictions right here. We're on our way to Europe to see Sergio's sequel, coming out Friday straight from FCA's Italian headquarters. (Bloomberg reports a plan to expand Jeep and Ram globally, combine Alfa Romeo and Maserati into a single division for an eventual spinoff, and downsizing Fiat and Chrysler. Also, EVs.) But before we arrive in Italy and find out exactly what Marchionne has planned for 2019 through 2023 as his last act as CEO, let's take a minute to tally up the results of his last term based on the same scoresheet we used in 2014. Now, we're only five months into 2018, so much of this — including vehicles like the Ram HD and Jeep Grand Wagoneer — could still debut this year. For those, we'll mark things TBD. We're not going to draw any conclusions or make any objectionable remarks. We're simply going to let the stats speak for themselves.