1958 Fiat 500 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.

Fiat Doblo Cargo is an Italian Ram Promaster City

Meet the new Fiat Doblò Cargo, the Italian cousin of the recently debuted Ram ProMaster City. As part of the Fiat Professional line, we wouldn't count on seeing this one on US shores, but as Fiat Chrysler's compact cargo entry in Europe, expect to see plenty of the mini haulers across the pond following its debut at the Hanover Motor Show.
This isn't a full-tilt redesign for the Doblò Cargo, so much as it is a significant refresh that sees the compact cargo van adopt a new, more stylish front fascia, which borrows inspiration from the larger Ducato van, sold Stateside as the Ram ProMaster. While it's not terribly handsome, it is a major improvement on the awkward looks of the pre-facelift Doblò. Its links with the ProMaster City, meanwhile, are plain to see.
Unlike North America's ProMaster City, which runs on Chrysler's 2.4-liter, Tigershark four-cylinder, the Doblò Cargo is available with a pair of diesel engines; a 90-horsepower, 1.3-liter and a 105-hp, 1.6-liter. While those two mills are sure to be easy on fuel costs, they can be made even better thanks to an optional stop-start system. These so-called "EcoJet" engines can return up to 64 miles per gallon, according to Fiat.

Marchionne uses racial epithet to describe what must power future Alfa Romeo models

Sergio Marchionne and his Fiat empire have a lot riding on the US return of the Alfa Romeo brand. The endeavor has been in progress for what feels like a lifetime - certainly for as long as Fiat has had the Chrysler brand under its Italian wing.
It's not surprising that Fiat CEO Marchionne needs a perfect first Alfa to mark a return to America. And here's where things get dicey. Nobody would argue with Marchionne's insistence that Alfa Romeo's be powered by Italian engines - as Marchionne himself is quoted to have said at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, "There are some things that are well done in Italy."
If not what he said, then, it's how he said it that has eyebrows raised. "I cannot come up with a schlock product, I just won't. I won't put an American engine into that car. With all due respect to my American friends, it needs to be a wop engine." Wait, what's that?