2014 Ram 3500 Laramie on 2040-cars

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Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn Southfork Edition returns for 2022

Ram has steadily banged out packages and upgrades this year for the 2022 1500 pickup. So far we've had the Mopar-assisted G/T, the off-road ready Backcountry, the luxed-up, celebratory Limited 10th Anniversary, and new Uconnect 5 infotainment. At the same time, the brand that topped the 2021 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study has reworked how options and packages can be combined in order to keep the assembly lines running. Mopar Insiders reports that there's another special package coming for next year called the Longhorn Southfork Edition. This returns a name last seen in 2018 on the Laramie Longhorn Southfork Edition, but for next year it starts with the top standard trim to become the Limited Longhorn Southfork Edition.  Three years ago, the Southfork made do with a couple special colors and lots of extra leather and suede. Since this new one starts with the Limited there will be plenty of hide, as well as suede in places like the door bolsters, plus laser filigree detailing and a Mopar bright pedal kit. The special interior hue is called Mountain Brown. But the 2022 Southfork gets a tad more rugged utility, the Bed Utility Group comprising Mopar's deployable bed step, four adjustable tie-down hooks, and pick-up bed LED lighting, as well as a spray-in bedliner and Ram's Multifunction tailgate. The package sticks with the standard 20-inch painted and polished wheel, here wrapped in Falken Wildpeak A/T tires that usually require adding the Off-Road Group.   MI's dealer sources say the Limited Longhorn Southfork Edition will start at $1,295. Assuming the 2022 Ram 1500 Limited pricing doesn't increase from its present $62,645 after destination and the package can be bought standalone, a buyer can get away for around $63,940 if opting for the sole no-cost exterior color of Ivory White Tri-Coat.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Sunday Drive: And now for something completely different

This past week played host to a wide assortment of automotive news, highlighted by our first drive of the 2018 Volvo XC40. The Swedish crossover is targeted at young, successful Millennials, but it offers cool styling, fun dynamics, and all of today's must-have technology, so we think it ought to appeal to a much wider swath of the automotive marketplace. From there we answer the question, "What are hard on the outside and soft on the inside?" as we take a look at the next Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV. We expect the German automaker's flagship luxury SUV to remain boxy on the outside, but the interior is going to be soft, supple, and luxurious. And then there's the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, which starts at starts at $34,290 and boasts 212 total system horsepower, 232 pound-feet of torque, 47 miles of electric driving range, and a total range of 340 miles. EPA rates it at 110 MPGe in EV mode, and 44 city/40 highway/42 combined overall. We compare it to other plug-ins like the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius Prime. And finally we have some more spy photos of the 2019 Ram 1500. It doesn't have a traditional crosshair grille, but it's got plenty of chrome and an attractive upright stance that's sure to tempt future truck buyers looking for some sophistication to go with their work gloves. As always, stay tuned to Autoblog this week to see all the automotive news that's fit to print. 2018 Volvo XC40 First Drive Review | The Masspirational crossover Mercedes-Benz G-Class gets the luxe, high-tech treatment 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Review | It's what's on the inside that counts 2019 Ram 1500 shows chrome grille and more production parts Green Honda Mercedes-Benz RAM Volvo Technology Truck Crossover SUV Luxury Performance Sedan volvo xc40 sunday drive

The Chrysler brand could be axed under Stellantis management

MILAN — While running NissanÂ’s North American operations from 2009 to 2011, Carlos Tavares had a reputation for closely watching costs with little tolerance for vehicles or ventures that didnÂ’t make money. Experts say that means Tavares, currently the head of PSA Group, is likely to follow that blueprint when he becomes leader of a merged PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The low-performing Chrysler brand might get the axe as could slow-selling cars, SUVs or trucks that lack potential. Already the companies are talking about consolidating vehicle platforms — the underpinnings and powertrains — to save billions in engineering and manufacturing costs. That could mean job losses in Italy, Germany and Michigan as PSA Peugeot technology is integrated into North American and Italian vehicles. “You canÂ’t be cost efficient if you keep the entire scale of both companies,” said Karl Brauer, executive analyst for the iSeeCars.com auto website. “WeÂ’ve seen this show before, and weÂ’re going to see it again where they economize these platforms across continents, across multiple markets.” Shareholders of both companies are to meet Monday to vote on the merger to form the worldÂ’s fourth-largest automaker, to be called Stellantis. The deal received EU regulatory approval just before Christmas. Tavares, who for years has wanted to sell PSA vehicles in the U.S., wonÂ’t take full control of the merged companies until the end of January at the earliest. He likely will target Europe for consolidation first, because thatÂ’s where Fiat vehicles overlap extensively with PSAÂ’s, said IHS Markit Principal Auto Analyst Stephanie Brinley. Europe has been a money-loser for FCA, and factories in Italy are operating way below capacity — a concern for unions, given FiatÂ’s role as the largest private sector employer in the country. “We are at a crossroads,Â’Â’ said Michele De Palma of the FIOM CGIL metalworkersÂ’ union. “Either there is a relaunch, or there is a slow agonizing closure of industry, in particular the auto industry, in Italy.” ItalyÂ’s hopes lie with the luxury Maserati and sporty Alfa Romeo brands, but De Palma said investments are needed to bring hybrid and electric technology up to speed. FiatÂ’s Italian capacity stands at 1.5 million vehicles, but only a few hundred thousand are being produced each year. Most factories were on rolling short-term layoffs due to lack of demand, even before the pandemic.