2013 Dodge cars and Ram trucks: What we know, what we predict
It’s 2013 and the Fiat-Chrysler plan is in full swing. We’ve seen refreshes of the entire North American lineup, and new joint projects are appearing at your local Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership. Most are powered by Chrysler engines, with a scattering of Fiat 1.4 four-cylinders (100-150 hp), Cummins diesels, and one or two experimental diesels. Transmissions are eight-speed automatics for selected rear drive cars and Rams (except chassis cabs), five and six speed automatics for other rear drive vehicles, and six-speed standard and Fiat dual-clutch automatics for four-cylinder cars; for the 2014 model year, the eight and nine speed automatics should sweep away most of the five and six speed units. Here’s what we’ll be seeing:
Note: due to long page load times, we’ve now broken up this section into Chrysler and Jeep on a separate page. Without further ado...
Dodge Viper (to be seen “for real” April 4, 2012)
The 2013 Viper has been announced, yet little is known of it other than its use of a V-10 engine not borrowed from Ferrari, the lack of parts sharing with Ferrari, and hints that the platform might be shared with Maserati’s GranTurismo, which some believe was itself built on a modified LX platform due to certain dimensions and discussions with Daimler before its creation. We believe the Viper will have a more-massaged version of the LA-based V-10 engine it started with, possibly incorporating MultiAir, with a chassis developed with input from Ferrari. Chrysler appears to already be planning on re-entering LeMans, hopefully to repeat their earlier successes.
Dodge Stinger
Dodge’s entry level model is a B-segment hatch smaller than Civic Si or VW GTI, but with enough attitude to hit against those models. This model will most likely be a rework of Fiat’s Grande Punto Abarth or the Alfa MiTo. (Editor’s note: This model would be a reskinned and possibly somewhat retuned Fiat design quite possibly made in Europe It may have been dropped as being too close to 500.)
Dodge Dart
Next up is Dodge’s C-segment 4 door sedan, taking over from the Caliber, and filling the gap vacated by the Neon, this has to hit hard against Civic, Corolla, Cruze, Golf, etc. Derived from the C-EVO platform, along with the Fiat Bravo, Alfa Milano, and others, the Dodge Dart will be built at Belvidere, and debuted in Detroit in January 2012. Mopar once had a huge share of this segment but mis-steps even before DBAG slashed their sales and credibility to the point where most people have forgotten.
Here’s our rendering from 2009 or so...
Here’s the real thing... not too far from UN4GTBL’s rendering; the headlights are more slanted (and rectangular), but if you compare it to the white model below, it’s pretty close. The side of the real thing has no upper crease. The rear shape is similar for both.
Dodge Magnum
A rebirth of the original Dodge Magnum, this time based on the 2011 Charger and primarily made so Lancia can sell a version in Europe. [Ride height and wheels are exaggerated]
Dodge Matador / Avenger
Dodge’s competition for Camry/Accord but with some kick. Dodge’s version of the expanded CUSW (C-EVO US-Wide) platform. (Editor’s note: This model would essentially be a Chrysler design using Fiat dimensions and basic architectures with Chrysler engines and transmissions. It will be a direct replacement for Avenger — and might wear the Avenger name, if the latter sells well in 2011-2012.) It’s expected to start production in summer 2012, but this date might be pushed back.
Update: this car appears to have been dropped, in favor of having the Dodge Dart on one hand and Charger on the other.
Dodge Charger and Challenger
The Charger remains the muscle car with room for the family. The Challenger continues as Dodge’s muscle car. Both have a choice of the Hemi or the Pentastar V6.
Dodge Journey
Continuing as the crossover / wagon entry in North America, the Dodge Journey spawned (in model-year 2012) a sibling for sale in other global markets — the Fiat Freemont, code JF, filling the gap left by the cancelling of the Fiat Ulyssee minivan and possibly also replacing the Multipla.
The Fiat Freemont was discovered by an astute Allpar reader in late 2010, with the usual Pentastar V6, a Fiat 2.0 liter diesel (replacing the Volkswagen engine), a 2.4 liter World Engine, and an “E22” version of the 2.4 liter World Engine. The V6 might not appear in all markets — it appears that the Italian version has no V6.
This version of the Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont are likely to be replaced for either the 2013 or 2014 model year, depending on how quickly the engineers work; the new one will be on the CUSW platform (not surprisingly).
Dodge Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country
With its new re-engineering / refresh, the Town & Country will finally split from the Caravan into larger and smaller models; this has been predicted since 2010. Caravan will emphasize sportiness, while Town & Country will go after the traditional minivan market. (This probably largely depends on the success of the R/T). A new, more powerful engine, possibly a mini-V8, is stuffed into the Caravan R/T.
Dodge Durango
Spinning off of the new Grand Cherokee as the big people mover is the Durango, going head to head with a similarly redesigned Ford Explorer, starting in calendar-year 2011. The rendering below is pretty much dead-on; admittedly it’s based closely on the patent filing.
Ram trucks: Fiat Strada pickup
The Brazilian-built Fiat Strada pickup with a diesel engine gets 44 miles per gallon, hits a top speed of just over 100, does 0-62 in 13.5 seconds. With the standard cab, it has a payload capacity of 1,550 pounds, including the driver, and a five-foot, six-inch long bed. The extended cab has a 1,500-pound payload and a four foot, six-inch bed. Towing capacity is said to be 2,000 pounds.
Li’l Ram Express (Ram Doblo)
Bringing deliveries to your door with either Multi-Air efficiency or electric power, Ram gets its own version of Fiat’s recently revised Doblo. (Editor’s note: a Ram version of the Doblo, quite possibly to simply be called Ram Doblo, has been confirmed.)
Ram Ducato
For fleets and commercial businesses that saw the Sprinter as being too big, expensive, inefficient, or unreliable, the Ram Ducato (unlikely to keep that name) should fit the bill nicely as the replacement. This Chrysler-modified version of the popular Fiat commercial van sits between the Sprinter and Doblo — or, if you prefer, between Sprinter and Transit — providing enough cargo space and capacity for most businesses, not as claustrophobic as the smaller vans, and not overkill like Sprinter. The Ram version of the Ducato is reportedly a definite “go” for calendar year 2012, most likely as a 2013 model but possibly even as a late 2012.
The following two renderings show a “mild” and “wild” interpretation of what our sources claim will be a marriage of Ducato body and chassis with Ram front styling. The lower rendering, via JackRatchett, is more likely to appeal to American aesthetics but requires considerably more of an investment in engineering time and money, as it significantly alters functional parts of the body, whichi can impact safety and assembly. The upper version, from Bill Cawthon, is more likely, despite the unappealing headlights, because it would require a far smaller investment, while still making the Ducato look moderately “Ram-like.” Not using chrome on the grille would also yield something of a savings, while keeping the van “fleety.”
Ram Daily
For fleets and commercial businesses that had made the move to DaimlerChrysler’s Sprinter, the Ram Daily should fit the bill nicely as the successor. (Editor’s note: This model would probably be a Chrysler design using Fiat dimensions and basic architectures.)
Ram pickups and chassis cabs
Pickup changes expected are (maybe) an optional Cummins V8 diesel; the use of an eight-speed automatic with the Pentastar V6; addition of the hybrid Ram 1500. A front end alteration is almost certain, and spy shots captured Rams being tested with new front styling. Dom and others said to look for uConnect 8.4 inch screens, as well. Some sources say a Grand Cherokee-like air suspension will be added as an option, only on the 1500; the 2500 and 3500 might get a more sophisticated, heavy-duty system similar to the one from the Long Hauler.
For chassis cabs, the Cummins V8 is a possibility, at least in the 3500 and 4500 models. A Class 6-8 range is also possible, though extremely unlikely until 2015.
Based on its success as a concept, the Ram 5500 Long Hauler is launched for the 2013 model year. It uses a Kelderman heavy duty air suspension system and extra fuel tanks, and is designed for those who carry heavy loads for very long distances, who want to go without having to refill often.
The Long Hauler used a rolling lobe, primary air spring, located over the axle (not cantilevered on the forward bar from the frame), according to reader Mike V., whereas the Grand Cherokee uses a supplemental spring. MoparNorm wrote, “The air springs will be only on the rear axle, so there won’t be any impact upon turning radius. There will also be no ‘axle shift’ as the panhard bar prevents that and the control arms keep the axle in place front to rear. Look at the rear of a Wrangler or Ram 1500 and just imagine the coil spring replaced by an air spring, or look at the rear axle of most newer semi truck tractors.”
Ram Dakota
The “lifestyle Dakota” has been in the works since 2006, but decisions seem to have wandered around the map. Rumblings from Chrysler would lead us to believe that the Dakota is no longer to be based on the minivan chassis, since there is now just one minivan plant and it will likely be pressed to capacity, especially once Fiat starts handling European sales (adding a fourth variety to the plant already making a Dodge, Chrysler, and Volkswagen version). Regardless, by 2013, there should be some sort of a lighter-duty Dakota, fitting into the original dimensions and capacities of the once-midsized pickup; and a European version is expected. It's possible that there are plans afoot to move Journey production to the United States, and make a Dakota range, based on whatever platform but using unique components, in the flexible Toluca plant.
Some pundits and bloggers still claim the Dakota will be based on the Dodge Journey, rather than the minivan. For them, we have JackRatchett’s rendering:
Editor's note
The stated plan is to have Chrysler take responsibility for vehicles as big as and larger than a Volkswagen Jetta, and for Fiat to take responsibility for smaller vehicles. This may not take full effect for 2013 due to time constraints, but will likely be the case for the next generation after these, to appear, most likely, starting around 2015. Chrysler will handle engines larger than 2 liters, hybrids, and electrics, while Fiat will handle smaller engines and small/mid-sized diesels. See the Five Year Plan and Chrysler-Fiat Alliance.
Also see 2013 Chrysler cars and Jeep SUVs