Upcoming Dodge, Ram, and Jeep Trucks and SUVs

Small pickups

The Gladiator concept truck was driven on-stage at a 2010 dealer meeting, with an indication that something like it might be made. Sergio Marchionne later said it would probably be a Wrangler-based vehicle with a short bed. A Mopar pickup kit followed, then a September 2011 statement that a Jeep pickup is still a few years out.

Two new pickups have been rumored to be closer and more likely. One is a Ram 50-sized compact powered by the Tiger Shark four cylinder belting out over 200 horsepower (in Dodge Dart it’s 184 hp). This might or might not be based on the Fiat Strada, and might or might not be worked over by Chrysler guys; it’s due for Mexican production. Why Mexico, given all the problems there — and the political repercussions in the US? Because then they can sell it all over North and South America without duties — both the South American and North American free trade zones include Mexico.

The other is the Dodge Dakota replacement, possible 2013 Ram Dakota, lighter but still capable -- the so-called "lifestyle Dakota."

In 2007, when we first broke the story on this new truck, we quoted a Dodge rep saying that it would still be capable, just not as capable. A Canadian newspaper said it would be based on the minivan platform with another report saying that the truck will be built at Windsor, the minivan plant. However, Sergio Marchionne later told Ward’s Auto World that the truck would only be built in Windsor if it was compatible with the next-generation minivan platform. Projected sales appear to be around 30,000 units.

The upcoming one-metric-ton Dodge truck for Europe is also out there and is likely to be the same as the Dakota replacement; as Bob Sheaves pointed out, European truck capacity standards are different.

Ram 1500 pickup trucks

Full information at the 2013 Ram 1500 page.

Ram Heavy Duty / Medium Duty

oh20 wrote: “Dodge is currently working on a plan that would make the Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs available to all Ram dealers.” Expect a diesel power boost for 2013 HDs to 800 lb-ft with capacity boosts for diesel and gas engines. The Cummins V6 and V8 diesels appear to be delayed until 2013-2014 except for military use (possibly/probably not in Ram trucks) — Nissan will be using one of these new diesels.

Dom, who made some predictions which have come true, said that there would be a 6.4 Hemi option for the Ram heavy duty trucks, along with a new transmission to compete with the GM’s Allisons. (We expect an Aisin, which Dodge already uses.)

Heavy duty Ram pickups will be getting an optional air suspension setup, according to several sources (first was pickuptrucks.com, which said it was only coming on the 3500). One source said the air suspension would be better than the one in the Grand Cherokee. The Long Hauler concept used a Kelderman air suspension in front and rear, for higher capacity with a smoother ride; that model was based on the Ram 5500, which has a leaf-spring rear suspension. The Long Hauler now appears to be a “go” for production.

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.”

Commercial heavy-duty trucks (e.g. tractors, class 7-8) might be planned, though they could be Ivecos, and aren't expected until 2015 at the earliest. Update: These were discussed, and the expertise is available from Iveco, but leaders decided that they did not know the market well enough to field and sell a credible entry; the market is very different than for Class 3-5 trucks. The decision was made to wait until the end of the Five Year Plan and then revisit the question.

Ram 2500 gained 2,000 lb of trailer towing capacity with the 4.1 rear axle. Ram 2500/3500 for other changes.

A CNG version of the Hemi engine was quietly added to Ram’s 2012 specs sheets for body builders, only on the Ram 2500 pickup (4x4 with crew cab, ST or SLT, trim, long bed, automatic, and 3.73 axle ratio). After we broke this news, in September 2011, Ram’s chief, Fred Diaz, denied that Ram made a CNG engine, saying they were looking into Fiat technology to do so (Dodge has made many CNG vehicles in-house before.) In March, a dual-fuel CNG Ram 2500 was announced.

Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Scrambler / Gladiator

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is here. A revised VM diesel is for export markets. Scrambler pickup appears to be “no-go” for until at least 2016, with the redesigned Wrangler. Jeep Wrangler • Scrambler pickup • Jeep Off-Road Campers

A US diesel is being looked at very seriously. An updated transfer case may appear, possibly bringing back a full-time setting for broader market appeal. Sheet metal changes will improve aerodynamics (strong chance of major windshield and front end redesign). There is a chance of some sort of "stripped" model as production line can now apply bedliner to tubs during assembly. Better quality is also expected.

Word from within Chrysler suggests that the Jeep Wrangler plant in Toledo, Ohio, has come under increasing scrutiny by company engineers, as they attempt to expand production and, many believe, make room for variants including a factory pickup and vehicles closer to the original Peeps in functionality. Insiders told Allpar that the plant was built without expansion in mind, which may have made sense at the time, with sales well below the plant's maximum output for many years. Engineers have found ways to "make" space within the existing plant by reconfiguring it.  

Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, Wagoneer, Maserati

Grand Cherokee. Dodge Durango. The Maserati Kubang version is under way; it will use a more powerful Maserati engine (created from the ground up by Paolo Martinelli), and will be built at the Jefferson Avenue plant (according to the latest announcement). It may have a V8 or a V12 or both, it may even have a souped up diesel. It will not have the Kubang name, which is a place-holder.

The Wagoneer, a luxury seven-seater positioned above the Grand Cherokee, is planned for calendar year 2013; it and a similar new Jeep vehicle (unibody pickup?) may also be used for export. One correspondent reported: “Grand Wagoneer looks VERY sweet! It looks just like the classic Wagoneer with a bit of Durango styling.”

Ram vans (commercial vans)

Fiat Doblo will reportedly be imported in small numbers. A large van will be Chrysler-modified from the Fiat Ducato, probably to see life in model year 2012 or 2013; where it will be produced is still up in the air, but it must at least be final-assembled in the US to avoid the “chicken tax.” Ducato is sized between Doblo/Transit size and Daily/Sprinter sizes (Doblo, Transit, Daily, and Sprinter are not related to each other). See Fiat commercial vans.

Jeep Liberty / Cherokee, Nitro

The next Jeep Liberty / Cherokee will move to an altered version of the new midsized car platform in CY 2012 the late first quarter of 2013, after a six-to-eight-month factory shutdown and refit. One observer wrote, “It looks like a mix of the Compass and the Grand Cherokee. Sleek and un-Jeep-like.”

The Liberty could be a “real Jeep,” but most people think we will get something that is less off-road capable than the current model, with a single Trail Rated version that matches or comes near the current Trail Rated Liberty. It will have a 3.2 V6 instead of the 3.6, to allow better wheel travel, and is likely to be the first vehicle with that engine. A VM diesel is possible as Euro and US standards converge. Four cylinders are likely to be a Tiger Shark 2.4, and the 1.4 liter Fiat turbo as a gas-mileage king.

Production will continue to be at Toledo. An Alfa Romeo on the same basic dimensions is expected, and the same basic platform will support a Chrysler crossover and hatchback... a bit lower to the ground, most likely. [2014 Jeep Cherokee / Liberty details]

Jeep Patriot / Jeep Compass

Patriot; Compass. Production of the current versions ending in summer 2012. redriderbob, historically a good source, wrote: “Jeep engineers are working closely with Fiat engineers on this project. The engineers have been driving and testing the new Fiat source dual clutch transmissions and ... are worried about people complaining about how they don't coast when you let your foot of the gas and [instead] quickly scrub off speed. We will more likely see a diesel version of the replacement Compass/Patriot here in the US and Canada. They are also making sure this new Jeep is more capable then the ones it replaces. Expect for a vehicle that is built to be a 80% on road 20% off road vehicle but still have trail rated offerings.”

An Alfa Romeo version will be built by 2013 to accompany the Alfa version of the Challenger and the Alfa 4C.

It appears Chrysler’s going to go with the Compass name instead of Patriot. There are two sets of insider comments, one saying it would “look very much like the current Patriot in shape and size but mixed just slightly with the soft lines of the old Jeep Renegade and Willys2 concepts” and the other saying it looks like an Alfa Romeo Giulietta with a Grand Cherokee/Compass front clip.

The Compass/Patriot successor and an Alfa Romeo CUV are to be closely related and all are built on CUSW, the same platform as the Dodge Dart, as is Liberty. The “Compatriot” would likely be front wheel drive and all wheel drive, lighter in weight and duty cycle than Liberty, and smaller — C class versus D class.