Feds Close Rotary Shifter Probe, No Recall for 2013–2016 Ram 1500, Dodge Durango :
Nine injuries and 25 crashes were alleged among the 43 complaints filed with the ODI.
“FCA US is cooperating fully with NHTSA’s investigation, the scope of which is limited,” company spokesman Eric Mayne said in an email. “Other vehicles equipped with rotary shifters are not included. In accordance with prudent practice, the Company joins NHTSA in urging all drivers to use their vehicles’ parking brakes.”
Jeep Grand Cherokee to Get Software Fix to Prevent Rollaways
Fiat Chrysler Recalls 811,000 Sedans and SUVs for Poor Shifter Design
Ram 1500 Pickup Tests, Reviews, Specs, Pricing, and More
The shifter involved in the ODI’s investigation is different from the electronic “Monostable” shifter at the heart of a global recall of more than 1.1 million FCA vehicles. Supplied by ZF, that eight-speed transmission’s shifter is in certain 2012–2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 cars and in 2014–2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Federal regulators say complaints link that shifter to at least 68 injuries and 266 crashes.
#Dodge
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Revealed with More Power, Improved Tech :
A refreshed version of the VW Golf GTI is arriving for 2025, and here's our first look at the Europe-spec version.
It has a bit of extra power from its turbo 2.0-liter engine, plus exterior and interior tweaks.
U.S. specs aren't available yet, but we'll find out more later this year.
Just weeks after teasing the updated 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI at CES, VW is pulling the wraps off the real thing. Here now is the facelifted hot hatchback in all its glory, complete with numerous upgrades including a freshened look, a bit more horsepower, newly available colors, and several interior tech upgrades meant to address the outgoing Golf's frustrating infotainment interface.
#Volkswagen
Eensy-Weensy VinFast VF3 EV Will Be Sold in America :
VinFast presented the VF3 SUV at CES 2024, a boxy EV that measures a full 17 inches shorter than the tiny Fiat 500e that goes on sale in the U.S. this year.
Little is known about the VF3's powertrain, but VinFast said it is targeting a 125-mile electric driving range.
A VinFast representative confirmed that the VF3 will be sold in the U.S., according to a report by Motor1, although it's unclear when sales will begin.
Vietnamese startup VinFast is on a product offensive. The VF8 crossover launched in the United States last summer, and a larger VF9 SUV is due here this year. At CES 2024 this week in Las Vegas, the electric-vehicle maker surprised with a sharply styled truck concept called the VF Wild. But VinFast's stand at CES also included a new production-ready model that will reportedly be sold stateside: a cutesy subcompact SUV called the VF3.
#VinFast
This Is What a Modded 2024 Lexus GX550 Overtrail Looks Like :
There's a new Lexus GX coming soon, and this is what it could look like with some tasteful aftermarket mods (that don't even include the bounty of foreseeable overland gear like roof top tents, awnings, recovery boards, and other off-grid supplies). Japan Offroad Service (JAOS), a Japanese company established in 1985 specializing in manufacturing and distributing off-road products, collaborated with Lexus to build this concept 2024 Lexus GX550 Overtrail JAOS version. This fresh take on the new luxury off-roader is on display in the JAOS booth at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, alongside a JAOS-built, forbidden-fruit Lexus LX600 freshly back from racing the 2023 Baja 1000—which we've also included in our batch of pictures.
#LexusGX550