Chrysler,Dodge,Fiat,Jeep,Mopar,Ram | February 09 2019

FCA unveils new vehicle features, celebrates its heritage at the Chicago Auto Show

It may be cool along the shores of Lake Michigan, but FCA is breaking through the winter doldrums at the Chicago Auto Show with the return of a favorite color, new features on the Ram 1500 and the celebration of an iconic vehicle.

When the auto show opens to the public Saturday, visitors to the FCA stand will be among the first to see in person the return of the popular Sublime color to Dodge, the new tailgate for the Ram 1500 and a special 35th anniversary edition of the minivan.  

One of the most noticeable vehicles on the FCA stand will be the heritage-inspired Sublime high-impact green 2019 Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger. The last time this high-impact color was available on the Dodge Challenger was in 2015 and on the Charger in 2007.

“By bringing back a high-impact color like Sublime across the 2019 Challenger and Charger lineups, we’re continuing to give our enthusiast customers another way to make their muscle cars even more unique when they showcase the legendary Dodge performance attitude,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America.

Not only is the color available on those models, Sublime will be available on Charger Scat Pack, Charger SRT Hellcat and Challenger Widebody models for the first time ever. Sublime is also returning to the Challenger T/A for the first time since 1970.

While Dodge is bringing back a favorite color, the Ram Truck brand will display the new multifunction tailgate on the Ram 1500. This feature is unique among pickups because it retains the capabilities of a fully dampened, drop-down tailgate with remote release options and adds a first-of-its-kind 60-40 split, swing-away functionality.

The Ram multifunction tailgate has four configurations: open flat, open left door only, open right door only and open both doors. Each door swings open 88 degrees and access can be further enhanced via a retractable center-mounted step option.

The Ram multifunction tailgate is also trailer-friendly and does not require that the trailer and hitch be removed before opening.

2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate

“The Ram multifunction tailgate is intuitive to operate, and owners will find it immediately useful,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand – FCA. “Combined with Ram’s class-exclusive RamBox feature and new tailgate step, we’re taking Ram’s cargo management and storage to the next level.”

Mopar is also unveiling a modified 2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty truck in Chicago. The modified pickup, based on a 2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Big Horn powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, is trimmed in monochromatic Blue Streak production color with a black, powder-coated Ram Bar located in the bed and topped with five 5-inch LED off-road lights. It also features a rear bed step and a set of Mopar off-road wheel flares.

The Mopar and Ram Truck brands unveiled a modified 2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty truck at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.

The truck’s conceptual features include powder-coated off-road rock rails, 17-inch custom-milled concept beadlock wheels and a rear spare tire carrier in the bed area.

FCA US is also celebrating the 35th anniversary of the minivan at the Chicago Auto Show with a special edition of the vehicle. The 35th Anniversary edition is available on Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid and Dodge Grand Caravan models and features new badging, an all-black interior with Cranberry Wine accent stitching and upgraded content in addition to its already extensive list of standard equipment.

FCA US celebrates 35 years of minivan leadership with 2019 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid 35th Anniversary Editions

This is the latest edition of the minivan from the company that created the segment in 1984 and has been a leading innovator through the years with 115 minivan firsts through six generations of the vehicle.

Ram’s new generation of work trucks will also be on display in Chicago. The new 2019 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab offer segment-leading towing capacity up to 35,220 pounds, the highest Gross Combined Weight Rating of 43,000 pounds and payload capacity up to 12,510 pounds.

2019 Ram Chassis Cab

The FCA display will also feature two indoor test tracks. The 24,000-square-foot Camp Jeep track returns and features 30 tons of boulders. There will also be the Ram Trucks test track with its iconic 13-foot high “Ram Mountain.”

The Chicago Auto Show runs from Feb. 9 – 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Edward Cardenas

Hello from the Motor City! I’m Edward Cardenas and I’m multimedia editor for Stellantis. As a lifelong Detroiter, I have been surrounded by the automotive industry. I’ve had members of my immediate and extended family work in the industry. I’ve covered it as a journalist and advocated for it as
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Hello from the Motor City! I’m Edward Cardenas and I’m multimedia editor for Stellantis. As a lifelong Detroiter, I have been surrounded by the automotive industry. I’ve had members of my immediate and extended family work in the industry. I’ve covered it as a journalist and advocated for it as a communications professional. I have also experienced the thrills of the industry while riding in a race car at nearly 200 miles per hour. Having this breadth of experience, I look forward to drawing upon my experiences to bring a wide range of stories, photos and videos about Chrysler, FIAT and Alfa Romeo to Stellantis Digital Media. When I’m not covering my brands, I’m spending time with my wife and two boys.