Most of the 2016 FCA vehicles on hand for a full-line testing session at the company's Chelsea Proving Grounds are under embargo until Sept. 1, 2015 – 30 in all. But not these. Here's a sampling of the size and scope of what FCA does in North America.
2016 Fiat 500X: This car shares its basic underpinnings – its platform – with the new Jeep Renegade. The 2.4-litre Tigershark four-cylinder (180 horsepower/175 lb-ft torque) is a nice, strong, responsive engine. Its strong responses are a better choice than the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo (160 hp/184 lb-ft torque). Ride and handling are disappointing. The look is interesting, however.
2016 Chrysler Town & Country 90th Anniversary Edition: FCA may show the all-new version of the T & C next January at the Detroit auto show. In the meantime, the 2016 Town & Country Anniversary Edition is one of the last of the specialty T & C models. Here, the Touring-L model adds a power sunroof, heated steering wheel and hands-free communication with Bluetooth streaming audio – and an "Anniversary Edition" logo on the radio splash screen and floor mats.
2016 Chrysler 200 90th Anniversary Edition: The 90th Anniversary Package adds the Uconnect 8.4 multimedia centre with 8.4-inch touchscreen, a power sunroof, remote start system, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with microphone, air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control, heated steering wheel, ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera, front floor mats with the Chrysler anniversary logo and an anniversary logo on the touchscreen.
2016 Chrysler 300 90th Anniversary Edition: This one builds on the 300 Touring model, adding Uconnect 8.4 NAV with 8.4-inch touchscreen display and 3D GPS navigation, Nappa leather-faced seating, an expansive dual-pane panoramic sunroof and 18-inch polished aluminum wheels. Also in the package are LED fog lamps, a remote start system and universal garage door opener. The car comes with a startup splash screen logo and premium floor mats with an embroidered logo.
2016 Dodge Viper: The long-nosed Viper has mind-blowing power from its V-10 (645-horsepower), goes like mad and is as cuddly to drive as an e-scooter in city traffic. Beastly powerful and easy to live with. As for looks, the frightening Viper body is instantly recognizable and bad – in a good way.
2016 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty: The 2016 Cummins 6.7-litre boasts best-in-class 900 lb-ft of torque. The 3500 is rated for 14,157 kg towing capacity, while the 2500 does 8,156 kg of capacity. Ram 3500 payload: 3352 kg with 6.4-litre HEMI V-8. The numbers say all you need to know.
2015 Jeep Renegade: The made-in-Italy 2015 Renegade can tip-toe down the off-road trail, even going up on two wheels without groaning, twisting or bending in half. Yet you can drive the Renegade in the city without suffering.
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