2018 Chicago Auto Show Coverage
The Chicago Auto Show is one of the largest auto shows of the year, with many automakers showing off concepts, new vehicles and accessories, and announcing new plans. We already covered the new 2019 Ram 1500 and the Mopar webcast about its new Ram 1500 catalog, but Chrysler, Ram, Dodge and Jeep had some other news going on. So here’s a quick rundown of the FCA Group at the show.
Ram
Before the 2018 Chicago Auto Show opened up to the public, the press got to get first dibs on many new vehicles, concepts, and accessories at the show. One of these was a product presentation by Ram and Mopar, coupled with a webcast that would live stream the presentation to anyone lucky enough to hear about and watch it before everyone else. This webcast was to showcase the new Mopar catalogs for the Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500, offering consumers even more options for customizing either, the Wrangler or Ram 1500. More focus was put on the 2019 Ram 1500 at the time, not very well known for its ability to be customized further than trim level.
Mopar challenged this, and over the course of 80,000 hours, over 300 parts for the Ram 1500 were designed, tested, and received validation as official add-ons. With the all-new catalog, now consumers can customize their Ram pickup truck for any kind of lifestyle. This was demonstrated by showcasing an outdoorsy Ram 1500, discussed in detail in the article linked above.
Chrysler
Although Chrysler is still stringing along a two-vehicle lineup, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan is still ever-so-popular. Said to be the modern minivan for families, not many would disagree, packed with all the latest tech, especially with available Uconnect and entertainment packages to keep the little ones occupied. One thing that did stand out to us was a Chrysler Pacifica minivan that was a little decked out. It was a project design by VanKulture, most likely for show and not for production.
Dodge
We saw the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. We love the Dodge SRT Demon. We didn’t expect it to show up at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. This time around though, aside from showing off the vehicle and its powerful supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 engine (to the right), Dodge also set
up a virtual simulator drag racing strip. Attendees could hop into a reactive Dodge Demon chassis for a realistic experience of what it’s like to drag race the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon without ever leaving the showroom floor.
The Dodge Durango is also getting some SRT Mopar goodies. Accessories pop up at the Chicago Auto Show every year, and just like the new catalog for the Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler, Mopar is also adding a little more noise to the Dodge Durango. Such add-ons include a new stainless steel exhaust system available for both Durango SRT and Durango R/T variants, a set of new springs that will lower the ride height by 0.6-inches (SRT only), and even something simple like adding some racing stripes onto the Durango, because why not? Stylin!
Jeep
Like we would mention the Jeep Wrangler accessories and not show it off? Yes, the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL showed up at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, and again at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show with new Jeep mobile apps. The new Jeep Wrangler also came to the 2018 Chicago Auto Show thanks to the new Mopar catalog, offering about 200 new accessories to increase the performance of Jeep Wranglers going forward. About 120,000 hours went into the design, testing, and validation of such parts, so be sure to check them out when you get the chance.
There was plenty going on at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, but being a dealership dedicated to FCA vehicles, we have our favorites for where to shine the spotlight. See anything of interest? Let us know on Aventura CJDR social media.
