Exclusive: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica prices

Trusted source Moparian sent the starting prices for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica to Allpar, and they seem to be in line with current Chrysler minivans, though above the stripped-down Dodges. Bargain hunters can keep getting Caravans for another year, at least.

The base Pacifica LX will start at $28,595, a reasonable price given its standard features and advanced design. Buyers who step up to the Touring will pay just $1,900 more. The Touring L pushes the bar up to $34,495; the L Plus, to $37,895; and the Limited Platinum, the top of the line minivan with its own built in vacuum, will top the charts at $42,495. (See full descriptions of what each minivan trim level includes.)

By comparison, the Town & Country LX starts at $29,995, with the Town & Country Limited Platinum topping the range at $40,645. The Pacifica Limited Platinum contains more content, in addition to having a much more advanced suspension, upgraded seats, and a new suspension with a nine-speed automatic. Thus, there does not seem to be a true price increase to move from the old minivans to the new ones, looking at comparable models and ignoring incentives.

Over at Dodge, the Caravan starts at $22,095 for the American Value Package, with the more popular SXT starting at $27,795.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/03/how-much-will-the-chrysler-pacifica-minivans-cost-answers-below-31410

Which Ram Truck is Right for You? | Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500

Truck shopping can be intimidating, especially for first-time buyers. There are many specifications that address your specific needs, but often the first question you need to issue can be boiled down to one question: What Ram Truck will best suit your needs?

To help answer this question, first we need to dispel some misinformation. Conventional, standard-duty pickups like the Ram 1500 are traditionally called “half-ton” trucks, but that’s an obsolete way of talking about truck capabilities. In fact, the Ram 1500’s hauling and towing capacities are far beyond a half-ton. For example, a basic Ram 1500 Tradesman has a maximum payload of 1,880 lbs.* (nearly a ton) and a maximum towing capacity of up to 10,640 lbs.* – which are more than sufficient for what you’ll need to get the job done.

Similar old truck designations such as “three-quarter-ton” and “one-ton” are equally misleading. HD trucks like the Ram 2500 and 3500 have far greater capabilities than these terms suggest. For example, the Ram Tradesman 2500 has a max payload of 3,990 lbs.* and a max towing capacity of 17,980 lbs.* So if you’re pulling a large boat or, say, a heavy-duty construction trailer, the 2500 may be great fit for your needs.

Another important difference between the 1500 and 2500 is in their available engine and drivetrain packages. The Ram 1500 is offered with a choice of 3.6-liter Pentastar® V6, 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 and 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engines, which offer a good balance of performance and economy for typical light commercial and consumer use. In contrast, engine choices in the HD Ram 2500 include the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 VVT, 6.4-liter HEMI® V8 and 6.7-liter Cummins® Turbo Diesel, packages designed to tow and haul heavier loads and deliver long term dependability.

Summing up: A solid understanding of the weights you will be hauling and pulling is the key to selecting the right Ram truck for your needs. And if you have questions, you can simply consult the towing guide at RamTrucks.com or visit with the truck experts at your local Ram Trucks dealer.

*When properly equipped. See dealer for details.

Read more at: http://blog.ramtrucks.com

2017 Chrysler Pacifica options

Do you really, really want the vacuum option in the Chrysler Pacifica?

It’ll cost you.

First, to get the vacuum, you have to get the top of the line Limited Platinum model, which we suspect will run around $40,000, based on the price of the current Limited Platinum.

Second, you have to give up the spare tire. This doesn’t come inflated; it’s “inflatable” and is an extra-cost option on the base LX, the Touring-L, and the Touring-L Plus (with sealant). If you want the inflatable spare on the Limited Platinum, you have to give up the vacuum.

There don’t appear to be many options in that price range. You can get the Advanced SafetyTec Group, KeySense, an engine block heater, 20 x 7.5 wheels, trailer towing (3,600 pounds), and UConnect Theater with or without the Sound Group. Advanced SafetyTech really is advanced: you get adaptive cruise (with full stop and go), brake assist, auto high beams, collision warning (that can hit the brakes), lane departure warning, auto-parking, front/rear parking warnings with the ability to stop, rain-sensitive wipers, and the surround-view camera.

There are only two seat colors in this rarified level, it seems: black with gray, or black with brown. Paint colors are a more generous pallet, with silver, two shades of white, black, burgundy, metallic gray, blue, silver, and red.

At the other end, the Pacifica LX may be the base model, but buyers can option it out well, with eight-passenger seating, KeySense, SafetyTec, a wheel-and-tire group, and cloth black/alloy seats or cloth “cognac/alloy/toffee” seats — and the same color choices. Fleets, and only fleets, can buy power sliding doors and the 8.4” navigation setup on the base model.

The Chrysler Pacifica holds a great deal of promise and a great deal of risk for the brand and the company. It should have far better handling and a smoother ride than the current minivans, and the interior has been praised by people who have been “one on one” with the 2017 Chrysler minivan. The hybrid option finally lets buyers have their cake and eat it too, with the fuel efficiency of a Prius (or better) and the space of a large SUV. If buyers of Dodge Caravans make the switch to the Pacifica, Chrysler will easily regain its top position in US minivan sales.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AND JACK DANIEL’S® PARTNER ON ICONIC LIMITED EDITION JACK DANIEL’S-BRANDED INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE

Two legendary American brands join forces in handcrafting collectible masterpiece unveiled at Barrett-Jackson auction for the benefit of U.S. Military personnel and their families

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (January 27, 2016) — Indian Motorcycle®, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced it has joined forces with the Jack Daniel Distillery to create the Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian® Chief® Vintage motorcycle. The partnership brings together two of America’s most iconic brands that share a mutual commitment to independence, originality and American craftsmanship that dates back more than a century. The collaboration commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Jack Daniel Distillery, which was registered in 1866.

The 2016 Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Vintage will on display January 23-31 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction. It will also make an appearance at a series of events throughout 2016 including Daytona Bike Week, taking place March 4-13. Ultimately, this first-in-the-series display bike will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Las Vegas, which takes place October 6-8. All monies raised from the charity auction will be donated to support “Operation Ride Home,” a partnership between the Jack Daniel Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA that provides funding and travel assistance to help junior-enlisted military personnel spend time with their families during the holiday season.

“This one-of-a-kind motorcycle is the perfect pairing of these two classic American brands, and while they look great together, we’ve inscribed this unique collector’s edition masterpiece with our ‘Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix’ mantra to remind all our friends that drinking and riding are meant to be enjoyed separately,” said Dave Stang, Director of Events & Sponsorships for Jack Daniel’s. “We’d like to thank our friends at Indian Motorcycle for their help on this project and their support for Operation Ride Home.”

The Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Vintage will be produced in very limited quantities, taking the iconic Indian Chief Vintage platform to a whole new level with an array of genuine Indian Motorcycle accessories and custom accessories, as well as Jack Daniel’s-inspired custom paint and logos, badging, leather saddle and saddlebags. The bike’s fender is also inscribed with the names of the seven Master Distillers who have overseen the Jack Daniel’s distilling process over its 150-year history. Final customization work was designed and completed by Brian Klock and his inspired team at Klock Werks in Mitchell, S.D. Additional details on the production schedule and ordering process will be released during Daytona Bike Week.

“It’s a pleasure to partner again with our friends at Jack Daniel’s on this project as a tribute to originality and American craftsmanship, and to do so for the benefit of our military personnel and their families,” said Steve Menneto, President of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries. "Jack Daniel’s and Indian Motorcycle proudly support our troops, military families and our veterans and we are honored to join forces again in 2016."

For more information about Operation Ride Home, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit: http:// www.jdoperationridehome.com

Jack Daniel’s press information can be found at the Jack Daniel’s press room located at www.jdpressroom.com. Indian Motorcycle images are also available at the Indian Motorcycle press site at www.IMCPress.com.

New attractions for 2016 Ram chassis-cabs

The 2016 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks will have new, more flexible power takeoff (PTO) systems, serving both the right and left sides of the trucks, on both rear drive and 4×4 trucks with either the 6.4 Hemi engine or Cummins diesel.

The PTO output is a best in class 60 horsepower — achieved in four cylinder mode on the gasoline V8, providing greater efficiency when using a truck to run a compressor and/or generator.

The series has a best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 37,500 pounds, best-in-class towing capability of 29,600 pounds, and best-in-class frame strength with 50,000 psi steel.

All Chassis Cabs can be ordered with a dual fuel tank capacity of 74 gallons, for the highest fuel storage and drive range in the segment.

The optional ParkSense system now includes a front park assist system as well as backup, audibly notifying the driver of oncoming contact. The 2016s have a lower-cost Bluetooth radio option, as well.

Ram chassis cabs are available in industry-standard frame lengths of 60, 84, 108 and 120 inches, with no components or lines above the rear frame rails; through-the-frame plumbing and electrical; and a conveniently located DEF tank for Cummins diesels.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/03/rams-extended-power-takeoff-options-31378