FCA to have a whole host of brand new and revised products on display at the 2016 Chicago Motor Show.

• A new 2017 Ram truck to be revealed on Thursday, Feb. 11 and will be showcased alongside award-winning Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 models
• All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, featuring unprecedented functionality and style, on display
• New 2016 Chrysler 200S and Chrysler 300S Alloy Editions debut at Chicago Auto Show
• Dodge and SRT models, including the record-setting 2016 Dodge Viper ACR, Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat models, and the new 2016 Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum and Durango Limited Brass Monkey packages showcase performance, muscle and innovative engineering
• All-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider delivers the ultimate Italian roadster experience
• Jeep® displays the new Cherokee Overland model, as well as celebrates the unparalleled history of the legendary Jeep brand with a full lineup of 75th Anniversary vehicles
• More than 130 Mopar products will showcase how FCA vehicles can be personalized
• Popular indoor driving experiences return, including Camp Jeep and Drive Chicago
• Pacifica Play Zone debuts in Chicago, lets parents and children interact with the features of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica

FCA US LLC has rolled into the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, Feb. 13-21, with a variety of displays and driving experiences featuring Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, Jeep® and Ram brand vehicles.

Ram Truck Brand

Chicago Auto Show attendees will be the first to see a new Ram truck, which will be introduced during the Chicago Auto Show media preview on Thursday, Feb. 11. The Ram Truck display will feature the latest award-winning Ram models, including the Ram 1500 Rebel, Ram Limited editions and Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. 

The Ram Rebel brings one-of-a-kind off-road design to the full-size truck segment with unique design cues and can-do attitude backed by Ram Truck engineering. Equipped with factory lift, 33-inch tires, standard air suspension, skid plates, tow hooks and other off-road-ready features, the Ram 1500 Rebel appeals to the truck owner looking for a less-beaten path.

For truck buyers who want both luxury and performance, Ram’s chart-topping Limited editions also will be on display. Available in Ram 1500, 2500 or 3500, the Ram Limited is the benchmark in truck opulence with the highest level of sophistication and attention to detail. 

Featuring premium materials, such as all-black, full-leather seating, real-wood interior components and unique badges, the Ram Limited is a “black-tie” luxury alternative to the popular southwestern-themed Ram Laramie Longhorn edition pickup.

The Ram Truck display also will feature the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, with the best fuel economy of any full-size truck at 29 mpg. For those who require the highest levels of capability, the Ram 2500 will be on the show floor along with the Ram ProMaster, Ram ProMaster City and Ram Commercial’s cargo vans.

Chrysler Brand

Fresh from a highly successful debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica delivers class-leading gasoline and hybrid powertrains to the minivan segment. 

With more than 100 available safety and security features, the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromises minivan ideally suited for today’s families.

Debuting at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the 2016 Chrysler 200S and Chrysler 300S with Alloy Edition packages will be available this spring at dealerships nationwide. Adding to the 200S and 300S models’ athletic styling, segment-exclusive technologies and driver-focused appointments, the new 200S and 300S Alloy Editions further the Chrysler brand’s color and material leadership and Detroit-born style with trendsetting finishes that include Dark Bronze and Titanium.

Dodge and SRT Brands

Building upon their rich heritage of performance, muscle cars and innovative engineering, the Dodge and SRT performance brands will showcase the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcatcars, as well as the record-setting 2016 Dodge Viper ACR — the indisputable “ultimate street-legal race car” with more track records than any production car in the world, a total of 13 road course lap records as certified by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat features the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine that produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, a top speed of 204 miles per hour and a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified, quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds on stock Pirelli P Zero tires, making it the quickest, fastest and most powerful production sedan in the world, as well as the most capable and technologically advanced four-door muscle car in America. 

Also powered by the supercharged Hellcat engine, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is the fastest, most powerful muscle car ever with a NHRA-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.2 seconds with stock Pirelli P Zero tires. With drag radials, the quarter-mile run dropped to just 10.8 seconds.

Also on display, the new 2016 Dodge Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum and Durango Limited Brass Monkey Appearance Packages, Dodge Charger and Challenger Scat Packs, the Dodge Journey Crossroad, Dodge Dart and the Dodge Grand Caravan.

FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand will showcase the all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, a revival of the iconic roadster that combines Italian style, performance and engaging driving dynamics. Paying homage to the original 124 Spider nearly 50 years after its introduction, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider delivers the ultimate Italian roadster experience with driving excitement, technology and safety combined with iconic Italian design. 

The 124 Spider continues the expansion of the FIAT brand in North America and will arrive in FIAT studios this summer.

In addition, the FIAT brand display will feature several vehicles, including the 2016 Fiat 500X, which delivers the Italian design and engaging driving dynamics synonymous with the FIAT brand. 

The 500X offers an advanced all-wheel-drive system, functionality and a full array of safety, comfort and convenience features. The all-new crossover features two engine options, an available nine-speed transmission and an all-wheel-drive system with a disconnecting rear axle for improved fuel efficiency.

Jeep Brand

Showcasing its 75th Anniversary lineup of vehicles, the Jeep brand returns to the Chicago Auto Show with a full lineup of new and award-winning SUVs. To celebrate the unparalleled history of the legendary Jeep brand, all 75th Anniversary special-edition models feature Jeep-exclusive green exterior paint (Sarge Green, Recon Green or Jungle Green, depending on model), Low Gloss Bronze wheels, bronze and orange exterior accents, unique interiors, including exclusive seats with embossed 75th Anniversary logo or one-of-a-kind Ombre Mesh fabric, open-air freedom and a 75th Anniversary exterior badge.

The Jeep brand display will feature the newest luxury model for the brand, the Jeep Cherokee Overland, as well as the full lineup of Jeep vehicles.

Mopar Brand

More than 130 Mopar products will be showcased at the Chicago Auto Show giving attendees insight on how FCA US vehicles can be personalized. Mopar-modified vehicles include:

• Chrysler 200 S Mopar, which gives the mid-size sedan an “attitude adjustment,” thanks to a mixture of production and concept Mopar parts and accessories.
• Dodge Charger Deep Stage 3, Mopar injected up to 75 additional horsepower with the Mopar Scat Pack 3 Kit and then for good measure bolted on a selection of production and concept Mopar products to create a completely original, performance-driven version of the world’s only four-door muscle car.
• Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept pays tribute to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers off-road club that hosts the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. In celebration of the upcoming 50th annual Easter Jeep Safari, the Jeep brand will produce 50 serialized Jeep Wrangler Red Rock special-edition models in 2016, influenced by the Wrangler Red Rock Concept.
• Ram Rebel X, a full-size pickup outfitted with a catalog of Mopar production parts and accessories, adds an exclamation point to the all-terrain credentials of the Ram 1500 Rebel.
• Fiat 500X Chicane is a street-tuner vehicle, designed to buzz through urban areas with a concept Mopar fascia, body cladding and concept oversized 20-inch two-tone Satin Black and Gloss Black wheels.

FCA Interactive Displays

Camp Jeep

Attendees can experience a number of Jeep vehicles first-hand at Camp Jeep, the ultimate indoor off-road driving course. The 20,000-square-foot exhibit enables participants to experience the extreme off-road capabilities of Jeep vehicles. The course is comprised of several obstacles that simulate some of the rigorous testing that Jeep vehicles must endure to be Trail Rated, including ground clearance, traction, stability, break over, articulation and suspension.

“We have created this unique auto show opportunity to provide our customers with a memorable experience that no other manufacturer can offer,” Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global, said. “The iconic Jeep brand offers an adventurous lifestyle and vehicles that deliver legendary 4x4 capabilities. Attendees will enjoy the Jeep experience first-hand on the show floor.”

Since the debut of Camp Jeep in 2004, more than 1.5 million people have experienced the interactive off-road experience at more than 100 events in the United States. Camp Jeep has provided more than 292,000 test rides at the Chicago Auto Show since it debuted there in 2005. This will be Camp Jeep’s 12th appearance at the Chicago Auto Show. 

Attendees who ride on the Camp Jeep track will receive a Jeep 75th Anniversary souvenir cinch sack (as quantities remain). Participating riders also will be automatically entered into a FCA US national giveaway contest for a chance to win $45,000 toward any eligible FCA US vehicle.

Camp Jeep will be open during all press and public hours of the Chicago Auto Show beginning Thursday, Feb. 11.  Camp Jeep participants 17 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and be at least 44 inches tall.

Drive Chicago

Chicago Auto Show attendees also will have the opportunity to experience the exciting drive capabilities of nine Chrysler, Dodge and FIAT vehicles on the indoor Drive Chicago test track, including:

• Chrysler
  • 200C AWD
  • 200S AWD
  • 300C Platinum
• Dodge
  • Charger R/T Scat Pack
  • Challenger R/T Scat Pack Shaker
  • Durango R/T AWD
• FIAT
  • 500X Trekking Plus
  • 500X Lounge AWD
  • 500 Abarth

Since 2005, the FCA US multi-brand track has provided more than 223,000 test rides at the Chicago Auto Show.

Participants will get a Chrysler, Dodge or FIAT Beanie Cap or a multi-brand tote bag branded with Chrysler, Dodge and FIAT logos (as quantities remain). The Drive Chicago test track will be open during all press and public hours of the Chicago Auto Show beginning Thursday, Feb. 11.  

Pacifica Play Zone

The Chrysler brand will debut its Pacifica Play Zone at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show from Saturday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 21.

Pacifica Play Zone invites parents and their children to interact with the features of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica through immersive experiences at the Kids Zone Interactive Area. Key properties of the Pacifica Play Zone making it fun for the whole family include:

• Uconnect Game Center creates a larger-than-life interactive experience, lets guests play the new Uconnect games available in the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, including checkers, tic-tac-toe, bingo, math flash cards and hanging fruit, on an interactive wall with five 65-inch touch screens.
• Hands-free sliding doors: This display is the side of a Pacifica and enables people to walk up and experience the kick-wave technology on the sliding door.
• A 360-degree photo op gives every family the chance to take a picture of themselves in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica against one of three selected backgrounds, including a moonscape.
• The Exterior Design Center invites adults and children to color and stylize their own image of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacific and share their own creation via social media.
• Uconnect Theater enables everyone to experience the 10-inch Uconnect Theater screens available in the second row of the vehicle
• A full Chrysler Pacifica dashboard lets attendees get to know the 8.4-inch radio, driver information display, steering wheel controls and other technology built into the dashboard.

Dodge Viper Racing Simulator

The Dodge Viper simulator is a virtual experience unlike any other. Attendees can sit inside a real Dodge Viper with all the typical functional controls, including gas, brake and clutch pedals, steering wheel, six-speed shifter with reverse, handbrake and gauges.

Directly in front of the Viper are three panoramic screens that display the virtual track experience. But better than other simulators, the Viper actually gives the driver the thrill of feeling what it’s like to get behind the wheel of the 645-horsepower supercar. 

The Viper rolls side to side, lunges forward and back, and moves up and down based on driver input. The simulator also depicts things like road texture, engine vibrations and the jarring impact of collisions as drivers try to harness the power of the V-10 engine. 

The sound effects come in clearly through the premium in-car sound system, making the experience completely surreal and exhilarating via all senses.

Viper enthusiasts with the need for ultimate handling & performance can place their orders now.

Viper enthusiasts with the need for ultimate handling, performance and road course domination, as well as the ability to drive their Viper home from the track, can now place their orders for the fastest street-legal Viper track car ever. The Dodge brand has announced pricing and opened order banks for the recently introduced 2016 Dodge Viper ACR.

Unveiled last week at the revamped Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, the American Club Racer model of the iconic, hand-built American supercar will have a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $117,895 (excluding destination and gas guzzler tax).

“Bringing our street-legal Dodge Viper ACR back is going to arm our track enthusiasts with the ultimate weapon to dominate road courses across the country,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO — Dodge and SRT Brands, FCA — North America. “This is without a doubt the best Viper ACR ever. The latest in aerodynamic, braking and tire technology will ensure its legendary performance reputation around the world.”

Originally introduced in 1999 and last available for the 2010 model year, the Viper ACR has a long-standing legacy as the ultimate street-legal track car for club racing. The new 2016 model honors that performance legacy with significant aerodynamic and suspension upgrades, new Carbon Ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers and high-performance tires specifically designed for ACR. Standard equipment highlights include:

• Delivers ultimate in stopping performance with unprecedented brake fade resistance through ACR-exclusive Carbon Ceramic Matrix 15-inch two-piece rotors and six-piston front calipers from Brembo®
• Unique track suspension features 10-setting, double-adjustable, Bilstein coil-over racing shocks and unique race alignment delivering up to 3 inches of suspension height adjustment for fine-tuning corner weight
• The latest race tire compound technology with massive Kumho® Ecsta V720 high-performance tires (295/25/19 front, 355/30/19 rear), designed and developed specifically for the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR, delivers laps times that are 1.5 seconds faster than off-road only race tires
• Combination of suspension, aero treatment and ACR-specific tires delivers sustainable 1.5 g cornering during high-speed turns
• Lightweight carpet, minimal three speaker audio and manual seats  designed to manage weight and maintain optimal 50/50 weight distribution
• Powered by iconic, hand-built 8.4-liter V-10 engine rated at 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world
• Unique Alcantara hand-crafted interior to assist driver stability under high G-loading features iconic ‘ACR’ dash badge and accent stitching
• Offers ‘1 of 1’ customization option for the ultimate personalized Viper track car
• Optional ACR Extreme Aero Package (late availability) delivers nearly 1 ton of peak downforce at top speed through massive adjustable dual-element carbon fiber rear wing, rear carbon fiber diffuser, unique SRT hood with removable louvers, detachable extension for the front splitter and additional dive planes

Production of the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR will begin in third quarter 2015 at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant. Vehicles will start arriving in dealerships in the third quarter of 2015.

USA - Dodge's legendary snake hand built in the heart of Detroit.

• First Viper was built at Conner Avenue Assembly Plant 20 years ago
• More than 24,000 Dodge Vipers began life south of 8 Mile Road
• Each vehicle hand built by skilled craftspeople
• A new Viper rolls off the assembly line every 10 days
• It takes 145-160 man hours to prep, paint and finish the Viper’s body panels
• Workforce partners with Operation Get Down to support those in need

Tucked in a Detroit neighborhood south of the famed 8 Mile Road is the birthplace of one of the most exotic American supercars on the road today – the Dodge Viper. The Conner Avenue Assembly Plant has been hand building the exclusive Dodge performance flagship since 1995. 

Through 2014, more than 24,000 Vipers have rolled off the line of the nearly 400,000-square-foot facility under the watchful eyes and dedicated hands of 64 of the most skilled auto workers in the industry. (Initially built at the New Mack Assembly Plant, approximately 30,000 Vipers have been built since it was introduced in 1992.)

“The motto of the Conner Avenue plant is ‘dedicated people building dreams’,” said Doug Gouin, Conner Avenue Assembly Plant Manager, FCA US LLC. “The plant is filled with some of the most amazing car builders in the auto industry, building a vehicle that most people can only aspire to. 

The workers here are craftspeople, committed to delivering the best quality vehicle possible to our customers. Some of them are Viper owners themselves, so the job becomes very personal. They know they are keepers of the Viper legacy."

The future of Conner was uncertain when the former Chrysler Group idled the nearly 50-year-old plant in 2010. After a two-year hibernation and a new lease on life, the plant reopened in 2012 to build the new fifth generation Viper. 

Everything was refurbished and improved, from the lobby, where a historical Viper timeline hangs, to the 14 restrooms and the shop floor, which is now hospital-clean, bright and more organized to increase the efficiency of each operation.

With all of the improvements, the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant looks like a modern, state-of-the-art facility, even though it bows to its original coach builder philosophy. After nearly 23 years in production, the plant still maintains the handcrafted build process that added to the mystique of the original Viper. 

All of the operators were specially selected to meticulously assemble each component with complete attention to detail and quality. For every member of the Viper team, it is truly a labor of love.

“There is a sense of pride about being part of the Viper team,” said Greg Rinehart, a Team Leader who has been with Viper since 1994. “Every vehicle that leaves this plant is like one of our children. Each owner becomes part of our family. We were grateful when they decided to bring Viper back and gave us the opportunity to be part of the future.”

No Vehicle Before Its Time

The unique character of the Viper means a unique approach to building it. Compared to a regular assembly plant where a vehicle rolls off the line every minute, a Viper cycles down the line every 146 minutes. 

As a result, each operator is completing 150 elements or tasks in a single cycle. This is equivalent to what 100 people would do in a plant like the Company’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant, where the Jeep_® Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango are built just down the road and which produces more than 300,000 vehicles each year.

There are three main build areas inside the Conner Avenue plant – the chassis line, the engine line and the final line.

The Dodge Viper begins to take shape on the chassis line. The frame is shipped to Conner from an outside supplier in Kentucky to begin its 10-day journey down the assembly line.

With a nod to modern production techniques and a focus on quality, Conner installed its first robots on the floor when production relaunched in 2012. The five robots that make up the Net Form & Pierce cell move the frame in and out five times during one cycle, punching holes and creating 50 features in the Viper frame to establish the dimensional environment to hang panels, such as the hood, deck lids, doors and fenders. 

The robots then measure 65 vision points to ensure the accuracy of the installation points for other components. Drag strip lights indicate what stage of the process the frame is in. At the conclusion of the cycle, the frame exits the cell and has the instrument panel mounted, which is built up onsite.

Along the chassis line, the operators turn the steel frame into a fully functioning, driveable “go cart” that looks more like something out of a science fiction movie than the sleek, American supercar that will ultimately hit the road. Operators install all of the components that make the Viper run, like front and rear suspension, rear brakes, exhaust, fuel tank and the V-10 engine.

The legendary Viper V-10 engine is also hand built at Conner in six stations, along with its all-important pistons. Prior to 2012, pistons for the previous generation Viper came already assembled from the FCA US Saltillo, Mexico, Engine Plant. To ensure the maximum performance quality of each engine, all V-10s are now 100 percent dyno tested before finding a home in a vehicle.

“The V-10 engine is one of the hallmarks of the Viper, so it is critical that its performance can support the legacy,” said Gouin. “Moving the piston build to Conner and dyno testing every engine allows for better quality control, which is important when you’re building an American supercar like this.”

Before wheels and tires are installed, the vehicle goes through the aligner, a piece of equipment that was fully refurbished from the Prowler production days, to ensure proper camber alignment.

The last stop on the chassis line before moving to the final line is the roll test, where each vehicle is tested up to 90 mph. Conner also repurposed the rolls previously used for Prowler, but needed to make the rolls pit nine feet longer and five feet wider in order to accommodate cars with cladding.

Once the rolling chassis and its V-10 engine are validated in the rolls station, it heads to the final line, where body panels, seats, window glass, and other interior and exterior components come together in sequence to form that easily recognizable and timeless Viper shape.

The next steps after a Viper rolls off the line are headlight aim, which employs the same exacting equipment used at other hi-tech plants, and emissions testing. Every vehicle then goes through a five-minute water test, where it is pounded by 720 gallons of water, which are recycled and reused for a one week period. (Previously, the water was disposed of after each use.)

All vehicles now also go through the shaker. Installed in 2014, the shaker simulates the bumps and rough surfaces found on public roads to identify any buzz, squeaks or rattles. Weather permitting, employees at the plant still take one vehicle a day on a real road test as part of an additional quality audit.

To ensure the Viper has been built to its exacting standards, each vehicle is put through the new Vision Cell to measure 120 points along the body to verify the precision of the fit and finish.

Following a final electrical check, and buff and polish under special lights to make the paint gleam, the Viper heads to the covered shipping area where it will be loaded onto covered carriers for delivery to its anxious new owner.

Like most FCA US assembly plants, Conner also has a state-of-the-art Metrology Center, equipped with upgraded CMM capabilities and a Quality Assurance Fixture, to verify and maintain the dimensional quality of the Viper.

The entire facility was upgraded with WiFi three years ago to support the use of RF (radio frequency) reporting tools throughout. These portable tools are used to assemble the car and help verify that the right torque is used in each assembly operation. Having wireless tools eliminates possible trip hazards and reduces maintenance costs.

The Conner workforce has spent the last three years implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM), a methodology that focuses on reducing waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way. WCM engages the workforce to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants. WCM was first implemented by Fiat in 2006 and introduced to the former Chrysler Group as part of the alliance between the two companies in June 2009.

As a result of those efforts, Conner is reducing the amount of line side inventory – considered waste – by doing more kitting. Kits, which include specific components for each station, are assembled in an adjacent kitting area and are then delivered just in time and just in sequence to the operator on the line.

"Because the workforce here has embraced the WCM methodology, they have ensured that the highest quality vehicles in the industry are built at Conner," said Gouin.

To pay homage to the Viper’s performance roots, Conner has integrated racing themes across the facility. Aisles are named for famous racing venues like Sebring and Nürburgring, and are color coded to match the columns. The walkways have checkered flag decals indicating pedestrian zones.

Painted to Perfection

The painting process of a Viper body is also unique. All Vipers are painted at Prefix Coatings in Auburn Hills, Mich., which has been in business for more than 30 years. Each vehicle is hand painted by skilled craftsmen hired for their reputation for painting show cars and custom cars.

For each Viper, Prefix paints 20 parts, which are spread over two racks and kept together to ensure color harmony. It takes from 145-160 man hours to prep, paint and finish the body panels. The panels spend about two weeks in the Prefix plant, from the time they arrive to when they are shipped to Conner.

Previously, all Vipers were shipped to an outside supplier for the application of stripes. Starting in 2012, Prefix adds the “buried” painted stripe to the Viper in a labor intensive, proprietary process that can take about 18 hours to complete. Panels are then delivered in sequence to Conner. By incorporating the stripe application into the painting process, it eliminated nearly two weeks from the assembly timing and reduced the risk of something happening to the vehicle while in transit.

Giving Back

At the suggestion of an employee, the plant turned more than 4,900 square feet of its green space into a produce garden that includes cucumbers, peas, tomatoes, watermelons, pumpkins, cantaloupe, green peppers and beans. The plant has partnered with Operation Get Down, a nonprofit, community-based agency serving the east side of Detroit since 1971, for the past four years to support those in need in the community. The plant has donated more than 1,500 pounds of fresh produce plus more than 2,200 pounds of non-perishable food items each year.

“While the Viper put this plant on the map, it is the people that make it come alive,” said Gouin. “Their passion for the customer, the community and each other is what makes this facility and the vehicle we build, unlike anything else in the industry.”