Four FCA US Vehicles Earn Top Honors at 14th Annual Carspondent.com Active Lifestyle Vehicle Competition

  • Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid earned “Best Value Family”
  • Dodge Durango SRT won “Luxury Family” category
  • Jeep® Compass Trailhawk named top “Best Value Off-Road” vehicle
  • Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork edition selected as “High Luxury Off-Road” winner
  • Elite athletes and automotive journalists evaluated the vehicles and voted for the winners
October 26, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  FCA US LLC took home more awards than any other manufacturer at this year’s Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) awards, with four FCA US vehicles earning the top spot in their respective categories: The 14th annual Carspondent.com Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards competition was held in Chandler, Arizona, where a panel of automotive journalists and professional athletes evaluated cars, crossovers, SUVs and trucks in nine categories.

“FCA US showed up at ALV with a lineup of vehicles geared specifically to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and as a result, took home more awards than any other manufacturer,” said program co-founder Nina Russin. “The Jeep Compass Trailhawk lived up to its promise of true off-road capability, traversing a challenging course that tested its directional stability and wheel articulation. The Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork edition proved that a vehicle designed to work and play hard can also deliver luxury. Cyclists were impressed with the interior capability of the new Chrysler Pacifica and appreciated its stylish exterior. And everyone loved the Durango SRT’s raw power: a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The ALV competition is unique because it’s the only annual awards program where professional athletes and the automotive media come together to pick the winners. The evaluation process includes navigating an off-road course and on-road driving.

The ALV awards were co-founded by Bob Babbitt, a member of the Ironman Hall of Fame, and Jim Woodman, longtime journalist, triathlete and founder of Active.com, as well as Nina Russin, longtime distance runner, cyclist and auto journalist.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
The Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. The Pacifica Hybrid takes this revolutionary vehicle a step further with its class-exclusive, innovative plug-in hybrid powertrain. It’s the first electrified vehicle in the minivan segment and achieves 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 33 miles of all-electric range. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid are no-compromise minivans ideally suited for today's families.

Dodge Durango SRT
The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is the fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV with its 475-horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque stemming from the legendary 392-cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 engine, a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds and can go 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in 4.4 seconds. Durango SRT outhauls every three-row SUV on the road with best-in-class towing capability of 8,700 pounds.

Exterior performance features on Durango SRT include widebody exterior design and functional SRT hood with center air inlet duct flanked by heat extractors, as well as a new front fascia and lower valence to house new cold-air duct and LED fog lamps. Standard leather and suede, available high-performance Demonic Red Laguna leather seating, and new carbon-fiber trim distinguish Durango SRT’s performance interior.

All customers who buy a new Durango SRT will receive one full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

Jeep Compass
The 2018 Jeep Compass expands the brand’s global vehicle reach with a world-class compact SUV that competes in a growing segment worldwide. Providing customers with legendary and leading 4x4 off-road capability, Jeep Compass offers superior on-road driving dynamics, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains – 17 combinations for global markets – and authentic Jeep design including an open-air dual-pane sunroof. Boasting state-of-the-art safety and technology, Jeep Compass offers 70 available advanced safety and security features instilling confidence in all driving conditions.

North American models are powered by the fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Tigershark Multiair Engine, delivering excellent fuel economy of 32 miles per gallon (mpg) highway and 4x4 fuel economy of 31 mpg highway with the six-speed manual transmission. With a choice of three transmissions, customers can choose the class-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission for 4x4 models, the six-speed automatic transmission for 4x2 models or the six-speed manual transmission for 4x2 and 4x4 models.

Jeep Compass also offers the fourth-generation Uconnect system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the choice of 5.0-, 7.0- or 8.4-inch touchscreens with pinch-and-zoom capability.

Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork
Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork is the reigning Luxury Pickup of Texas. The newest member of Ram’s opulent offerings builds upon the well-appointed Longhorn trim with even more luxury, technology and refinement.

Southfork includes 100 percent full-grain leather seats. Upon entry, customers will enjoy the feel of leather wrapped around the A- and B-pillar grab handles and the real Walnut-trimmed steering wheel. Overhead is a Light Greystone suede headliner with visors of the same material. The glove box badge notes “Longhorn” as do matching floormats with metal badging. Galvanized-appearance trim pieces can be found throughout the cabin along with unique Walnut-colored real ash wood accents and Ruby Red stitching. The center stack features Ram’s newest technology with Uconnect 4C 8.4-inch touchscreen, which includes navigation, 4G WiFi capability, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.

Exterior features include a stretched “Longhorn” badge across the tailgate in bright chrome. The Southfork edition is available in all current Laramie Longhorn colors, including a two-tone option with lower paint featuring Ram’s recently added RV Match Walnut Brown hue.
 
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli. FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA).

FCA is an international automotive group listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FCAU” and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol “FCA.”

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Contact Information

Scott Brown
Office: (877) 433-9378
Cell: (310) 781-0401
Ron Kiino
Office: (248) 944-0641
Cell: (248) 202-9291
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