2025 Ram 1500 RHO – the New High Performance Half-Ton

Hurricane Twin Turbo

Earlier this year, Ram announced that 2024 would be the final year for the current TRX with the supercharged Hemi, leaving some to question if there would be any high performance options going forward. We learned today that Ram is working on another high-powered pickup; it doesn’t rely on a blown V8 with 700+ horsepower, but the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO packs enough punch to overpower the Ford Raptor.

2025 Ram 1500 lineup reveal, just after midnight

2025 Ram 1500 REV

The 2025 Ram 1500 lineup will be revealed just after midnight tonight—at 12:01 am on November 7.The 2025 Ram 1500 REV battery-electric has already been revealed, but without all its specifics. Stellpower has already reported that the 2025 Ram 1500 will have a range of gasoline engines.Stellpower will be covering the reveals from 12:01 am … Read more

Ram plant in Sterling Heights on strike

2023 Ram Rebel Lunar

Today, the UAW started striking the only plant to make the “DT” Ram 1500. The company is still making heavy-duty models in Mexico and prior-generation “DS” Ram 1500 Classics in Warren, Michigan.The union said that Stellantis had “the worst proposal on the table regarding wage progression, temporary worker pay, conversation to full-time, cost-of-living adjustments, and … Read more

All the new Stellantis vans launched today (revised)

large vans

Three new vans were unveiled today. They have new cockpits and control interfaces, aiming at higher safety and productivity, and stress-free driving. Driver assistance features include LED headlights.The second-generation zero-emissions systems were fully designed and built by Stellantis, including new regenerative braking systems.Compact vansThe new compact van series was customized for each brand. Opel/Vauxhall has … Read more

e-PTO (power even when the van is off) and geofencing

17 minutes EPTO

e-PTO, Electric Power Take Off, lets contracts use the internal 400V battery (the traction battery normally used for forward motion) to run their equipment. It can be set for up to 17 minutes of power when the vehicles is off, e.g. to run refrigeration gear, or can provide longer-term power while the vehicle is on. … Read more

STLA to present new Rams, other vans and trucks

STLA - Ram global trucks and vans launch (2023)

Stellantis announced the introduction of “reimagined” commercial vehicles from most of its brands on October 23. The lineup, to be launched by the heads of Ram, Citroën, Fiat, Opel/Vauxhall, and Peugeot itself, will be shown off at 9 am EDT, with streaming video available. 

It’s possible to make some educated guesses about the vehicles shown. On the left is the little Ami; on the right, the Rampage

2022-24 Rams not looking back, and other recalls

2023 Ram 2500 Rebel HD

A software glitch has left roughly 300,000 Rams—an odd mix of Ram 1500s (2022-23),  light-GVWR Ram 3500 chassis cabs (2022-23), and Ram 2500s (2022-24)—without the rear view image displaying when in Reverse. The fix is simply a software update, which must be done at the dealership. The Ram 3500s affected are only chassis cabs with … Read more

“Branding” is cheapening Mopar brands

branding

As time goes on, FCA US (Stellantis North America) press releases increasingly refer to “the Dodge brand,” “the Jeep brand,” and so on. Maybe this made sense for Chrysler before FCA, to avoid confusion between the marque and the company (many car folk eschew the term “brand” in favor of the more dignified “marque”), but there is no Chrysler Corporation or Chrysler Group today.

There has never been any reason for Dodge people to refer to “the Dodge brand.” It’s just Dodge. Nobody thinks that Dodge City is producing cars—or Phelps Dodge—or Grace Dodge. There’s only one Dodge that makes cars, and it’s the group that used to be Dodge Division and before that Dodge Brothers… and Dodge Brothers didn’t make other brands of cars.

Ram’s updates for 2024 are out

2023 Ram 2500 Rebel HD

With the Ram 1500 and possible ProMaster and ProMaster City due for replacement in 2025, Ram’s upgrades for 2024 are relatively minimal.Ram chassis cabs appear to have had no actual changes, keeping their 6.4 liter gasoline Hemi and 6.7 liter Cummins B-engine options intact. Ram 3500 Chassis Cab has the eight-speed automatic with the gasoline … Read more

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Tops IIHS Stolen Vehicle List for 2020-2022

2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) recently issued the whole vehicle theft loss report for the 2020 through 2022 model years and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is officially the most stolen car in the United States. According to this report, the Hellcat Charger is 60 times more … Read more

Jeep Wagoneer recall and a Million Ram investigation

Jeep's Jim Morrison and Wagoneer

The Wagoneer’s first recall covers an issue with the upper B-pillar interior trim, which, if it was not seated properly, could interfere with side airbag deployment. This affects 2022-23 Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers made through to June 7, 2022, when the vehicle assembly process was changed.  The component was made by Century Plastics, but the problem is an assembly issue. The dealer will inspect the interior trim pieces, replace any that are loose or broken, and reseat them if needed. 

Ram needs a Hurricane Plus

Hurricane Twin Turbo Engine

The new Hurricane twin-turbo six-cylinder is stunning in its power and efficiency, but many are skeptical, saying it’s too small for serious work trucks.

GM has its turbo four for the Silverado, and Ford has a 2.7 twin turbo pulling the F-150, and they do well—though the Ford seems quite thirsty when towing. But GM and Ford still have V8 choices, while indications so far are that Ram will end with the sixes. (Some do believe the 6.4 V8 will remain on the Ram 2500 and 3500.)…