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.)…

Ram locks in 12,000 ProMaster EV orders

Ram ProMaster EV

Merchants Fleet has ordered 12,500 Ram ProMaster electric commercial vans, to be delivered over several years, according to Ram. To be launched later this year, the van will be Ram’s first fully electric vehicle to hit the market; the Fiat version is already sold in Europe. The next electric Ram is the 1500 REV.Merchants Fleet … Read more

Ram makes bid for a greater European presence

Ram hybrid at motocross race

Ram has slowly but surely been working on global sales since its birth as a separate marque. Most recently, Stellantis used a motocross race in Germany, the MXGP, to publicize the Ram line and unveil the Ram 3.6 liter V6 eight-speed mild hybrid powertrain in Europe—a powertrain already the default choice in North America.

Ram actually announced the powertrain on June 7, with 305 hp and 365 Nm of torque; it is available in the Ram 1500 Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel in Europe. The system has a 430 watt-hour battery pack with 48-volt current during launch and gear shifts, with a 3kW DC to DC converter so it uses a 12-volt starter motor.  

Rampage redux: Brazil vs USA truck rumors (with video)

2024 Ram Rampage

Early rumors claimed that the Ram Rampage to be made in Brazil used a heavy-duty version of the Fiat Toro’s independent rear suspension with rear disc brakes, a front wheel drive based chassis and powertrain (2-liter diesel or 260 hp 2-liter turbo gasoline engine, both coupled to a nine-speed automatic) and eventually take ethanol, since … Read more

Ram Rebel Havoc Edition released for US, Canada

Ram Rebel Havoc

A special edition Ram 1500 Rebel Havoc Edition, painted in Baja Yellow with black accents, will join the 2023 pickup roster in limited quantities for the US and Canada. The Ram 1500 Rebel Havoc Edition has the Rebel Level 2 equipment group and the 5.7-liter Hemi eTorque V-8 engine; a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with Off-Road Pages; black sideview mirrors; heated front seats and steering wheel; and an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat. The truck includes Selec-Speed Control, which maintains consistent speed while traversing variations in slope using engine torque and brake pressure.

The new Ram force is Lunar

Last week, Ram teased the world about a “new force” coming for May 10. Today, it’s here—but guesses about the news being Hurricane-related were wrong. Instead, there will be new editions of the 2023 Ram 1500 Rebel and TRX—the Ram 1500 Rebel Lunar and Ram TRX Lunar editions, coming in a unique Ceramic Gray color.  Both will be available in limited numbers later this Spring…

A new force is coming: 2024 Ram with Hurricane Six?

a new force is coming 5.10.23

Ram has started showing a video teaser on Facebook (but not on Youtube, where the phrase “a new force is coming 5.10.23” has started becoming a popular search term). There is little to see: the camera accelerates over broken desert ground, finally resolving into this scene—

Could a Ram 1500 Dakota fill in for a midsize pickup? (Updated)

Making a Ram Dakota?

Stellantis has a trademark on the name “Dakota,” and is hard at work on a vehicle that would replace the Ram 1200 (Mitsubishi L1200). Compact and midsize trucks are a hot market in the United States now, with the Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, and Gladiator all fighting it out—but the Gladiator isn’t a practical high-volume truck for Ram. 

Could the company create a transitional truck to fill in for a midsize, while it waits for its engineers to finish? It might be a bit expensive, and maybe it wouldn’t work; but it would also be a recession-fighting pickup, if times got worse and pricey pickups suddenly lost their buyers. … [more]

Confirmed “for real:” new Ram pickup to be made in Brazil

According to Brazilian publication Autos Segredos, which posted this rendering, a medium-sized pickup dubbed Rampage is set to do battle with the Toyota Hilux (Tacoma) and other pickups. It will, they claim, share a unibody structure with the SUSW Jeep Renegade an Compass, and to have a conventional opening. The name “Rampage” has not been … Read more