Latest news with #RAMTrucks
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Stellantis' RAM Trucks Officially Announces Historic NASCAR Entry
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Stellantis' RAM Trucks has officially announced its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry. The news arrives amid intense speculation of the brand's entry into the sport. RAM Trucks' social media post of an imminent announcement on 8 June had people guessing. Newsweek Sports reported the comments made in FOX Sports' broadcast of the Truck Series race in Michigan on Saturday. The brand's post from X teasing the big announcement was aired live as a host said: "Anything we can do to have more manufacturers in the sport would be great." "We'll have to see what they're getting at with the truck that they were showing there." Kaden Honeycutt, driver of the #45 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07,... Kaden Honeycutt, driver of the #45 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. MoreNow, RAM Trucks has released an official statement, announcing its NASCAR arrival. It reads: "For more than a decade, customers and our dealer network asked about getting back into NASCAR. The desire was always there, but we didn't have a plan that delivered the last tenth and following just didn't fit our DNA," said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram. "Now we have a solid plan that will set us apart from the field and will bring fresh new interest and engagement to America's Motorsport." He added: "There will be more details on our NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program later this year. We are undoubtedly having fun with this project, and I truly look forward to sharing information on our team and how getting back on track relates to the future of Ram performance." The release continued: "Ram returning to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a major moment for the sport, and a sign that NASCAR remains a strong platform for blue chip brand partners," said John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We are excited to welcome Ram back to the sport. Its identity includes high performance, durability and innovation – characteristics that embody NASCAR and, specifically, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series." Newsweek also shared a report by Sports Business Journal earlier before the announcement, which confirmed through "four people familiar with the matter and a document seen by SBJ" that RAM Trucks was gearing up to compete in the Truck Series. Additionally, the report stated: "Stellantis' Dodge brand exited NASCAR after the 2012 season, and NASCAR has been working for over a decade to add a fourth automaker back to the sport. It hasn't had a new one join since Toyota started out in the Truck Series in 2004. "Stellantis is said to be likewise initially looking to re-enter the sport through the Truck Series as soon as next year, though nothing has been announced. The company and people that would form its new team have been in talks to enter NASCAR as soon as next year." RAM Trucks' post on X dropped a big hint. The video showed a RAM Truck doing a burnout, but as the truck drove off and the tire smoke cleared, a racetrack gradually emerged in the background, which suggested the brand's entry into the racing series. Connect the dots, and the NASCAR Truck Series seemed like the obvious destination.
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Legendary HEMI V8 Returns to 2026 Ram 1500
A questionable move from RAM The Stellantis-backed RAM Trucks brand disappointed many customers and the loyal Mopar fanbase when it discontinued one of the most symbolic pillars of their favorite trucks: the Hemi V8 engine. Its replacement, the twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six, could make more power than some of the Hemi offerings on paper. However, the downsized solution didn't 'hit the same' for its customers, especially as Ram 1500 rivals like the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado still offered eight cylinders aligned in a V-shape. 0:08 / 0:09 Thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4? These 5 rivals might change your mind Watch More The Hemi returns like it never left In an official Stellantis statement, RAM Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis recognized the 'momentum' driven by 'Consumer sentiment for the legendary engine,' noting that the return is the start of an 'assertive product plan' that brings more 'freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.' 'Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it,' Kuniskis said. The 5.7-liter V8 engine remains largely unchanged from the 2024 model year, delivering 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The Ram's Hemi engine also features a 48-volt 'eTorque' mild hybrid system, which replaces the traditional engine-mounted alternator with a belt-driven motor generator unit that works in conjunction with a 48-volt battery pack. It enables quick and seamless engine start/stop, provides up to 130 lb-ft of additional torque to the engine crankshaft in specific driving conditions, and facilitates brake energy regeneration. In the Ram 1500 powertrain lineup, the Hemi V-8 is offered as a step-up from the 305-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, and below the more powerful 3-liter Hurricane straight-sixes. The Hurricane engine is available in two configurations: a standard output version that delivers 420 horsepower and a high-output variant that produces 550 horsepower. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 'Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic HEMI V-8,' Kuniskis said. 'At the end of each month, we count sales to customers, not to statisticians or ideologues. Data be damned — we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!' 2026 Ram Rebel with HEMI V-8 Ram says that the Hemi V8-equipped Ram 1500 models are now available to order, and the first trucks with the powertrain will arrive at Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealers this summer. The Hemi V8 will be a $1200 option on most Ram 1500 trims, including the work-centric Tradesman, the Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Lone Star, and Laramie trims. However, it will be offered as a no-cost option on the luxury-oriented Limited and Longhorn. Stellantis says that the Hemi will also be available on the rugged Rebel trim, but details on pricing or availability are scarce. The off-road-oriented RHO and the top-of-the-line Tungsten model will be exclusively offered with the high-output twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six; however, Mopar Insiders reported that the Ford Raptor-rivalling TRX could potentially return for the 2026 model year. 2026 Ram Rebel with HEMI V-8 No matter which trim level you choose, Stellantis says that every 2026 Ram 1500 equipped with the powerful Hemi V8 will proudly display a distinctive fender-mounted badge known as the 'Symbol of Protest.' This badge, drawn up by Ram's design team, features a bold and expressive Ram's head, exuding a sense of cuteness and aggression. The head is artfully integrated with the outline of a Hemi V8 engine block, which shows onlookers that your Ram is not just a truck, but a powerhouse with a legendary Hemi engine lurking beneath its hood. Final thoughts Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis was consistently asked the question 'When will the Hemi return?' when he returned to his post in December 2024, and finally, here it is. The trend of downsizing motors has been seen across the automotive spectrum, but this event shows that some things are still sacred in the automotive world. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
