Latest news with #HEMI
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Muscle vs. Microwave? 1970 HEMI Charger RestoMod vs the 2025 Dodge EV Daytona
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector What happens when Detroit thunder takes on digital silence? RestoMods just dropped a head-to-head comparison of their RM30 1970 Dodge Charger RestoMod and the futuristic 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV, and let's just say… sparks fly (literally and figuratively). This isn't just a spec sheet shootout — it's a showdown between two ideologies. One car is aggressive, loud, and unapologetically analog. The other is fast, refined, and electric—but feels like it's missing something under the skin. Spoiler alert: you can win the RM30 plus $50,000 at The RM30 is a full-throttle love letter to Mopar muscle. Restored from the ground up by the RestoMods team, this build cranks everything up to 11. It's got a Blueprint Engines 426ci Gen 3 HEMI, pushing 650 horsepower through a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual, and it doesn't stop there. Specs That Matter: Holley Terminator X-Max EFI system MagnaFlow stainless steel 2.5" exhaust with X-pipe QA1 front cradle & 4-link rear with coilovers Wilwood disc brakes (14' 6-piston front, 4-piston rear) Viper Red paint, LED lighting, American Racing wheels on sticky Falken RT660s Sparco GT buckets, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air A/C, and Hurst pistol grip shifter Every bolt was touched. Every surface reworked. It smells like 91 octane and sounds like thunder wrapped in steel. It's not a car—it's an experience. You feel the downshifts. You hear the HEMI. And you smile like a maniac. Then there's Dodge's latest: the 2025 Charger Daytona EV. It's the first all-electric muscle car from Dodge, and while it's got the speed — sub-4-second 0-60, all-wheel drive, and sleek styling — it feels more like an appliance than an icon. Sure, there's synthetic engine noise. But no matter how many speakers you cram into the chassis, a speaker isn't a HEMI. As RestoMods put it, "You don't cook a steak in the microwave, but we all know this." The Daytona EV is technically impressive, but it lacks the character, presence, and soul that made muscle cars legendary. The RM30, on the other hand, doesn't just pay homage—it takes the spirit of 1970 and updates it for 2025. It's visceral. It's mean. It's alive. You can win this fully built RM30 Charger plus $50,000 in cash. It's RestoMods' 30th giveaway build, and easily one of their most complete to date. ➡️ Enter now at Or watch the video to see what muscle really sounds like. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Associated Press
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Ram Brand Launches 'Never Stop Being American' Marketing Campaign, New Brand Ethos 'Nothing Stops Ram'
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. , June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- It's not the 4th of July yet, but the Ram brand is already setting off the fireworks! On the heels of the brand's highly anticipated and long-awaited news that the HEMI® V-8 is making a comeback and that Ram brand is back in NASCAR, Ram is launching its new marketing campaign, 'Never Stop Being American,' and with it, even more attitude with the brand's new tagline, 'Nothing Stops Ram.' " Never Stop Being American " screams red, white and blue. Set to a custom version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' by Kenny Wayne Shepherd and narrated by UFC's Dana White, the 60-second spot, launching on Flag Day, explodes with fireworks, HEMI V-8s, NASCAR, tattooed grandmas, rodeos, burnouts, the Goodyear Blimp, the Ram Monster Truck, Ram trucks and fighter jets with patriotic smoke trails, mullets and blue suede shoes, just to name a few. 'Ram's new campaign, 'Never Stop Being an American,' is an ode to America, its people, its culture and time-honored traditions,' said Olivier Francois, global chief marketing officer, Stellantis. 'Launching it, and the new 'Nothing Stops Ram' tagline, sets the stage for an epic year for the brand that will be remembered for the HEMI V-8's comeback and return to NASCAR and, for the country, leading into America's 250th anniversary, in which Ram will play a leading role during the yearlong celebration as the event's exclusive truck partner.' The news of the HEMI V-8 and NASCAR return was officially announced by Tim Kuniskis, global CEO of the Ram brand, during a live NASCAR event at the Michigan International Speedway on June 8. 'Last weekend, we let our Ram customers know that we heard them loud and clear, and the HEMI V-8 is back,' said Kuniskis. 'Nothing stops Americans, and nothing stops Ram, so when our drivers told us what they wanted in their trucks, we answered the call. This is just the start of what will be an unforgettable year for the brand and for our customers, which starts now by giving them what they've fought us to have, freedom of choice that includes the return of an iconic American powertrain.' The 'Never Stop Being American' marketing campaign was created in partnership with the Ram brand and Glue IQ, with Doner developing the 'Nothing Stops Ram' tagline. Ram brand also launched its " Ram-Demption " campaign as part of last weekend's events at Michigan International Speedway, officially signaling the return of the HEMI V-8 and the brand's return to NASCAR. The 68-second video features Kuniskis behind the wheel of Ram's NASCAR concept truck at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, with the iconic Goodyear Blimp and jets flying overhead. Different versions of the 'Ram-Demption' video include 60-, 30- and 15-second spots, which are running across NASCAR media and the Ram brand's social media channels, in addition to a long-form video running on the Ram brand's YouTube channel. 'Ram-Demption' was created in partnership with Argonaut agency. The Ram brand will also play a big part in the festivities surrounding the 250th anniversary of America, announcing its exclusive truck brand partnership with America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Ram brand will also play a big part in the festivities surrounding the 250th anniversary of America, announcing its exclusive truck brand partnership last month with America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Ram brand will play a central role in the yearlong celebration, which includes providing trucks that move America250 official events across the country​. In addition, the Ram brand will reveal a limited-edition A250 vehicle within its truck portfolio to commemorate the yearlong celebration. More details will be announced as the celebration continues throughout the year. Ram brand's parent company, formerly named after Walter P. Chrysler, celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 6, 2025. Ram Brand Ram offers a full lineup of pickups and commercial vehicles; the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster vans. The Ram Light-Duty and Heavy Duty pickups are considerably improved for 2025 and offer new products in the fastest growing segment within the pickup space—Sport Trucks. Ram introduced the largest variety of off-road performance trucks the brand has ever offered, including the new Ram 1500 RHO with more horsepower per dollar than any other performance off-road pickup. In the commercial business, Ram is launching the new 2025 Chassis Cab line with improvements to help customers and upfitters. Ram Professional is making considerable changes in process, execution and resources with a focus on commercial offerings, dedicated B2B-focused expertise, and sales and service support, which are critical to growing in this segment. Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers: Ram is improving market competitiveness and growth while maintaining pricing power through products, services and electrified offerings. Aligned under the global presence of the Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle organization, Ram currently offers a wide range of products globally, from the Ram 700 compact pickup to the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and a range of ProMaster vans. Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit Follow Ram and company news and video on: Company blog: Media website: Ram Truck brand: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA YouTube: For more information, please visit the Stellantis media site for North America at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Stellantis
New York Post
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
Ram boss sorry for ‘woke' pivot that killed gas-guzzling engine, brings back growling classic after backlash: ‘We got it wrong'
Ram admitted it screwed up by killing a legacy American-made engine known for its raw power — and is revved up to bring it back after facing major backlash. The automaker had discontinued the beloved HEMI V-8 engine from its 2025 Ram trucks as part of a 'woke' pivot by the since-ousted CEO of parent company Stellantis Carlos Tavares, But new Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, who came out of retirement last last year, offered up a mea culpa over the decision to pull the plug on the engine that powered the top-selling truck for decades. 7 Ram Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis appears in a new ad for the company in which he apologizes for ditching a beloved gas-powered engine. Youtube/Ram Trucks In a newly-released ad, Kuniskis publicly acknowledged the misstep and said Ram is reversing course by bringing back the gas-guzzling HEMI engine in 2026 models. 'We own it. We got it wrong. And we're fixing it,' Kuniskis announces in the commercial. Ram ditched the HEMI as part of its broader push toward meeting stricter emissions regulations enacted by the Biden administration as well as its goal of improving fuel efficiency across its lineup. President Trump administration has pushed to scrap many of Biden's green initiatives. 'When Ram made the decision to discontinue production of the iconic HEMI V-8, the internet erupted, and lifelong loyalists voiced their outrage across social media,' Lindsay Fifelski, head of Ram brand advertising, told Fast Company. 7 Kuniskis is seen in the ad getting behind the wheel of a Ram Truck as it speeds down a NASCAR runway. Youtube/Ram Trucks 'We knew we couldn't market our way around this moment; we had to meet it head-on.' The Ram ad also features screeching tires and Kuniskis narrating over the roar of engines as drives the Ram Truck on a NASCAR track. 'You hear that? That's our HEMI, and it's saying, 'I'm back,'' he bellows, as the truck blazes down the track. A fan chimes in: 'Did he say what I think he said? That thing's got a HEMI!' 'Hell, yeah, it does!' another said. 7 The ad features screeching tires and Kuniskis narrating over the roar of engines as he is drifting, doing doughnuts and taking hot laps on a NASCAR track. Youtube/Ram Trucks Later, amid tire smoke and cheering crowds, Kuniskis leaned into the hype. 'You want more? Buckle up. Ram's coming back to NASCAR,' he said. He offered up one last rallying cry — 'Let's f–king go!' — then ended the commercial with a promise: 'We're back in America's motorsport. The HEMI's back. And we ain't going anywhere.' 7 'You hear that? That's our HEMI, and it's saying, 'I'm back,'' he said, as the truck blazes down the track. Youtube/Ram Trucks Ram and its parent brand Dodge left NASCAR after the 2012 season. The commercial, created by ad agency Argonaut, doubles as an apology and a reintroduction of the HEMI, which is named for the hemispherical shape of the engine's combustion chambers. The HEMI is unique in that the shape of its chambers allows for better airflow, higher efficiency and greater power output. The engine delivers up to 717+ horsepower in supercharged variants and is prized for its durability, low-end torque and distinctive rumble. 7 The HEMI is unique in that the shape of its chambers allows for better airflow, higher efficiency and greater power output. Frisco Dodge The iconic engine was replaced by the new Hurricane lineup of more powerful and efficient 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engines during the refresh of the fifth-generation Ram 1500 light-duty truck. The move aligned with parent company Stellantis' global electrification and downsizing strategy, which emphasized smaller, more efficient powertrains like the Hurricane. The company positioned the Hurricane as more powerful and fuel-efficient than the outgoing V8 — but the decision sparked backlash from loyalists who valued the HEMI's iconic rumble, durability, and cultural significance. 7 The engine delivers up to 717+ horsepower in supercharged variants. RAM Ram's overall sales dropped more than 18% year over year in 2024. Kuniskis told CNBC that he expects the HEMI to account for 25% to 40% of Ram 1500 pickup truck sales in 2025. The renewed interest suggests the company's about-face could deliver not just goodwill, but a needed boost at the dealership level. 7 Ram Trucks and its parent company Stellantis are joining other automakers in moving away from full electrification of their fleets. Youtube/Ram Trucks Stellantis, the fourth largest automaker in the world — whose portfolio of brands includes Ram, Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler, Peugeot and Jeep — is just the latest automaker to scale back the push toward electrifying its fleet of cars and trucks. Several major car companies — including Ford, GM and Mercedes-Benz — have scaled back or delayed their electrification plans due to weaker-than-expected consumer demand, high production costs and charging infrastructure concerns. Ford is pivoting toward hybrids and GM postponed several EV launches. By late 2023, electric vehicle inventory was piling up on dealership lots, with EVs taking more than three times longer to sell than gas-powered cars, signaling a sharp slowdown in consumer demand.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Classic American truck maker brings back an icon
Ram is bringing back a rumbling, gas-guzzling V-8 engine. Months after phasing out the iconic HEMI V-8 from the 2025 Ram 1500 lineup, the automaker now says the big-bodied motor will return in 2026. The brand's top boss apologized for killing the grunting 5.7-liter powerhouse. 'We own it. We got it wrong. And we're fixing it,' Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of the Ram brand, said in an advertisement, showing the executive driving the truck around a racetrack. Kuniskis spoke over the thunderous growl of the truck's iconic firing cylinders. 'You hear that? That's our HEMI. And it's saying, "We're back."' For years, Ram raked in huge profits with the HEMI-powered full-size pickup trucks. The brand, which spun out of Detroit-based Dodge in 2009, was praised by loyal customers for its throaty, high-octane motors and near luxury interiors. Truck sales are among the most profitable — and important — for US-based automakers. But regulations threatened the fan-favorite motor. Ram originally ditched the HEMI in favor of Stellantis' newer, smaller engines to comply with tightening vehicle federal emissions standards and state government pressure to build EVs. Last year, the company said it would replace the V-8 with a more efficient and powerful V-6 — but the swap also stripped away some of the brand's signature brashness. Fans hated the move. 'Ram will lose me as a customer,' a truck-lover said in a Reddit post after Ram announced the HEMI was dead. 'What a sad day.' Ram posted massive losses after moving on from the aggressive engine. Sales for the brand slumped more than 18 percent in 2024. Ram's struggles contributed to a sales flop for its parent brand, Stellantis, which reported a 70 percent slash in profits last year. But the engine's revival has sparked hope for a comeback. Kuniskis recently said he expects the HEMI to represent 25 to 40 percent of Ram 1500 sales in 2026. The revived V-8, enhanced with Ram's eTorque mild-hybrid tech, will return to the 1500 lineup globally, including trims like Laramie, Limited, and Sport. Every truck will feature a 'Symbol of Protest' badge, a fender-mounted emblem depicting the Ram logo crashing through a engine block. Ram will continue to offer the newer V-6, which delivers more power and better fuel efficiency than the returning V-8. 'Data be damned — we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!' Kuniskis added. Ram's HEMI bet comes amid a massive shift for its struggling parent company. Stellantis — which owns American brands Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep and European brands like Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Opel, and Peugeot — saw its CEO, Carlos Tavares, abruptly resign in December. The company was going through a wave of bad headlines, including mass layoffs at US plants and struggles to keep up with President Donald Trump's 25 percent automotive tariffs . There might be some light at the end of the tunnel. In May, the Antonio Filosa, the former COO for North and South America, took over as the top boss. 'We believe the appointment is positive,' Rella Suskin, an automotive analyst with MorningStar, told 'Antonio has a strong background in on-the-ground execution and understanding of the market's regional needs. These traits will be key in attempting to regain some of the significant market share losses in Europe and the US over the last few years.'
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Classic American truck maker grovels as it brings back an icon: 'We got it wrong'
Ram is bringing back a rumbling, gas-guzzling V-8 engine. Months after phasing out the iconic HEMI V-8 from the 2025 Ram 1500 lineup, the automaker now says the big-bodied motor will return in 2026. The brand's top boss apologized for killing the grunting 5.7-liter powerhouse. 'We own it. We got it wrong. And we're fixing it,' Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of the Ram brand, said in an advertisement, showing the executive driving the truck around a racetrack. Kuniskis spoke over the thunderous growl of the truck's iconic firing cylinders. 'You hear that? That's our HEMI. And it's saying, "We're back."' For years, Ram raked in huge profits with the HEMI-powered full-size pickup trucks. The brand, which spun out of Detroit-based Dodge in 2009, was praised by loyal customers for its throaty, high-octane motors and near luxury interiors. Truck sales are among the most profitable — and important — for US-based automakers. But regulations threatened the fan-favorite motor. Ram originally ditched the HEMI in favor of Stellantis' newer, smaller engines to comply with tightening vehicle federal emissions standards and state government pressure to build EVs. Last year, the company said it would replace the V-8 with a more efficient and powerful V-6 — but the swap also stripped away some of the brand's signature brashness. Fans hated the move. 'Ram will lose me as a customer,' a truck-lover said in a Reddit post after Ram announced the HEMI was dead. 'What a sad day.' Ram posted massive losses after moving on from the aggressive engine. Sales for the brand slumped more than 18 percent in 2024. Ram's struggles contributed to a sales flop for its parent brand, Stellantis, which reported a 70 percent slash in profits last year. But the engine's revival has sparked hope for a comeback. Kuniskis recently said he expects the HEMI to represent 25 to 40 percent of Ram 1500 sales in 2026. The engine was nixed after Ram engineered a more powerful, efficient V-6 engine - but customers didn't seem to want it The revived V-8, enhanced with Ram's eTorque mild-hybrid tech, will return to the 1500 lineup globally, including trims like Laramie, Limited, and Sport. Every truck will feature a 'Symbol of Protest' badge, a fender-mounted emblem depicting the Ram logo crashing through a engine block. Ram will continue to offer the newer V-6, which delivers more power and better fuel efficiency than the returning V-8. 'Data be damned — we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!' Kuniskis added. Ram's HEMI bet comes amid a massive shift for its struggling parent company. Stellantis — which owns American brands Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep and European brands like Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Opel, and Peugeot — saw its CEO, Carlos Tavares, abruptly resign in December. The company was going through a wave of bad headlines, including mass layoffs at US plants and struggles to keep up with President Donald Trump's 25 percent automotive tariffs. There might be some light at the end of the tunnel. In May, the Antonio Filosa, the former COO for North and South America, took over as the top boss. 'We believe the appointment is positive,' Rella Suskin, an automotive analyst with MorningStar, told 'Antonio has a strong background in on-the-ground execution and understanding of the market's regional needs. These traits will be key in attempting to regain some of the significant market share losses in Europe and the US over the last few years.'
