2014 Ram 1500 Tradesman/express on 2040-cars

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Ram CEO rules out Hellcat pickup for now [w/poll]

If you've been waiting for Chrysler to shoehorn its new Hellcat engine into the Ram 1500 pickup, you may be waiting a while. Our compatriots at Car and Driver spoke to Ram CEO Bob Hegbloom about the prospect of a Hellcat pickup, and his answer was less than promising: "At this time, I would say no."
That doesn't mean it'll never happen, but does suggest that such a project is not currently in the cards. Which is a bit of a shame, considering how the last Mopar muscle truck turned out. The Dodge Ram SRT-10 was powered by essentially the same V10 engine as the Viper, channeled (in the short-cab version anyway) to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. The supercharged, 707-horsepower Hellcat engine now available in the Challenger coupe and Charger sedan is even more powerful, and would make one heck of a performance truck - the kind that, long-travel suspension aside, might make some enthusiasts forget all about the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
In the meantime, we're still holding out hope that the Trackhawk name registered by Chrysler recently will point the way towards a Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Where would you most like to see the Hellcat engine pop up next?

Ram offers Rebel 1500 Black in any color you want but especially black

The new Black edition is a natural extension of the Ram 1500 Rebel idea: making a good truck look a little more badass. So on top of the Rebel appearance goodies, which includes that distinctive grille and a bunch of (new for 2016) extras like beefier fender flares, the Black brings a lot of dark accents to the mix. But don't assume that you have to get one with a black exterior. You can get the Black edition in any color the Ram 1500 Rebel is normally offered in. What the Black edition adds to the mix is darkened wheels, brush guard, and an interior that is totally blacked-out. The heated, embroidered seats can also done up with Katskin leather. Bits like the door bezels, instrument panel and gauge rings, and grey accent stitching class up the cabin. Like a regular 1500 Rebel, buyers have a choice of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 or 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, either paried with the Rebel's standard 33-inch offroad tires and air suspension. If you want one, prices start at $46,910. The Rebel Black will be at dealers by March. Related Video:

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Drivers' Notes Review | King of the hill

The 2019 Ram 1500 is the newest full-size truck to the market, though the upcoming 2019 Chevy Silverado isn't too far off. We've driven a few models so far, from the base-spec Tradesman up to the kitted-out Limited variant. Modern trucks are expected to do everything from towing a boat, hauling mulch or carrying a family of five on an extended road trip. The days of simple, single-minded trucks have long since passed. Our tester this week is a mid-grade Laramie model. It has quite a few creature comforts — heated and ventilated leather seats, front buckets, a larger Uconnect infotainment screen — along with features like blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, automatic high beams and a bedliner. There's no moonroof, wireless charging or heated second row seats, but it's still extremely well appointed, especially compared to its forebears. That said, it doesn't come cheap. All in, this truck costs just under $55k. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: The 2019 Ram 1500 is simply the best truck in the market. It's powerful, comfortable, brash and the embodiment of what a full-size pickup should be. The Hemi V8 is always the first thing I notice when I test one, and it's smooth and potent in this 4X4 Laramie. Ram has wisely expanded its engine selections in recent years, though the V8 remains my favorite. The Ram's design always grabs me. It's generally the buffest looking truck in the segment, though at times in the last decade or so it has veered into cartoonish proportions. For 2019, it's a clean look with smooth lines and curves that convey a sense of power. I Love the new grille, and Rams always have a good deal of chrome — that's cool with me. Inside, this model was surprising quiet, underscoring the premium vibes. The latest version of Uconnect works well and is intuitive. Plus, there's a nice balance of knobs, buttons and dials. Everything is easy to use and understand. The leather looks and feels upscale, the seats are comfy yet supportive, and the configurable center console is a clever feature. This Ram is fairly loaded up, but even when we tested a more basic Tradesman a few weeks ago, I had similarly favorable impressions. It's an all-star truck. Associate Editor Reese Counts: I really hate to simply parrot what Greg said, but I'm quite enamored with the Ram. It really is the best of the bunch.