2020 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4x4 on 2040-cars

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Is Ram working on an HD Hellcat pickup truck?

Ram already offers an off-road-oriented Power Wagon pickup truck based on its heavy-duty 2500 chassis, and that's no slouch with a 410-horsepower, 6.4-liter Hemi V8. But add a 707-hp Hellcat to the mix and our interest goes through the roof. But is that what we're actually looking at in the spy photos above? Even a cursory glance at the shots proves these aren't ordinary Ram 2500 trucks. The most obvious visual hint is the big ram-air hood, but we also see a definite lift kit and heavy-duty suspension components underneath. The removal of the front and rear bumpers indicates that these trucks have good approach and departure angles, but it could also mean that whatever is underhood needs major airflow. Notice, too, that the two trucks seen here aren't traditional Crew Cab models, which is how the Power Wagon comes standard. Instead, there's a single cab and a massive Mega Cab sitting side by side. Is Ram going to unleash two new Power Wagon variants? Seems possible. It's really not possible to talk about a potential Ram HD Hellcat pickup truck without mentioning the Ford Raptor. The Blue Oval's SVT division has created one heck of a factory off-road monster, and it's set to get even better for the 2017 model year with an EcoBoost engine and four full-size doors. How could Ram, one of Ford's biggest truck competitors, answer Ford's latest assault? How about a Hellcat! Based on FCA's desire to put a Hellcat engine into anything that can hold it, it wouldn't be shocking to see an overpowered Ram model. And if that does happen, the Power Wagon platform is a great place to start. We don't know if that's what we're looking at, or if these trucks are test beds for future parts for the Mopar catalog, but either way we like what we see. Related Video: Featured Gallery Ram Hellcat: Spy Shots Design/Style Spy Photos RAM Truck Off-Road Vehicles ram power wagon

Chrysler set to make $266M-investment into 8-speed transmission production

Chrysler will shortly make a significant $266-million investment into its Kokomo, IN transmission factory in a bid to expand production of its eight-speed automatic transmissions. The gearboxes, which are built under license from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen, have been well received by customers and critics, and according to an SEC filing obtained by Automotive News, the transmissions will eventually find their way to all of Chrysler's rear-drive offerings (Viper and heavy-duty Ram models, aside). According to AN, a Chrysler spokesman says the investment has not been confirmed, but once it is, it'll mark the company's latest in a growing line of investments at the facility. Chrysler has poured $1.5 billion into Kokomo since 2009.

Stellantis and Foxconn's new joint venture will focus on connectivity

MILAN — Carmaker Stellantis and TaiwanÂ’s Foxconn announced plans to develop a jointly operated automotive supplier focusing on technology to make vehicles more connected, including artificial intelligence-based applications and 5G communications. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the services that will be developed through the tie-up “will mark the next great evolution of our industry,” alongside fully electrified and hybrid powertrains. The deal brings together Stellantis, the worldÂ’s 4th-largest automaker formed this year by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Peugeot, and Foxconn, a major supplier of iPhones. The companies said the venture would focus on such services as infotainment, the integration of telecommunications and computer systems, artificial intelligence-based applications, 5G communications, e-commerce channels and smart cockpit integration. The companies announced a non-binding memorandum of understanding to form a 50-50 joint venture called Mobile Drive, which will be based in the Netherlands and function as an automotive supplier also to other carmakers. The new venture will combine advanced consumer electronics, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) to create new services “that will exceed customer expectations,” the companies said in a release. “Customers today and, in the future, demand and expect ever-increasing software-driven and creative solutions to connect the drivers and passengers with the vehicle inside and out,Â’Â’ Foxconn Chairman Young Liu. Alfa Romeo Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Opel Peugeot 5g Connectivity Stellantis Foxconn