Skip to main content

Chrysler says hell no to a Ram 1500 Hellcat

SRT has already put its hellacious 707-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 under the hoods of the 2015 Dodge Challenger and Charger, but why stop there?

Car and Driver recently queried Ram Trucks CEO Bob Hegbloom about the possibility of a Ram 1500 Hellcat. Hegbloom responded that such a Helltruck isn’t a possibility “at this time.”

Recommended Videos

That’s not as crazy a request as it sounds. Back when Ram as still part of Dodge, Chrysler built the SRT-10, a pickup truck with the Viper’s V10 under its swollen hood. With a massive rear spoiler on its tailgate and the ability to roast its rear tires on command, the SRT-10 was the ultimate muscle truck.

When it was still in production, Dodge also claimed the SRT-10 was the world’s fastest production pickup. Surely the brand would like to restore that title, giving it something to put alongside the Charger SRT Hellcat’s “world’s fastest sedan” title in the corporate trophy case.

Related: 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat priced from $64,990

While a new SRT pickup appears to be out for now, the Hellcat engine could still find its way into at least one other Chrysler model.

Jeep recently trademarked the “Trackhawk” name, leading to widespread speculation that it’s concocting a Hellcat-powered version of the Grand Cherokee SRT.

With the Chrysler 300 SRT apparently on its way out, there aren’t many other potential platforms for another Hellcat model, although a Durango Hellcat would be pretty cool.

Still, if the current interest in Chrysler’s monster motor doesn’t subside (and why would it?) Ram could reverse its decision on a Hellcat truck and make a lot of rednecks very happy.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Aptera’s 3-wheel solar EV hits milestone on way toward 2025 commercialization
Aptera 2e

EV drivers may relish that charging networks are climbing over each other to provide needed juice alongside roads and highways.

But they may relish even more not having to make many recharging stops along the way as their EV soaks up the bountiful energy coming straight from the sun.

Read more
Ford ships new NACS adapters to EV customers
Ford EVs at a Tesla Supercharger station.

Thanks to a Tesla-provided adapter, owners of Ford electric vehicles were among the first non-Tesla drivers to get access to the SuperCharger network in the U.S.

Yet, amid slowing supply from Tesla, Ford is now turning to Lectron, an EV accessories supplier, to provide these North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters, according to InsideEVs.

Read more
Rivian offers $3,000 off select EVs to gasoline, hybrid vehicle drivers
Second-Gen Rivian R1S on a road

Early November typically kicks off the run-up to the Black Friday sales season, and this year, Rivian is betting it’s the perfect time to lure gasoline drivers toward its EVs.
If you own or lease a vehicle that runs on gasoline, which means even a hybrid vehicle, Rivian is ready to give you $3,000 off the purchase of one of its select fully electric vehicles -- no trade-in required.
The offer from the Irvine, California-based automaker extends to customers in the U.S. and Canada and runs through November 30, 2024. The program applies to Rivian 2025 R1S or R1T Dual Large, Dual Max, or Tri Max models purchased from R1 Shop.
Rivian’s new All-Electric Upgrade offer marks a change from a previous trade-in program that ran between April and June. There, owners of select 2018 gas-powered vehicles from Ford, Toyota, Jeep, Audi, and BMW could trade in their vehicle and receive up to $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Rivian.
This time, buyers of the R1S or R1T Rivian just need to provide proof of ownership or lease of a gas-powered or hybrid vehicle to receive the discount when they place their order.
Rivian is not going to be the only car maker offering discounts in November. Sluggish car sales from giants such as Stellantis and rising inventories of new cars due to improving supply chains suggest automakers and dealerships will be competing to offer big incentives through the year's end.
This follows several years of constrained supply following the COVID pandemic, which led to higher prices in North America.
According to CarEdge Insights, average selling prices for cars remain above what would be called affordable. But prices should continue improving along with rising inventories.
Stellantis brands are entering November with the most inventory, followed by GM and Ford, according to CarEdge. Toyota and Honda, meanwhile, have the least inventory, meaning they probably won’t be under pressure to offer big incentives.

Read more