2023 Ram 2500 Tradesman Crew Cab 4x4 64" Box on 2040-cars

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Ram 1500 Rebel TRX reveals hood scoop-mounted marker lights

Now that the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX is testing with production bodywork, the company has been doing a thorough job of covering up the off-road super truck. But fortunately lights still show through the thick coverings, and we're finally able to see the truck's wide vehicle-denoting marker lights. As you can plainly see, they're mounted to the inside of the hood scoop. This differs from the original Ram TRX concept that had its lights mounted on the roof like a traditional heavy duty pickup truck. It also differs from the Ford F-150 Raptor's grille-mounted marker lights. Both the Raptor and the TRX have these lights not just for style, but because they're wide enough to require the amber marker lights with three in the middle and one on either side of the truck. We can't quite spot the outside marker lights for the Ram. They could be integrated into the headlights, since it seems like the turn signal is particularly wide on this truck compared with regular models. The position of these lights also matches a recent report, lending some more credibility to other claims in it. We expect the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX to be revealed by the end of the year, perhaps as soon as the Detroit Auto Show, which is still scheduled for June. We know it will have a supercharged V8, since we've heard it ourselves, and reports say it will make at least 707 horsepower like the Charger and Challenger Hellcat. It has thoroughly modified suspension for high-speed off-roading, just like the Raptor. And of course it will have four-wheel drive.  

Ram/Jeep Ecodiesel engine has Maserati roots

The 3.0L turbodiesel V6 in the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel earned a slot on Ward's Automotive 2014 10 Best Engines for its power, fuel economy and refinement. In a piece looking at how Fiat subsidiary VM Motor developed the engine, Ward's also makes note of the fact that the same lump goes in diesel versions of the Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli. They're tuned a bit differently, naturally, with the QP putting out 275 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, the smaller, lighter Ghibli making do with the same number of horses but a lower torque output of 420 lb-ft.
The 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet put out by the oil-burning six-cylinder in the Ram was tamed with a host of advances, but it appears that Ram hasn't tamed demand: the initial allocation of 8,000 engines was spoken for within three days of the truck going on sale. Head over to Ward's to read the story of how Ram worked out the equation light-duty-pickup + diesel = success.

Fiat-Chrysler shows its SEMA lineup

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles already previewed its 2014 SEMA show lineup with some slick renders. Now, the automaker has finally showed us the actual cars, and among the group there are definitely some that stand out more than others.
Dodge is really showing off its muscle at this year's show with four concepts that all pump up the power of the brand's models. Perhaps most interesting among them is the Challenger T/A Concept (pictured above) in striking Sublime Green and matte black. It's meant to resemble the classic Trans Am racer from the '70s. Under the hood is a 6.4-liter V8, and to fit the vintage style there's a pistol-grip gearshift inside.
The Charger R/T also gets some attention with the Mopar concept that shows off what FCA's aftermarket performance arm can do. Mods include an updated body kit, cold-air intake for the 5.7-liter V8 and a coil-over suspension kit. Beyond that, the Dart R/T Concept looks a lot meaner with a black hood with duct work that leads straight to the air intake. The rest of the compact sedan is dolled up in O-So-Orange paint and is fitted with upgrades to improve handling like a coil-over suspension and big brake kit from the Mopar catalog.