Stellantis CEO Says the V-8 Hellcat-Powered Ram TRX Will Return
The return of the V-8 Hellcat-powered TRX has been rumored for a while, and it's expected to be revealed later this year as a 2026 model.
The last TRX had 702 horsepower, but we expect the new engine's output to exceed that figure and possibly surpass the Ford F-150 Raptor R's 720-hp bogey.
Almost as soon as it was announced that the Ram 1500 TRX would be discontinued after the 2024 model year, rumors started circulating about the high-performance pickup truck's eventual return. While things looked a little dicey when Ram stopped offering the beloved Hemi V-8 in its half-ton trucks, the TRX's revival got an adrenaline shot to the heart earlier this year when we learned that the eight-cylinder engines were making a comeback. And now Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has confirmed that the Ram TRX will rise from the dead.
During an earnings call yesterday, Filosa said that, ". . . the V-8 engine on versions such as the Ram 1500 TRX will deliver to us additional volumes." Perhaps the new CEO forgot that an official announcement about the TRX's return hadn't yet been made, or perhaps he simply knew that the Hellcat-powered truck's resurrection was one of the worst-kept secrets in the biz. Car and Driver reached out to a Ram spokesperson for comment on what Filosa said, and the rep told us that the CEO's comments stand.
View Photos
Marc Urbano
|
Car and Driver
While Filosa didn't say anything about a timeline for when the TRX would be revealed or when it would go into production, it has been rumored that it will join the Ram 1500 lineup for the 2026 model year. As for details about its powertrain, the new TRX will have a version of the iron-block supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, which last made 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Of course, the former figure will most likely be higher.
Currently, the Ford F-150 Raptor R features a 720-hp supercharged 5.2-liter V-8. We'd wager that the 2026 Ram TRX will exceed that output, even if it's only by a horsey or two. And let's not forget the Hellcat Redeye, which could summon over 800 ponies.
Eric Stafford
Managing Editor, News
Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si. Read full bio
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Car and Driver
4 hours ago
- Car and Driver
Cadillac Vistiq vs. Volvo EX90 Tested: Three-Row Electric SUVs Compared
Three-row SUVs have been one of the lagging segments in the switch to EVs, but that's starting to change as new entrants join the field. The Cadillac Vistiq and the Volvo EX90 are both recent additions, entering at the pricey end of the spectrum. Vistiq starting prices range from $79,090 to $98,190 across four trim levels. The EX90 spans $81,290 to $90,640, and it too has a four-model lineup. Our representative Vistiq was the Sport, which starts just $500 above the base Luxury trim and came in at $82,215 with options. Our EX90 was the Twin Motor Performance Ultra with an as-tested price of $94,640. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. view exterior photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Exterior and Interior Neither EV's exterior styling breaks significant new ground for its maker. Instead, they fit right in with the familial look. Unless you're looking at the EX90 from the front, where you find a body-colored fascia where the grille typically would be, the vehicle is a virtual doppelgänger for the gas-powered XC90, which has seen only minor styling tweaks in its decade on the market. The Vistiq doesn't have a gas-engine counterpart in the Cadillac lineup, but it has a lot of Escalade vibes—it's only if you see it next to Cadillac's range topper (whether in standard or battery-electric IQ form) that you realize the 'Slade is a full order of magnitude larger. view interior Photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver view interior Photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver These two SUVs may be priced similarly, but the serving sizes are not quite the same. Both fall broadly into the mid-size realm, but Cadillac dishes out a three-row with a bigger, American-size footprint, while Volvo hews to a more Euro scale. The Caddy sits astride a 4.3-inch-longer wheelbase and stretches 7.3 inches longer overall. It's also more than two inches taller and wider. view exterior photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver Volvo leans harder than ever into the Scandinavian modern aesthetic with the EX90's interior and bolsters the design with well-considered materials that have a quality look and feel. This is a great place to sit. But then Volvo torpedoes the functionality by going with an EV-cliché ultraminimalist driver interface. Nearly all switchgear is contained within the touchscreen, including the climate controls and the positioning of the side mirrors and steering wheel. If you dare look at the screen for more than a second or two—as you must—you get a beeping admonishment to keep your eyes on the road. Fortunately, that nagging can be switched off. The Cadillac's interior is nicely styled, and while its materials look pleasant, they don't push the envelope in the way the Volvo does. The Vistiq requires lots of interaction with its touchscreen, but there's also a rotary controller, physical switches for the mirrors, and four window switches rather than just two. Both cars have a glass roof, but Cadillac provides an actual shade, so the interior doesn't bake in the sun (that's not much of a consideration in Sweden, perhaps). Overall, the Volvo interior is prettier and has more interesting materials, but the Cadillac's is roomier and easier to live with. view exterior photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Cadillac Vistiq Cadillac Vistiq Sport HIGHS: Blazingly quick, accomplished suspension tuning, superior value. LOWS: Longer braking distance, lower skidpad grip, slower max charging rate. VERDICT: Who needs an Escalade? We loved the Volvo's natty-looking woven-cloth seats, but the EX90's narrow front chairs were less comfortable than the Cadillac's. The EX90's second row is accommodating if not overly huge, and the seats tilt and slide for access to the third row. That third row, however, is miserly in its space for feet, knees, and legs. Second-row passengers will have to scoot their seats forward if you're going to get anyone bigger than a middle-schooler in the way back. view interior Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver view interior Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver The Vistiq's greater size is immediately apparent when you slide behind the wheel. The large front seats are more comfortable than the Volvo's narrow chairs. The Caddy feels wider and roomier both up front and in the second row, and passenger-volume measurements bear that out. Even here, however, the third row disappoints, lacking legroom, kneeroom, and footroom unless the second row slides forward halfway, although it's not as cramped as in the EX90. The bigger car also had the edge in cargo space, with the Vistiq offering 15 cubic feet behind the third-row seat to the EX90's 13, and a max of 80 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, beating the EX90's 71 cubes. view exterior photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Powertrain and Performance The EX90 came brandishing its higher-zoot powertrain with 510 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque (versus the 402-hp base unit). All Vistiq models have the same output: 615 horsepower and 649 pound-feet, available in the Velocity Max drive mode. The Caddy's higher pony count translated to quicker acceleration, with a rather absurd 3.6-second 60-mph time, a half-second ahead of the Volvo. And yet, unlike some high-horsepower EVs, the Vistiq doesn't give the impression of frenetic acceleration, and its measured accelerator response may be preferable in a vehicle that often carries a load of passengers. Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra HIGHS: Art-house interior, impressive athleticism, speedy charging. LOWS: All-touchscreen interface, stingy third row, slim-fit driver's seat. VERDICT: The three-row Volvo, gone electric. Both cleared the all-important 300-mile EPA range bogey, with the Cadillac adding five miles for good measure (although higher-trim Vistiqs are 300 even). And in our 75-mph real-world highway range test, both cars managed a 250-mile result. Unsurprisingly, their battery sizes are nearly the same at 107 kWh for the Swede and 102 kWh for the American. view exterior photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver The Cadillac has a 400-volt architecture, and its peak DC fast-charging rate is a claimed 190 kilowatts, which is slower than the Volvo's 250 kilowatts. For AC charging, Volvo provides an 11.0-kW onboard charger, while at Cadillac, buyers can upgrade the standard 11.5-kW charger to a 19.2-kW unit. Like other GM EVs, the Vistiq allows the driver to hold the left paddle for one-time max regen without switching modes. The EX90 offers auto regen, no regen, or one-pedal mode, with the driver using the touchscreen to choose. view exterior photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver Driving Experience Neither EV is hindered by its three-ton-plus curb weight—a distressingly typical metric—and both of these EVs acquit themselves well in the ride and handling department. Our sample Volvo boasted more sophisticated suspension hardware than the Cadillac, with dual-chamber air springs (included with the Ultra spec) and adaptive dampers. It rides well and stays nice and flat around corners, with the selectable Performance all-wheel-drive mode imparting a feeling of athleticism. Some drivers found the controls touchy, however. The Cadillac has a real sense of substance from behind the wheel. The chassis is very well tuned and features standard adaptive dampers, although air springs are reserved for the Premium Luxury and Platinum trims. Yet even without them, the Vistiq exhibits good body control and appropriate steering effort—not overly sporty but nicely buttoned down. The ride in the default Tour mode is great but somewhat less so in Sport. view interior Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Cadillac Vistiq view interior Photos Andi Hedrick | Car and Driver Volvo EX90 Both EVs are quiet, but the Volvo puts a bit more cotton in your ears, as we measured 66 decibels at 70 mph versus 67 for the Cadillac. And the Winner Is . . . These two EVs were closely matched. The Cadillac eked out a victory, but in many categories, the two entrants' scoring was right on top of each other. So were the results in the all-important range test, reflecting their near-identical EPA figures. Despite being a lower-spec trim level, the Vistiq packs more features and amenities, and its lower price was also an advantage. The Cadillac also had a more usable third-row seat, quicker acceleration, and less-annoying controls. The Volvo's wins were in chassis performance (with its superior grip and shorter stopping distances), interior design and materials, quietness, and ride quality. Either SUV is an accomplished and upscale family hauler for those ready to take the EV plunge. Michael Simari | Car and Driver Want to see these vehicles' specs side-by-side? Check out the Cadillac Vistiq & Volvo EX90 on our new compare tool. Compare Cars Specifications Specifications 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Sport Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $79,590/$82,215 Options: Radiant Red Tintcoat paint, $1225; 6-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs, $800; black roof, $600 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC Combined Power: 615 hp Combined Torque: 649 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 102 kWh Peak Charge Rate, AC/DC: 11.5/190 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink Brakes, F/R: 13.5-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc Tires: Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season 285/45R-21 113H M+S TPC Spec 3194MS DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 121.8 in Length: 205.6 in Width: 79.8 in Height: 71.0 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 62/54/35 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 80/43/15 ft3 Curb Weight: 6226 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 3.6 sec 100 mph: 9.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.1 sec @ 114 mph 130 mph: 16.8 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.8 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.8 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.3 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 132 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 362 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g Interior Sound Idle: 29 dBA/1 sone Full Throttle: 72 dBA 70-mph Cruising: 67 dBA/21 sone C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 75 MPGe 75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 86/93/78 MPGe Range: 305 mi -- 2025 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Ultra Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $90,640/$94,640 Options: Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, $3200; 22-inch 5-spoke Aero wheels, $800 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 241 hp, 310 lb-ft Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 268 hp, 361 lb-ft Combined Power: 510 hp Combined Torque: 671 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 107 kWh Peak Charge Rate, AC/DC: 11.0/250 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.8-in vented disc/15.4-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli Scorpion MS F: 265/40R-22 106H M+S VOL R: HL295/35R-22 111H M+S VOL DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 117.5 in Length: 198.3 in Width: 77.3 in Height: 68.8 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 58/51/21 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 74/36/14 ft3 Front Trunk Volume: 2 ft3 Curb Weight: 6083 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 4.1 sec 100 mph: 11.2 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.9 sec @ 106 mph Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.3 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 116 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 346 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.86 g Interior Sound Idle: 29 dBA/1 sone Full Throttle: 69 dBA 70-mph Cruising: 66 dBA/20 sone C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 70 MPGe 75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 127 kW DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 43 min EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 81/83/78 MPGe Range: 300 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED Reviewed by Joe Lorio Deputy Editor, Reviews and Features Joe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Car and Driver
4 hours ago
- Car and Driver
Porsche Says 911 Turbo S Coming Soon, Gas Macan Successor in 2028
In its first-half earnings call, Porsche confirmed that a new 911 Turbo S will be shown later this year with a hybrid powertrain. The electric motor in the 911 GTS T-Hybrid is good for a continuous 54 horsepower, meaning the new Turbo S could come close to 700 hp. Porsche also said a new gas-powered compact SUV will arrive by 2028 as a successor to the outgoing gas-fed Macan. Porsche launched its electric Macan SUV last fall before introducing a refreshed version of its Taycan EV—which just won Car and Driver's EV of the Year award for 2025—this summer. But Porsche isn't abandoning its lineup of gas-powered cars, and in its first-half earnings report, the German automaker made two announcements about exciting upcoming internal-combustion vehicles: the updated 911 Turbo and a future fuel-sipping SUV that will replace the outgoing gas Macan SUV. A Potentially 700-HP Turbo S Porsche has already updated the majority of the expansive 911 lineup, including inserting a new hybrid powertrain into the GTS trim. Even the track-focused GT3 received some light tweaks for 2025, leaving the Turbo and Turbo S as the only models that carried over into 2025 unchanged. But on Porsche's earnings call, CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the new Turbo S will be revealed later this year and will pack a hybrid powertrain of its own. We expect it to be joined by a non-S model too. Porsche Porsche already introduced a hybrid powertrain on the 911 GTS, seen here. The hybrid powertrain should make the new Turbo S even more rapid than before. The twin-turbocharged 3.7-liter flat-six in the current Turbo produces 572 horsepower, with the Turbo S upping the ante to 640 ponies. The T-Hybrid system in the GTS added an electric turbocharger and an electric motor that injects an extra 54 hp and 110 pound-feet of torque, bringing combined output to 532 hp. This means a hybridized Turbo S could be cranking out close to 700 hp. There will, however, likely be a weight penalty of roughly 100 pounds, if the GTS is any indication. A New Compact Crossover Although the gas-powered Macan, originally introduced way back in 2015, remains on sale for the time being in the United States, it is effectively being replaced by the Macan EV. Over in Europe, the internal-combustion Macan has already been pulled off the market due to regulatory reasons. But now Porsche has confirmed that its compact SUV will have a successor with a gas engine. Back in March, Porsche said it was considering a new gas-powered SUV, and now Blume has announced that this upcoming crossover will arrive in 2028. According to Blume, it will be differentiated from the Macan EV, and we think it could introduce a new nameplate. While 2028 doesn't give Porsche too much time to develop this new model, we expect it to ride on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) that underpins the new 2025 Audi Q5, allowing Porsche to get the SUV to market more quickly. Michael Simari | Car and Driver This wouldn't be a surprise, since the current gas Macan shares its platform with the previous-generation Q5. The new Q5 uses a 268-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, while the SQ5 uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 362 hp. Both engines could find their way into the Macan successor. In the earnings call, Blume also confirmed that electric successors to the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are still coming but have been delayed. They will now go on sale after the Cayenne EV, which will be revealed later this year before sales start in 2026. This means the 718 EV will likely reach dealerships in 2027. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Italy's new car sales down 5.11% in July
ROME (Reuters) -Sales of new cars in Italy fell by 5.11% year-on-year in July, transport ministry data showed on Friday, indicating a persistently weak market in the European Union's third largest economy. Total sales in July stood at 118,493 vehicles. Market leader Stellantis, whose brands include Fiat, Jeep and Peugeot, suffered an even bigger sales slide of around 13% year-on-year, according to Reuters calculations. The Franco-Italian automaker's market share, however, edged up to 25.8% from 24.55% in June, according to the same calculations. Fiat remained Italy's most popular car brand, followed by Toyota-Lexus and Volkswagen, the ministry data showed. Chinese automaker BYD enjoyed an almost tenfold growth in sales, from 205 to 1,967 units, and overtook historic Italian brand Alfa Romeo, which last month sold 1,953 cars. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
