Tag Archives: Ram

News

Scott Krugger to Lead Design for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram

In a strategic reshuffle aimed at sharpening the design DNA of its most iconic brands, Stellantis has announced the appointment of Scott Krugger as Head of North America Design. The newly created position places Krugger at the creative helm of legendary American marques including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram, as he reports directly to North America COO Antonio Filosa.

Krugger, a seasoned design executive who began his career with the company in 2001, brings more than two decades of brand-shaping experience. His most recent role saw him lead the exterior design for Dodge and Dodge//SRT passenger and utility vehicles in North America—vehicles known for their aggressive styling and performance-first ethos. He also previously oversaw design for Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and user experience development at Stellantis’ EMEA design studio, giving him a global design perspective rare in the industry.

The appointment is part of a larger transformation of Stellantis’ design leadership structure, which also includes the recent hiring of Gilles Vidal to head design for the company’s European brands. Both moves are key to Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles’ vision of a globally unified yet regionally agile design operation.

“With Scott’s immense design talent and proven leadership in North America and Gilles’ award-winning track record in Europe, we are opening a new chapter of creative excellence,” said Ralph Gilles, who continues to spearhead Stellantis’ global design strategy while working closely with regional heads to ensure brand authenticity and consumer resonance.

The company’s new design framework aims to strike a balance between global design consistency and regional customization—a necessity in today’s diverse and rapidly evolving auto markets. Under this model, Krugger will help steer the North American brands through a design renaissance that prioritizes bold innovation while honoring the heritage that defines each marque.

Krugger’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Stellantis, as the company intensifies efforts to electrify its lineup and expand its reach in both traditional and emerging markets. With fresh leadership and a sharpened creative vision, Stellantis appears determined to make its next generation of vehicles as visually compelling as they are technologically advanced.

For fans of muscle cars, rugged off-roaders, and American luxury alike, the future just got a little more exciting.

Source: Stellantis

News

Ram 1500 TRX Comeback Rumored as Stellantis Reignites V8 Passion

In a move that thrilled muscle truck loyalists, Stellantis recently reintroduced the V8-powered Ram 1500, sparking a frenzy of enthusiasm. Within just 24 hours of the announcement, over 10,000 orders flooded in—a clear sign that American buyers still crave old-school power in a modern package.

But that might just be the opening act.

According to insider reports from Mopar Insiders, Ram is preparing to bring back the ferocious 1500 TRX—and its return could happen much sooner than expected. Sources suggest the next-generation TRX will enter production in late January 2026, positioning it to shake up the high-performance pickup segment once again.

Even more intriguingly, this new TRX is expected to be the first product from the revived SRT (Street & Racing Technology) division, which is now under the leadership of Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis—a name long associated with Dodge’s Hellcat era and Stellantis’ performance vision.

A Return to Power

While official details remain tightly under wraps, all signs point toward a TRX that builds on the DNA of the recently unveiled Ram 1500 RHO, but with sharper claws and a bigger bite aimed directly at the Ford F-150 Raptor R.

The outgoing TRX left the stage in 2024 with a limited-run Final Edition, priced at $117,625 and packing a 702-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. That beastly engine delivered 650 lb-ft of torque, launching the truck from 0–60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds at 108 mph—blistering numbers for a full-size pickup.

At the time, Ram called it the “most powerful mass-produced pickup in its class”, engineered to survive the harshest off-road abuse with absolute authority. But that title has since been usurped.

Enter the Raptor R

Ford’s 2025 F-150 Raptor R now claims the power crown with its supercharged 5.2-liter V8, producing 720 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. That edge gives Ford a temporary upper hand—at least on paper.

However, Stellantis isn’t likely to back down. The TRX’s 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 has already proven it can go even further. In the 2023 Dodge Challenger Hellcat, the same engine delivered 717 hp, and in the Hellcat Redeye, it pushed 797 hp. In its wildest form—the SRT Super Stock—the HEMI hit a staggering 807 hp.

Given this proven capability, it’s not hard to imagine the new TRX aiming to reclaim the performance throne, especially with SRT engineers at the helm. Whether Ram chooses to match Ford’s output—or obliterate it—remains to be seen, but expectations are sky-high.

What’s Next?

If the rumors hold true, Ram’s next-gen TRX will represent more than just a return of brute force; it will be a symbolic revival of American performance truck culture, spearheaded by a reborn SRT brand.

With an anticipated debut in early 2026, all eyes will be on how Ram answers Ford’s challenge—and whether the TRX can once again dominate the battlefield it helped define.

Source: RAM

News

Ram Teases New Passenger Van Amid Aggressive Brand Overhaul

Less than a year into retirement, Tim Kuniskis is back—and already making bold moves at the helm of the Ram brand. The former Dodge boss, known for bringing muscle back to the mainstream, has returned to steer Ram through one of its most pivotal transitions yet. Since his return, he’s reignited the Hemi V-8 for Ram’s half-ton pickups, delayed the all-electric Ram 1500 Rev for strategic recalibration, introduced an industry-leading powertrain warranty, and even returned the brand to the NASCAR Truck Series. But now, he’s dropped a curveball: Ram may be entering the passenger van game.

In a recent interview with CNBC highlighting his comeback and Ram’s revitalization, Kuniskis hinted at the unexpected—potentially adding a passenger van to the lineup. While light on details, the tease adds to an already packed agenda, as Kuniskis confirmed Ram has more than 25 product announcements planned between now and the end of 2026.

Currently, Ram’s only van offering is the ProMaster, a commercial cargo vehicle available in a “Crew” setup with two rows of seats. Its European counterpart, the Fiat Ducato, is sold in a passenger configuration overseas, and Ram previously offered the smaller ProMaster City as a passenger van before it was axed in 2022. Kuniskis’ remarks suggest the brand may now be eyeing something broader—or perhaps more family-friendly. Could a Ram minivan be in the cards?

The move would be unorthodox but timely. Since 2019, Ram’s overall sales have plummeted 39%, and its once-dominant 1500 pickup has lost significant ground in the fiercely competitive half-ton segment. With Stellantis still reeling from the underwhelming tenure of former CEO Carlos Tavares, revitalizing Ram—the group’s profit powerhouse thanks to its pickup sales—is more crucial than ever.

If Ram does indeed enter the passenger van space, it would face limited but formidable competition. The commercial passenger van segment is currently dominated by Ford’s Transit, Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter, and GM’s aging duo—the Chevy Express and GMC Savana. Meanwhile, the minivan market has proven surprisingly resilient, with strong offerings from Chrysler (Pacifica), Honda (Odyssey), Kia (Carnival), Toyota (Sienna), and the retro-futuristic VW ID.Buzz.

Whether it’s a new mid-size truck, a reimagined passenger van, or something else entirely, one thing is clear: Tim Kuniskis isn’t just back—he’s back with a plan. And Ram, after years in decline, might just be on the brink of a true comeback.

Source: CNBC