Tag Archives: Stellantis

Ram Roars Back with Bold Patriotic Campaign and HEMI V8 Revival

Ram Trucks is tapping into America’s patriotic pulse with a thunderous new marketing push and a tagline designed to stick: “Nothing Stops Ram.” The brand’s fresh identity debuted last week with the bombastic launch of its new campaign, “Never Stop Being American,” coinciding with the highly anticipated return of the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup.

The 60-second ad, which premiered to significant fanfare, features a red-white-and-blue spectacle complete with a reimagined version of The Star-Spangled Banner by blues rocker Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The spot opens with archival Apollo space program footage and crescendos into high-octane scenes of American adventure — from dirt bike riding and bull wrangling to a cheeky glimpse of George Washington behind the wheel of a Ram. Narrated by UFC president Dana White, the commercial builds to a climactic message:
“Never, ever, ever stop being American. Nothing stops America, and nothing stops Ram.”

The new slogan replaces the former “Built to Serve” motto, and signals a more assertive tone in Ram’s branding. Critics may call the ad overly theatrical, but Stellantis Global CMO Olivier Francois sees a grander purpose.

“This campaign is an ode to America — its people, its culture, and time-honored traditions,” said Francois. “We’re entering an epic year for the brand. With the HEMI V8’s comeback, Ram’s return to NASCAR, and the road to America’s 250th birthday, Ram will be front and center in the celebration as the exclusive truck partner.”

The Return of a Legend: 5.7L HEMI V8

Ram’s latest move isn’t just about flag-waving sentiment — it’s also about giving gearheads what they’ve been missing. The revered 5.7-liter HEMI V8, producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, will be available across a broad swath of trims including the Big Horn, Express, Laramie, Limited, Longhorn, Rebel, Tradesman, and Warlock.

Starting this summer, buyers can opt for the returning V8 at a $1,200 premium over standard configurations. It will join the base Pentastar V6 and the punchy Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, which is offered in 420-hp and 550-hp variants.

A Patriotic Power Play

With a blend of nostalgia, muscle, and unapologetic American flair, Ram’s new strategy is a calculated bet on heritage and heart. While some may question whether the campaign’s tone borders on cliché, it’s undeniably geared to connect with Ram’s core audience — truck buyers who value toughness, tradition, and torque.

Whether this high-octane approach will resonate beyond Ram loyalists remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: with V8s roaring and star-spangled banners flying, Ram isn’t just back — it’s making a statement.

Source: Stellantis

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Fiat Launches Spain’s First Fast Battery Swap Station in Madrid

In a pioneering move towards accelerating electric mobility, Fiat has unveiled Spain’s first fast battery swap station for electric vehicles in Madrid. Launched in collaboration with American battery technology firm Ample and Stellantis-owned car-sharing platform Free2move, the pilot project marks a major milestone in EV infrastructure development.

The initiative introduces a new level of convenience for electric vehicle users: battery swaps in just five minutes, eliminating the traditional waiting times for charging. This service will be available exclusively for Fiat 500e electric models, initially integrated into Free2move’s Madrid-based car-sharing fleet.

Revolutionizing Urban EV Use

Instead of plugging in to charge, Fiat 500e drivers can simply swap their depleted battery for a fully charged one at the station. The entire process is managed via a mobile phone application, offering an intuitive and efficient user experience.

“This technology ensures that users are always ready to drive—no waiting, no charging,” said Fiat in a statement. “The aim is to simplify urban electric mobility and remove one of the main barriers to EV adoption: charging time.”

Fleet Expansion Underway

Currently, 40 Fiat 500e vehicles in the Free2move fleet are participating in the pilot project. That number will increase to 100 vehicles in the coming months, making this one of the most ambitious battery swap initiatives in Europe to date.

Free2move, which operates car-sharing services in major cities across Europe and the U.S., is a brand under Stellantis, the global automotive group to which Fiat also belongs.

Madrid: A Strategic Launchpad

The decision to launch the project in Madrid aligns with the city’s aggressive climate strategy. The Spanish capital has pledged to cut CO₂ emissions by 65% ​​by 2030, making it an ideal testing ground for sustainable mobility solutions.

The project also supports Spain’s national target of having 5.5 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030, a goal that requires innovative infrastructure and public-private partnerships.

A Model for the Future?

While battery swapping remains rare in Europe, Fiat’s move could signal a shift in how automakers think about EV usability—especially in densely populated urban areas. If successful, the Madrid pilot could become a model for other cities seeking to boost EV adoption without waiting for large-scale charging networks to catch up.

As Fiat, Ample, and Free2move lead the charge in Spain, the message is clear: the future of electric mobility may be faster, simpler, and more flexible than ever before.

Source: Stellantis

Peugeot Unleashes the e-208 GTi: A New Era of Electric Hot Hatches

This weekend, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race is not only a celebration of motorsport history but also the stage for a major automotive comeback. Peugeot has chosen the iconic event to officially unveil the all-new e-208 GTi, its first high-performance electric vehicle and the long-awaited return of the legendary GTi badge.

A name once synonymous with hot hatch glory, especially with the classic 205 GTi, the GTi label is back—this time, fully electric. The new model is based on the Peugeot e-208, but heavily reworked by Peugeot Sport, signaling the brand’s renewed commitment to performance, even in the age of electrification.

A Competitive Comeback

The e-208 GTi enters a growing segment of electric hot hatches and takes direct aim at competitors like the Alpine A290 GT Performance. But with 278 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, the Peugeot edges ahead in performance. Thanks to a front-mounted electric motor and mechanical limited-slip differential, it achieves 0–100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, outpacing the Alpine’s 6.4-second sprint.

The drivetrain shares components with its Stellantis cousin, the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, while sporting engineering enhancements such as hydraulic shock absorbers, a rear stabilizer, and recalibrated steering for sharper handling. Peugeot has also lowered the chassis by 30 mm and widened the track to ensure more confident road-holding at speed.

Design Inspired by a Legend

Visually, the e-208 GTi pays homage to its 1980s predecessor. A completely redesigned front grille, dual spoilers, and new diffuser give the car a more aggressive stance. Unique 18-inch alloy wheels, styled after the 205 GTi’s originals and paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, complete the athletic look.

The interior maintains the sporty theme, with bucket seats trimmed in red and black, Alcantara upholstery, and distinctive GTi branding throughout. Even the floor mats feature red piping, a nostalgic nod to the original hot hatch hero.

Racing Pedigree and Technical Refinements

While the e-208 GTi uses the same 54 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery found in the standard e-208, it benefits from race-derived software tweaks. These changes, influenced by Peugeot’s 9X8 hybrid endurance racer, improve thermal management under high loads and optimize energy recovery—ensuring the GTi’s performance doesn’t come at the cost of efficiency or reliability.

A Signal of Things to Come?

This electrified rebirth of the GTi may just be the beginning. Although Peugeot currently has no concrete plans to launch petrol-powered GTi models, CEO Alain Favey hinted at future possibilities: “We are starting with the e-208 and we are definitely listening to what our customers have to say. We do not exclude the possibility of other versions of the 208 GTi under the GTi badge, but there is absolutely nothing planned in that sense today.”

For now, the e-208 GTi stands as a bold statement of Peugeot’s electric future—combining nostalgic flair with cutting-edge engineering. As it roars into view at Le Mans, the legend of the GTi begins a thrilling new chapter.

Source: Stellantis

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