Latest news with #PowerWagon
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ford isn't going to love RAM's new warranty offering
Starting with the 2026 model year, RAM is doubling down on its comeback strategy by offering something no other full-size truck brand does: a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. That's right-twice the current coverage on gas-powered RAM trucks, and a full five years longer than what Ford and GM currently offer. It's not just the half-ton RAM 1500 that's getting the extra protection. The new warranty extends to heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models, chassis cab trucks, and even the ProMaster commercial van. Buyers of the off-road-ready Power Wagon and high-performance RHO also qualify. The only real exclusions? Fleet buyers and the all-electric ProMaster EV. That means for individual buyers, whether purchasing or leasing, this warranty could be a serious reason to reconsider a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado. So why the sudden move? According to RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis, the answer is simple: consumer behavior has shifted. Today's truck buyers are financing over longer terms and holding onto their vehicles longer than ever-12.6 years on average. Yet no truck brand has changed their warranty to reflect that reality. "We think this gives people a real reason to switch," Kuniskis said. And he's not wrong. Truck buyers are famously brand-loyal, with roughly 75–80% sticking with the same make when they buy again. But loyalty can shift if one brand clearly takes better care of its owners-especially in the long haul. Offering a longer warranty also sends a strong message: RAM believes in the durability of its new powertrains. That includes the returning 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, now offered once again as an option on the 2026 RAM 1500, and the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six that debuted just last year. RAM is coming off a rocky year. The 2025 RAM 1500 launch hit production delays, early trims were priced too high, and removing the V-8 left a bad taste for longtime fans. But the brand is attempting to turn the page. Under new leadership, including Kuniskis' return from retirement, RAM has slashed prices, brought back the HEMI, and even announced a NASCAR comeback for 2026. The company has also rolled out a new marketing push with the tagline "Nothing Stops RAM". This warranty announcement isn't just a sales gimmick; it's part of a larger turnaround strategy designed to restore consumer confidence and boost conquest sales. Ford and Chevy now face a choice: match RAM's warranty or risk looking second-best in a segment where perception matters as much as specs. So far, neither has hinted at making a similar move. That leaves RAM as the sole brand offering a decade of peace of mind on core powertrain components: engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, and axles. And in a world where trucks now cost as much as some luxury cars, that could be a powerful differentiator. If Ford and GM aren't worried yet, they probably should be. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
4 Rugged Car Brands That'll Hold Up Against All Terrains
Sometimes you want a vehicle that'll hold up for more than just your everyday driving needs. You may be looking for a rugged ride to enjoy some off-road excursions. Many car brands now offer rugged and durable vehicles to appeal to those seeking some adventure. And some even offer that at a low price — perfect for any budget. Be Aware: Read Next: Here's a look at four of the most rugged brands to consider if you want to drive in some exciting terrains. If you're looking for a rugged car that'll hold up for your daily commute and your off-road adventures, check out Ford. It's a brand known for making vehicles that are durable and fun to drive. Specifically, according to Edmunds, you may want to check out the Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch. It's a compact SUV that's rugged, dependable and spacious. Edmunds claimed this car has 'genuine off-road capability and everyday usability.' The Sasquatch package is available with the Outer Banks and Badlands trim levels. For a 2025 model, the Outer Banks and Badlands trims start at $35,459 and $38,818, respectively, per Edmunds. Explore More: It's probably no surprise that Jeep makes the list of rugged car brands. After all, its Wrangler is a fan favorite for durability and drivability. According to its website, the Jeep Wrangler has strength and power in hard-to-reach terrains. A 2025 Jeep Wrangler has a starting MSRP of $32,690. Jeep is a brand to consider for your next vehicle if you're looking for one that'll hold up for years and offer versatility for everyday driving and off-road excitement. According to IMG Licensing, 'rugged individualism' is one of the hallmarks of Dodge's brand. Drivers looking for a car with off-road capabilities can consider the Dodge Ram. Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM points to the Power Wagon and Rebel specifically. A 2025 Power Wagon starts at $72,140, while a 2025 Rebel has a starting MSRP of $68,940. When it comes to reliable trucks and SUVs, it may be tough to beat those from GMC. That's probably particularly true if you want to take your vehicle in rugged terrain. Some GMC vehicles to consider for rugged reliability include the Sierra, Yukon and Canyon. A 2025 GMC Sierra has a starting MSRP of $66,800, and a 2025 Yukon has a starting MSRP of $67,200. A 2025 Canyon comes in much lower, with a starting MSRP of $38,400. More From GOBankingRates 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources Edmunds, 'Off-Road Buyers Guide: Which Hardcore SUV Is Right for You?' Edmunds, '2025 Ford Bronco Sport.' Jeep, 'Jeep Wrangler.' IMG Licensing, 'Dodge.' Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM, 'Top Ram Truck Off-Roading Models.' This article originally appeared on 4 Rugged Car Brands That'll Hold Up Against All Terrains
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Classic Dodge Power Wagon Gets The Love It Deserves
Read the full story on Backfire News Someone kept a nice 1975 Dodge Power Wagon in their backyard under one of those temporary shelter things for the past 37 years. As you would expect, the classic truck ended up getting incredibly filthy, looking like a genuine barn find vehicle. Thankfully, it was finally rescued and given a thorough cleaning, the pickup getting the love it absolutely owner actually confirms that for a while the truck was in fact sitting inside a barn, so it came by all that dust rightfully. Then he parked it under the temporary structure and life happened. One thing that makes recovering this truck difficult is the fact it's large and has a camper shell in the bed, adding to the already massive weight. The professional detailers who signed up to rescue and clean up this Dodge, WD Detailing, struggle big time with getting the Power Wagon out of its resting spot and onto a waiting trailer. They have to take the camper shell off so it will even fit in the trailer, learning just four small C-clamps are holding it onto the bed sides. Thankfully, the owner doesn't want the camper anymore, so they take it off and dump the rotting thing. When it comes to cleaning the Dodge, the detailers have to remove layers of dirt and grime – it's really disgusting. They also find out one of the lug nuts was welded on for whatever reason. Sometimes you find the craziest things on old vehicles. But they push through, cleaning the exterior, cab, and even the engine compartment. The engine itself is done for and there is no gas tank, just an old can and a hose under the hood the owner used to supply the engine back when it did run. While the truck is going to need a lot of mechanical work, it cleans up surprisingly well. We just wonder what you would do with this pickup? What engine would you put in it? Image via WD Detailing/YouTube
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Ram Power Wagon Could Get a Diesel Engine
The Ram Power Wagon is the automaker's heftiest version of its heavy-duty pickup truck, but with one huge caveat: there is no diesel engine available. According to a Ram powertrain engineer, though, that could change in the future. Granted, the available V8 engine is a Hemi, but it still doesn't match the staggering output of the turbo-diesel engine that's available in Ram's other trucks, and also puts it a step behind both Ford and General Motors. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article According to Car and Driver, a Ram powertrain engineer was willing to give some insight into the Ram Power Wagon, specifically regarding customer requests. According to the engineer, customers have been clamoring for a diesel option in the brand's hefty off-road pickup. "We hear what's going on," the Ram engineer told Car and Driver. "If there's an opportunity there, then we can engineer it." Interestingly, the Power Wagon is the only truck in the brand's heavy-duty lineup without an available diesel powertrain, and it boils down to the placement of a winch. The Ram Power Wagon comes with a front-mounted winch, which gets in the way of the intercooler found on the pickup's turbo-diesel siblings. Unfortunately, there's no specified timeline for when the Ram Power Wagon could get the diesel treatment, but it definitely won't be happening for the 2025 model year. Other heavy-duty Ram trucks like the Ram 2500 and 3500 have a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine that produces an astounding 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Power Wagon's 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine generates 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, a far cry from the diesel powertrain's muscle. The Ram Power Wagon is a perfectly capable truck in its own right, but the lack of a diesel option puts it behind competitors. The Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado both feature heavy-duty trucks packing diesel engines designed to maximize trailering weight and off-road capability. The Chevrolet Silverado HD packs an available Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine that generates 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. With that kind of muscle, the Silverado HD can tow up to 36,000 lbs., nearly double that of its gas-powered 6.6-liter V8 engine. The GMC Sierra HD line shares that same diesel engine option. The Ford Super Duty's diesel powertrain delivers best-in-class muscle. The high-output version of the Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine delivers 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful trucks in the industry. When properly equipped, the Ford Super Duty can tow up to 40,000 lbs. That's not the only diesel engine available in the Ford Super Duty. The standard variant of the Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo diesel V8 engine produces 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of which diesel engine comes under the hood of the Ford Super Duty, power is channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Getting the Ram Power Wagon on par with its American competitors is a step in the right direction for the Stellantis-owned brand. The umbrella company hasn't exactly had the best go of it recently, with former head honcho Carlos Tavares exiting unexpectedly last year. On the bright side, the Ram Power Wagon crossing over to the diesel side would mean an increase in towing and off-road capability. At the very least, a handful of the truck enthusiasts in my neck of the woods will have their prayers answered - eventually, anyway.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Could Ram's Power Wagon Finally Get a Diesel Option? It's Possible
The is the beefiest off-road version of the brand's heavy-duty pickup truck, but its lone engine option is a gas-fed 6.4-liter V-8. Ram offers a Cummins diesel 6.7-liter straight-six on its other HD trucks, and recently more customers have asked for a diesel Power Wagon. A Ram powertrain engineer told that, while it's not happening for the 2025 model year, an oil-burning version of the HD off-roader is possible. Ford and GM's heavy-duty off-road-ready pickup trucks all offer diesel engines, but that's not the case for the Ram Power Wagon. Its sole engine option is a gas-powered 6.4-liter V-8, which is naturally aspirated, so it avoids the intercooler that's employed on its turbo-diesel siblings. Since the intercooler interferes with a front-mounted winch, and Ram insists the Power Wagon has to have a winch, that's one of the main reasons it's gas only. However, it's possible the brand's beefiest HD off-roader could finally get a diesel option. Car and Driver recently spoke with one of Ram's powertrain engineers, and—unlike with Toyota's manual-less 4Runner—customers have been asking for a diesel Power Wagon. In fact, we learned that recently a lot more customers have been asking for it—and their voices are being heard. "We hear what's going on," the Ram engineer said. "If there's an opportunity there, then we can engineer it." Despite the possibility of a future diesel Power Wagon, Ram's engineer didn't provide a potential timeline, other than confirming it's not happening for the 2025 model year. Ram's HD lineup just got a thorough refresh, and we've now driven the updated version of its Cummins turbo-diesel, a 6.7-liter straight-six that makes up to 430 horsepower and 1075 pound-feet of torque. The Cummins is available on the off-road-oriented Ram 2500 Rebel, but for now, the Power Wagon is stuck with the Hemi V-8, which is good for 405 ponies and 429 pound-feet. The Ram engineer said he believes that application is well suited for off-road duty, even if some customers still want the Power Wagon to get a Cummins option. "It's like, for some reason, people want 1000 pound-feet of torque to put in the sand," he said. Obviously, there's a big difference between something that can be done and will be done. But at least the people who have dreamed of a diesel-powered Power Wagon know that it's being considered. And who knows? If customer demand keeps rising, perhaps Ram will finally give its HD off-roader the diesel treatment. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
