Motor News

Mercedes-Benz confirmed last week that a refreshed 2026 S-class is on its way, and we spotted the updated sedan testing in Sweden.The S-class prototype—which could be a Maybach model—has a reworked front end, including headlights with LED three-pointed stars, similar to the taillights on the 2024 E-class.The 2026 S-class could get updated powertrains, and Mercedes has confirmed that the V-12 engine is sticking around.The Mercedes-Benz S-class is among the brand’s most important models, serving alongside the G-class as the pinnacle of the luxury automaker’s lineup. The flagship sedan may not move a ton of units—its 8809 U.S. sales last year only beat out the GT and SL sports cars among the company’s gas-powered vehicles—but the S-class has been critical to Mercedes-Benz’s reputation as a purveyor of opulence. Now, the brand is readying an update to the S-class for the 2026 model year, and we just spotted a prototype of the refreshed luxo-barge testing in Sweden.Amid a flurry of announcements last week, which included the confirmation of a “baby” G-wagen, Mercedes said it was developing a “major update” for the S-class that would go on sale in 2026. While Mercedes didn’t spill any details, the spy photos give a taste of what to expect from the S-class’s visual changes. The most obvious difference is the headlight design, which appears to have adopted a slightly different shape. The headlights also feature an LED three-pointed star motif, a theme that first appeared on the taillights of the 2024 E-class.Caleb Miller|Car and DriverThe shape of the grille also seems to be a bit different, stretching lower on the bumper, while the bottom vents also appear to be reworked. Another curious detail is a cutout in the camouflage on the front fender for a forward-facing camera, which could form part of a bolstered driver-assistance package. The 2024 S-class, along with the electric EQS, already offers Drive Pilot, a Level 3 autonomous-driving system that allows the driver to both keep their hands off the steering wheel and their eyes off the road for lengthy periods.The rear end carries over mostly unchanged, although the taillights look to also include a three-pointed star element in a similar vein to the headlights. We think the prototype seen here represents a Maybach model, due to the extra chrome trim around the side windows and the camouflage on the C-pillar, where a Maybach logo typically resides on the ultra-luxury models. The wheels aren’t as glamorous as the units normally found on Maybachs, but that’s likely just because this is a prototype. The test unit next to the Maybach appears to be a standard S-class and shares many of the same changes at the front.Obviously, a “major update” for the S-class should bring more than just visual tweaks. That could mean changes to the S-class’s powertrains, which currently include a 442-hp inline-six, a 496-hp V-8, and a plug-in-hybrid setup. The Maybach versions come with either the V-8 or a 621-hp V-12. Although both the inline-six and V-8 already come with a 48-volt hybrid system, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more electrical assistance as Mercedes aims to remain in compliance with increasingly strict European emissions regulations. Mercedes did confirm last week that the V-12 will remain in production, although it will only be available in certain markets. We should learn more about the 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-class later this year.More on Mercedes’s Flagship SedanCaleb 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. More

Volvo continues to tease information about the electric ES90 sedan ahead of its reveal next week, this time detailing its range estimate and charging info. Volvo claims the ES90 has 435 miles of range based on the optimistic European WLTP cycle; we expect its EPA figure to be closer to 369 miles. The ES90 will also be the first Volvo EV with an 800-volt architecture, which helps it charge from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 20 minutes.The IV drip of information about the upcoming Volvo ES90 continues. Following last week’s teaser, the automaker has released more information, this time focused on the mid-size luxury sedan’s electric architecture and range. Volvo claims the ES90 with dual motors and all-wheel drive can travel 435 miles on a full charge. However, that’s based on the more optimistic WLTP cycle. We expect its EPA estimate will be closer to 369 miles. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the official U.S. figures. Either way, the sedan’s estimated range is notably longer than the EX90 SUV, Volvo’s other new all-electric model, which is EPA-rated to travel up to 310 miles.VolvoThe EX90’s battery has a usable capacity of 107.0 kWh, while the ES90 has a slightly smaller pack that we estimate will have about 101.0 kWh on tap. Despite the size difference, the sedan’s extra range is partly attributed to its 800-volt architecture. Along with providing considerably faster charging speeds, the ES90’s platform uses lighter e-motors, which Volvo says help reduce overall weight and improve acceleration, efficiency, and range.The value of the 800-volt system is evident as the battery’s state of charge shrinks. Volvo claims the ES90 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes when connected to a 350-kW DC fast-charger. The automaker also says the sedan will be able to add 186 miles of range in 10 minutes.When it comes to the construction of the ES90, Volvo says that 29 percent of the aluminum used in the car is recycled, as is 18 percent of the steel and 16 percent of the polymers. We’ll learn even more about the first Volvo EV to feature an 800-volt architecture when it’s revealed via livestream next Wednesday, March 5.More on the Volvo ES90Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Hennessey’s latest over-the-top Mustang, the Super Venom, is based on the Mustang GT and Dark Horse models and limited to 91 examples in total.The tuner claims a 10.9-second quarter-mile time, shaving 1.1 seconds off the standard Mustang Dark Horse’s time. The Super Venom is on sale now and includes the full Ford factory warranty, plus an additional three-year/36,000-mile Hennessey warranty. Hennessey Performance, the brazen Texas-based tuner, modifier, and manufacturer of high-performance vehicles, has added a new weapon to its arsenal of offerings: The Super Venom Mustang. Intended to commemorate Hennessey’s 1991 founding date, production is limited to 91 examples. Unsurprisingly, the modifications begin under the hood, where the Hennessey horsepower gurus conjure up an additional 350 horsepower for a total of 850, a 70 percent increase over the factory engine’s 500 ponies. Torque is up too, to 650 pound-feet, an increase of 55 percent over the stock Dark Horse’s 418, though both hit peak torque at 4900 rpm. Buyers can choose between 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.HennesseyHennessey doesn’t offer too many specific data points detailing the components fitted to extract this newfound performance. But it does note that it has added a high-performance supercharger fed by a high-flow air induction system, upgraded the fuel injectors and fuel pump, and that it manages it all with a proprietary Hennessey engine management system. In other words, they done cranked the boost up, which should come as little surprise to anyone familiar with the shop. The exterior wears a unique ’91 Icon livery in tribute to Hennessey’s 1991 founding date. (Get it?) The ’91 package is available in black, silver, and red hues, intended to contrast and complement the factory paint options. The carbon-fiber “VenomAero” kit includes a functional hood vent, front fender louvers, a more aggressive front splitter, side skirts, an integrated duck bill on the carbon-fiber deck lid, and an imposing fixed rear track wing. There are also 20-inch lightweight wheels and Hennessey “H” fender badges and signature script on the deck lid. Carbon-fiber engine cover bits, complete with a plaque bearing the car’s serial number, adorn the engine bay. Hennessey also claims to have improved cooling, which is beneficial to any track-focused vehicle.HennesseyInterior mods include tailor-made Hennessey leather and Alcantara seat upholstery in blue or black—with the requisite Hennessey logo embossing, natch—built on your choice of the Recaro sports seats or the standard “comfort” seats. The center console gets retrimmed and includes a plaque displaying your Super Venom Mustang’s serial number. (There’s one on the dash too, for people with short memories.) Hennessey all-weather floor mats complete the package. Hennessey says the Super Venom Mustang package is available built on the Mustang Dark Horse for $163,950 or the Mustang GT for $149,950. At this price point, it seems almost silly to go for the GT, but variety is the spice of life, right? The Super Venom Mustang is on sale now and available directly from Hennessey or authorized Hennessey Ford dealers. Hennessey’s Greatest Hits from the C/D ArchiveAndrew Wendler brings decades of wrenching, writing, and editorial experience with numerous outlets to Car and Driver. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Car and Driver, Esquire, Forbes, Hot Rod, Motor Trend, MPH, MSN, and Popular Mechanics, among others. A Rust Belt native and tireless supporter of the region, he grew up immersed in automotive, marine, and aviation culture. A lifetime of hands-on experience and a healthy dose of skepticism provide him the tools to deliver honest and informative news, reviews, and editorial perspective. Of note, he once won a $5 bet by walking the entire length of the elevated People Mover up track that encircles downtown Detroit. More

Ram’s gas-powered pickup trucks were, collectively, the sixth bestselling vehicle in the United States last year, racking up 373,120 sales. While Ram ditched the thumping V-8 heart for its latest half-ton truck, the automaker hopes to increase the 1500’s popularity by expanding its powertrain arsenal. First up is the Ramcharger, a new plug-in-hybrid pickup utilizing a gas-fed V-6 as a generator to recharge the battery. It will be followed by the fully electric 1500 REV, which was originally scheduled to start production before the PHEV, but they’ve since flip-flopped.The 2026 Ram 1500 Ramcharger has also faced delays, but it’s finally supposed to hit dealerships sometime in the second half of this year. With its arrival imminent, Ram has released full technical details for the plug-in truck, allowing us to see how it stacks up against its popular gas-only counterpart.Similar DimensionsAlthough the Ramcharger is constructed around the new STLA Frame platform—designed to support a variety of powertrains, from gas to hybrid to EV—the plug-in truck matches the dimensions of the gas-only 1500. However, the Ramcharger will come only in a single configuration, pairing a crew-cab body style with a five-foot, seven-inch bed. The standard 1500, meanwhile, is sold in both extended “Quad” cab and crew cab setups. The Quad Cab comes exclusively with a six-foot, four-inch bed, and the crew cab is available with both bed sizes. RamWhen comparing identical configurations, the Ramcharger and standard 1500 are dimensionally identical. The Ramcharger’s 144.6-inch wheelbase and 232.4-inch overall length match that of the 1500 crew cab (the Quad cab is four inches shorter in both metrics). The overall width and height are also identical at 81.2 and 77.4 inches, respectively. The approach angle, however, is a bit better in the Ramcharger at 19.9 degrees. The 4×4 crew-cab version of the gas-only 1500 has an approach angle of 18.8 degrees, although the gas truck’s 20.6-degree departure angle is about 1 degree better than the Ramcharger’s. The dune-jumping 1500 RHO—a replacement for the V-8-powered TRX—takes the gas-powered truck to the extreme with extra ground clearance and a reworked front bumper, which supplies an impressive 31-degree approach angle and 25.2-degree departure angle.A Variety of PowertrainsRam’s full-size trucks pack six-cylinder power these days, with the Hemi V-8 departing after the 2024 model year. While the 1500 is offered with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6—featuring a 48-volt hybrid system—we’re focusing on the more potent Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. It comes in two intensities. More affordable models, such as the base Tradesman, Big Horn, and off-road-ready Rebel, feature the standard-output engine that churns out 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. The pricier models—the Longhorn, Limited, Tungsten, and RHO—have a high-output version that turns up the wick to 540 ponies and 521 pound-feet. Every Hurricane engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers rear- or all-wheel drive; the Ramcharger’s dual electric motors provide standard four-wheel traction.While the Ramcharger does feature the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 under its hood, the gas engine doesn’t power the wheels. Instead, the V-6’s 271 horses and 226 pound-feet generate energy for the battery, a 400-volt unit with a usable capacity of 69.7 kWh. This pack feeds two electric motors, one mounted on each axle. The front motor produces 335 hp, while the rear unit is a tad lower at 333 hp; both motors are rated at 310 pound-feet of torque. The combined output is 647 hp and 610 pound-feet, making the Ramcharger significantly more potent than the mightiest gas-only 1500.Performance and Driving RangeDespite the Ramcharger’s power advantage, its battery alone adds substantial heft. Ram says it contributes 1216 pounds to the truck’s claimed curb weight of 7507 pounds. Still, it’s estimated to go from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Meanwhile, when we tested a 2025 Ram 1500 Limited crew cab 4×4 with the 540-hp Hurricane engine, it tipped our scales at 5967 pounds and hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. For a true comparison, though, we’ll need to wait to strap our test equipment to a Ramcharger. When you’re not mashing the accelerator, the Ramcharger’s hybrid setup should help you travel a bit farther. Ram claims its battery is good for 145 miles of range on electricity alone, and once the gas generator kicks in, it’s estimated to go 690 miles between fill-ups. The gas-only truck comes with either a 26- or 36-gallon fuel tank. Four-wheel-drive versions with the H/O Hurricane have an EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined, so paired with the larger tank, it has a theoretical range of about 610 miles.While many people use their pickups as daily drivers, both Rams are equipped to do traditional “truck stuff.” The Ramcharger out-trucks the standard gas-powered 1500. Ram claims the plug-in-hybrid model has a max payload of 2625 pounds and a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds. This outdoes the gas-fed 1500’s ratings, which peak at 2300 pounds of payload and 11,580 pounds of towing capacity. Plus, the Ram 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4×4 we tested has a similar bed and body style as the Ramcharger, but its max payload and towing capabilities are considerably lower at 1340 and 9740 pounds, respectively.High-Class CabinsInside, Ram’s PHEV and gas-only trucks are virtually identical. The small differences include buttons around the gear selector for unique drive modes tailored to the Ramcharger’s hybrid system. Both trucks feature a large 12.0-inch touchscreen that can be upgraded to an even bigger 14.5-inch unit with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. An optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger is also available, and the cabin can be wrapped in rich leather and specced with upgrades such as heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, depending on the trim.RamPrice and AvailabilityThe one crucial detail we’re still missing regarding the Ramcharger is pricing. The gas-only 1500 starts at $42,270 for the base Tradesman trim, while the Limited trim we tested starts at $77,150. The top-of-the-line Tungsten model commands an $89,150 starting price. Ram hasn’t revealed the entire Ramcharger lineup, but we expect the most affordable examples to start around $60K. At the top end, the Ramcharger could easily spill over the $100,000 mark. More specifics regarding pricing should be released later this year ahead of deliveries in the second half.More on Ram TrucksCaleb 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. More

The 2025 Audi A5 replaces the outgoing A4 sedan, and the company has now released its starting price.While we’re still waiting on complete pricing, Audi confirmed the new A5 will start at $48,995, making it $3600 more than the A4 it replaces.Both the A5 and the sportier S5 are slated to arrive at U.S. dealerships before the end of this year’s second quarter. Audi’s lineup has been reshuffled and renamed so many times during the past couple of years that most people need an automotive Rosetta Stone to decipher it. Be it the odd-versus-even naming structure or the demarcation between sedans and what Audi calls Sportbacks, you’re forgiven for being confused. At least the new 2025 Audi A5’s pricing is easy to understand. Audi has announced that the new four-door A5, which looks like a sedan but features a discreet hatchback, starts at $48,995. That’s $3600 more than the A4 sedan it’s replacing, which is priced at $45,395 to start. We’re still waiting for Audi release pricing for the rest of the 2025 Audi A5 lineup as well as its sportier counterpart, the S5.The new A5 is pricier than the A4, but the extra cash gets you more car in terms of power and space. The A5 is longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing sedan, and the wheelbase has been stretched by roughly three inches for extra legroom. Under its hood, the new A5 features a 268-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system. Meanwhile, the S5 is motivated by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that packs 362 horses. Both the new A5 and S5 are scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships before the end of the second quarter of this year. We expect Audi to release a more detailed pricing breakdown before they arrive. More on the Audi A5Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

“You can’t always get what you want,” exclaimed Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones’ 1969 hit of the same title. That lyric rings true for many American car enthusiasts, who longingly look to Europe’s hatchback- and wagon-saturated market. Normally liftback lovers must admire from afar, but we recently got a rare chance to sample some of Volkswagen’s European models on an ice-covered lake in Arvidsjaur, Sweden. Unfortunately, after playing in the snow we must report back that our country is missing out on some excellent VWs that blend sensibility with driving aptitude. The latter is largely thanks to VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, which luckily is still found in VW’s American SUV offerings.Station-Wagon HeavenThe Passat name is still familiar in America, having only departed after the 2022 model year. Europe received a new generation in 2023, sold exclusively as a wagon. This author grew up in the back seat of a B5-generation Passat wagon, which boasted a handsome design, a spacious cargo hold, a leather-lined interior, and a mix of dynamic competence and structural solidity due in part to a platform shared with the Audi A4.Volkswagen2025 Volkswagen Passat Variant.The modern Passat Variant (that’s European for “wagon”) struck many similar notes in our limited on-road and extensive on-ice driving. Not only does the liftgate rise to reveal a capacious cargo area, but the rear seats are vastly roomy, with plenty of stretch-out space for this 5-foot 11-inch author. The cabin is wrapped in high-quality materials, and while there is an overreliance on touchscreen controls, the screens themselves were large and fairly straightforward to navigate.The Variant we drove was motivated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder producing 190 horsepower, and while not especially zippy, it felt capable on the road. But it was on ice where we were most impressed by the Passat. With stability control off, the 4Motion system deftly divvied up power through the rear axle’s multiplate clutch. The throttle wasn’t incredibly responsive, but it wasn’t hard to get the Passat sideways, and once there it exhibited a graceful balance, allowing for long slides. Most wagon owners won’t drift their family cars en route to the school drop-off line, but the balance implies a reassuring sense of control that any parent would want with such precious cargo on board.Volkswagen2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX.We also drove the Passat’s battery-electric counterpart, the ID.7 Tourer GTX. VW initially aimed to sell the ID.7 stateside in sedan form before canceling those plans in January. On public roads, the ID.7 Tourer matched the Passat’s quiet, comfortable operation, albeit with more punch from the 335-hp dual-motor setup. The roomy cabin had lush materials and unique touches like a small gauge cluster screen showing only the most crucial information for a cleaner look.The ID.7’s higher curb weight made it trickier to control on the icy lake, however. The AWD system is rear-biased, with a 282-hp motor on the rear axle in the GTX. With stability control off—a function not yet available in VW’s EVs but which the company said it was developing for production use—the ID.7 was the easiest car to get sideways, a light blip of the reactive accelerator shooting a jolt of power to the rear wheels. Volkswagen2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX.But the car’s heft, touchy pedal, and vague steering also made it the most challenging car to keep sideways, exhibiting a propensity for a pendulum effect where the rear end quickly swung out of control. Most owners will probably never encounter such circumstances, but it speaks to how the added weight of electric platforms detracts from driving dynamics. Still, the ID.7 Tourer, one of the few electric wagons available worldwide, is a competent alternative to the sea of electric SUVs. It would’ve been a unique proposition in the U.S. had it ever come here.Hatchbacks GaloreVolkswagenCaleb Miller|Car and DriverDespite the event’s focus on the 4Motion system, we took a spin in the wee front-wheel-drive Polo GTI. The baby brother to the Golf GTI measures around eight inches shorter and packs a 204-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. While not particularly quick, the Polo stood out for its approachability. It has just enough power to be fun, but it was easy to recover from mistakes given the hatch’s propensity for understeer. The Polo GTI seems like a great beginner’s hot hatch. Returning to all-wheel drive, we hopped into a prototype for the Golf 4Motion, which goes on sale in Europe this summer. Powered by a 201-hp four-cylinder, the 4Motion uses a similar rear multiplate clutch setup as the Passat along with XDS+, VW’s simulated, brake-based limited-slip differential. The Golf 4Motion can send nearly 100 percent of the torque to the rear axle and proved to be incredibly well behaved on the ice, both easy to slide and easy to catch. Sadly, non-GTI or Golf R versions of VW’s hatch likely won’t return to our shores.Volkswagen2025 Volkswagen Golf R.While we can’t always get what we want, Jagger reminds us that, sometimes, you get what you need, and the best car to whip around VW’s ice course was the Golf R, which has been refreshed for 2025 and will continue to be sold in the U.S. While it’s sad to see the manual transmission depart, the seven-speed dual-clutch is among the best automatic transmissions, and the paddles responded quickly as we slid across the frozen lake. The direct steering inspired confidence, and the electronically controlled clutch packs nimbly distributed the torque between the wheels to keep the car traveling in a straight line, even when we were pointed sideways. The Golf R felt incredibly intuitive on ice, the sort of car you don’t need to think to drive—you just drive. We look forward to a more extended, on-road drive of the 2025 Golf R soon, but we won’t stop dreaming about VW’s enticing European wagons and hatchbacks.More on VW’s Hot HatchesCaleb 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. More

The Morgan Plus Six’s successor has been confirmed to be a stylish coupe called the Supersport that will use a BMW-sourced turbocharged six-cylinder.The Supersport will ride on Morgan’s new CXV platform, which it says is an evolution of the brand’s bonded aluminum chassis.The new flagship will be revealed in full during a livestream hosted by Richard Hammond on March 11.Break out your derby cap and corncob pipe; Morgan is launching a new car. With the aged British automaker having stopped production of the Plus Six in November last year, it’s time for a new flagship. After seeing pictures of the car last month, we now know it will be called the Morgan Supersport.Morgan confirmed the news today via the above social media post with TV personality and former Top Gear and Grand Tour co-host Richard Hammond. Hammond, who has owned multiple Morgan models in the past, also announced that he will host a livestream on March 11 to reveal the car in full.Morgan says the Supersport will use a new platform called the CXV, which is an evolution of the bonded aluminum chassis underpinning the Super Six. As with the Six, the Supersport will retain the BMW-sourced turbocharged six-cylinder engine. MorganThe new model is likely to continue the trend started by the Super Six of bringing the oft-laggard automaker into the modern era. Launched in 2019, the Six was the first car from Morgan to use turbocharging. It was also the first car from the brand with air vents on the dash. But don’t expect too many advancements. Outside of paying for a handbuilt car, part of Morgan’s charm is the loyalty to tradition.Late last year, Morgan confirmed plans to return to the United States in an official capacity with the Plus Four. The automaker received federal approval for its 12 U.S. dealers to sell a maximum of 325 cars each year. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t offered any hints as to whether the new Supersport will also migrate to our side of the pond. More on MorganJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid will go on sale before the electric Ram 1500 REV but still won’t be out until later in the yeaer.Ram says it made the change due to waning demand for EV pickup trucks as well as higher interest from customers in the PHEV. The Ramcharger will now be available to order in the second half of 2025, with the REV slated to go on sale sometime in 2026. UPDATE 2/24/25: Just months after Ram announced the Ramcharger PHEV would leapfrog the Ram 1500 REV, brand CEO Tim Kuniskis has moved the goalposts again. According to Kuniskis, the Ramcharger is now scheduled to arrive sometime in the second half of the year. The battery-electric REV holds to Ram’s updated schedule and should arrive in 2026.Ram is rethinking its strategy for releasing its first electric pickup truck. Originally, the Ram 1500 REV was slated to go on sale sometime in the first half of 2025. However, the truckmaker has now decided to prioritize its first plug-in-hybrid pickup—the Ram 1500 Ramcharger—which will leapfrog the EV and take its production time slot.In December 2024, Ram announced that it had changed its initial plan. It cited waning demand for electric trucks as one of the reasons behind its decision as well as higher customer interest in the Ramcharger, which uses a gas engine to charge its battery and therefore eliminates the range anxiety that some buyers associate with owning an EV. It’s also worth mentioning that the Ramcharger is less susceptible to the shortcomings of towing with an electric truck. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, Ram has said it’s targeting up to 500 miles of driving range from the REV with its larger 229.0-kWh battery. With a 350-kW connection, DC fast-charging is estimated to add 110 miles of range in about 10 minutes. Of course, skeptics will point out that it will still take less time to fill the Ramcharger’s fuel tank. It also remains to be seen how much either of Ram’s electrified trucks will cost, although we expect the all-electric one to be more expensive. According to Ram’s updated timeline, the Ramcharger will now be available to order in the second half of 2025, while the Ram 1500 REV is now slated to go on sale in 2026. Both trucks will be built in Ram’s factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan, alongside the rest of the brand’s half-ton lineup. This story was originally published December 18, 2024.More Ram 1500 ReadingEric 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. More