Motor News

Mini has revealed the John Cooper Works performance variant for the 2025 Countryman subcompact luxury SUV.The JCW is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder churning out 312 hp, a 71-pony upgrade over the regular Countryman.Pricing starts at $47,895, with the Countryman JCW hitting dealerships in May of next year.The third-generation Mini Countryman debuted this fall in two flavors—a fully electric model offering all-wheel drive and up to 308 horsepower, and a gas-powered model pushing 241 ponies to all four wheels. While both of these variants already have more pep in their step than the outgoing Countryman, Mini is now turning up the wick for fans of spirited driving. The performance-focused John Cooper Works model returns for 2025, packing a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and all-wheel drive.Mini says it revised the 2.0-liter’s pistons, connecting rods, and engine mounts, and with 312 horsepower, the turbocharged motor produces 71 horsepower more than the standard Countryman and is 11 hp more potent than the outgoing Countryman JCW. Torque, however, remains the same as the standard Countryman at 295 pound-feet and is down significantly from the outgoing JCW’s 331 pound-feet.With standard all-wheel drive, Mini claims, that’s enough oomph to propel this chic crossover to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds, over a second clear of what Mini says the non-JCW Countryman is capable of. Still, the last JCW we tested sprinted to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Mini boasts that the Countryman JCW has a slippery drag coefficient of 0.26 and says it will top out at 155 mph.The 19.0- or 20.0-inch wheels are shod in 245-section-width tires, an upgrade from the outgoing car’s 225-section rubber. From the press photos, the tires appear to be Continental EcoContact 6Q tires, versus the previous iteration’s Pirelli Cinturato P7s. The crossover is fitted with a “high-performance braking system,” with Chili Red–painted brake calipers adding a bit of visual pop. Mini mentions a “characteristic sound” from the exhaust, with a “exclusive JCW sound extension” inside that “intensifies the soundscape with racing-inspired engine sounds.” Go-Kart mode puts the Countryman into its sportiest setting, which includes an artificially boosted engine note.Visually, the John Cooper Works models is differentiated by red accents, a grille pattern that mimics a checkered flag, a restyled front bumper, and a new JCW logo that appears on the grille, hatchback, and C-pillar. The LEDs in the headlights are also tweaked, while the cabin is decked out in sporty red trim with an intricate design consisting of vertical lines on the dashboard, upholstered in a fabric made from recycled polyester.The JCW is fitted with 12 ultrasonic sensors and four cameras which, when the car includes the optional Driving Assistant Professional package, allows the driver to remove their hands from the steering wheel at speeds up to 37 mph on “highway-like routes.” The assisted-driving feature will also detect gaps in traffic to execute lane changes. Mini emphasizes that the driver must remain attentive and ready to take over at a moment’s notice, The Countryman John Cooper Works will start at $47,895 when it launches in the U.S. next year. Production begins in March 2024, with deliveries expected to begin in early May. More New MinisAssociate News EditorCaleb 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

Rivian will now sell you its electric commercial delivery vans, with the cheapest option starting at $83,000.The commercial vans have been built exclusively as Amazon delivery vehicles since 2019, with the online shopping colossus ordering 100,000 vehicles from the manufacturer. The vans come in two sizes that offer just over 150 miles of range in a front-wheel-drive configuration. Rivian will now sell you its electric commercial delivery vans, even if your name isn’t Amazon or Jeff Bezos. The manufacturer had an exclusive partnership with the online shopping company since 2019, when Amazon put in an order for 100,000 delivery vehicles from the manufacturer. Now Rivian is opening up sales to fleets around the world.Fleet sales consist of two sizes for the cargo vans. The Delivery 500 is the smaller of the two vans, and features roughly 500 cubic feet of storage (487 to be exact). It’s good for up to a 2734 pound payload in the back, while the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is 9350 pounds. The larger Delivery 700 van is longer and wider than the 500, and brings interior storage space up to 652 cubic feet. Interestingly, the payload is slightly lower than that of the smaller van at 2513 pounds, though the GVWR is increased at 9500 pounds. RivianBoth vans are front-wheel drive, and according to Rivian, the 500 has an estimated maximum range of 161 miles, while the larger size and weight of the 700 bring that figure down to 153 miles. Rivian hasn’t shared the battery sizes or electric motor specifics for the cargo vans, but we’re assuming the public vans utilize the same technology as the Amazon vans. That means a lithium-iron phosphate battery pack and Rivian’s in-house “Enduro” electric motor that the Amazon EDV vans use. We do know that the vans are capable of both J1772 and CCS1 charging at speeds up to 100 kW.More on RivianPricing for the smaller 500 starts at $83,000, while pricing for the larger 700 rounds that figure up to $87,000. Associate News EditorJack 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 Rimac Nevera has just set a new world record for the fastest speed by a vehicle in reverse, at a testing facility in Germany. The record was set at the Automotive Testing Papenburg facility in Germany, where the Nevera reached an astounding top speed of 171.34 mph.It wasn’t that fast, but Car and Driver did execute a reverse-driving test in 2011 as part of our “Rental Car Olympics.”We love the sort of car-based shenanigans that make you scratch your head and just mutter “What were they thinking?” It’s that sort of harebrained thinking that drove us to pit four rental cars against one another in 2011, complete with a reverse hot lap. Spoiler alert: that Lincoln Town Car was bloody quick in reverse. It appears the engineers at Rimac share our passion for driving in reverse, as they have just set a new world record with the Nevera. Rimac brought the Nevera to the Automotive Testing Papenburg facility in Germany, where test driver Goran Drndak piloted the vehicle to an astonishingly fast 171.34 mph. In reverse. He described the experience as unnatural for the Nevera. “On the run itself, it definitely took some getting used to,” said Drndak. “You’re facing straight out backwards watching the scenery flash away from you faster and faster, feeling your neck pulled forwards in almost the same sensation you would normally get under heavy braking.” RimacAccording to the manufacturer, the extraordinary feat is made possible because the Nevera’s drivetrain doesn’t have a typical transmission. Instead, there are four individual motors that propel the car forward or backward, with no inherent limitations based on which direction they’re rotating. That means the same motors that propelled the Nevera to its world-record-setting 256 mph earlier this year are capable of providing the same thrust in reverse. The limiting factors instead become stability and aerodynamics. Rimac and Related ShenanigansThe Nevera’s chief engineer joked about how the idea for the record had come up during development. “It occurred to us during development that Nevera would probably be the world’s fastest car in reverse, but we kind of laughed it off,” said Matija Renić. “The aerodynamics, cooling, and stability hadn’t been engineered for traveling backwards at speed, after all.” Associate News EditorJack 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 RHO will succeed the mighty TRX, trading that truck’s 702-hp supercharged V-8 for a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six with 540 horses.Despite a sizable power disadvantage, the RHO will inherit the TRX’s wide body, beefier frame, long-travel suspension, and chunky off-road tires. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said the TRX nameplate is getting shelved, and it likely won’t return unless a more powerful powertrain is available—perhaps an electric one?What’s worse? A world where six-cylinder Ram TRXs exist or one where V-8 TRXs have gone extinct. Both answers will likely appeal to different audiences, and since Ram doesn’t want to offend either side (read: relinquish market share), it’s simply releasing a new version of the high-performance pickup truck under a different name and with a less powerful engine.RHO Replaces the TRXThink of the upcoming Ram 1500 RHO as the TRX’s alter ego. Instead of having a 702-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 under its hood, the RHO has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 540 horsepower. That’s the same power produced by the high-output Hurricane engine now available on the refreshed 2025 Ram 1500. Others will note that power figure is a significant 162 ponies shy of the outgoing truck’s beloved Hellcat engine, which will become a fossil after the 2024 model year.2024 Ram TRX Final Edition.StellantisMeanwhile, the TRX nameplate is going on the shelf. That’s according to Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, who recently told a group of reporters that a next-gen TRX would only return with more power. He also said the RHO’s horsepower deficit is the reason it’s not called a TRX. Still, just because the new truck won’t accelerate or sound like the old one doesn’t mean it can’t be a seriously fun off-roader. Although we don’t have any specific details, Kuniskis told Car and Driver the RHO will have the same equipment as the TRX, albeit with a retuned suspension. That suggests the new version will continue with chunky 35-inch all-terrain tires, a reinforced frame, and a foot of suspension travel. The RHO will also inherit a wider body than the normal Ram 1500, and it will surely have some revised exterior elements and new interior tech courtesy of the regular truck’s facelift.Next TRX?The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO will go on sale sometime in the third quarter of next year. Between now and then we should get information on pricing. Kuniskis mentioned that it’ll be less expensive than the retired TRX, which last started at $97,485. That brings us back to wondering when we might see Ram’s high-powered truck return to action, especially with the 700-hp Ford F-150 Raptor R now solely controlling the off-road-truck throne. Since we know the TRX name won’t come back without at least 703 horses, and since Stellantis isn’t making anymore V-8s for Ram to use, the only logical thing left would be a TRX based on the new plug-in-hybrid Ramcharger or the electric Ram 1500 REV. Each make 650-plus horsepower, meaning it probably wouldn’t take much to surpass 703 or possibly higher.Extra TRX ReadingThis content is imported from poll. 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.Senior EditorEric 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

The 2025 Ram 1500 is set to arrive with a refreshed look and two new engine options under the hood.The Hemi V-8s are gone from the full-size pickup, with a pair of Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-sixes arriving to take their place. The new top-of-the-line Tungsten model initially announced for the Ram 1500 REV becomes the new top trim for the 2025 gas-only lineup. The Venn diagram of Ram 1500 fans who are also fans of a good old-fashioned Hemi V-8 is probably just one circle. Unfortunately for those fans, the brand announced today that the 2025 Ram 1500 will arrive without a V-8 option. Along with major changes coming to the engine room, there are some minor changes to the interior and exterior for the latest model year.Changing Powertrain for Changing TimesLet’s face it, times are changing in the auto world, and Ram—like so many other automakers—is rethinking some things. In real-world terms, that means that the days of half-ton pickup trucks powered by thundering V-8s are numbered. For the Ram 1500, that means losing the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 from under the hood. As the truck enters its next phase, the Pentastar V-6 remains the base engine, along with two optional inline-six engines. The Hurricane—as the six-cylinder engines are called—is the same engine found in the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer (where it produces 420 or 510 horsepower). The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six produces 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque in its base format, while the high-output version of the engine is rated at 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque. Ram claims the additional 30 horsepower over the Grand Wagoneer comes by way of a slight increase in engine speed over the Jeep’s.No matter the engine option, all three are fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity is now 11,580 pounds, while maximum payload moves to 2300 pounds.New Faces with Jeweled Taillights The 2025 trucks show off their modestly redesigned front end. The grille has grown slightly, and some of their old trim pieces are gone. New LED headlamps come standard on the Limited trim and up. Ram also adds an optional headlight package called “Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)” that includes twin projector headlamps with up to 15 degrees of movement based on steering input. At the back of the truck, the power tailgate, which can be controlled via key fob, adds the capability to detect obstacles. Changes to the interior of the truck are nearly all cosmetic and vary based on trim level. The Big Horn and Lone Star trims earn new laser etching for the dashboard, doors, and console, along with new embossing on the seats. The Rebel gets a new red-and-black mesh insert for the standard cloth and vinyl seats, and the Limited Longhorn gets a new open-pore real wood veneer. As for tech, the 2025 1500 will run the new Uconnect 5 system on either an improved 12.0-inch or new 14.5-inch central touchscreen. There’s also a new 10.3-inch passenger screen with features including navigation and device management as well as displaying exterior camera angles. RHO Coming in Late 2024In addition to the standard 1500 lineup, Ram promises that a new truck called the Ram 1500 RHO will arrive during the third quarter of 2024. That truck will essentially arrive as the new TRX, though it won’t feature the same snarling 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 from a Hellcat. Instead, it will feature the the high-output Hurricane with 540 horses—which is why the company didn’t call it a TRX. However, it will have all the hardcore off-road hardware that made the V-8-powered truck such a beast.The bulk of the 2025 lineup is expected launch sometime in the middle of next year, with pricing to be announced closer to that date. In addition to the RHO coming online in the third quarter, the electric Ram REV is slated to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2024, and the last piece of the 2025 Ram puzzle, the 663-hp Ramcharger plug-in hybrid to launch after that.Extra Ram Trucks ReadingAssociate News EditorJack 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

Dual electric motors give the Ram 1500 Ramcharger full-size pickup truck 663 combined horsepower and a maximum tow rating of 14,000 pounds. Power comes from a 70.8-kWh battery that delivers 145 miles of unladen range, plus a Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 hooked to a generator that boosts combined range to 690 miles. This makes the Ramcharger a plug-in hybrid, but because the engine only generates electricity, this is a series hybrid with pure electric motor propulsion.Pure electric pickup trucks have a problem: They’re not particularly good at the towing and hauling missions that are the usual reasons people buy pickups. It’s not the act of towing itself that’s the problem, because the steady seamless pull of electric motors makes towing and hauling feel effortless. What’s more, there’s no transmission that must downshift to climb grades, no resulting high-rpm wail accompanied by loud cooling fans. What’s the problem? Bad things happen when a load is added, particularly the load of a trailer. Tow range is cut in half, or worse. Recharge times are double to triple the usual wait because you’ll arrive close to empty and feel the need to fill to the brim because of the diminished range. When charging, you’ll likely have to disconnect your trailer because pull-through fast charge stations are rare. Furthermore, fast-chargers are mainly sprinkled along interstate corridors, so options are limited if you want to tow your Airstream to some secluded off-the-grid campsite.Ramcharger to the RescueThe Ramcharger is designed to neatly circumvent all of this because it is not a pure electric vehicle. Not quite, anyway. Yes, it is propelled exclusively by a pair of electric motors: a 335-hp one powering the front axle and a 319-hp unit out back. When both are running at full chat, they combine to produce 663 horses of peak power and 615 pound-feet of maximum torque. In that sense, the Ramcharger is a pure electrically powered truck, and that brings with it all of the effortless towing smoothness of pure electrics such as a Ford F-150 Lightning or a Rivian R1T. (We pointed out to Ram that 335 hp + 319 hp is 9 hp shy of 663, but company reps insist that 663 is the correct maximum output.)The difference is how those motors are powered. Up to 145 miles of pure electric range comes from a liquid-cooled lithium battery with 92 kilowatt-hours of gross capacity and 70.8 kWh of usable capacity. When the usable portion runs down and the system goes into what is known a “charge sustaining” mode, the necessary electricity then comes from a 3.6-liter gasoline V-6 engine that is hooked solely to a generator. This configuration makes the Ramcharger a plug-in hybrid, but the fact that the engine never directly turns the wheels and only runs the generator makes it a rarer bird: a plug-in series hybrid. This is a good thing because it operates like your average diesel-electric locomotive when running on gasoline. Last time we checked, train engines are particularly good at towing.Flat Ground, No LoadThe 70.8-kWh battery is said to be good for 145 miles of combined driving. But electrically driven vehicles tend to deliver more range in the city and less on the highway because their powertrains are direct-drive and operate in just one gear. Expect highway range to be lower, city range to be better. The same applies to the 690 miles of total range, which is still subject to the same effects because the Ramcharger is always electrically driven.Specs, Details, Comparison ShoppingThose numbers (which are development targets and not confirmed ratings) work out to 545 miles of gasoline-fueled electric driving, although Ram has not revealed expected gasoline fuel economy. But we can make an educated guess, because they do say the fuel tank holds 27 gallons. The math says 20 mpg combined is likely if they hit their targets, with city mpg being slightly better and highway mpg slightly worse.Flat-Ground TowingThose 145 miles of battery range will likely drop to less than half that when towing, but the generator keeps the rig rolling after that. The generator in question is rated at 174 horsepower of continuous output. That doesn’t sound like any way to keep up while towing 14,000 pounds, but a Ram powertrain engineer we spoke to says this is plenty. On generator power, you can cruise a flat interstate at 65 mph with a max load trailer until the fuel tank needs to be refilled. Tow something like 7000 pounds, and it only gets better.The ups and downs of rolling terrain are covered by dipping into the unused portion of the battery on the upslope, then shuffling some power back into the battery when easing off and regenerating on the downslope. If the load gets more intense, the system can run the generator up to its peak output of 255 horsepower. But there’s always battery power standing behind that, so the occasional short bursts that need more power than that should always be possible.Mountainous TowingHeaded for the mountains? Select Tow mode, and the charge-sustaining set-aside percentage is increased to 35 percent, up from the normal 16 percent. The V-6 engine and generator set will come online earlier, and the generator will run closer to peak output more of the time. Between that and the enlarged Tow mode battery reserve, Ram says the Ramcharger should be more than able to tackle the kind of long, steep grades found in the mountain West. That checks out, because we’ve towed up long western grades with EVs, and the upslopes don’t last nearly as long as you imagine. Electricity use certainly spikes up, but we’re not talking dozens of miles at a time with no letup. There are always ups and downs, and there’s always more left at the summit than we expected. Here an engine and generator have your back, and you’ll gain a lot back on the way down the other side.The Reality of OwnershipLike many personal pickups, towing and hauling is an activity that buyers plan for but don’t often do—particularly at the extremes of maximum payload and towing. They’re air haulers much of the time, and in that sense 145 miles of battery range will make this a smooth-driving electric truck most of the time. Road trips that don’t involve towing won’t be any issue because the V-6 generator, which is sized for 14,000 pounds-worth of trailer, won’t have to work hard at all.How will towing work out in reality? The underlying drive feeling will remain smooth, steady, and shift-free because of the pure electric propulsion, but how will the sound of a hard-working V-6 generator affect the aural experience? That remains to be seen, and it’s one of the biggest unknowns that will have to wait until we get our hands on a production-ready sample next year. But that’s small potatoes compared to the Ramcharger’s biggest towing benefit: You’ll never have to go searching for a charger on a road trip whether you’re towing or not. All you need is a gas pump that peddles 87 octane. Extra Ram Trucks ReadingTechnical EditorDan Edmunds was born into the world of automobiles, but not how you might think. His father was a retired racing driver who opened Autoresearch, a race-car-building shop, where Dan cut his teeth as a metal fabricator. Engineering school followed, then SCCA Showroom Stock racing, and that combination landed him suspension development jobs at two different automakers. His writing career began when he was picked up by Edmunds.com (no relation) to build a testing department. More

The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger is the brand’s first plug-in-hybrid full-size pickup truck. It shares a platform with the electric Ram 1500 REV.A 70.8-kWh battery provides an estimated 145 miles of electric range and feeds a 663-hp all-wheel-drive powertrain, with a V-6 spinning a generator as a backup.With a full battery and fuel tank, Ram is targeting up to 690 miles of combined driving range; it can also tow 14,000 pounds and handle a 2625-pound payload.Electric trucks are great for avoiding gas stations and providing huge torque and performance. However, when EV pickups are pressed into duty to haul a hefty payload or tow something sizable, their driving range and efficiency plummet while their owners’ anxiety usually skyrockets. Well, Ram thinks it has a fix for folks who want a full-size truck that offers the best of both electric and internal-combustion worlds. Enter the new plug-in-hybrid Ramcharger.A Plug-in-Hybrid PickupThe 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger is basically a bridge between the refreshed gas-powered Ram 1500 and the upcoming electric Ram 1500 REV. The new Ramcharger—an apt moniker last seen on Dodge’s large body-on-frame SUV, which was sold in the U.S. from 1974 to 1993—is a plug-in hybrid, except it’s not like most current PHEVs.Unlike the majority of plug-in hybrids, the Ramcharger’s gasoline engine is only used to make electricity rather than directly power the wheels too. The Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 under the hood powers a generator that can be used to power the truck or recharge the 70.8-kWh battery, which is huge compared with typical PHEV batteries. Ram estimates a full charge will provide 145 miles of pure electric driving range, and when the battery’s state of charge dips below a certain percentage, the gas engine provides a security blanket by extending the range. A trio of selectable EV modes (Electric+, E-Save, and Eco) as well as separate drive modes such as Off-Road, Snow, Sport, and Tow, dictate how early the ICE intervenes.Plugged into a DC fast-charger, the Ramcharger’s 400-volt electrical architecture can charge at a rate of up to 145 kilowatts, which Ram says can add 50 miles of range in 10 minutes. At home, most people will use the truck’s Level 2 (240V) charger that’s rated up to 11 kilowatts.The Ramcharger also lives up to its namesake by being a mobile charging station, with bi-directional capabilities that allow its 7.2-kW max output to power a home or recharge a stranded EV. Accessible through the charge port or the power panel in the cargo bed, the Ram’s onboard generator is like those found on the Ford F-150 hybrid and F-150 Lightning pickups.A Mighty, Long-Range RamFeaturing front and rear electric motors that combine for 663 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, the all-wheel-drive Ramcharger boasts an estimated time of 4.4 seconds to 60 mph. When it’s not racing between stoplights or when dual-axle traction isn’t needed, the truck’s front motor automatically disconnects from the wheels for improved efficiency. The rear axle also offers an electronic locking differential for better traction when needed.With the 27-gallon gas tank and battery full, Ram claims the Ramcharger can travel up to 690 miles without a pit stop. Of course, that nearly 700-mile estimate probably isn’t based on sustained highway speeds, where electric-powered vehicles aren’t nearly as efficient as they are in stop-and-go traffic. The same caveat obviously applies to towing, especially when the Ramcharger is hitched to anything approaching its 14,000-pound max capacity. Not only does that match the Ram EV’s rating, but it’s also about 2400 pounds higher than the gas-only trucks’. The Ramcharger also one-ups its ICE counterpart with a payload capacity of up to 2625 pounds (up from 2300). Body-on-STLA FrameThe Ramcharger, just like its electric sibling, uses a specific body-on-frame platform called STLA Frame. Made of steel, it has wider frame rails that make room for and help protect the battery and fuel tank. Along with an independent rear suspension, every Ramcharger has standard air springs at all four corners that allow for adjustable ride height. Despite the differences underneath, the Ramcharger looks more like its facelifted nonhybrid siblings than the Ram 1500 REV. The easiest way to identify the PHEV version is by the “RAM” badges on its bodywork, which have an exclusive design that’s only shared with the EV truck. Otherwise, most Ramchargers can be distinguished by unique body-color bits and taillights that branch into the tailgate.RamRamWhile the Ram’s plug-in-hybrid pickup will likely only be offered with a crew cab and a single bed length, the lineup will include a luxurious trims such as the Tungsten and Limited to humbler models such as the Laramie, Big Horn, and even a workman-like Tradesman. We don’t yet have a detailed list of standard features for the lower-spec Ramchargers, but we do know the fanciest examples will live up to the brand’s lavish reputation. Inside the RamchargerThe Ramcharger’s interior is virtually identical to other full-size Rams, which have long boasted premium fit and finish. The dashboard plays host to a fully digital gauge cluster and a 12.0- or 14.5-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 software, meaning wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The Ramcharger can also be outfitted with a 10.3-inch touchscreen facing the front passenger, a camera-fed rearview mirror, dual wireless charging pads, and a head-up display. Along with an array of common active safety features, the Ramcharger offers a Level 2 hands-free driver-assist system similar to GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise. Anyone looking for a plug-in-hybrid pickup truck that’s almost as luxurious as the Mercedes-Benz S80e PHEV, the Ramcharger’s top-of-the-line Tungsten model might just meet their expectations. Its interior covered in rich leather, including quilted front seats with 24-way adjustments and massage functions. Additionally, it has a two-tone Indigo and Sea Salt color scheme, a microsuede headliner, and metal accents with diamond knurling. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger isn’t expected to go on sale until sometime near the end of 2024. However, Ram says for a limited time it’s taking reservations to pre-order the truck at RamRev.com. While pricing likely won’t be revealed for a while, we expect the plug-in hybrid to cost less than the EV version, which has a considerably bigger battery pack.Extra Ram Trucks ReadingThis content is imported from poll. 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.Senior EditorEric 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

The electric 2025 Ram 1500 REV and plug-in-hybrid Ramcharger pickup trucks can be identified by their unique “RAM” logo. Unlike the gas-only Ram 1500, the EV and PHEV’s logo has a different font that even glows in some instances. Ram’s alternate logo originated as a scribble during a design exercise before becoming the brand’s signal of electrification.For those who haven’t been paying attention, there are some big changes coming to Ram trucks. Not only has the brand introduced a refreshed version of its traditional half-ton lineup, but it also has now pulled the covers off its first electric pickup with the Ram 1500 REV as well as its first plug-in-hybrid pickup with the Ram 1500 Ramcharger. With both trucks signaling the start of Ram’s move towards electrification, they debut an exclusive logo that identifies their uniqueness.A New Kind of RamCompared with the regular trucks, the EV and PHEV’s logo has a different font where the letters R-A-M are all connected. The badge on their grilles is also illuminated, and it pulsates when they’re charging. Even lower-spec models like the Ramcharger Tradesman have the glowing emblem. The other exterior badges on the side of the front doors and on the tailgate match the one on the nose, but none of them light up.Speaking to one of Ram’s lead exterior designers, he told Car and Driver that the initial concept for the alternate “RAM” logo was based on something one of the team members scribbled out during a design exercise. It was ultimately chosen because the precise, technical characteristics convey a contemporary look that fits the new electrified trucks.Extra Ram Trucks ReadingThis content is imported from poll. 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.Senior EditorEric 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