Roughly two years ago it was announced that the iconic Ramcharger nameplate would be returning to the lineup. The Dodge Ramcharger was a full-size SUV on the Dodge lineup from 1974 to 2001, long before the RAM brand was born. When the announcement first broke, it looked like Ramcharger was going to be the name of a range-extended plug-in hybrid version of the RAM 1500.
Earlier this year, however, Stellantis made a strategic shift to cancel its plans for a pure battery-electric, full-size pickup truck and shift the name of that truck – the RAM 1500 REV – over to its plug-in hybrid model. That left the future of the Ramcharger up in the air, but all is not lost! Today we’re going to dive into the limited information that has been released so far, as well as some of the speculation circulating the industry.
What is the new Ramcharger?
Stellantis decided to make this pivot citing a shift in the North American market for all-electric pickup trucks. After canceling their plans for a pure EV RAM 1500, they wanted to shift the spotlight onto the model that had received the most buzz up to that point, so they rebranded the Ramcharger as the very fitting RAM 1500 REV so as to not lose that fantastic nameplate.
But does this spell the end for the return of the Ramcharger? Not at all, because that wasn’t the only massive announcement brand executives discussed. Instead, the iconic Ramcharger nameplate will return to its roots, as RAM has announced it will be the name of the brand’s first-ever sport utility vehicle. Slated to begin production sometime in 2028, the new Ramcharger will be an all-new, three-row, full-size traditional SUV built on the STLA platform, putting it on par with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
We’re absolutely thrilled to see RAM taking its first step into the SUV market, and to see that the Ramcharger nameplate is still being resurrected. Since we simply can’t wait for more official information to be released, we thought we’d highlight some of the speculation that has already been making the rounds between industry insiders and enthusiasts alike.
What kind of power should we expect?
Keep in mind that, like we said, this is all speculation. Nothing has been confirmed by RAM or Stellantis regarding this new Ramcharger SUV. However we can use existing models and information to formulate theories about what the vehicle will have to offer. For example, since the Ramcharger will share its skeleton with the Grand Wagoneer, it could very easily be powered by the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six engine that underpins that luxury SUV. This would make it capable of generating 420 horsepower alongside 468 pound-feet of torque.
Alternatively, it could instead (or also) feature the Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) powertrain that will make its debut on the Grand Wagoneer later this year. That powertrain is expected to deliver 647 horsepower, which is much more in line with what we might expect from the RAM brand, but hard to say if they still intend to release it as a hybrid model after all of the pivots.
What else could we expect?
Most of the speculation regarding the all-new Ramcharger encompasses its powertrain, but there have been some other rumors as well. For example, many of us are crossing our fingers for an SRT-badged variant that will generate incredible power and performance specs.
Other expectations have to do with its style. While it’s built on the same platform as the Grand Wagoneer, which adopts a luxurious aesthetic, we expect the Ramcharger to look and feel much more like a RAM truck. Bold, aggressive lines and accents are sure to adorn the exterior, while the interior may retain some of those luxury amenities.
As soon as we know more about this upcoming vehicle, we’ll be sure to fill you in right here on the Jim Glover CDJRF blog, so check back often. Or you could always contact us to let us know you’re interested, and we’ll be sure you’re the first to know anything we learn about the Ramcharger.