New Cars
The Ram Rebel Is Coming – But Is It Raptor Competition?
Raptor vs Reaper….vs Rebel? Whether the Ram brand wants it or not, introducing a “tougher” version of the Ram 1500 and labeling it with an “R” name is going to automatically draw comparisons. The Ram 1500 Rebel was officially introduced today at the Detroit Auto Show.
Ram Rebel vs Ford Raptor vs Chevy Reaper?
In truth, the Ram Rebel will be in closer competition with trucks like the Toyota Tundra TRD, Ford FX4 and even the Z71. But again, by branding it a Rebel and kicking it off at one of the major auto shows, the Ram brand is inviting other comparisons.
And while it isn’t going to tackle any off-road conditions with anywhere close to the same ease as the Raptor or Reaper, the Rebel does have a little something going on in terms of capability. It features an air suspension that gives it a little more ride height than the traditional Ram 1500, and has an off-road drive setting as well. You wouldn’t necessarily take this truck off-roading in extreme conditions, but it has a bit more going on than the traditional light duty trucks.
Under the hood of the Rebel will be engine options that we are all familiar with. The 3.6-liter V-6 and more capable 5.7-liter V-8 will be the two available. And it will come in either 4×4 or 4×2 settings. The 33-inch tires, stiffer control arms, tuned stabilizer bar and other features will also improve the ride height and make it off-road worthy in certain occasions.
Cosmetically, the Rebel is very Raptor-esque as well, with features like a blacked-out grille, billet skid plate and a sport hood.
The fact that the Ford Raptor is getting a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 for the 2017 model year will likely fuel the Ram Rebel vs Ford Raptor vs Chevy Reaper comparison even further. But, the Rebel likely only has a name theme in common with the other two.
If this is the future of electric pony cars, I’m on board.
We’ve heard rumors of the next iteration of the Dodge Charger. We’ve seen the concept pictures. But after seeing it in person at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, I can say, the electric future is pretty bright at Stellantis (aside from the Ram overkill).
From a design perspective, nobody beats the designers of Dodge cars, in my opinion. The lines on this car pay tribute to Chargers of the past, while also being very modern. Even the triangle-shaped logo, known as a Fratzog, harkens to its Mopar past.
Where the design gets more modern, without losing us in the new wave is the unique aero hood that is undetectable looking at the front of the car. But a look from around the windshield clearly shows a full scoop at the front of the hood that is unlike anything in the class.
The concept is also a two-door, which is a deviation from the modern-day Chargers that only came in four-door. Whether the company will release a four-door version still remains to be seen.
2024 Dodge Charger Engine Specs
While the design is catching many eyes, it’s still Dodge we’re talking about here. People are going to want to know about the power. After all, Dodge making an electric vehicle seems like a clear departure from the gas-guzzling, tire-burning Dodges of the past.
However, the company put out a teaser video with clear messaging that performance will not be lost. With the capability of electric powertrain torque, they are likely leaning on takeoff power, and I’m confident the car will be fast. That being said, there’s no replacing the sound of a traditional hemi engine. But, with the electric revolution, some concessions will need to be made.
Right now, all we know about is three engine options under the hood for the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric. They are:
- 340 with 440 horsepower
- 440 with 590 horsepower
- SRT 800 with horsepower not yet released
2024 Dodge Charger Electric Price
While pricing hasn’t been released, since the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric is still listed as a concept, we have a rough idea of where things could land – within an accepted range of error.
Our estimates of price of the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric are:
- Dodge Charger Electric 340, $55-65,000
- Dodge Charger Electric 440, $65-75,000
- Dodge Charger SRT, $90-100,000
No matter how you feel about electric vehicles – especially with Dodge – the world is heading that direction. But with the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric, there is hope.
The 2020 Corvette is here – and it’s the one we’ve been waiting for.
Having seen and sat in the car in person, I can confidently say that Chevrolet nailed it with the G8 Corvette that only shares a single part with its predecessor.
The biggest change is clearly the engine of the car moving from the front to a mid-engine. This has become a high-end performance car staple, but not something Chevrolet has entertained until the release of the newest version for 2020. The mid-engine gives the Corvette better balance and handling dynamics, while it is slightly heavier than the last edition.
The new Corvette will be available in three trim levels, the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. There will be a single engine offered initially – the 6.2-liter V8 that produces 495 horsepower paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 time, according to Chevrolet, is 2.8 seconds and it can conquer the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds, reaching 122 mph.
The overall appearance of the Corvette has changed a bit, but it’s still very recognizable as a Corvette, which is key to an evolution that still harkens back to the car’s rich history that began in 1953. The door handles have been hidden and the car has an incredibly sleek and clean look. It retains its convertible option, but has a first-ever production retractable hardtop. It can activate at speeds up to 30 mph.
Inside, the car feels amazingly natural to sit in. You almost become part of the car, which is how you want to feel when navigating a sports car – especially if you are lucky enough to be able to pilot the car around a real track.
There are three seat combinations to choose from, so everyone can find the Corvette that best suits them. There’s even a trunk behind the mid-engine, which the professionals at the Chicago Auto Show were quick to point out “can hold two sets of golf clubs.” While the actual golf bags would have to be pretty small, funnier to me was the assumption that I like golf.
Arriving for sale now, the 2020 Chevy Corvette is sure to impress. It’s already been named the 2020 Motor Trend Car of the Year – and I have a feeling the awards will keep coming.
2020 Chevy Corvette Key Stats
| Horsepower | 495 |
| Torque | 470 lb-ft |
| Top Speed | 194 mph |
| 0-60 Time | 2.9 seconds |
| Quarter-Mile | 11.2 seconds |
Kia promised the new 2021 Seltos to start under $22,000. And thanks to some leaked Kia Seltos pricing information, the brand appears to have made good on it. Barely.
The base Seltos LX (and S) from the information that’s out there, appears to be sneaking just under the bar at $21,990. Yes, $10 MSRP does equal a promise fulfilled.
Yes, we are going to wait until Kia officially gives out the pricing to fully speculate. But for now, it’s up to you to decide if a Kia SUV is in your future.
2021 Kia Seltos Pricing
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| LX AWD | $21,990 |
| S FWD | $21,990 |
| S AWD | $23,490 |
| EX AWD | $25,290 |
| S 1.6L Turbo | $25,490 |
| SX 1.6L Turbo | $27,890 |
-
Comparisons10 years agoFord Raptor Has No Reason To Fear The Reaper
-
Comparisons10 years agoNissan Titan Diesel Gets Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s Sloppy Seconds
-
Comparisons10 years agoSettling The Debate: Pony Cars vs. Muscle Cars
-
Comparisons10 years agoDid The 2015 Corvette Defeat The Viper In The Battle For Supercar Supremacy?
-
New Cars10 years ago2016 Honda Ridgeline Will Need More Than Design Tweaks To Succeed
-
Hot News10 years agoNissan Unveils Overhauled Maxima in Genius “Luxury Restored” Sequel
-
Comparisons10 years ago2016 Ford vs Chevy Battle Could Be The Best Yet
-
Car WTFs10 years agoSeriously, Why Is There Shag Carpet On The Dash Of The Cube?
Andy P
Oct 19, 2015 at 8:05 am
Ford’s strange infatuation with the ecoboost is laughable. I want to meet the person that actually buys a Ford Raptor with a v-6 ecoboost. I suppose they’ll look just as foolish as the one sad person who buys the Rebel with the v-6…just say no.
Ross
Aug 20, 2016 at 8:48 pm
It seems to me there is no competition with the Rams. They are different in intended use. The Rebel is a beautiful, practical truck built for every day use. Not so with the Raptor or Reaper. While I’d like to take a wild ride in a Raptor or Reaper, I wouldn’t buy one because they are not what most people need-including me; they are toys, and very nice toys. My son has the king of beasts Ram Power Wagon, again, not practical, but one hell of an off-road toy. However, once again, it is not a competitor for the Raptor or Reaper; they all have a different use for different buyers.
All that being said I want a Ram Limited. Love them!!!!