There are burnouts and then there are extreme burnouts. This latest clip to come out of the States shows a Dodge Ram driver who is committed to burning out till he can burn out no more.

Most burnout practitioners are ready to destroy tyres, some have even made a mess of a rim or two but to destroy tyre, rim, possibly the transmission and even the tarmac underneath – that’s dedication. While his mates cheer him on this amateur hoon takes extreme burnouts to a new level.

But don’t just take our word for it unleash your inner hoon and check out the video below. (more…)

Ram continues to add special editions and extra models to its pickup range in the States.

In 2012 the popular Power Wagon line will be expanded with the addition of ST and Laramie trim levels. ST guise is a no frills specification designed for companies and government agencies that need a rugged truck without too many luxuries.

The Laramie trim rolls includes leather seats, a premium audio system and plenty of wood-grain in the cabin. The exterior of the truck is treated to body-color fender flairs and chrome mirrors and bumpers.

Ram also plans to roll out a 1500 Mossy Oak Edition (pictured). Those readers into hunting may recognise the Mossy Oak brand name as one of the leading companies in the camouflage industry. This new addition will will boast a tub liner and a tail gate wrapped in the Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity camo pattern. In the cabin the treatment continues with door panels finished in camo, and the Mossy Oak logo embroidered on the seat headrests. With all that camo trim the only risk is that your truck will get shot by accident. The Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition will cost USD $39,910 ($49,800 NZ). (more…)

Here in NZ we are stuck with puny small/med size pickup trucks while over in the states they enjoy heavy-duty machinery like the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and the Ram 1500. The latest model to be unveiled by Ram is the 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty.

This new pickup combines the budget focus of the standard Tradesman with a new towing and cargo capacity. Ram is claiming that its new truck is now the segment leader in both of those categories. With a maximum trailer weight of 5216kg, the Tradesman HD trumps the Ford F-150 by 90kg and the Chevrolet Silverado by a massive 360kg. But its not that simple for this big hauler, the Tradesman HD is only available as a two-wheel drive truck with a regular cab and an eight-foot bed. (more…)

Chrysler has announced that its range of heavy-duty pickups will now be made available with brand new optional six-speed automatic transmission.

For 2012 the Ram Truck 2500 and 3500 HD models will make use of the new six-ratio auto box and it can be mated to an available 6.7-litre Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel engine. This huge diesel lump produces a crazy 1083Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm and 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm. In big daddy 3500 guise the Ram can tow up to 10,320kg when equipped with the optional ‘Max Tow’ package. Brutal.

Chrysler hasn’t been quick to announce fuel economy stats, so they remain unknown. The new box is also expected to be a pricey option but all details will be revealed closer to 2012.

Attention aspiring Cowboys your ultimate steed has arrived in the form of a Dodge Ram. The Ram Laramie Longhorn edition is available stateside on 1500, 2500 and 3500 trims of the iconic ute. The Longhorn can be bought in a variety of two-tone color schemes, including the timeless sagebrush green and white gold (pictured).

As impressive as the colour scheme is the real story with the Longhorn is with its interior. The lady-impressing cabin is all classy with full leather with real woodgrain trim throughout. That’s right partner, real woodgrain. Not event the highest-spec Ford F-150 offers real woodgrain. Extra touches include flap-closure seatback pockets with a metal buckle and magnetic clasp and unique seat piping and naturally a whole heard of Longhorn badging both inside and out. This is one fancy pickup truck, way too good for the ranch, but just perfect for taking into town on a Friday night. Yee-haw! (more…)

Chrysler has introduced muscular V8 engines carrying the Hemi moniker twice in the last fifty years, and is now reportedly preparing to once again cut down the Hemi name. It’s all about marketing in this time of green credentials and eco awareness and the Hemi needs to be rebranded.  Dodge vehicles and Ram trucks will still unashamedly use the Hemi engine, and it will continue to be available in some Jeeps and the Chrysler 300, but it will be downplayed as a mere “5.7-litre V8″ in those brands. So the Hemi engine will still be available in the cars where it’s not a massive selling point.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Hemi’s Multi-Displacement System will also be given more marketing angle at talking up the engine’s fuel-saving abilities. With Chrysler’s V6 finally becoming fully competitive with Ford and GM combined with a desire by the new management to bulid a more refined and efficient image, it seems that the iconic motor will be waiting behind the scenes. Who knows what the future holds for the big Hemi, but for now it lives on.

Commercial for Ram trucks for 2010 Kentucky Derby.

Dodge implies its Ram will be around for decades to come. We’ll see about that.