2016 Mopar RAM Rebel to hit dealers soon

For truck enthusiasts, Chrysler's SRT and Mopar parts division have been there for truck guys and gals through the years: Ram 2500 V-10, the Cummins engines introductions, Ram SS/T of late '90s, and then the 2005-06 RAM SRT-10 sport truck, with all the goods of the Viper sports car. 

But now, there will be a limited edition of the new RAM Rebel truck, the Mopar edition. Tested to be tough with its 5.7-liter HEMI engine and small ducts on the hood for the Mopar edition to assist with cooling the hot HEMI.

According to FCA US Replay, only 500 examples of the truck will be made for North America. Of those 500 units, 100 will be sold in FCA Canada.

All Mopar RAMs come standard with the 8HP70 fancy 8-speed automatic transmission.

It is an exciting time for the RAM truck brand, as research and development continue to impress new truck buyers.

Cool Viper Engine Ideas

Source: enginelabs

As I learned last year, Fiat Chrysler killed the SRT car brand--leaving the one of a kind Viper back to its Dodge division.

So what?

Well, Automotive News announced last week through their Web site that the UAW union voted on not continuing to produce the Viper after 2017.

So, a replacement then? Or something? Anything?

No. No replacement for the V-10 powered sports car.

After first being introduced at an auto show by Carroll Shelby in 1989, the car began production not entirely long after in 1992. It ran steady until 2010, after Chrysler basically got divorced and screwed over by Mercedes-Benz's parent company, then picking back up again for 2013.

Other than its Dodge Ram-based, Lamborghini-modified V-10 engine, the car never really took off. Here, I would love to include some fun engine ideas for the car as a Last Hurrah of sorts.

1. current Supercharged "Hellcat" V-8. Output: 707 horses

The Hellcat 6.2 is a mean but logical engine that is probably a lot cheaper to build than the Viper's literally unique, variable timing V-10 engine. It even eclipses

2. Base 6.4 liter Hemi. Output: 485 horses

Well, the mighty SRT Hemi engine from the Challenger, Charger and Grand Cherokee I also thought would be an excellent idea for under the hood. Cheap, too!

3. Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, fully modified, turbos, direct injection, variable valve timing lift and control

Ok, so this engine does not really exist. But it would be frugal, interesting, and probably make it competitive something like the $80,000 Mercedes-Benz SL400, which as a base car, also has a twin turbo V-6.