It’s going to be a busy day on Detroit’s main thoroughfare when the annual Woodward Dream Cruise rolls into town this Saturday, with an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 muscle cars, hot rods and classics rolling down the eight-land boulevard. But Chrysler is hoping one particular vehicle will draw some extra attention from the 1.5 million or more fans expected to line the long route.
Though details are scarce, the maker has revealed plans to roll out an all-new concept version of its Ram truck at 10 AM on Saturday morning, a pickup that just might be the successor to the Viper V-10-powered Dodge Ram SRT-10 that ended production in 2006.
Rumors are flying fast and furious, some wondering whether the show car will be dubbed the Ram SRT or perhaps revive the legendary Power Wagon badge. Another alternative picks up on the apiary emblem in two teaser shots Chrysler has released, suggesting that it could be the Ram Super Bee, a name that has long ties to the maker’s performance models. Another possible variant: the Rumble Bee.
The timing couldn’t be better – especially if the concept hints at production plans. Only a month ago, Ford unveiled the new 2014 F-150 Tremor, currently the only high-performance model in the full-size pantheon. Ford plans to have the Tremor cruising the Woodward route all day Saturday.
(For a closer look at the Ford Tremor, Click Here.)
The Detroit maker’s have been active participants during much of the two decades of the Woodward Dream Cruise, and Chrysler often used the grass roots event as a backdrop for revealing distinctive niche products, including a variety of limited-edition PT Cruiser models. But it appears the high-performance Ram pickup could become the first-ever concept vehicle specifically revealed during the Cruise – an interesting twist that fits with the industry’s search for new ways to reach potential buyers beyond the traditional auto show circuit.
(Pickups drive July auto sales surge. Click Here for more.)
What will be under the hood? If the concept opts for the Viper powerplant, that would mean 640-horsepower and 600 lb-ft of thrust from the snake’s 8.4-liter V-10. Alternatively, the sting might come from Chrysler’s 5.7-liter Hemi or its higher-output 6.4-liter V-8. A new TorqueFlite 8 transmission would likely be paired with the V-8s, a 6-speed automatic with a Viper-derived powertrain.
Will Chrysler indeed put the concept into production? As Ford is betting with the Tremor, there appears to be a solid, if small, market for high-performance trucks. No surprise as full-size pickups, in general, comprise the year’s hottest market segment, sales up more than 20% since the beginning of 2013.
(Ram throws down the gauntlet with new diesel. Click Here for the scoop.)
Super Bee and Rumble Bee are dumb names for a truck, IMO. Power Wagon would be fine as it’s been used for special Dodge trucks for 50+ years.
The issue with any high powered pick-up trucks is that they are tire smokers but a total waste of power for the most part.
Yep, Woodward Ave in the 60’s was a truly wonderful place to be and we didn’t realize it! It was the Motor City in awe (yes, CLE too).
Now if they put their money where their mouths are and give us some of those era machines I’ll be the first to congratulate them (of course the $$ might be a bit different).
In any event, DON’T EVEN THINK OF A CVT tranny!
Marty W, you hit it out of the park! A CVT isn’t a manual…it isn’t an automatic…it’s a Tranny!
Jorge,
Obviously you are a “know nothing,” and as a very famous AMERICAN motorcycle company says, “if I have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand it.”
Just go drive those “presidential” SPAM CANS and life will be complete for you.
No, I don’t have have a problem with “Power Wagon” either…kinda traditional, isn’t it.