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Chrysler says hell no to a Ram 1500 Hellcat

SRT has already put its hellacious 707-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 under the hoods of the 2015 Dodge Challenger and Charger, but why stop there?

Car and Driver recently queried Ram Trucks CEO Bob Hegbloom about the possibility of a Ram 1500 Hellcat. Hegbloom responded that such a Helltruck isn’t a possibility “at this time.”

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That’s not as crazy a request as it sounds. Back when Ram as still part of Dodge, Chrysler built the SRT-10, a pickup truck with the Viper’s V10 under its swollen hood. With a massive rear spoiler on its tailgate and the ability to roast its rear tires on command, the SRT-10 was the ultimate muscle truck.

When it was still in production, Dodge also claimed the SRT-10 was the world’s fastest production pickup. Surely the brand would like to restore that title, giving it something to put alongside the Charger SRT Hellcat’s “world’s fastest sedan” title in the corporate trophy case.

Related: 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat priced from $64,990

While a new SRT pickup appears to be out for now, the Hellcat engine could still find its way into at least one other Chrysler model.

Jeep recently trademarked the “Trackhawk” name, leading to widespread speculation that it’s concocting a Hellcat-powered version of the Grand Cherokee SRT.

With the Chrysler 300 SRT apparently on its way out, there aren’t many other potential platforms for another Hellcat model, although a Durango Hellcat would be pretty cool.

Still, if the current interest in Chrysler’s monster motor doesn’t subside (and why would it?) Ram could reverse its decision on a Hellcat truck and make a lot of rednecks very happy.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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