RAM’S FULL-SIZE SUV PLAY: BUILD THE RAMCHARGER, BEAT ESCALADE-V, UNDERCUT TAHOE
What if I told you Stellantis already surfaced a full-size SUV in internal conversations and Antonio Filosa has reportedly seen the clay model? The public $13B announcement danced around badges, but the puzzle pieces line up for Ram. The Ramcharger name is sitting on the shelf, the truck architecture is ready, and the market gap is obvious.
I’m going to lay out how Ram should spec it, price it, and ship it—without wasting a model cycle.
Why this belongs to Ram (not Jeep or Chrysler)
- Name equity ready to deploy: “Ramcharger” is familiar, printed, and primed.
- Parts commonality: Frame, interior modules, electronics, and driveline options exist in the Ram 1500 ecosystem.
- Brand fit: Ram can run HEMI-only trims without tripping over Jeep’s current strategy. Jeep skipped the Escalade-V fight; Ram can take it.
Packaging: proven truck bones, smarter sheetmetal
Start with the 1500 frame, extend for third-row space, and avoid the styling missteps on Wagoneer’s rear quarter. Keep the front assertive—Ram grille DNA scales well to SUV form. This is not a two-door nostalgia project; it’s a modern body-on-frame SUV with real tow ratings and cargo volume.
Interior play: Reuse Ram 1500’s best cabins (12–14.5″ Uconnect, real switchgear, ventilated second row, pano roof). That keeps costs down and quality up.
Engine plan: clear ladder, no confusion
Launch with HEMIs only. Ram can own the power conversation on day one.
- 5.7 HEMI (volume trim)
- Mission: Fleet, family, and tow-focused buyers.
- Transmission: 8-speed, tow/haul calibration.
- Target: Competitive payload/tow, quiet highway manners.
- 392 HEMI (enthusiast trim)
- Mission: The street option with real authority.
- Target output: ~485 hp, fat mid-range, proper exhaust tuning.
- Chassis: Street-rate dampers, larger sway bars, Brembo package.
- Hellcat HEMI (halo)
- Mission: Beat Escalade-V on performance and price.
- Target output: ≥690 hp (surpass Cadillac’s headline), optional performance exhaust.
- Cooling/brakes: TRX-grade heat management, 15″+ front rotors.
- Tires: 22s with a true performance compound.
If Ram later wants range-extender or hybrid variants, fine—but lead with HEMI to plant the flag.
Power and numbers that matter
- Escalade-V benchmark: 682 hp. Ram needs to clear it with the Hellcat.
- Tow rating: Match or exceed Wagoneer’s headline numbers.
- NVH: Use Ram 1500 acoustic playbook—laminated glass, active noise control.
- Suspension: Coil-spring architecture with an available air system for load leveling and approach/departure angles.
Pricing to win customers today
- Base 5.7: $50–$55K. Undercut Tahoe’s typical transaction point to grab families and commercial buyers.
- 392: Mid-$60Ks. Keep it aspirational but attainable.
- Hellcat: $80–$90K. You walk in $60–$80K cheaper than an Escalade-V and still deliver more power. That steals chauffeurs, small fleets, and enthusiasts overnight.
This staircase gives Ram a clean upsell: practical → performance → halo—without drifting into six-figure bloat.
Options that sell themselves
- Max Tow Package: gearing, cooling, trailer cameras, integrated brake controller.
- Street Handling Package: dampers, bars, alignment spec, summer-capable tires.
- Big Brake Package: Brembos, fade-proof pads, stainless lines.
- Color Program: High-impact paints (Sublime, Go Mango, Hydro Blue, Copper) rotated quarterly.
- Fleet/Executive Pack: second-row captain’s chairs, rear console, 110V/USB-C array, rear privacy features.
Manufacturing shortcuts that cut years, not corners
- Carry-over electronics and ADAS from Ram 1500.
- Shared interiors (dash, seats, console options) with trim-specific bezels and stitch patterns.
- Lighting and fascia: Ram 1500 family language scales quickly; minimal bespoke tooling.
- Supplier alignment already proven on Ram 1500 and TRX programs.
Result: shorter development, fewer engineering traps, faster showroom arrival.
Competitive angles versus the field
- Against Tahoe/Yukon: beat them on cabin finish at the base price and offer 392 muscle they can’t match at that money.
- Against Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer: same bones, lower price, HEMI-first pitch, cleaner rear design.
- Against Escalade-V: win on power-per-dollar and immediate availability (no boutique waitlists).
My recommended launch lineup
- Ramcharger 5.7
- 20s standard, tow pack available, cloth/leatherette, bench or captain’s chairs, MSRP $52,995 target.
- Ramcharger 392 Street
- 22s, sport dampers, Brembo option, performance exhaust, leather/Alcantara, MSRP $64,995 target.
- Ramcharger Hellcat
- ≥690 hp, adaptive dampers, Big Brake standard, staggered 22s, premium audio, HUD, MSRP $84,995–$89,995 target.
All three get the Power Brokers pathway for dealer-installed accessories (drop kits, wheels, stripe packages) with warranty intact.
Why this changes the segment
Ram has ignored the full-size SUV revenue stream for too long. This move gives dealers a third pillar beside 1500 and HD trucks, and it puts Stellantis back in the conversation with a clear, engine-led message. Lead with HEMI, price like you mean it, and let Cadillac explain why their V costs nearly double.
Bottom line
The clay is real. The name is ready. The hardware is on the shelf. Build the Ramcharger as a full-size, body-on-frame SUV with 5.7, 392, and Hellcat trims. Undercut Tahoe at the base, surpass Escalade-V on power with the halo, and reuse Ram 1500 components to move fast. That’s how you take share immediately—and that’s a product I’d buy.
