Hurricane Howl: Ram’s Inline-Six in the 1500 RHO

Photo Source: Stellantis

Realistically, off-roading is commonly associated with a dirt road and the possibility of mud on the journey to a campsite or fishing stream. That said, the all-new 2025 Ram 1500 RHO is arriving on the scene. It’s an off-roading high-performance pickup outfitted to tackle any challenge, including General Motors and Ford rivals. The Ram 1500 RHO joins the Ram 155 Warlock, 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel, Rebel, and Power Wagon, amplifying Stellantis’ Sport lineup.

Dodge’s Legendary Impact on the Ram RHO

The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO will be a 540-horsepower off-road powerhouse with various state-of-the-art features and long-travel suspension. Nonetheless, it’s not fueled by a supercharged V-8 like the Hellcat. On the contrary, it’s a straight-six, and that will likely spark profound nostalgia for veteran Dodge truck enthusiasts. 

The inline-six power plant was well-received as an introductory-level configuration for decades. It’s more manageable and straightforward to handle than a V-8 and also conforms well to a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive powertrain assembled for a V-8. The Dodge brand’s last inline-six mill was the slant-six, a seamlessly engineered 225 cubic-inch engine boasting a highly favorable reputation. As such, it became the base-level power plant in Ram pickup trucks until 1987.

What is the Upgrade on the 2025 Ram RHO?

Readers might conclude that American pickup truck buyers are partial to V-8 engines, but longtime Ram admirers recognize the robustness of an inline-six. These engines are returning due to numerous factors. Indeed, as engines evolve more efficiently, the need for higher displacement to generate the same power is drastically reduced. 

For context, an inline-six only possesses one head, making it much more practical than the multiple moving parts that constitute a V-8 or V-6. Moreover, it has sufficient space for longer piston travel, resulting in greater torque. The configuration also leaves ample room in the engine bay for turbochargers.

2025 Ram 1500 RHO: Under the Hood

Speaking of turbochargers, Ram’s parent company, Stellantis, harnessed all of these characteristics to produce its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six family, codenamed “Hurricane.” The Standard Output Hurricane mill accelerates up to 400 horsepower and delivers 450 pound-feet of torque. Not to mention, in 2025, it will substitute the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 in Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Still, the 1500 RHO represents the automaker’s new guise, meaning the vehicle will utilize the High Output trim of the inline-six. 

By leveraging the High Output version’s quick-spooling, twin turbochargers, Ram’s hot-rod off-roader can accelerate up to 540 horsepower and produce 521 pound-feet of torque. That power plant is enough, the manufacturer claims, to reach zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 118 miles per hour.

Welcome Ram’s RHO Era at Miami Lakes Automall!

The RHO arrives in dealers in the third quarter of 2024 at half the cost of the V-8 Ford F-150 Raptor, with a starting price of $69,995 MSRP (Plus destination fee). For a better deal on the RHO, check out our finance department and our new vehicle specials.