0:00 / 0:00
RAM’s new Rumble Bee line of street performance trucks.

RAM’s new Rumble Bee line of street performance trucks.

CarCast May 21, 2026 31 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

After a Texas storm flooded their garage, the conversation shifts to Ram’s teased Rumble Bee street-performance trucks and what “real deal” means beyond graphics. Hosts walk through the lineup’s power steps—from a 5.7L V8 to a 392/Track Pack—then zoom in on the SRT with 777 horsepower, 3.4-second 0–60, and 170 mph top speed. They also highlight fully active air suspension, bigger Brembo brakes, and all-wheel drive with a two-wheel mode.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford Bronco

"... with them and we'll see what they can do for the Bronco. Yeah, they've got some pretty nice stuff for it...."

The Ford Bronco is an SUV made for off-road driving, like dirt roads and trails. People talk about it a lot because it’s popular with drivers who want to add upgrades. The podcast is mentioning that some new parts or products look promising for the Bronco.

Car

Chevrolet C8

"lot more products and then C8 Corvette, so they started getting into that too. They had done pretty nice stuff for that."

The C8 Corvette is a Corvette with the engine in the middle of the car, not the front. That change makes it handle more like a sports car you’d see on a track.

Term

PPF

"Yeah. Well, you already sent the thing out to PPF. You already sent it out to expels. If you do carbon fiber pieces, you're going to have to go back because you're definitely going to want to protect the carbon fiber pieces."

PPF is a clear protective film that you put on your car’s paint. It helps prevent rock chips and small scratches.

Brand

Expel

"Yeah. Well, you already sent the thing out to PPF. You already sent it out to expels. If you do carbon fiber pieces, you're going to have to go back because you're definitely going to want to protect the carbon fiber pieces."

Expel is a company that makes clear protective film for cars. They’re the kind of shop you’d send your vehicle to so the film can be installed.

Term

carbon fiber

"If you do carbon fiber pieces, you're going to have to go back because you're definitely going to want to protect the carbon fiber pieces. Yes, then there's that."

Carbon fiber is a light, strong material used on some car parts. Because it can get damaged and is costly, people protect it with clear film or wraps.

Term

vinyl wrap

"You can wrap it in the white because the truck's white and then that might help. You won't need the PPF. You just have the vinyl wrap. You have a couple of options and stuff there."

A vinyl wrap is a sticker-like film that covers part of a car. It can change the look and help protect the surface underneath.

Brand

Magnaflow exhaust

"I saw you got the Magnaflow exhaust in for that too. Yeah, I'm waiting for the damn thing to get back from Expel. Magnaflow exhaust goes on."

Magnaflow makes aftermarket exhaust parts. Swapping an exhaust can change how the truck sounds and how it breathes.

Part

upper control arms

"The tires from Nitto are on their way. The upper control arms from Canberra are on the way. Yeah, cool."

Upper control arms are parts in the suspension that help hold the wheel in the right position. Better or newer arms can make the truck handle more predictably.

Brand

Nitto

"Magnaflow exhaust goes on. The tires from Nitto are on their way. The upper control arms from Canberra are on the way."

Nitto is a tire brand, and the host is referencing a set of tires being shipped in for the truck build. Tire choice strongly affects grip, ride feel, and how the vehicle performs.

Brand

Canberra

"The tires from Nitto are on their way. The upper control arms from Canberra are on the way. Yeah, cool."

Canberra is mentioned as the company making the upper control arms. Those arms are suspension parts that affect how the truck drives.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...oming out and one of the things that popped up is Ram, your buddy Tim Kinesis has been teasing this, th..."

Ram is the truck brand within the Dodge family, and it makes full-size pickup trucks. The podcast is saying Ram has something new coming and that details are being teased. The point is that a new truck update or model may be on the way.

Car

F-150 Raptor

"...hot recently, right? Like with, with TRX and with Raptor, it's very competitive and Tundra's Toyota is wor..."

The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck that many people use for work and driving needs. The podcast is talking about how off-road trucks are getting more competitive, with more powerful and capable versions. The F-150 is included because it’s one of the trucks people compare in that category.

Car

Toyota Tundra

"the off-road stuff has really been hot recently, right? Like with, with TRX and with Raptor, it's very competitive and Tundra's Toyota is working on theirs. I think it's called Hammer. Silverado kind of did something with nothing really to compete directly with, with the,"

The Toyota Tundra is a large pickup truck that can handle towing and rough roads. The podcast is talking about how off-road versions of trucks are getting more competitive. It also mentions Toyota working on a new off-road-focused model called “Hammer.”

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"...is working on theirs. I think it's called Hammer. Silverado kind of did something with nothing really to comp..."

The Chevrolet Silverado is a large pickup truck that comes in different versions for work and driving needs. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because it has been a major player in the truck competition, especially for off-road capability. The discussion is using Silverado as a reference point for what others are trying to do.

Car

Ford Lobo

"...the big trucks out there. And then Ford did their Lobo, which is their, you know, four-door V8, five-lit..."

The Ford Lobo is a large four-door pickup truck. The podcast describes it as having a V8 engine and being one of the bigger truck options. It’s mentioned because it’s part of Ford’s lineup of big, powerful trucks.

Term

heated and cooled seats

"you kind of want like the heated and cooled seats because of the weather or, or, you know, [660.0s] things like that."

Some trucks have seats that can warm you up or cool you down. The host is saying cheaper versions may not include that feature.

Term

platinum

"So it, you can't get like a limited version, you know, like my, my, or platinum [666.6s] version. You can't get those features in it."

“Platinum” is a higher trim level, meaning a more expensive version of the truck. Higher trims usually include more features as standard.

Car

Ford F150

"different. Like you should be able to get some of those extra features because Ford's weird thing is, is if you want the V8 in the F-150, you can do the lower trim models of the truck. But if you wanted like a King Ranch or the limited, you know, you could only do like the hybrid version that the"

The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck with lots of different versions. The podcast is saying that if you want the V8 engine, you may be able to choose a cheaper trim level instead of only the top ones. It’s about how the truck’s features and engine options are arranged.

Term

V8

"[683.8s] is if you want the V8 in the F-150, you can do the lower trim models of the truck. But if you [690.3s] wanted like a King Ranch or the limited, you know, you could only do like the hybrid version"

A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders. The host is saying they want the V8 because it sounds the way they expect, and they want to be able to build the truck.

Term

hybrid version

"[690.3s] wanted like a King Ranch or the limited, you know, you could only do like the hybrid version that the [695.8s] six cylinder hybrid. Oh, that sucks."

A hybrid truck uses a gas engine plus an electric motor. The host is saying that when you move to the higher trims, you may be forced into the hybrid instead of getting the V8.

Term

supercharger kit

"[718.0s] look at the truck and go, Hey, I want the five liter because I want the sound of the V8. I want [722.5s] to maybe add a supercharger kit. I want to do some modifications to it."

A supercharger is an add-on that forces more air into the engine. More air usually means more power, and the host is saying they want the truck set up so they can add one.

Car

Proton Persona

"... loud. He's like, you know, character being loud, persona being loud and then actual sound being loud. So y..."

The Proton Persona is a small-to-midsize sedan meant for regular daily driving. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because the speaker is talking about how it sounds and feels—like the personality of the car. The focus is on the driving experience, not off-road ability.

Term

fender flare

"[783.2s] in this picture, you know, a little bit of the fender flare hood scoop, you know, [789.5s] his heat extractors on the hood"

A fender flare is the extra trim around the wheel area. It can make the truck look wider and more aggressive, which is what the host is pointing out.

Term

hood scoop

"[783.2s] in this picture, you know, a little bit of the fender flare hood scoop, you know, [789.5s] his heat extractors on the hood"

A hood scoop is an intake feature on the hood that can channel air toward the engine or cooling system. The host lists it alongside other styling cues to suggest the teased truck is meant to look and act more like a performance street build.

Term

heat extractors

"[789.5s] his heat extractors on the hood, but not a lot of tire, you know, gap here."

Heat extractors are vents that help let hot air out from under the hood. The host is saying these details make the truck seem more like a real performance setup.

Term

graphics package

"[805.0s] kind of this bumblebee kind of look and the yellow yellow is not my favorite. And it's probably got [810.4s] a big graphics package on it. But Tim Kaniscus did come out and say, this is not a graphics"

A graphics package is the set of decals and stripes that give a car its look. The host is saying the maker insists it’s not only a sticker-and-paint makeover.

Term

R&D

"“...if it's not a lot of R&D difference, right, not a massive budget to start from scratch...”"

R&D means research and development, basically the engineering work to create something new. They’re saying Ram might keep costs down by not redesigning everything from scratch.

Term

suspension package

"“...we're working on a suspension package, right? We're working on maybe a slightly lower or stock ride height suspension. Maybe they modify it for a little bit more performance...”"

A suspension package is basically the truck’s ride-and-handling setup. It includes parts like springs and sway bars, and it’s what you change when you want the truck to feel better on the street.

Term

ride height

"“...maybe a slightly lower or stock ride height suspension. Maybe they modify it for a little bit more performance...”"

Ride height is how high the truck sits off the ground. Lowering it can help the truck feel more stable on the road, while keeping it near stock can make it easier to live with day to day.

Term

sway bars

"“...increase spring rates, sway bars, things like that without going super drastic on it.”"

Sway bars help keep the truck from leaning too much when you turn. They’re one of the suspension parts that can make a vehicle feel more stable on the road.

Term

spring rates

"“...increase spring rates, sway bars, things like that without going super drastic on it.”"

Spring rates are how stiff the springs are in the suspension. Stiffer springs can make the truck feel more controlled, but they can also make the ride a bit harsher.

Topic

price point

"“...I'm very curious to see what the price point is going to be... What's a TRX 100 grand?”"

They keep coming back to price—how much the truck will cost. They’re basically asking whether it’ll be priced so people actually want it.

Car

Raptor

"“...it doesn't have competition. When the Raptor came out, there wasn't really anything out there from the factory that was doing, was going off road in that capacity.”"

The Raptor is a Ford pickup built from the factory to go off-road really well. The hosts are saying it was one of the first trucks that could do that at a high level without needing aftermarket changes.

Concept

turnkey option

"“...Ram has an opportunity here to go after that market and be the only turnkey option.”"

“Turnkey” means you can buy the truck and it’s already set up for what you want. The hosts are saying Ram might be the only factory option that gives you the full package without you having to modify it yourself.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...Rover is going, we're going to take our full size Range Rover luxury vehicle off-road capability and start shar..."

The Land Rover Range Rover is a large luxury SUV that can also drive off-road. The podcast is talking about using its off-road capability in a broader way. In other words, they’re aiming to bring that “can go anywhere” ability to more than just one vehicle.

Car

Jeep Grand

"...that vehicle and go, well, now is there sort of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, some shared platform there, some shared..."

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an SUV that’s meant to be comfortable for daily driving but still capable on rough roads. The podcast mentions that it may share parts or the underlying design with another Jeep model. That kind of sharing can influence how the vehicle is built and what features it can have.

Term

air suspension

"widened body, lowered stance, air suspension that is adjustable depending on, it'll level out when you tow or put load in the back, but also at increased speeds, I believe it lowers for aerodynamics"

Air suspension is a suspension system that uses air bags instead of metal springs. It can raise or lower the truck to stay level when you’re hauling, and it can drop lower at higher speeds to help it cut through the air.

Term

aerodynamics

"but also at increased speeds, I believe it lowers for aerodynamics, so it's got a fully active suspension using air ride technology"

Aerodynamics is how the shape of the truck affects how air moves around it. When the truck sits lower at speed, it can reduce air resistance.

Term

fully active suspension

"so it's got a fully active suspension using air ride technology, which is really pretty cool."

Fully active suspension means the truck can actively manage how it rides using electronics. Instead of just bouncing over bumps, it can adjust to keep the ride stable and the truck at the right height.

Term

air ride technology

"so it's got a fully active suspension using air ride technology, which is really pretty cool."

Air ride technology is a brand-agnostic way of describing air-suspension systems designed for ride-height control and comfort. When paired with active control, it can also optimize stance for aerodynamics and stability under different driving conditions.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...ck into that as soon as they sort of revamp their charger from an EV to, I don't know, I guess a more desir..."

The Dodge Charger is a performance sedan, meaning it’s built to feel fast and exciting to drive. The podcast is discussing that Dodge is updating the Charger and changing its direction from an electric setup to something that sounds more like a traditional performance car. The key point is the Charger’s power and driving feel may be shifting.

Term

splitter

"you know, splitter in the front, fender flares, three V8 options in the truck as well."

A splitter is a front lip/extension that helps control airflow. It can help the truck feel more planted, especially when driving fast.

Term

quad cab short bed

"So they're going to be quad cab short bed body styles. Now what this means is a shorter overall length while still being a four door truck."

Quad cab short bed is a truck layout with four doors and a shorter cargo area. It’s a compromise between passenger space and easier driving/parking.

Term

stiffen the chassis up

"They were also able to, I believe, stiffen the chassis up by about 10%. So it will have better handling overall."

Stiffening the chassis means making the truck’s frame/body more rigid. That can help it handle more predictably when you corner or drive hard.

Term

zero to 60

"It makes 395 horsepower, 410 pound feet of torque. That'll get you zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds, run about 1460"

Zero to 60 is a test of how fast a car or truck can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph. It’s a simple way to compare performance.

Term

1320 quarter miles

"And this version runs 1320 quarter miles. And then at the top of the food chain here is the"

A quarter mile is a standard drag-racing distance. The host is talking about how the truck performs over that set length.

Car

Challenger Hellcat

"...And then at the top of the food chain here is the Hellcat Supercharged version. It is the Rumblebee SRT 6.2..."

The Dodge Challenger is a performance car that’s built to be fast and exciting. The podcast is talking about the Hellcat, which is a supercharged high-power version, and a special SRT 6.2 variant. These are the kinds of trims people mention when they want to highlight the Challenger’s strongest performance.

Term

supercharged

"Hellcat Supercharged version. It is the Rumblebee SRT 6.2 liter V8 Supercharged 777 horses,"

A supercharger is a device that forces extra air into the engine. That extra air helps the engine make more power.

Term

torque

"680 pound feet of torque, ram claims zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds, 1160 quarter miles,"

Torque is the engine’s twisting force. Higher torque usually means the vehicle pulls harder when you accelerate.

Car

Dodge Viper

"...pretty crazy. And by the way, the SRT 10 with the Viper engine that they did years ago, I liked that truc..."

The Dodge Viper is a sports car that was built for very high performance. The podcast is talking about the SRT 10 version with the Viper engine, which is known for being especially powerful. It’s mentioned because people remember it as a standout performance car.

Term

all wheel drive

"But also these trucks are all wheel drive with a two wheel drive mode. So if you want to just do big smokey burnouts and drift this thing around, that is there for you."

All-wheel drive means power goes to all four wheels. It can help the truck grip better, and the host says you can switch it to two-wheel drive too.

Term

two wheel drive mode

"these trucks are all wheel drive with a two wheel drive mode. So if you want to just do big smokey burnouts and drift this thing around, that is there for you."

Two-wheel-drive mode powers only two wheels instead of all four. That can make it easier to spin the tires for burnouts and drifting.

Term

coil suspension

"Both are lower. They sit lower than like your normal four by two ram 1500. There's a coil suspension with a five link in the rear."

Coil suspension uses springs to help the truck ride smoothly and keep the wheels in contact with the road. It’s part of how the truck’s suspension is built.

Term

five link in the rear

"There's a coil suspension with a five link in the rear."

A five-link rear suspension is a more complex suspension design that helps control how the rear wheels move. That can make the truck handle better over bumps and during cornering.

Brand

Pilstein shocks and dampers

"They have larger front and rear sway bars, the Pilstein shocks and dampers on it."

They’re talking about the shocks and dampers from a suspension brand (Bilstein). These parts help control how the truck moves over bumps and during cornering.

Term

vented disc rotor

"The trucks use the entry level truck is a 14.9 inch vented disc rotor with two piston calibers"

A vented disc rotor is a brake rotor designed to cool itself better. That can help the brakes work more consistently when you’re braking hard.

Term

two piston calibers

"14.9 inch vented disc rotor with two piston calibers and 14.8 in the back with single piston."

The caliper is the part that clamps the brake pads onto the rotor. A two-piston caliper uses two pistons to squeeze the pads more evenly.

Term

track mode

"which allows the truck, as we said, to sit 1.5 inches lower in track mode. And then it also makes it easier to get in and out of."

Track mode is a special driving setting meant for faster, more aggressive driving. Here it lowers the truck to help it handle better.

Car

Rumblebee

"Now the Rumblebee offers 8,890 pounds of towing capacity and 1160 pounds of payload capacity. The top two trucks, like the SRT, it has an adjustable dual valve Bilstein dampers."

The RAM Rumblebee is a performance version of a RAM pickup. It’s meant to feel more like a sports truck, with upgrades for stopping, handling, and acceleration.

Term

Bilstein dampers

"The top two trucks, like the SRT, it has an adjustable dual valve Bilstein dampers. So you can tune it for a setup if you want."

Bilstein dampers are the shocks that help control the truck’s bounce and body movement. If they’re adjustable, you can change how firm or controlled the ride feels.

Term

lateral G

"They're saying, you know, at least a 0.89 lateral G on the skid pad, 20% better handling than the base Rumblebee with the top two tier models for it."

Lateral G is a way to measure how hard a car can pull sideways in a turn. Higher numbers usually mean better grip and cornering performance.

Term

Brembo brakes

"You get the 16.1 inch front rotors, six piston Brembo brakes. The rears are smaller, but 14.6 inches there."

Brembo brakes are upgraded brakes from a performance-focused supplier. The “six-piston” part means the brake can squeeze the pads more firmly for stronger stopping.

Term

electric e-spool button

"Like we said, the full-time four-wheel drive comes standard on all the models, but does have an electric e-spool button that allows you to shift more of that to the rear."

The e-spool button is a switch that changes how power is sent to the wheels. In this case, it helps send more power to the rear so you can do burnouts more easily.

Term

full-time four-wheel drive

"Like we said, the full-time four-wheel drive comes standard on all the models, but does have an electric e-spool button that allows you to shift more of that to the rear."

Full-time four-wheel drive means the truck is always driving all four wheels. That can help it stay planted when roads are wet or uneven.

Term

launch control

"And it has launch control, so you can hit those zero to 60 times out there claiming with it as well."

Launch control is a feature that helps the truck accelerate as hard as possible from a stop. It manages the power so the wheels spin less and the launch is more consistent.

Term

wide body fenders

"Some other really cool features, you know, it's wide body fenders. It's 88 inches wide with that setup."

Wide body fenders are flared fender extensions that make the truck look wider. They can also help fit wider tires for better grip.

Term

Alpine stereo system

"Then when you move up to the 392 version, you get there's a 12 inch touch screen to 10 speaker Alpine stereo system, 12 way adjustable seats, leather and suede upholstery."

Alpine is a car-audio brand. When they mention the Alpine stereo system and speaker count, they’re talking about the upgraded sound system in the truck.

Term

Harman Kardon audio system

"And the 14.5 inch touch screen 19 speaker Harman Kardon audio system as well. So it's pretty cool."

Harman Kardon is a premium car audio brand. The speaker count they mention is a clue that this version of the truck has a better sound system.

13 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars