The Sleuth’s intel file contains info about Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram truck division concocting a special high-performance pickup that could be on the market for the 2019 model year. Dubbed the Rebel TRX Hellcat, the truck will be fitted with the same supercharged 707-horsepower V-8 that’s used in the Challenger and Charger Hellcat cars as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. It also appears the TRX Hellcat will be positioned as a head-to-head off-road competitor to the Ford F-150 Raptor that currently runs with a 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V-6. It’s also a sign that spending big cash for what amounts to a hiked-up pickup with a beefy suspension and gas-guzzling engine is on the rise.
Is a new supercar about to enter the ring?
It certainly appears that way, sayeth the Spymaster. Brabham, a long-revered name in Formula One auto racing, has been regularly tickling the Sleuth’s fancy since mid-February with fuzzy images of what appears to be a high-end sports car. Unlike manufacturers of similar exotica from the likes of Koenigsegg, Pagani and Spyker, to name just a few, Brabham has a storied pedigree behind the name. The late Sir Jack Brabham was a three-time Grand Prix champion who built his own racecars, and son David is currently a successful sports car racer. He also heads up Brabham Automotive, a company that’s launching the BT62 supercar this spring. The newly formed England-based company is planning to build just 70 models with a starting price of one million British pounds, or $1.4 million US.
Get ready to be scrambled
According to the Sleuth’s trusty sources, the rumoured arrival of the Jeep Wrangler pickup is a virtual lock for the 2019 model year. The expected name Scrambler (the same name that was attached to the previous CJ-7-based pickup from the early- to mid-1980s) will be based on the four-door Wrangler JK, which makes it a crew-cab model of sorts. Even so, the (approximately) five-foot-long box should be large enough to tote a pair of dirt bikes and possibly an all-terrain vehicle without too much trouble. The Jeep’s 285-horsepower V-6 will supply the grunt, but what isn’t yet known is whether the Scrambler will be available with a folding soft top, or if it will be strictly a steel-roof model.
Is a single-grade of gasoline in our future?
With both refiners and automakers on board, The Sleuth believes it likely that the three most common unleaded fuel grades, 87 octane (regular), 89 (mid-grade) and 93 (premium) could soon be history. In their place would be just one grade of gasoline (the current proposal would peg it at 95 octane). For the refiner, moving to a single grade will simplify the manufacturing and distribution process, while the claimed benefits for the consumer would be cleaner-running engines along with improved fuel efficiency for only slightly higher cost. The Spy Guy expects that the end users will have plenty to say about this proposal before single-grade gas is adopted.
Go drag racing with a Mustang
As an answer to Chevrolet’s COPO Camaro dragster, an updated National Hot Rod Association-legal model that Ford calls the Mustang Cobra Jet will be introduced this summer. Under the hood is a supercharged version of the same 526-horsepower 5.2-litre V-8 that sees service in the street-able Mustang Shelby GT350. Although the actual Cobra Jet horsepower number remains elusive, Ford claims that the car’s quarter-mile time in the low-eight-second range will easily beat the Dodge Demon’s 9.6 seconds (the COPO Camaro’s numbers depend on engine selection). Expect to shell out about $100,000 US to get your hands on one of 68 planned Cobra Jets to be built this year.
Trending up, North American fuel prices
Predictions from a number of sources including the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicate that prices at the pump will be the highest they’ve been in the last four years. This is based on increases in the price of oil that, as of this writing, is about $70 US per barrel. That represents an increase of about $17 from the same time one year ago.
Trending up, future collectible automobiles
Michigan-based classic car insurer Hagerty has announced its “Hot List” of top-10 new vehicles priced less than $100,000 US that it believes are destined to increase in value over the years. Included is the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger Demon, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, Honda Civic Type R, Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, Kia Stinger GT, Lexus LC 500 coupe and the Subaru WRX STI Type RA. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the not-so-rare 2018 Jeep Wrangler made the list.
