Ram Created a Custom Dashboard Holder for Cowboy Hats.
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Ram is showcasing a crew-cab street truck concept at SEMA that pays homage to the “Dodge Dude” from the '70s, which I'll explain shortly. Personally, I appreciate the creative touch of the prototype dashboard cowboy hat holder that Mopar’s design team came up with for this vehicle.
In essence, Ram’s new “The Dude” concept is a lowered version of the Ram 1500, painted in an eye-catching lime green with retro '70s graphics. The mention of Mr. Limpet relates to the original 1970 Dodge Dude, which was promoted by Don Knotts, the actor known for voicing a talking fish in the film The Incredible Mr. Limpet.
Does anyone recall this? I assure you I’m not fabricating it—my friend Jason Torchinsky even wrote a detailed history of Don Knotts as a Dodge spokesperson on The Autopian earlier this year. It’s true, I promise!
By the way, the 1970 Dude was a trim package for the single-cab Sweptline pickup. Here's a vintage ad that explains the reasoning behind the electric green color of the new Dude.
Dodge
Dodge also brought back the “Dude” name in 2004 with a somewhat stylish single-cab street truck that likely few remember, but which was quite good-looking for that time period:
Dodge
The new truck concept shares some visual elements with the original, but the overall feel is quite different. Take a look:
Ram
The cowboy hat holder may seem like an afterthought, but it came out well. Ram isn’t the first to think of mounting a hat on a dashboard—state troopers and ranchers have been using various hat-mount solutions for decades. However, having it as an OEM feature is both clever and charming.
Ram
Regarding The Dude concept truck itself, I don’t wish to offend the team behind it personally, but it falls into an uncanny valley, ending up looking unattractive and unnecessary.
This vibrant lime color adds a certain intensity reminiscent of the simpler designs of the '70s, but it doesn’t quite fit with the aggressive lines of the 2025 model. It resembles a child's toy, but in a more cringe-worthy way than an endearing, youthful manner. In contrast, Fox's aftermarket Ram street truck that debuted earlier this month seemed much more visually coherent.
Lastly, I’ll conclude my criticism—having multiple mascots on one vehicle is a bit excessive. If there’s an engine-with-animal-head emblem, it doesn’t make sense to also feature a cowboy character on the rear fender. Dodge and Ram have successfully branded themselves as the playful, cartoon-like entities of the automotive world, which is enjoyable, but there’s a limit to how far “over-the-top” can go.
Nonetheless, if any manufacturer is likely to produce a true, no-nonsense factory street truck this decade, it’s probably Ram. But is it something the world really needs? Would you actually drive it?
Have a tip? Reach out to us at [email protected].
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STI-Badged Electric Vehicle? Subaru Is Still 'Evaluating' It Despite Shift Back to Gasoline Engines.
The Subaru STI badge may not be gone; it appears to just be hibernating.
![Joel Feder
The latest in automotive news and reviews, no nonsense.
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the important stories delivered straight to you every weekday.
Get ready, because the STI badge isn’t gone; it’s merely resting. When it makes a comeback, it could be on an electric vehicle.
At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show on Tuesday, the Subaru Performance-E STI concept was unveiled. Subaru’s design director, Shin Imai, responded to inquiries about the electric concept being a signal of a future electric car with the STI badge by saying, “I’m considering, yes.”
Imai clarified that the Performance-E STI concept isn’t merely a preview of a production model. However, he mentioned that the design team aimed to incorporate elements from their historical STI vehicles, like the 22B.
Notable features of the 22B include its large round driving lights at the front, usually covered and marked with STI logos. Imai highlighted that the concept embraces this aspect with prominent STI logos on the front lower air dam flaps.
Imai quickly pointed out that with electric vehicles, aerodynamics play a crucial role, but the team wanted to pay tribute to the 22B with gold wheels. The concept’s sizable alloy wheels include a gold aero disc as a nod to Subaru's history. Although the rear hatch does not feature a wing for reducing drag, Imai mentioned that the small aero winglets allude to the 22B’s wing while also offering significant downforce.
“We try to strike a balance between range and performance driving simultaneously,” Imai remarked. While he refrained from commenting on the vehicle's range, he noted that the silhouette is designed in a teardrop shape for optimal aerodynamics.
The proportions of the Performance-E STI concept were influenced by the need to maximize interior space, as Imai stated, “obviously, it’s a Subaru.” The design team aimed to avoid creating just another sports car.
No specific timeline has been established for when Subaru might introduce an electric car bearing the STI badge, but the possibility is now officially recognized.
Have any insights on a future product? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected]](https://carsworld.world/thumbs/carsworld.world-700/cf/19/Dodges-SEMA-Charger-Is-a-Sixpack-Accessory-Smorgasbord.webp)
Joel Feder
The latest in automotive news and reviews, no nonsense.
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the important stories delivered straight to you every weekday.
Get ready, because the STI badge isn’t gone; it’s merely resting. When it makes a comeback, it could be on an electric vehicle.
At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show on Tuesday, the Subaru Performance-E STI concept was unveiled. Subaru’s design director, Shin Imai, responded to inquiries about the electric concept being a signal of a future electric car with the STI badge by saying, “I’m considering, yes.”
Imai clarified that the Performance-E STI concept isn’t merely a preview of a production model. However, he mentioned that the design team aimed to incorporate elements from their historical STI vehicles, like the 22B.
Notable features of the 22B include its large round driving lights at the front, usually covered and marked with STI logos. Imai highlighted that the concept embraces this aspect with prominent STI logos on the front lower air dam flaps.
Imai quickly pointed out that with electric vehicles, aerodynamics play a crucial role, but the team wanted to pay tribute to the 22B with gold wheels. The concept’s sizable alloy wheels include a gold aero disc as a nod to Subaru's history. Although the rear hatch does not feature a wing for reducing drag, Imai mentioned that the small aero winglets allude to the 22B’s wing while also offering significant downforce.
“We try to strike a balance between range and performance driving simultaneously,” Imai remarked. While he refrained from commenting on the vehicle's range, he noted that the silhouette is designed in a teardrop shape for optimal aerodynamics.
The proportions of the Performance-E STI concept were influenced by the need to maximize interior space, as Imai stated, “obviously, it’s a Subaru.” The design team aimed to avoid creating just another sports car.
No specific timeline has been established for when Subaru might introduce an electric car bearing the STI badge, but the possibility is now officially recognized.
Have any insights on a future product? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected]
Joel Feder
The latest in automotive news and reviews, no nonsense.
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the important stories delivered straight to you every weekday.
Get ready, because the STI badge isn’t gone; it’s merely resting. When it makes a comeback, it could be on an electric vehicle.
At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show on Tuesday, the Subaru Performance-E STI concept was unveiled. Subaru’s design director, Shin Imai, responded to inquiries about the electric concept being a signal of a future electric car with the STI badge by saying, “I’m considering, yes.”
Imai clarified that the Performance-E STI concept isn’t merely a preview of a production model. However, he mentioned that the design team aimed to incorporate elements from their historical STI vehicles, like the 22B.
Notable features of the 22B include its large round driving lights at the front, usually covered and marked with STI logos. Imai highlighted that the concept embraces this aspect with prominent STI logos on the front lower air dam flaps.
Imai quickly pointed out that with electric vehicles, aerodynamics play a crucial role, but the team wanted to pay tribute to the 22B with gold wheels. The concept’s sizable alloy wheels include a gold aero disc as a nod to Subaru's history. Although the rear hatch does not feature a wing for reducing drag, Imai mentioned that the small aero winglets allude to the 22B’s wing while also offering significant downforce.
“We try to strike a balance between range and performance driving simultaneously,” Imai remarked. While he refrained from commenting on the vehicle's range, he noted that the silhouette is designed in a teardrop shape for optimal aerodynamics.
The proportions of the Performance-E STI concept were influenced by the need to maximize interior space, as Imai stated, “obviously, it’s a Subaru.” The design team aimed to avoid creating just another sports car.
No specific timeline has been established for when Subaru might introduce an electric car bearing the STI badge, but the possibility is now officially recognized.
Have any insights on a future product? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected]
Mazda's Latest Mini Hatchback Concept Aims to Be Your Companion
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Subaru Combined Elements from Three Cars to Create This WRX STI Hatch.
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Сегодня, 30 октября, утром в селе Круглыжи Свечинского района произошёл пожар в двухквартирном жилом доме. Огнём занимались сотрудники 53-й пожарно-спасательной части и местная добровольная пожарная команда. В результате пламя уничтожило дом и хозяйственные постройки, а один из жильцов погиб. Соседи не пострадали.
В настоящее время на месте происшествия работают дознаватели МЧС России и специалисты Следственного комитета, которые выясняют все обстоятельства произошедшего. Предполагается, что причиной возгорания могло стать короткое замыкание электропроводки.
В ГУ МЧС России по Кировской области гражданам напоминают:
необходимо заменять устаревшую электропроводку;
нельзя подключать несколько электроприборов к одной розетке одновременно;
если вилка или розетка нагреваются, прибор следует отключить;
рекомендуется приобрести пожарный извещатель и огнетушитель.
Mazda is poised to bring your memes closer to reality with this concept of a turbocharged hybrid rotary coupe.
Ram Created a Custom Dashboard Holder for Cowboy Hats.
The Dodge Dude concept is a throwback to a model from the '70s, rather than a reference to The Big Lebowski.