Texas State Fair & Texas Truck Rodeo

The State Fair of Texas’ Texas Auto Show is ideal for learning more about today’s available vehicle options. Experts from each of the manufacturing companies stand ready to help you with any questions you may have.  We got to visit with some of them during the Auto Show preview event for automotive journalists on September 27.

Then on September 28, Texas Auto Writers Association journalists descended on Eagles Canyon Raceway. It was a full day of on and off-road driving in the latest vehicles from TAWA’s OEM partners.

The prestigious awards earned at the Texas Truck Rodeo become the subject of manufacturers’ press releases, promotional materials and campaigns across the globe.

WINNER HEAVY DUTY TRUCK OF TEXAS:
Ram 2500 Rebel

The Jeep® Wagoneer S garnered attention as the brand’s first-ever global BEV. And it got just as much attention for its unique sleek design, aerodynamic efficiency and state-of-the-art technology. Indeed, the 4xe capability/ performance credentials are eye-opening. The all-electric Jeep Wagoneer S has a range of more than 300 miles on a single charge. It delivers 600 horsepower, provides lightning-quick 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds and 617 lb.-ft of instant torque. WithJeep brand-exclusive Selec-Terrain traction management system, Jeep Wagoneer S instills driving confidence and traction for all weather and road conditions. The Jeep Wagoneer S launches first in the U.S. and Canada this fall, and will later be available in markets around the world. 

While seeing the EV evolution, it was with great excitement that we learned that Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition (of the V8 motor) will live on another year!  Yes, Jeep just announced that it will continue it to the 2025 model year! And we got to drive the 2024 model of most capable, quickest, most powerful Wrangler ever at the Truck Rodeo.  The 6.4-liter V-8, rated at 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque is mated to the crisp-shifting Torque Flite eight-speed automatic transmission with Wrangler-first aluminum paddle shifters and Selec-Trac full-time active transfer case. It goes 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds while of course remaining uber-capable off-road.  In fact, the only contender truly matching Jeep’s extreme off-road capabilities may be the new INEOS vehicles that we knew little about before the Truck Rodeo.

Don’t Miss the All-New All-Electric Charger Daytona

The next-gen 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack displayed at the fair has a hard act to follow.  But Dodge proves it can maintain its throne position for producing the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car delivering SRT levels of performance—even in the age of electrification!  The new Charger has an all-electric 400-volt dual motor system. It comes standard with the Direct Connection Stage 2 Upgrade straight from the factory. Delivering 670 horsepower and 627 lb.-ft. of torque, the Charger Daytona Scat Pack with Stage 2 and Track Package reaches 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds while running the quarter-mile in an estimated 11.5 seconds.

For the Ram brand, Stellantis introduces fairgoers to the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO. It delivers the best value with more horsepower per dollar ($129.60) than any other off-road offering. The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO with the all-new 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output (H/O) Straight-Six Turbo (SST) engine gets 540 horsepower and 521 lb.-ft. of torque. Even with its enhanced fuel economy and fewer emissions, that’s till more horsepower and torque than other naturally aspirated V-8 and boosted six-cylinder engines in the light-duty segment! The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO also offers heightened off-road capability and performance with an aggressive appearance. 

The Ram 1500 Rebel and the new tuxedo-adorned 2025 Ram 1500 Limited model both made Rodeo appearances. And both showed off the all-new, more powerful 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output SST engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. It was named BEST POWERTRAIN in the competition.

The 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel features enhanced off-road approach, departure and breakover angles courtesy of a 1-inch raised ride height, 33-inch all-terrain tires and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Other unique features on Rebel include Bilstein front and rear shocks, a softer rear stabilizer bar and a steering calibration that matches the Rebel’s increased ride height. And it we got to test it out at the Texas Auto Writers Association’s Rodeo event at Eagles Canyon Raceway. 

Topping the Expectations of Premium and Ultra-Premium Buyers

WINNER FULL-SIZE TRUCK OF TEXAS: Ram 1500

WINNER LUXURY TRUCK OF TEXAS:
Ram 1500 Tungsten

But there’s yet another level of refinement with the new ultra-premium RAM 1500 Tungsten trim. It stays true to the hard-working nature of the Ram 1500 with the Hurricane engine. Yet it also delivers such things as an “Indigo/Sea Salt interior with platinum patina/semi-bright dual-textured metal accents. Other luxe features are Diamond knurling, a suede-wrapped headliner, and heated and ventilated premium quilted Natura Plus leather seats. The seats also have 24-way power, including memory settings and a massage function, power lumbar support and four-way powered headrests.