Ram has reintroduced the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine for the 2026 Ram 1500, after a period of switching to a six-cylinder lineup in 2025 that was poorly received. The V-8, producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, will be available as an upgrade on most trims for $1,200, featuring a new badge called the 'Symbol of Protest Badge.' The engine's return was expedited from an 18-month plan to just six months, thanks to a dedicated team led by Daryl Smith. Ram plans further product announcements, including a mid-size truck, with potential future engines like the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 Hellcat.
The 2025 Audi S3 has been unveiled with updated looks and a more powerful engine, boasting 328 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It features a new front end, improved transmission, torque splitter for variable rear-wheel torque distribution, and various performance enhancements including stiffer wishbones, optimized steering, and upgraded brakes. Audi has yet to announce the release date for the facelifted S3.
The 2024 Genesis G70 receives a new base engine, the 2.5L turbo-four from the larger G80, providing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, making it 0.6 seconds faster to 100 km/h than the outgoing 2.0L turbo-four. The car also features Brembo brakes and a digital key as standard, along with an advanced all-wheel-drive system. The cabin boasts high-quality materials and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the near-field communication smart key is now standard. Pricing starts at $53,000 for the 2.5T Advanced model and goes up to $64,000 for the 3.3T Sport model. Overall, the G70's small changes make a big difference, enhancing its performance, handling, and luxury appeal.
Hunt: Showdown will receive a native PS5 version and an engine upgrade in April 2024, with support for the PS4 version ending. The upgrade will offer 4K visuals, enhanced controller support, and input upgrades. PS4 players will have a free upgrade path to the PS5 version, but support for the game on the previous platform will cease by April 2024.
Lockheed Martin's executive vice president of aeronautics, Greg Ulmer, has backed the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) as an alternative to the F135 engine that powers the F-35. Ulmer believes that the AETP engine will provide greater thrust, fuel efficiency, and aircraft performance improvement. The advocacy of the jet’s prime contractor on behalf of AETP is a blow to incumbent engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, which is seeking to continue its lock on powering the tri-variant fleet. Despite the Air Force’s decision to shutter AETP as part of its fiscal 2024 budget request, Ulmer insisted that interest in AETP prevails in the halls of the Pentagon.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has urged Congress to separate the F-35's propulsion upgrade from the rest of the program to better track its scope, schedule, and cost. The Pentagon has previously declined GAO's suggestion to break out the engine upgrade element of the F-35 program as a separate undertaking. Meanwhile, engine-maker Pratt & Whitney added its own suggestion that the F-35 Joint Program Office decide quickly how it wants to meet the fighter's rapidly-growing power and cooling needs, so the company can adjust its planned Engine Core Upgrade to better mesh with those requirements.
