Twin-turbo Silverado packs dualie flair, new GranTurismo sheds camo, a tasteful Brabus bike?

Need a twin-turbo, double-dualie pickup? You’re in luck

Intake: Gateway Classic Cars sells some interesting rides, but this has got to be one of the most bizarre trucks we’ve seen on their site. The Silverado, now wearing a Cadillac Escalade front clip, features a custom white leather interior and has an extra driven rear axle underneath an extended bed and flared fenders. Just as interesting, it has a twin-turbocharged Cadillac V-8 under the hood.

Exhaust: This custom 2004 Silverado had us do a double-take, and not just because of its double-dualie rear axle. We’ve seen this truck before, back when it was used as a Bonneville push truck for Amir Rosenbaum’s Cadillac-powered streamliner. The streamliner was a mean machine, and ran in excess of 300 mph, but needed a bit of help to get off the line. As his streamliner was powered by a 529-cubic-inch twin-turbo Cadillac V-8, Rosenbaum decided to put one in the push truck as well. As many racers on the salt like to say, the push truck is merely the race car’s first gear and the quicker it can get the car up to speed, the better. This custom truck may be a bit large for your average garage, but it still looks like it has plenty of life in it as a push truck if any intrepid salt racer will give it a second chance.

Could a new boss revive Alfa Romeo’s old-school spirit?

Intake: Jean-Philippe Imparato, the Frenchman at the head of Alfa Romeo, has said that he hopes to bring back the Duetto Spider in some future form. The former Peugeot boss was moved over to Italy by Stellantis after turning around the French firm’s fortunes. Aiming to do the same at Alfa Romeo, Imparato’s first big job is to make a success of the Tonale compact SUV, but he has plans that would see Alfa return to its roots. “If I bring a good level of business, I’m sure that Carlos Tavares and I will one day speak about some dream cars, because I have to support the storytelling of Alfa Romeo in the future. It’s not for tomorrow, but I would love to have a Duetto one day,” he told Autocar.

Exhaust: During a preview of the Tonale, Imparato made repeated references to how he would build a better Alfa, from raising residual values to improving customer service, but he also reiterated just how important the brand’s history and heart is to its future. With a shrewd business head and a real passion for driving, he might just be the man to make Alfa great again.

Maserati’s next GranTurismo spied testing in the snow

Intake: Spy photographers have captured a lightly camo’d version of the forthcoming Maserati GranTurismo frolicking about in the snow. Right off the bat, we can see a few things that will differentiate this new model from the outgoing one. Up front, a new grille with vertical slats and a more ovular shape helps the swanky coupe fall more in line with Maserati’s new design language, first shown on the MC20 mid-engine sports car. Out back, the tail lamps have moved out to the corners of the car and wrap around the rear edges a bit more. The new GranTurismo is expected to employ the same twin-turbo V-6 as the MC20. Look for this Italian songbird to debut sometime this year.

Exhaust: While the GranTurismo has proven less of a sales success than competitors like the Porsche 911, this Italian stallion is still an achingly beautiful machine. In its current form, it even boasts a naturally aspirated Ferrari V-8 that sounds like God’s own trumpet. Maserati’s promised a BEV configuration for this next-gen Gran Turismo, but we’re hopeful that the ICE version will get the MC20’s sonorous powertrain.

Honor first responders by driving this burly Ram pickup

Intake: Ram is building trucks to honor firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical service providers, and the first installment, set to go on sale this spring, is this pickup that’s dedicated to firefighters. Offered in Redline and Diamond Black, these special editions are available on Big Horn 4×4 models and in all body styles and all powertrains. They set themselves apart with a United States flag graphic and a Built to Serve decal on each bedside. The grille, headlights, badges, side steps, and exhaust tips are all accented in black, and inside you’ll find a black interior with orange accent stitching as well as MOLLE webbing to customize the gear that’s carried close at hand. Each Built to Serve edition will also come equipped with the 4×4 Off-Road Group of options that includes a bevy of skidplates, a locking rear differential, and tow hooks. They start at $48,420, including destination.

Exhaust:  You don’t have to be a firefighter to appreciate all of the off-road options and personalization these trucks offer. We wouldn’t be surprised if similar, heavy-duty models are in the cards for Ram in the future.

Brabus takes to two wheels with KTM

Intake: German tuner Brabus, best known for building blistering Benzes and sped-up Smart cars, has partnered with KTM to create an even hotter version of the Super Duke R EVO. The Brabus 1300 R is surprisingly understated, with a single circular headlight and a softer, less angular approach to its styling than the KTM. There’s a healthy helping of carbon fiber, plus nine-spoke alloy wheels and Brabus-tagged gunmetal exhaust. Expect around 180 hp to go to the back wheel, kept in check by a plethora of driver aids.

Exhaust: Brabus will build 77 examples of the Brabus 1300R and says the bike has “the heart of a beast, soul of a gentleman.” Whatever that means.

Want a storm trooper–spec Grand Cherokee L? Jeep’s got you

Intake: Prospective owners of Jeep’s new three-row Grand Cherokee L have a new package to consider when they pony up for the Limited trim. Dubbed the Limited Black Package, the option adds 20-inch gloss black wheels, black accents and badging, blacked-out roof rails, and a unique all-black seven-slot grille for the friendly price of $1695. Although it’s shown here on a Bright White Clear-Coat L, expect the package to be offered across the entirety of Jeep’s (somewhat meager) exterior color palette.

Exhaust: Blacked-out packages are all the rage, and it’s only fitting that Jeep cooks up an answer to this trend for its highly attractive three-row. We’re digging the storm trooper vibes of the car pictured here, but expect this to be a popular package with those ponying up for the Diamond Black Crystal Pearl and Midnight Sky paint colors, both of which are $395 options, to make an all-black-everything Grand Cherokee L.