{"id":3298,"date":"2026-04-17T04:48:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T04:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/3298\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T04:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T04:48:20","slug":"stellantis-designers-showcase-srt-icons-to-inspire-future-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/3298\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellantis Designers Showcase SRT Icons To Inspire Future Talent"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Stellantis Product Design Office (PDO) team in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is doing something pretty special right now\u2014giving enthusiasts and aspiring designers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what truly defines SRT (Street & Racing Technology). At the same time, they\u2019re using that moment to inspire the next wave of automotive talent<\/a> through the annual Drive for Design contest.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t just another promotional piece. It\u2019s a genuine look at the people, philosophy, and passion behind some of the most iconic performance vehicles to ever wear a Dodge or Ram badge.<\/p>\n

The Minds Behind The Machines
\n\"\"Mark Trostle (left), Ren Stone, Tome Jovanoski, and Jeff Gale talk about the Dodge Charger SRT HELLCAT. (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

What really sets this latest campaign apart is the spotlight on the designers themselves. These aren\u2019t just names on a corporate org chart\u2014these are the individuals who have directly shaped the SRT legacy over the past few decades.<\/p>\n

Leading the charge is Mark Trostle<\/a>, Vice President of Ram and Mopar Design. Trostle\u2019s story is one that will resonate with young creatives\u2014he got his start by winning a high school design contest, and now, decades later, he\u2019s helping to lead one of the most influential performance design teams in the industry. His goal now is to pay it forward by inspiring students to follow a similar path.<\/p>\n

Alongside him is Ren Stone<\/a>, Manager of Advanced Design, who brings more than 15 years of experience to the table. Stone has worked on some serious heavy hitters, including the Dodge Charger SRT HELLCAT<\/a> and the fifth-generation (Gen5) Viper<\/a>\u2014two vehicles that define modern American performance. Interestingly enough, both cars have earned a permanent place in his personal garage, which tells you everything you need to know about his passion.<\/p>\n

Jeff Gale<\/a>, Chief Designer of Advanced Interior Design, adds another layer to the conversation. With over 30 years in the industry, Gale has worked on multiple SRT programs, including Charger and Challenger interiors, as well as various SRT8 concepts. His work highlights something often overlooked\u2014the interior experience is just as critical to performance identity as the exterior design. He is also the son of the famed Chrysler Corporation Head of Design, Tom Gale<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Tome Jovanoski<\/a>, Chief Designer for Dodge Exterior, who has spent more than two decades shaping the look of Dodge\u2019s most recognizable vehicles. From the Viper to the Charger, Challenger, and Durango, his influence is all over the modern Dodge lineup.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the group is Deyan Ninov<\/a>, Design Manager for SRT Design. Since joining Stellantis in 2011, Ninov has contributed to standout projects like the original Ram 1500 TRX and continues to play a key role in shaping what future SRT vehicles could look like.<\/p>\n

Together, this team represents decades of combined experience\u2014and more importantly, a shared passion for performance.<\/p>\n

A Design Philosophy Rooted In Emotion
\n\"\"Tome Jovanoski (left) talks about the Gen5 Dodge Viper with Mark Trostle (right). (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

One thing that becomes crystal clear listening to this group is that SRT design is all about emotion. It\u2019s about creating vehicles that give you goosebumps\u2014whether that\u2019s from the sound, the stance, or just the way the car looks sitting still.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just about making something aggressive. It\u2019s about making it purposeful.<\/p>\n

The designers emphasize that every detail on an SRT vehicle serves a function. Hood scoops aren\u2019t just there for style\u2014they\u2019re pulling heat out of the engine bay. Wide fenders aren\u2019t just for looks\u2014they\u2019re there to support wider tires and better grip.<\/p>\n

That philosophy\u2014form following function\u2014is what separates SRT from many other performance brands.<\/p>\n

How SRT Icons Shape Each Other
\n\"\"Jeff Gale (left) discusses the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 with Mark Trostle (right). (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

Another interesting insight from the team is how interconnected SRT vehicles really are. These designers don\u2019t look at each model in isolation\u2014they see them as part of a larger story.<\/p>\n

The Viper\u2019s front-end proportions influenced the Charger. The Challenger\u2019s aggressive, almost sinister face helped define the look of Dodge\u2019s trucks and SUVs. Even subtle surfacing details and proportions carry over from one program to another.<\/p>\n

That shared DNA is what gives SRT vehicles their identity, no matter what segment they\u2019re in.<\/p>\n

Function Meets Art
\n\"\"Mark Trostle (left), Jeff Gale (middle), and Ren Stone (right), check out the 2024 Ram SRT-10. (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

The Auburn Hills team makes it clear that designing an SRT vehicle is a balancing act between engineering and art.<\/p>\n

On one side, you have hard requirements\u2014cooling systems, aerodynamics, and structural needs. On the other hand, you have the emotional side of design\u2014how the vehicle looks, how it feels, and how it connects with people.<\/p>\n

The magic happens when those two elements come together seamlessly.<\/p>\n

Vehicles like the Challenger SRT Demon 170<\/a> represent the peak of that philosophy, where every element\u2014down to the smallest detail\u2014is engineered for performance but executed in a way that looks cohesive and intentional.<\/p>\n

Pushing Boundaries Since Day One
\n\"\"Original Ram SRT-10 Sketch by Mark Trostle in October 2002. (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

The team also reflects on how SRT has always been about doing things differently.<\/p>\n

Take the Ram SRT-10<\/a>. A full-size pickup powered by an 8.3-liter (505 cubic-inch) VIPER V10 wasn\u2019t something anyone saw coming\u2014but that\u2019s exactly the point. It broke the mold and redefined expectations.<\/p>\n

That same mindset carried into the Ram 1500 TRX, which took off-road performance to an entirely new level. These vehicles weren\u2019t just evolutions\u2014they were statements.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s exactly what the designers want to see from students entering the Drive for Design contest.<\/p>\n

Drive For Design: Your Turn
\n\"\"Mark Trostle (left) discusses the design with Deyan Ninov (right) on the Ram 1500 TRX. (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

At its core, this campaign is about giving students a chance to step into the world of automotive design.<\/p>\n

The Drive for Design contest is open to U.S. high school students in grades 10 through 12, with a junior version available for younger students in grades K through 9. Participants are asked to submit original sketches that reflect their vision of future performance vehicles.<\/p>\n

The submission deadline is 12:00 noon EDT on Thursday, April 23, 2026<\/a>, so the clock is ticking.<\/p>\n

But this isn\u2019t just about winning a contest. It\u2019s about getting noticed, gaining experience, and potentially opening the door to a career in automotive design.<\/p>\n

Why It Matters
\n\"\"Deyan Ninov\u2019s original sketch for the Ram 1500 TRX. (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

As the industry shifts toward electrification and new technologies, there\u2019s a real risk of losing some of the emotional connection that has defined performance vehicles for decades.<\/p>\n

Programs like Drive for Design help ensure that doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n

They bring in fresh perspectives while reinforcing the core principles that make vehicles exciting\u2014emotion, creativity, and purpose-driven design.<\/p>\n

The Future Starts With A Sketch
\n\"\"Chrysler Drive for Design Poster. (Stellantis).<\/p>\n

What Stellantis is doing here is more than just promoting a contest. They\u2019re building a pipeline for future talent while reinforcing what makes SRT special.<\/p>\n

By showcasing the designers behind the vehicles, they\u2019re reminding everyone that these machines don\u2019t just happen\u2014they\u2019re created by passionate people who care deeply about what they do.<\/p>\n

And now, they\u2019re looking for the next generation to pick up where they left off.<\/p>\n