The local dealer is advertising the 2016 Rams and mentioned that they had a 6 speed transmission and 5.7 Hemi. I thought they were all 8 speeds now.
What gives?

 

Maybe they are mistaken.

 

Went to the Ram site. 6 speed auto is standard and 8 speed $1750 extra. Also Torqueflite model and disc model (same price).

 

All depends on the options, packages, and/or trim level you go for. For 2016 model year, according to the website, the only thing you can get the 6-speed in now is the bottom Tradesman trim level.

I've read Torqueflite is the same as the 8HP70, Chrysler just revived the name. Matches up with the fact I've seen the name used before to describe it in the 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years in more than a few articles. It could be different, but... I doubt it. Once we see the 8HP70 change to a "865RE" or similar designation, that means that ZF stopped making them for Chrysler, and that Chrysler took over production. Thats why the 3.6L V6s have a 845RE designation; Chrysler builds them based on a ZF design.

Don't believe salesman about features on the truck until they have proven themselves. I always end up with a reputation every several years when I go in to buy a truck or SUV, the salesman don't usually like me that much because I know more about the vehicles than they do. Dealer websites and internet salesman can be even worse sometimes.

For example, the salesman that sold us our 2014 Grand Cherokee (wife's primary vehicle) swore that all HID-equipped Grand Cherokees had the "headlights turn with the steering wheel feature." I proved to him that only the Summit models had that, and that all other HID JGCs only had auto-leveling. He also thought the Hemi came with the tow package standard on the Jeeps, and again, I showed him that was wrong by the obvious missing factory trailer hitch.