Photo: Ram Truck
Offered from the 2009 to the 2018 model years, the fourth-generation Ram prepares to go the way of the dodo to make room for the all-new model. Having made its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show for the 2019 model year, the newcomer is stronger, lighter, and a lot more tech-savvy.
The design is a modern take on the big-rig look Ram Truck is known for, and while it may not be to everyone’s taste, the aesthetic refresh is a step in the right direction. Thanks to a little bit of aluminum here and some composite materials there, the new kid on the block is almost 225 pounds lighter compared to the 2018 Ram 1500. The frame is a bit lighter too, and it’s stronger than ever thanks to 98-percent high-strength steel content.
Maximum payload and trailer tow rating? 2,300 pounds and 12,700 pounds, respectively. In addition to the increased capability, the light-duty Ram is “the segment’s most aerodynamic pickup with .357 coefficient of drag.” This was made possible by active aero trickery such as grille shutters, air dam, and air suspension with Frequency Response Damping.
Another thing the 2019 Ram 1500 has going for it is the braking system. The automaker makes a case for the “largest front brakes in the segment at 14.9 inches,” which is reassuring considering the heft of a full-size pickup truck. The interior is also much improved, with the biggest change coming in the guise of the Tesla-like 12-inch infotainment screen.
Significant gains in efficiency were made possible by the eTorque mild-hybrid system, which is standard on the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and optional on the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The system is similar to the one in the all-new Jeep Wrangler, integrating a 48-volt starter-generator that provides extra get-up-and-go for low-speed acceleration. It is powered by a 0.43-kWh lithium-ion battery, which is located in the back wall of the Ram’s cabin.
Models equipped with eTorque benefit from 90 and 130 pound-feet of additional torque, depending on the engine choice. The V6 is rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft, while the V8 packs 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. Later on, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 will be added to the range.
Maximum payload and trailer tow rating? 2,300 pounds and 12,700 pounds, respectively. In addition to the increased capability, the light-duty Ram is “the segment’s most aerodynamic pickup with .357 coefficient of drag.” This was made possible by active aero trickery such as grille shutters, air dam, and air suspension with Frequency Response Damping.
Another thing the 2019 Ram 1500 has going for it is the braking system. The automaker makes a case for the “largest front brakes in the segment at 14.9 inches,” which is reassuring considering the heft of a full-size pickup truck. The interior is also much improved, with the biggest change coming in the guise of the Tesla-like 12-inch infotainment screen.
Significant gains in efficiency were made possible by the eTorque mild-hybrid system, which is standard on the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and optional on the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The system is similar to the one in the all-new Jeep Wrangler, integrating a 48-volt starter-generator that provides extra get-up-and-go for low-speed acceleration. It is powered by a 0.43-kWh lithium-ion battery, which is located in the back wall of the Ram’s cabin.
Models equipped with eTorque benefit from 90 and 130 pound-feet of additional torque, depending on the engine choice. The V6 is rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft, while the V8 packs 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. Later on, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 will be added to the range.
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