truck

Factory Fresh
BY BRETT T. EVANS
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
2019 Ram
1500 With
Mopar
Accessories
The All-New
Ram 1500
Is a Looker—
Especially
With Some
In-House
Magic
U
nveiled at the 2018 North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, Mighigan, the ’19 Ram 1500
was one of the most significant debuts in the Motor
City. But in this business, the news cycle is short, so
the Ram brand (together with in-house parts and accessories
arm Mopar) trotted out a fire engine red example at the Chicago
Auto Show, keen to keep the Ram on the radar before its on-sale
date later this year.
When it was unveiled in Detroit, we were immediately
impressed by the Ram’s smooth new bodywork and stupendous
interior. Longer, lower, and wider than the model it replaces, the
Ram has serious road presence, in spite of the disappearance of the
imposing crosshairs grille. That’s right, from the ’19 model on, Ram
will leave that grille in the rearview mirror, replacing it with the bold
“RAM” script that appears on the current-generation truck’s Limited,
Rebel, and Sport trim levels. The hood is aluminum and the tailgate
composite to help save weight, and the new Ram is up to 120
pounds lighter than the old one (thanks mostly to an even stifer
frame rendered in lighter-weight high-strength steel).
Inside, even the base models are impressive, with pleasant
materials, comfortable seats, and even more room than
the already spacious ’18 Ram 1500. The company’s Uconnect
infotainment gets upgraded to 4C-spec for the ’19, a fancy way of
saying there are more features, better displays, improved voice
recognition, and more in the new system. The top-dog Ram 1500
Limited (and other high trims) gets a massive 12-inch center
touchscreen, oriented vertically like the Tesla Model X. The
display can be configured in several different ways, including
a split-screen layout that shows both audio and navigation, for
example. Elsewhere in the cabin is genuine leather, wood, and
metal trim, giving other trucks (and even many luxury vehicles)
a run for their money in terms of quality and style.
Under the hood, the ’19 Ram 1500 comes with either the
familiar 5.7L Hemi V-8 or a 3.6L V-6. Furthermore, both engines
can be had with the company’s new eTorque mild-hybrid system
(standard on the V-6 and optional on the V-8). The system runs of
a belt-start generator that replaces the alternator, enabling engine
idle stop, short-duration boost, and brake regeneration. Ram says
eTorque can add up to 90 lb-t to the V-6’s output and 130 lb-t to
the V-8’s when starting from a standstill. That’ll be a boon to RVers,
boaters, stump pullers, and red light racers alike. All powertrains
are mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions, with the V-8
getting a version rated for that engine’s increased torque output.
The Ram 1500 Rebel returns for 2019,
and this time, it will be available in
more body styles and configurations.
Don’t expect its of-road prowess to
diminish one bit.
- VOLUME 44, NO. 07, [20] MAY 17, 2018 -