New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
New generation of Ram 1500 pickup now arriving; prices start at $31,695
The redesigned Ram 1500 pickups for 2019 are now available, with a starting price of $31,695 (plus $1,645 freight) for the base Tradesman Quad Cab rear-wheel-drive model with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine.
Prices run as high as $57,390 (plus freight) for the Limited Crew Cab four-wheel drive with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8.
The newest generation of the Ram 1500 was introduced at the Detroit auto show in January.
The update lowered the truck’s base weight by about 225 pounds, but increased payload and towing capacity.
Fuel economy has been increased, and significant new safety features have been added.
Seven trim levels are offered, starting with the Tradesman, the entry-level model, and ranging as high as the Limited, the top of the line. In between are, in order from lowest to highest price, the HFE (High Fuel Economy), Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie and Longhorn.
Prices for the Tradesman, Big Horn and Rebel models include the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 eTorque mild hybrid powertrain (late availability). The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with an eightspeed automatic transmission is $1,195 more, while the eTorque-equipped Hemi is $1,995 extra (also late availability).
To maximize cab interior space, there are new, longer frame lengths: a 144.5-inch wheelbase on Crew Cab short beds; a 153.5-inch wheelbase on Crew Cab long beds (each four inches longer than its predecessors); and a 140.5-inch wheelbase for the Quad Cab long bed.
Front and rear bench seats are available, along with dual front bucket seats. Leather bucket seats are standard on Longhorn and Limited models, while a leather bench is standard on the Laramie (leather buckets optional). Tradesman comes with a vinyl bench; the rest have cloth or vinyl/cloth combination seats.
The automaker says this is the strongest Ram 1500 ever, thanks to its new frame, which is made of 98 percent high-strength steel. Payload has risen to 2,300 pounds, and the new Ram will be able to tow trailers weighing up to 12,750 pounds, depending on the model and configuration.
Its frame alone is 100 pounds lighter despite being stronger, and the new Ram’s body is more aerodynamic, featuring active grille shutters, an air dam and an air suspension. New Frequency Range Damping shocks are designed to give the new truck a balanced ride, roadhandling and passenger comfort.
Parent company Fiat Chrysler Automotive says the Ram’s new air suspension is designed to increase fuel efficiency, improve ride and handling, and enhance off-road capability. The Ram also will have the largest front brakes in its segment — 14.9 inches – along with a new electric parking brake.
This system combines a belt-drive motor generator unit with a 48-volt battery pack to give the Ram automatic start/stop while idling in traffic, along with short-term torque boost and brake-energy regeneration. The system adds up to 90 footpounds of torque to the V-6 and 130 foot-pounds to the V-8, kicking in to help move the vehicle from a stop, or boost power on hills or during passing.
The optional Off-Road Package brings a suspension with a one-inch lift, hill-descent control, specially tuned shocks, and an electronic locking rear differential. The locking differential is standard with the 4WD Off-road Package and on the Rebel model, and is available on all Ram versions.
For connectivity, there is the newest generation of the Uconnect system, with 12-inch reconfigurable touch-screen display with split-screen capability. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available. Also offered is what FCA calls the “most powerful audio system ever available in a pickup” – a Harman Kardon unit with 19 premium speakers and 900-watt surround sound amplifier, 10-inch subwoofer and active noise cancellation.
Besides the rearview camera system, some models are available with a 360-degree surround view camera that gives the driver a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle from an array of cameras. There are several USB ports and optional wireless phone charging, as well as a 3-D navigation system with voice control.
There is a new available LED Adaptive Frontlighting System, along with LED fog lights and taillights.
Inside, there is a new center console with 12 different storage configurations. The second-row seat has a recline feature, and there is a flat load floor with integrated RamBins with tie-down rings and expandable under seat storage.
There are more than 100 safety and security features either standard or available, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Go and Hold; Forward Collision Warning-Plus; Ready Alert Braking; Trailer-sway Damping control; LaneSense Lane Departure Warning; ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park; and Hill-start Assist.
A new aluminum tailgate has an electronic lock, along with a damping feature for controlled opening, and a lift-assist feature for easier closing. The tailgate can be dropped automatically with an interior switch or pushing a button on the key fob.
The Rebel model is now offered in the Quad Cab configuration, and comes with 18-inch wheels and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires.
Electric power steering is standard across the board.
Rear-wheel drive is standard; four-wheel drive with a choice of transfer cases for low-range gearing offered on all models. There are three final-drive ratios available on rear- and fourwheel-drive models – 3.21, 3.55 and 3.92. Each combination is available with a traditional open or limited-slip differential, which automatically divides torque among the rear wheels to maximize traction available at each wheel.
The new Max Tow Package allows pulling trailers up to 12,750 pounds. It’s available only on reardrive trucks with the eTorque Hemi V-8 engine.
Lockable bed storage is available with the latest RamBox design, which now includes a 115-volt power outlet and relocated overhead lighting. These drainable storage bins are built into the bed rails.