New Ram 1500 needs to please the crowd

The new generation of Ram 1500 has a bit of a challenge to meet.

For the past two years the Rampickup has been number one in loyalty for 1/2-ton trucks. There are a few who drive Chevrolets or Ford pickups who probably can’t believe that fact.

The Ram brand was created in 2009, pulling the Ram trucks away from the Dodge brand and creating a stand-alone division. This is the 18th generation of a Ram pickup. For this 2019 Ram there are only a Quad Cab and Crew Cab. There are no two-door models.

This Ram1500 is lighter, longer and wider than the model it replaces, including increasing the cab length by four inches. At the moment this is the largest halfton pickup with a crew cab in the U.S. there are three new frame lengths for this Ram. There is a 144.5-in. wheelbase on Crew Cab short beds and a 153.5-in. wheelbase for Crew Cab long beds. Both of these are four inches longer than their predecessors. Then the Quad Cab long bed has a wheelbase of 140.5 in.

The styling is still the BigRig look of the last several models. One immediate difference that Ram fans will notice is there is no crosshair to the front grille. The designer’s rationale is that it is actually a Dodge signature and the Ram brand need not continue it

The new Ram has an evolved interior style, that’s not radically different. But Ram officials were quick to point out that the interior is all new. The design elements of this interior focus on three words: storage, function, and tech. That means a new design that has more space, new materials, as well as a new heating and air-conditioning system and better integrated technology

For the techies there are five USBs, four of which are Type C, and the latest generation of the company’s Uconnect system. With this you get access to SiriusXM satellite radio and Guardian Connected Services as well as a 4GWi-Fi hotspot capability. In some of the trim levels you can also opt a wireless telephone charger.

The center console now includes a 12-in. screen, or at least it’s an option. From it, or the other center-screen you can operate one of the four audio systems, including the premium 900-watt, 19-speakerHarman Kardon stereo systemin addition to the navigation, climate control and phone.

One of the bigger – and more noticeable – changes is more soft-touch material in the cabin, making it more comfortable. The rear space has four-inches more legroom and the floor is flatter.

Designed for more comfort, the seats are lighter and more flexible. This is a truck, but it also works hard to be comfortable. For the first time the Ram have active noise-canceling, pumping sound through the speakers to counter sounds coming in the cabin.

One of the features that is important in this new truck which is a completely new vehicle is that 98 percent of the fully boxed frame is high-strength steel. A new generation makes it possible to integrate sensors and other such features into the design, rather than merely sticking themmaking them look like an afterthought.

One of the things all truck drivers want is more efficiency. This Ram has a nine percent aerodynamic improvement creating a coefficient of drag of 0.357 – which is seriously good for a truck.

And while the frame is high-strength steel, many parts are now aluminum. This contributes quite a bit to the vehicle’s weight being reduced 225-lb. which helps with fuel efficiency.

A neat efficiency feature is the active air dam, which deploys under the front of the car at 35 mph and goes back in at 15 mph. Initiate low range and the system shuts off since the truck is probably not moving across a smooth surface.

Engineers also redesigned the independent front suspension. Which includes a new front coil-over shock design that is standard equipment on all Ram 1500s, regardless of configuration. The rear is a fivelink multi-coil but there is also an air system available which allows you to adjust the vehicles height. Brakes are bigger on both the front and rear.

Another innovation for this truck is that in addition to the HEMI V-8 engine, there will be a mild hybrid version of both that and the base six-cylinder engine. This hybrid HEMI produces 395 hp. and 410 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The base engine, a Pentastar V- 6 hybrid produces 305 hp. and 269 lb.-ft. of peak torque.

That’s part of why this new Ramfeatures a 20 percent increase in payload and in towing. This Ram, when properly equipped, has a 2300-lb. load and a 12,750-lb. towing capability.

The Ram folks call these weak-hybrid engines eTorque and they combine a belt-drive motor generator unit with 48-volt battery. This is to give the Ram a bit more torque for short periods of time, such as when starting up.

All three engines are attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Also, they will add a diesel-powered version next year.

There are six trim levels of the Ram.

The Tradesman is the base model, and you can even get a bench front seat – something a lot of younger customers have probably never seen in a pickup truck. Next up is the Big Horn, the heart of the Ram market and top seller. Then comes the Rebel, now truly the off-road-focused version. Pricewise it’s followed by the Laramie, Longhorn and the Limited.

As you would expect, the price range for the new Ram is plenty broad. All trim levels are available in Quad or Crew cabs and rear- or four-wheel drive. Each trim level has different design elements, colors and materials. Buyers have plenty of choices based on the trim level. For example, there are four separate radio systems.

The least expensive model is the rear-wheel drive Tradesmen Quad Cab and it’s starting price is $31,690. At the top of the lineup is the all-wheel drive, long wheelbase Limited Crew Cab, and it’s starting price is $57,690. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please send them to comment@ AutoWritersInk.com.

For the past two years the Ram pickup has been number one in loyalty for 1⁄2-ton trucks.