Electric cars and autonomous driving may grab most of the headlines, but old-fashioned full-size pickup trucks are still the best-selling vehicles in the United States. The 2019 Ram 1500 represents the continuing effort by United States automakers to keep their cash cows relevant in an era of stricter fuel-efficiency standards and technology.
The new Ram 1500 debuted at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, where General Motors also unveiled a new version of the rival Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Like the Chevy, the 2019 Ram 1500 emphasizes weight savings in an effort to increase fuel economy. But
At first glance, the 2019 Ram 1500 looks fairly to its predecessor. The main difference is a new set of headlights that make the truck look like it’s squinting. Designers also felt the need to fill the massive grille space with a variety of bizarre shapes, and “
All versions of the Ram 1500 are slightly longer than before, which creates more interior space, according to
The biggest news on the powertrain front is a mild-hybrid system called eTorque. It combines the carryover 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with a 48-volt electrical system and suitcase-sized battery pack. Rather than propelling the truck solely with electricity, eTorque provides a small power boost, powers electrical accessories, and enables a more aggressive engine start-stop system. GM recently tested mild-hybrid systems on a small scale, and Ford has promised a hybrid F-150, but Ram is currently the only brand ready to sell a truck with electric assist on a large scale.
In addition to the eTorque-backed Pentastar V6, the 2019 Ram 1500 will be offered with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 at launch. The Hemi produces 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, compared to the V6’s 305 hp and 269 lb-ft. Both engines get eight-speed automatic transmissions.
While nowhere near as aggressive as the Ford F-150 Raptor, the returning Ram 1500 Rebel off-road model should be a nice foil to the new Chevy Silverado Trailboss. The Rebel gets model-specific styling, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, lifted suspension, and skid plates. For 2019,
On the tech front, Ram went the “bigger is better route.” The
The 2019 Ram 1500 goes on sale later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. We’ll see if this reinvigorated