The Dodge RAM, known plainly as the RAM in the US and Canada, started production back in 1981. It comes in six different trims - ST, SXT, SLT, TRX, Sport Laramie, and Power Wagon - and four different cab options - Crew Cab (new for 2010), Mega Cab, Quad Cab, and Regular Cab. The RAM is powered by a plethora of engine options, including a 3.7L V6 producing 215 HP and 235 lb-ft of torque, a 4.7L V8 delivering 310 HP and 330 lb-ft of torque, a 5.7L V8 with 355/390 HP and 395/404 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.7L turbodiesel I-6 getting 350 HP and 610/650 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual or a choice of three different automatics: 4-, 5-, or 6-speed.
So Chrysler has been aggravating all of us by doing its social media teasing via Facebook. Between the SRT Viper and the Ram 1500 teasing campaigns, we were about teased out. Just as it did with the Viper, Chrysler redeemed itself by finally releasing the actual production 2013 Ram 1500.
This new 2013 Ram 1500 made its debut on April 5th via a live webcast on, you guessed it, FACEBOOK! First and foremost, Chrysler’s focus with the new Ram 1500 was gas mileage, as pickups are falling drastically behind cars in this area, and soon buyers will not be able to fuel these monsters. Luckily, Chrysler has no plans to drastically reduce engine size or mess with the aesthetics of the Ram in order to increase mileage. There are just a few tweaks here and there.
The true test is if this pickup can catch up to its main competitors, the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and the GM Sierra 1500. The only way that Ram can hope to catch up to these models is to significantly increase its V-6 output and lower the fuel consumption on the V-8 models.
