Autoblog

Ram 1500 to get V6 diesel engine later this year

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:15:00 EST

Happy Valentine's Day, diesel lovers! Chrysler announced today that the Ram 1500 will offer a light-duty diesel engine when it goes into production this fall. Using the same turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 recently introduced in the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Ram 1500 is expected to get even better fuel economy than the current 2013 model's best-in-class 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

Power output has not been released for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, but in the Grand Cherokee, this engine produces 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, and it will be paired with Chrysler's eight-speed automatic transmission. This has definitely been a busy and exciting year for the Ram division, bringing home major awards such as the 2013 North American Truck of the Year, 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and 2013 Truck of Texas not to mention the recent announcement that the Ram HD models will offer a best-in-class towing capacity of 30,000 pounds - all of which is pointed out in the press release, below.

Continue reading Ram 1500 to get V6 diesel engine later this year

Ram 1500 to get V6 diesel engine later this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac ATS, Ram 1500 named 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:39:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan

As is tradition, the 2013 Detroit Auto Show kicks off with the announcement of the 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the year awards. And without further ado, we present your winners: the Cadillac ATS and Ram 1500.

Runners-up for the award are the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord in the car category, and the Mazda CX-5 and Ford C-Max in the truck/utility class. The winners were determined by a non-profit, independent jury of 50 American and Canadian journalists, including some members of the Autoblog staff.

This is the first win for Cadillac as a Car of the Year, though the CTS was a finalist in 2008. General Motors brands have won the Car of the Year award five times. This win for the 2013 Ram 1500 marks the third truck win for the Chrysler Group. The Ram (well, Dodge Ram) first won the award in 1994.

Continue reading Cadillac ATS, Ram 1500 named 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year

Cadillac ATS, Ram 1500 named 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cummins builds 2-millionth diesel for Ram

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Diesel, Ram

Ahead of a new Ram Heavy Duty that will debut sometime next year (check out the spy shots below), Chrysler and Cummins are celebrating a milestone in a 24-year partnership that has supplied the Ram pickup with diesel engines.

In its early years, the Cummins straight-six turbo diesel was rated at just 160 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and its clattering 12 valves could be heard from a mile away. Its most recent configuration still uses a straight-six layout, but displacement grew to 6.7 liters in 2007 allowing the engine to now produce up to 385 hp and a whopping 850 lb-ft of torque. While a rumored smaller Cummins engine for use in the light-duty Ram 1500 never materialized, the work-ready 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel accounts for 80 percent of all Ram HD sales.

Chrysler has not yet announced when and where this two-millionth engine will be on display, but you can read more about the engine and the partnership in the press release below.

Continue reading Cummins builds 2-millionth diesel for Ram

Cummins builds 2-millionth diesel for Ram originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram establishes new commercial truck division

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Truck, Work, Ram

To better go after the work truck market that its rivals Ford and General Motors have dominated for some time, the Ram Truck brand of Chrysler is starting a new sub-line of work vehicles called Ram Commercial. Rather than carrying the full Ram Commercial name, each model in the new lineup would wear the Tradesman trim level, which means that the Ram 1500 Tradesman is disappearing for retail buyers only and will still be available for commercial or fleet buyers.

The Ram Commercial lineup will consist of current products like the Ram 1500 Tradesman, Ram Heavy Duty Tradesman pickups and chassis cab trucks, and the Ram C/V Tradesman cargo van, but it will also be adding a new full-size van called the 2014 Ram ProMaster Tradesman based off the Fiat Ducato. It also looks like Ram Commercial will be getting a smaller van from the Fiat Professional brand to go up against small cargo-friendly vehicles like the Ford Transit Connect and Mini Clubvan, but we can't tell if this new model is based on the Fiat Scudo, Doblo and Florino.

Ram Commercial buyers will also benefit from the BusinessLink and "On The Job" programs. Both programs make it easier for businesses to purchase and maintain their fleets.

Scroll down to read Chrysler's press release on the new Ram Commercial line.

Continue reading Ram establishes new commercial truck division

Ram establishes new commercial truck division originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler launches "No Payment for 90 Days" program

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

If you've been sitting on the sidelines waiting to pick up a new Chrysler product, now may be the time to stand up and bring your wallet down to the nearest dealership. Chrysler has fired up a new incentive program that will leave a bit of money in your bank account for the first three months of your new-car ownership period. It's called (imaginatively enough) No Payments for 90 Days, and the program applies to all 2011 and 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles.

Chrysler has a few other incentives up its sleeve, including cash back on certain 2012 models and low financing rates on the 2011 vehicles still on the lots. A 2012 Dodge Avenger or Chrysler 200 will net you $500 cash, while a Jeep Liberty will get you $1,000 and a Ram Truck will put $1,500 back in your wallet. Still prefer a 2011? You might be able to qualify for a three-year loan with zero interest, or receive $2,000 cash back on the 2011 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.

Of course, there's a tiny catch. The No Payments for 90 Days program is only being offered for shoppers that opt to pursue financing through Ally Financial.

Chrysler launches "No Payment for 90 Days" program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler thinking about offering air suspension on its Ram pickups?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chrysler, Dodge, Rumormill

2011 Ram Truck 3500 HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

Word on the web is that engineers at Ram are dabbling in air-ride suspensions. PickupTrucks.com has pointed out that the company's gargantuan Long-Hauler Pickup Concept rocked an impressive auto-leveling and load-sensing air-suspension package from the people at Kelderman. It's no secret that Ram has been trying to civilize its full-size pickup offerings. The company recently abandoned the traditional rear leaf-spring suspension setup for heavy-duty coil springs, and the addition of an air-ride option would provide even greater versatility.

As PickupTrucks.com points out, air suspensions use pneumatic bladders in place of springs, and an onboard compressor can vary the amount of pressure within each vessel. Lower pressure delivers a comfortable ride, while more pressure can give the vehicle additional ride height and load capacity. As a result, the vehicle can offer a comfortable ride while still being able to handle heavy cargo. It's the same technology found on road tractors and trailers.

The fact that Ram is dabbling in the systems on its concept vehicles leads PickupTrucks.com to believe that we may eventually see air suspensions on the company's heavy-duty hardware. The move would seem to be the perfect compromise between civility and capability.

Chrysler thinking about offering air suspension on its Ram pickups? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:36:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

Mopar Ram Runner Kit - Click above for high-res image gallery

Are you a Ram Truck owner? Are you tired of watching Ford SVT Raptor drivers effortlessly fly across desert sand dunes and mall parking-lot curbs? Well, it's payback time. Mopar is ready to sell you the Ram Runner Kit.

Designed for installation on 2009-2011 Ram trucks, seven component sets compose the full Mopar Ram Runner Kit (they can also be purchased separately if you want to do the build in stages). The largest and most expensive item on the list is the Pre-Runner Stage II Lift Kit. Priced at $13,270, it includes a five-link coil-spring rear suspension, 4130 chromoly lower control arms, upper control arms, rebuildable high-angle ball joints, and forged steel, high-angle tie rods. Couple that with three-inch internal bypass shocks from Fox, and you now have fourteen inches of suspension travel.

All those suspension components can be dressed up with a variety of Mopar exterior upgrades. An off-road bumper, front and rear fenders and a Mopar sport performance hood are offered as individual add-ons. Mopar also offers a rear tire carrier and a cat-back exhaust system to let your 5.7-liter HEMI breathe a little easier.

Click past the jump for full details and more pricing information.

Continue reading Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details

Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to idle three plants early for summer shutdown due to parts shortage

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman - Click above for high-res image gallery

Other than the temporary shut down of General Motors' Shreveport, Louisiana plant and the loss of some paint colors, domestic automakers haven't yet felt the brunt of parts shortages due to the March 11 earthquake in Japan. According to a report from The Detroit Free Press, that changes shortly for Chrysler. Spokeswoman Jodi Tinson tells the Freep that three plants will idle earlier than expected in an effort to "conserve parts from suppliers impacted by the situation in Japan."

Chrysler's Warren Truck plant, which builds the Ram 1500 and Dakota, and Toledo North, which builds the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro, will both shut down for the weeks of June 20 and June 27. The original plan was for the plants to go idle for the weeks of July 11 and July 18. The Toledo Supplier Park, which builds the Jeep Wrangler, will shut down for the week of June 20 instead of the week of July 11.

A fourth facility in Saltillo, Mexico, which builds Ram models from the base 1500 through the heavy-duty 5500, will also lose overtime on May 20, May 27, June 10 and June 24. In a move that is likely to annoy the United Auto Workers, Chrysler is also dropping the plants' planned week of downtime.

At this point, it is unclear if Chrysler will endure more downtime as a result of parts shortages, but it appears that Team Pentastar has more than enough supplies of key vehicles to keep dealers happy for weeks if problems persist.

Chrysler to idle three plants early for summer shutdown due to parts shortage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Dodge Ram Runner kit will be street legal

Zach Bowman — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Etc., Chrysler, Off-Road

Dodge Ram Runner Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's some big news buzzing around the Ram Runner Concept at the moment. We've known for a good while now that Chrysler is planning to offer a kit to convert any Ram 1500 pickup into the desert raiding beast seen above, but according to PickupTrucks.com, the company's engineers have managed to pull a few stunts to make the vehicle completely street legal.

The biggest hangup was that the conversion kit widens the vehicle's track from 68.2 inches up front and 67.5 inches out back to 77.5 and 74.5 inches respectively. In order to make everything right as rain with Jonny Law, Chrysler had to throw in a couple of illuminated fender markers in the name of safety.

That's great news and all, but there's more. It turns out Chrysler is mulling the notion of selling the Ram Runner as a turn-key vehicle instead of as a pile of parts available from your local dealer. If the automaker decides to go that route, you can expect the company to turn to an outside builder to convert standard Ram 1500 models into a full-blooded Ford F-150 SVT Raptor fighter.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Ram Runner

Gallery: 2011 Ram Runner

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Dodge Ram Runner kit will be street legal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram unveils 1500 Code Name: Adventurer, pulls ahead Tradesman launch

Zach Bowman — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Ram 1500 Code Name: Adventurer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is banking on the warm reception that the Ram 1500 Tradesman received at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show this year by unveiling another low-buck model targeted at first-time vehicle buyers. For now, the pickup is cruising under the "Code Name: Adventurer" moniker, and Chrysler says that when it arrives in the second quarter of this year, it will come packing more horsepower and a lower MSRP than the competition. For $23,830 (including a $975 destination charge), buyers can look forward to sinking their teeth into the same 5.7-liter V8 found in the Tradesman. That means that there will be 390 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque on hand to do whatever deed needs done.

In addition, the Adventurer will be differentiated from the rest of the company's pickup flock thanks to monochromatic paint, body-colored front and rear fascias and a dual-tip exhaust. The truck comes with 20-inch aluminum wheels as the standard rollers and a 3.55 axle ratio. Buyers can also choose a 3.21 or a 3.99 ratio if they so desire. With the latter choice mated to the hearty V8 on board, we're guessing that this will be a pretty solid factory-bred street machine - at least in a straight line.

In addition, Chrysler has announced that it will accelerate the launch of the Tradesman thanks to "overwhelming response," though it isn't immediately clear how soon buyers can expect to see the work truck in their neighborhood Ram Truck showroom. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Ram 1500 Express

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Ram unveils 1500 Code Name: Adventurer, pulls ahead Tradesman launch

Ram unveils 1500 Code Name: Adventurer, pulls ahead Tradesman launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram Trucks now shipping 2011 chassis cabs in North America

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Dodge

2011 Ram Chassis Cabs for North America - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motor Trend named the Ram Heavy Duty pickup its Truck of the Year, but if you need something even heavier you'll want to look out for the Ram Chassis Cab. They'll be shipping out to dealers later this month and will come in (deep breath) three weight classes - 3500, 4500 and 5500, three trim levels - ST, SLT and Laramie, three transmissions - six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, and five-speed manual, and two engines - 5.7-liter Hemi or 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel.

Ram isn't playing around with capabilities either, the Chassis Cab boasting the largest brakes in its segment, best standard GVWR and best warranty. Follow the jump to find out all you ever wanted to know about the 2011 Ram Chassis Cab offerings, but just looking at the pic above we smell a Decepticon in there somewhere...

Gallery: 2011 Ram Chassis Cab

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Ram Trucks now shipping 2011 chassis cabs in North America

Ram Trucks now shipping 2011 chassis cabs in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Ram get new models like Chrysler's other brands?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Dodge

It wouldn't make any sense for Fiat to break Ram into its own brand and then not do anything to showcase it. This is just speculation for the moment, but Ram's first steps into the spotlight could be with two trucks called the Laramie Prospector and Laramie Western Sky.

Those names come from a list of monikers Chrysler has trademarked for new models. Others, like the Chrysler 300 S8 and Dodge Nitro Detonator, we'll get up close and personal with at the Detroit Auto Show. Those Laramie models, though, haven't been mentioned anywhere or revealed on any Ram trucks yet. Of the five Ram trims available, Laramie is the highest, but there are no special editions within it. The Prospector and Western Sky could change that, and we'll be looking out for them next week in Detroit.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Will Ram get new models like Chrysler's other brands? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge increases towing capacity of 2010 Ram on paper with no hardware changes

Dan Roth — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chrysler, Dodge

To paraphrase - Dodge: "Gosh, the Ram is even better than we thought." That's essentially the explanation given as to why the Ram's maximum towing capacity has been bumped from 9,100 pounds to 10,450 without any apparent hardware changes. Now fully coil-sprung, Chrysler initially said this new setup (as opposed to leaf springs) offers significantly better ride quality, and since research indicated that 80 percent of owners tow just 6,000 pounds or less, joining the fracas of half ton trucks that can drag around five tons or more wasn't the most important benchmark for the new Ram.

While the stated goal at the time of the new 2009 Ram's launch was to at least match what the previous Ram could do, another look at the latest SAE testing protocols for tow ratings suggested that more brawn had indeed been baked into the new truck. As such, a 2010 two-wheel drive longbed Ram with the 5.7-liter Hemi and 3.92 rear end gets a 1,500 pound bump in gross combined vehicle weight rating to 15,500 pounds. The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the absolute maximum the truck is guaranteed to handle without damage - passengers, payload, trailer and all.

There are other detail changes for 2010, such as trailer-towing mirrors in manual or power specification, an efficiency tweak to the airdam, available iPod integration and 22-inch wheels, along with an engine management revision to eke some more efficiency out of the truck by shutting off fuel during deceleration.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Dodge increases towing capacity of 2010 Ram on paper with no hardware changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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