RAM Officially Unveils the All-New 2019 Ram 1500 Pickup
After what felt like a very long wait, RAM have finally unveiled the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 half-ton pickup which has seen a reduction of 225 lbs. from its overall weight, features a brand new look both inside and out, and boasts a ton of new safety and technology features.
To start the weight shedding, the new Ram 1500 features a chassis that has been reduced by 120 lbs. with 100 of those pounds coming directly as a result of a lighter frame that is made from 98% high strength steel. In addition selective components, such as the tailgate, engine mounts, and front axle center section have taken advantage of lightweight aluminum which creates even more of a weight reduction. Three new frame lengths are offered in order to create a spacious cab with the Crew Cab short beds and Crew cab long bed models being 4-inches longer than their predecessors. New independent front suspension is featured in the front with the third generation exclusive rear five-link coil suspension in the rear.
The new Ram was engineered with extensive wind-tunnel testing which produced the ultra-aerodynamic exterior shape while an active grille shutter system automatically closes the airflow through the huge grille when cooling is least needed. A 4×4 off-road package is available for nearly every trim and adds one-inch of suspension lift with or without the class exclusive four-corner air suspension, 32-in. off-road tires and an electronic locking rear differential to name a few.
Under the hood is a choice of two engines including the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine as standard, producing 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. of torque. The second option is the tried and true 5.7L HEMI V8 producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are paired to their own individual TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmissions. One of the most notable new features for the new Ram is the addition of the eTorque mild hybrid system which replaces the traditional alternator on the engine with a belt-driven motor generator unit. This unit works with a 48-volt battery pack to enable quick and seamless start/stop function, short duration torque and brake energy regeneration. The interior of the Ram features the largest cab in the segment and now features a Uconnect 4C NAV on a 12-inch fully configurable touchscreen that offers split-screen capability for dual-application operation.
Having only scratched the surface with what’s new on this truck, check in later this year for a full review after we have had a chance to spend some time behind the wheel.
