Ram Gives Ram 1500 Extensive 2013 Update with New Powertrains and Trim

Chrysler'sChryslerUnited States of America, 1925 > present70 models
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Ram TrucksRam TrucksUnited States of America, 2008 > present4 models
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brand has an extensive list of upgrades for the 2013 Ram 1500Ram Trucks 1500 3.6 Penta...United States of America, 2013 > present4 photos
pickup truck. It gets new powertrain options, a new chassis, better fuel economy and new styling. 

The new Ram 1500 comes with either Chrysler's Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 or 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Both now come with eight-speed automatic transmissions. Although, the transmissions for each engine are different units to handle the change in power. The new car also gets stop/start tech and active grille shutters.

The 3.6-liter V6 has 305hp and 269lb-ft of torque and gets 18mpg city and 25mph highway. That is a 42% improvement in power and 20% better fuel economy than the V6 that it replaces. It can tow 6,500lbs. 

The 5.7-liter V8 has 395hp and 407lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic is a major upgrade for the 1500. Last year's truck still used a four-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed in the V8 uses a dial to select gears instead of the normal gearshift. Drivers simply turn a dial on the dashboard to switch gears. It specs stay the same, but gets slightly better fuel economy because of the new transmission and start/stop. 

The new truck has an even broader and more aggressive front end than the previous generation, but Ram says that it is also significantly more aerodynamic. The truck's drag coefficient has dropped from 0.386 last year to 0.360 this year. It also gets new headlights with LED turn signals.

It is the only truck in its class to come with an air suspension. It allows drivers to select five height settings. Normally the truck has 8.6in of clearance from the ground to the doorsill. In Aero mode it drops 0.6in for better fuel economy. Off-Road 1 lifts the truck to 9.9in, and Off-Road 2 lifts it to 10.7in. Finally, Park mode drops the truck to 6.6in to make it easier to get in and out. 

Chrysler has also tried to cut weight from the Ram 1500. All trucks lose 56lbs just from use of more high-strength steel and an aluminum hood. With the V6, the truck loses a further 76lbs over the previous generations, and with the V8 it loses 30lbs. 

The 2013 Ram 1500 gets an 8.4in Chrysler Uconnect display that blends the HVAC and radio controls. With the right options it can also be used as navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot.