Ram 1500 Offering Better Power, Economy and New Eight-Speed Gearbox

Ram Trucks has updated its 1500 pickup for 2013 with more power from both engines and a new, eight-speed automatic transmission. It will also offer an air suspension. The redesign has an even more upright and aggressive front end than the previous versions.

The exterior of the new 1500 is striking due to its mass of chrome mesh and new projector headlights with LED turn signals. A big power dome and large, chrome bumper finish out the look. The truck is nearly as opposing from the rear with another chrome bumper, chrome exhaust outlets and a larger Ram rear logo.

Ram is really pushing the powertrain of the new model, which has several improvements. The base engine is the 3.6l Pentastar V6 with 305hp and 269lb-ft of torque, which is a 42% improvement in horsepower over the 1500's previous 3.7l V6. The 5.7l Hemi V8 gets 395hp and 407lb-ft of torque with cylinder deactivation, which Ram says improves fuel economy by 10%. Both engines are available with a new eight-speed automatic transmission that uses a dial mounted on the center console for gear selection. Stop/start technology will also be optional. All cars get electric power steering as standard. 

To further improve fuel economy and ride, Ram has made the 1500 more aerodynamic, and it will be offered with a new air suspension. With the suspension, the 1500 sits at 8.7in of ground clearance normally, but at the push of a button, drivers can adjust this by up to 2in in either direction with four selectable modes. This can provide a lower ride on the highway to increase fuel economy or raise the ride height off-road. 

Inside, buyers can customize the trucks completely. There is the available 8.4in Uconnect display that acts as a media center and wireless access point. There is also an available 7in display for the gauge cluster that allows drivers to customize information including speed, fuel economy, trip information, weather information and more. 

The new Ram 1500 will be out later in the US. The price has not been revealed.