A new generation of RAM’s best selling truck is finally on its way and even though it hasn’t been officially confirmed, it has been spied testing quite a few times by now. The new model is likely going to be revealed with the 2019 RAM 1500 but it may go on sale as a 2023 model. The truck will not only offer more power and versatility than before. It should also become more efficient and better to drive. This will all be possible thanks to a new platform on which Jeep will actually build a luxury SUV. This new platform will use a high strength steel ladder frame coupled with an independent suspension in the front. The rear is expected to use a rigid axle together with coil instead of leaf springs. These should help smoothen up the road surface and make the RAM quite a bit more comfortable than its predecessor.
So far RAM has been quite criticizing about using aluminum in a medium sized truck. However, it looks like the upcoming 1500 may not be all steel like some people expected. Instead, it looks like the truck will have a steel cabin and a steel bed. The doors, hood and possibly the roof may be actually made out of aluminum. This should help them keep the weight low while also offering the durability of steel. Luckily, these new materials are not going to affect the price of the truck. This likely means the base model of the 2019 RAM 1500 will still start at well under $30,000 which should give them an edge over their rivals.
2019 RAM 1500 Price & Release date
2019 RAM 1500 release date is closely connected to one of the biggest auto shows in the world. Yes, you got it right. RAM’s latest truck installment will be introduced at 2018 NAIAS in Detroit. After that, RAM Trucks will hit the dealerships in the first months of the spring.
Here, we have good news. The price of this pickup will stay close to what is on the market today. As such, new 2019 RAM 1500 cost will be in the region of $27,600 for the base model. The most prestigious version of 1500 is going to remain 4WD Limited which you can have a little over $60,000.
The exterior design
Even though it was heavily camouflaged, the truck spied a while ago gives out some really interesting design choices. For starters, it seems that in the front it sports a hexagonal grille with the usual RAM cross-hair in the middle. This is nearly identical to the leak we have seen a few months ago. In the front it looks like C-shaped headlights may be used while the bumper definitely looks lower than the one of its predecessor. On top of that the 1500 seems to boast a large intake in the bumper but more on that later.
The fenders do seem wider too but this is likely due to its new beefier running gear which also sports 6-lug wheels instead of the usual 5-lug used on the previous generation. The rear of the truck boasts an exhaust integrated into the bumper and all LED tail lights. Even though not clear, the tailgate might use a split-design in order to facilitate access to the bed. The test mule seen was also using a much longer cabin than usual. This is expected to become the mega-cab 1500 which has been rumored for the past few years now.
The spy shots of the 2019 RAM 1500 reveal a rather interesting design choice. Here the truck sports a less cluttered design than before and, what seems to be, a digital instrument cluster and a larger infotainment system. Also, the steering wheel on the test mule was the same as that on the Pacifica which could suggest a new adaptive cruise control system. Over its predecessor the materials are likely going to improve slightly. However, there will be considerably more room inside the mega-cab model which is expected to become a class leader.
Under the hood – RAM 1500 Specs
The 2019 RAM 1500 will come with a wide range of engines suitable for many different tasks. The base model will likely retain the same 3.6 liter naturally aspirated V6 as before but with likely closer to 330 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7 liter HEMI V8 is still going to be an option on the higher end versions of the truck. This is expected to get a slight boost in power and fuel economy thanks to a better fuel delivery system. Both of these are expected to come with an 8 speed automatic and either rear or all wheel drive.
The 1500 may also receive a high performance version sporting either a supercharged or turbocharged gas engine. This became clear when we saw the intercooler intake on the prototype. Even though this hasn’t been confirmed just yet, it would make a lot of sense considering both of its rivals offer considerably more powerful engines than the 5.7 liter V8 HEMI.
