2019 RAM 1500: Meet RAM’s updated, upgraded full-size pickup truck
Under the hood, base Ram 1500 pickups will use a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 for oomph, which churns out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of twist. The V6 will come standard with Ram’s new eTorque mild-hybrid tech — the system ditches a conventional starter and alternator and puts a 48-volt motor on the accessory drive. The motor is responsible for starting the engine, providing some extra torque when necessary and charging the truck. It also enables start/stop, which might help save some gas, especially if your truck sees mostly city use.
You can still get a Hemi with or without the mild-hybrid system: The 5.7-liter Hemi makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of twist, but Ram says it can get a 130 lb-ft boost with the e-Torque motor. Both engines come standard with an upgraded eight-speed automatic transmission that has more than 40 shift maps. That means the truck’s computer can better plan for the situations thrown its way. For the four-wheel-drive trucks, there is also an upgraded transfer case.
Though this Ram is as posh as it’s ever been, it still can do truck stuff. You can throw about 2,300 pounds worth of junk in the bed or haul 12,700 pounds behind you. If you need more space, the interior’s Ram Bins are 5.5 inches longer, which might help you if you have to take this thing out camping.
As far as trims go, Ram will offer its 1500 in Tradesman, Bighorn, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The farther up that list, except for the youth-spirited Rebel, the more luxe the truck will be.
The new Ram 1500 will start rolling into dealerships later this year. With pricing to come close to that time. But, knowing what we know about pickups, It’s safe to say that the base pickup won’t be too much more expensive than the current model. However, better materials used in the higher trims and added features might inspire a price hike for loaded rigs.