2013 Ram 1500 offers best-in-class features
Rebirth of Chrysler continues on with the new Ram 1500.
Perhaps the best thing that happened to Chrysler with Fiat's takeover was the transformation of company's focus - from marketing to product.
After the takeover, Fiat's Sergio Marchionne went through each of Chrysler's products and pointed out how he would improve them. He impressed everyone with his product knowledge, but building his credibility in America's motor town was probably not the only goal he had in mind. He really meant to change them.
Out of the three Detroit car companies, Chrysler was perhaps in the worst shape. Therefore it would take the longest to rebuild the company.
Since the government rescue, Chrysler introduced reengineered products after products, and they all seemed to be sensible. In some cases, they were impressive.
Impressing the critiques and public is what they needed to do, and the new Ram 1500 seems to be carefully crafted to impress. The new Ram 1500 offers best-in-class MPG, best-in-class towing and payload, best-in-class ride and handling, best-in-class powertrain warranty, and best-in-class aerodynamics.
Chrysler kept most of Ram's looks, but the product folks at Ram pretty much gutted out the inside of the Ram 1500 and put some interesting new technology in it. In fact, the new Ram 1500 may become a pioneer in the truck segment for utilizing new technology.
The only downside of Ram's rebirth may be its timing. The economy is still soft, and full-size truck sales have not picked up yet.
With its outstanding features, however, the Ram 1500 may have challenged and impacted its segment positively, and it may become a leader again.
Here are some detailed descriptions released by Chrysler:
2013 Ram 1500
- Best-in-class fuel economy 18 city 25 highway:
New 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine (Ward's 10 Best Engines) features 42 percent more horsepower, 13 percent more torque and at least 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to the previous 3.7-liter V-6 powertrain.
5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with Fuel Saver Technology and variable-valve timing (VVT) provides 395 horsepower, 407 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class fuel economy for V-8 trucks, beating competitive turbo V-6 engines
- Class-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8) standard equipment with 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, doubles the amount of gears compared to previously available four-speed automatic transmission to greatly improve fuel economy and contribute to best-in-class standard V-6 towing
- New eight-speed also available with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8– the Company's first application with a V-8 (TorqueFlite 8 late availability)
- New TorqueFlite 8 operated by an innovative dash-mounted, rotary e-shift design
- First-in-segment Fuel Saver Technology: eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension
- 2013 Ram 1500 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices average just over 1 percent higher than 2012 prices
- Ram 1500 continues to be the best-value fullsize pickup in America with starting price of $23,585, including $995 destination charge
- Class-exclusive air suspension enhances fuel economy, improves ride control and off-road capability along with improved entry/exit and loading, and features automatic load leveling
- New exterior design cues including all-new grille/fascia, improved quad projection headlamps and LED front turn signals and taillamps
- Best-in-class aerodynamics, coefficient of drag (Cd) at 0.360
New, upgraded interior features include: standard and premium multiview display, passive entry, Keyless Enter 'n Go, steering wheel and controls, wood accents, updated door panels, instrument panel, interior colors and premium materials
- All-new, next-generation Uconnect Access debuts on the 2013 Ram 1500 with Wi-Fi hotspot capability
- Uconnect Access combines a new lineup of smart media centers with a powerful new wireless platform
- With Uconnect Access, Ram 1500 owners will have alternative ways to access new connected services and applications via the vehicle's 8.4-inch touchscreen display or the web
- Next generation Uconnect system is designed to be forward-thinking, providing the freedom to upgrade to the latest features and services
- Voice-recognition technology, steering wheel controls, touchscreen displays and traditional controls provide Ram 1500 customers with a variety of ways to interact with their mobile phones, music, navigation system and applications
- Ram 1500 now available with a premium, customizable, full-color 7-inch multiview display
- Addition of Powernet vehicle architecture system allows new content with improved data speeds
- Chrysler Group offers Ram 1500 customers expanded SiriusXM Radio channel lineup, with exclusive programming including new SiriusXM Latino channels, an automotive industry first
- Sprint selected as the strategic partner to bring wireless connectivity and service delivery to the vehicle
- New remote central locking RamBox cargo management system and tailgate combined with door locks
- New rain sensing wipers, SmartBeam headlamps, power folding mirrors and power sliding rear window with defrost
- Best-in-class powertrain warranty – 5 years/100,000 miles
Rebirth of Chrysler continues on with the new Ram 1500.
Perhaps the best thing that happened to Chrysler with Fiat's takeover was the transformation of company's focus - from marketing to product.
After the takeover, Fiat's Sergio Marchionne went through each of Chrysler's products and pointed out how he would improve them. He impressed everyone with his product knowledge, but building his credibility in America's motor town was probably not the only goal he had in mind. He really meant to change them.
Out of the three Detroit car companies, Chrysler was perhaps in the worst shape. Therefore it would take the longest to rebuild the company.
Since the government rescue, Chrysler introduced reengineered products after products, and they all seemed to be sensible. In some cases, they were impressive.
Impressing the critiques and public is what they needed to do, and the new Ram 1500 seems to be carefully crafted to impress. The new Ram 1500 offers best-in-class MPG, best-in-class towing and payload, best-in-class ride and handling, best-in-class powertrain warranty, and best-in-class aerodynamics.
Chrysler kept most of Ram's looks, but the product folks at Ram pretty much gutted out the inside of the Ram 1500 and put some interesting new technology in it. In fact, the new Ram 1500 may become a pioneer in the truck segment for utilizing new technology.
The only downside of Ram's rebirth may be its timing. The economy is still soft, and full-size truck sales have not picked up yet.
With its outstanding features, however, the Ram 1500 may have challenged and impacted its segment positively, and it may become a leader again.
Here are some detailed descriptions released by Chrysler:
2013 Ram 1500
- Best-in-class fuel economy 18 city 25 highway:
New 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine (Ward's 10 Best Engines) features 42 percent more horsepower, 13 percent more torque and at least 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to the previous 3.7-liter V-6 powertrain.
5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with Fuel Saver Technology and variable-valve timing (VVT) provides 395 horsepower, 407 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class fuel economy for V-8 trucks, beating competitive turbo V-6 engines
- Class-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8) standard equipment with 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, doubles the amount of gears compared to previously available four-speed automatic transmission to greatly improve fuel economy and contribute to best-in-class standard V-6 towing
- New eight-speed also available with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8– the Company's first application with a V-8 (TorqueFlite 8 late availability)
- New TorqueFlite 8 operated by an innovative dash-mounted, rotary e-shift design
- First-in-segment Fuel Saver Technology: eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension
- 2013 Ram 1500 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices average just over 1 percent higher than 2012 prices
- Ram 1500 continues to be the best-value fullsize pickup in America with starting price of $23,585, including $995 destination charge
- Class-exclusive air suspension enhances fuel economy, improves ride control and off-road capability along with improved entry/exit and loading, and features automatic load leveling
- New exterior design cues including all-new grille/fascia, improved quad projection headlamps and LED front turn signals and taillamps
- Best-in-class aerodynamics, coefficient of drag (Cd) at 0.360
New, upgraded interior features include: standard and premium multiview display, passive entry, Keyless Enter 'n Go, steering wheel and controls, wood accents, updated door panels, instrument panel, interior colors and premium materials
- All-new, next-generation Uconnect Access debuts on the 2013 Ram 1500 with Wi-Fi hotspot capability
- Uconnect Access combines a new lineup of smart media centers with a powerful new wireless platform
- With Uconnect Access, Ram 1500 owners will have alternative ways to access new connected services and applications via the vehicle's 8.4-inch touchscreen display or the web
- Next generation Uconnect system is designed to be forward-thinking, providing the freedom to upgrade to the latest features and services
- Voice-recognition technology, steering wheel controls, touchscreen displays and traditional controls provide Ram 1500 customers with a variety of ways to interact with their mobile phones, music, navigation system and applications
- Ram 1500 now available with a premium, customizable, full-color 7-inch multiview display
- Addition of Powernet vehicle architecture system allows new content with improved data speeds
- Chrysler Group offers Ram 1500 customers expanded SiriusXM Radio channel lineup, with exclusive programming including new SiriusXM Latino channels, an automotive industry first
- Sprint selected as the strategic partner to bring wireless connectivity and service delivery to the vehicle
- New remote central locking RamBox cargo management system and tailgate combined with door locks
- New rain sensing wipers, SmartBeam headlamps, power folding mirrors and power sliding rear window with defrost
- Best-in-class powertrain warranty – 5 years/100,000 miles
