2013 Ram 1500 debuts with best-in-class features

The new Ram 1500 will receive a significant refresh for 2013. Although the chunky exterior remains fairly unchanged, a great deal of work seems to have gone underneath the body.

In fact, the Ram will debut with a host of upgraded powertrain options, including features that have never been offered on American pickup trucks until now.

Many of the Ram’s new technologies basically points out to their venture to save fuel. An 8-speed automatic transmission is available for both V6 and V8 models. Stop-start, electric power steering, aerodynamic grille shutters and an auto-adjusting air suspension are also some added features in the 1500.

The air suspension is essentially a version of the setup used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and features an Aero Mode, lowering the ride height by 31 mm to help cut through the wind more efficiently.

Ram will offer the Chrysler Group’s 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 as the base powerplant, delivering 305 hp and 365 Nm of torque. Also in the list is a 5.7-litre V8 Hemi, which now delivers 395 hp and 552 Nm of torque. The latter is an improvement of five horses compared to the 2012 model.

The most impressive part is that both the V6 and the Hemi V8 model will boast 20% better fuel economy, thanks largely due to the eight-speed automatic.

The Ram engineers have also cut some flab off the 1500 this time round. The V6 powertrain is an impressive 34 kg lighter than the outgoing 3.7-litre, and the eight-speed and the Hemi combine for a 13 kg reduction in the V8 model. Other weight reductions come from various lightened bits and pieces, saving an extra 37 Kg.

Additional improvements include some mild exterior changes, a richer-looking cabin and a stiffer chassis that promises decreased noise, vibration and harshness. The Ram will also feature improved available infotainment tech, including an 8.4-inch navigation screen and a configurable 7-inch thin-film transistor screen that is standard on Sport, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn models.

This American beast is expected to debut in the U.S. later this year. But it may still make it to UAE, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC sometime by late 2012 or early next year.