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| The 2013 Ram 1500 parked at a wind farm. |
The 2013 Ram
1500 still looks like a traditional full-size pickup truck, but the
redesigned model has undergone a major makeover—with an eye toward fuel
economy.
To achieve the desired fuel-economy improvements,
Chrysler engineers combined a redesigned 3.6-liter engine with an
eight-speed automatic transmission, introduced start/stop technology
that shuts down the engine at stops, improved aerodynamics, reduced the
weight of the truck by nearly 130 pounds, added electric power steering
and optimized the engine's fuel delivery.
The result is a
more fuel-efficient truck powered by a V6 that delivers 305 hp and 269
lb-ft of torque and still offers a respectable towing capacity of 5,900
pounds.
The eight-speed automatic transmission will also be
added to the company's 5.7-liter, 395-hp, 407-lb-ft Hemi V8 in
mid-production year. Chrysler expects the V8 truck to match the Ford F-150's 22 mpg, which currently ranks as best-in-class.
Cutting
drag on a slab-sided, blunt-nosed pickup wasn't easy. Much of the body
sculpting was done on the last Ram redesign for the 2009 model year, so
Ram engineers had to take even more aggressive steps to improve aero
numbers. Active grille shutters and wheel-to-wheel side steps help
achieve Ram's 0.36 coefficient of drag, along with an optional
height-reducing air suspension.
While the Ram still offers
8.7 inches of ground clearance at normal ride height, in aero mode the
truck automatically lowers 1.1 inches at 62 mph or above, seeking the
most aerodynamically efficient ride height. (Three other suspension
heights are offered: Off-road 1, which lifts the vehicle 1.1 inches from
normal ride height; Off-road 2, which raises the vehicle two inches
from normal ride height; and Park mode, which lowers the vehicle two
inches for easier access and loading.)
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| The interior of the 2013 Ram 1500. |
Chrysler's efforts
to achieve higher fuel economy have been largely successful. The EPA
says the 2013 two-wheel-drive V6 model hits 18 mpg in the city and 25
mpg on the highway; four-wheel drive drops those numbers to 16 and 23,
respectively. (By comparison, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado
2WD V6 model posts 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, while a similarly
equipped 2012 Ford F-150 gets 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.)
Sadly,
the V6 lacked the playful oomph we've experienced in other V6 trucks
such as the Ford F-150 with EcoBoost. To its credit, the powertrain was
smooth, thanks to the seamless shifting of its eight-speed transmission.
The
brake response was lazy, requiring sincere pressure to slow the big rig
down. Steering was reasonably responsive for a truck. Combined with
little body roll, the steering and suspension made the truck feel
well-controlled and easy to drive.
Only minor modifications
were made to exterior and interior styling. On the outside, the Ram's
signature crosshair grille gets slightly taller, with an added beveled
edge and an array of finishes from blacked-out to bright-chrome mesh.
Wheel designs are all-new, with options going up to 20 inches in
diameter. Tow hooks are now bigger. Also new for 2013 are RamBox side
bins and tailgate, all lockable via the same key fob that locks and
unlocks the doors.
Interior changes include the addition of
a seven-inch customizable instrument cluster and an 8.4-inch touch
screen on the center stack.
The biggest surprise is the new
rotary dial for shifting gears, located on the lower-left corner of the
dashboard. Chrysler says the dial makes shifting easier while looking
over your shoulder to check blind spots and easier for those wearing
work gloves.
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| The 2013 Ram 1500 out for a drive |
Though the base model's interior is nothing to get excited about, the seating was comfortable and highly adjustable.
Trucks
are a no-brainer for tradespeople, adventurers and farmers, but we
think a crew cab also offers plenty of space and utility for families.
2013 RAM 1500
ON SALE: October
BASE PRICE: $23,585
DRIVETRAIN: 3.6-liter, 305-hp, 269-lb-ft V6; RWD, eight-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 4,572 lb
0-60 MPH: 7.6 sec (mfr)
FUEL ECONOMY (EPA): 21 mpg
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