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For 2017, Ram will introduce a new special-edition Night package for the 1500 model that gives truck enthusiasts straight-from-the-factory customized looks.
Based on the Sport model, Night adds blacked-out features, including wheels, grille and badging, to pump up the already bold visual presence of the Ram’s monochromatic performance package.
“Much like our incredibly successful Ram Rebel, the Ram 1500 Night fills the growing customer demand for factory-custom trucks,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global. “Truck enthusiasts want vehicles that define their personality and style. The new Ram Night package builds upon the Ram Sport – one of the best looking trucks on the road – and adds black-out details that custom truck enthusiasts revere.”
Ram first adopted the blacked-out badging look with the 2013 Ram 1500 Black Express package.
2017 Ram 1500 Night Package
The 2017 Ram 1500 Night starts with key Sport appearance cues, including body-color fascia and body-color rear bumper with dual chrome exhaust tips, body-color power-folding mirrors and door handles. Also adopted from the Sport are black-bezel bi-functional projector headlamps with LED marker lights and black-bezel tail lamps to match forward lighting.
The Sport interior features standard high-back heated cloth bucket seats with 10-way power adjustment, power-adjustable pedals and automatic temperature control with dual-zone climate control.
The new Ram 1500 Night package adds:
A black grille surround with black “Hex Perf” pattern inserts
Bold “RAM” stamped tailgate with blacked-out lettering from Ram 1500 Rebel model
Black Ram’s head grille badge
Flat black Ram 1500 door badge
Flat black 4x4 tailgate badge (if applicable)
Flat black 5.7L HEMI® door badging (if applicable)
20 x 9-in. gloss black aluminum wheels
P275/60R20 black sidewall all-season tires
The Night package is available on Regular Cab, Quad Cab and Crew Cab 1500 Sport models, in both two- and four-wheel drive, long and short bed lengths and with a choice of 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engines.
A long list of options and upgrades are available on Night editions, including the lighted and lockable RamBox cargo management system with adjustable tie-down cleats and dual-purpose bed extender/divider, Sport performance hood and Black running boards. Additional Mopar performance parts options include a cat-back exhaust and cold-air intake. The 1500’s link-coil suspension, which delivers the industry’s best ride and handling, can be enhanced with the addition of an optional Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension System with multiple driver-selectable ride heights and load leveling features.
The Ram 1500 Night is available in Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black, Flame Red and Granite Crystal Metallic.
Production of the 2017 Ram Night begins early fourth quarter 2016 at the Warren (Mich.) Truck Assembly Plant. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Ram 1500 Sport
The Ram 1500 Sport blends efficient, durable Pentastar or HEMI engine with monochromatic visual performance cues to make it an appealing alternative for truck enthusiasts.
Ram 1500 Sport is powered by a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 /TorqueFlite 8 combination, delivering 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque along with 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway fuel efficiency. For those seeking more power, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with variable valve timing and fuel-saver technology is available. Its 395 horsepower/410 lb.-ft. of torque is mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission and delivers 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway.
The Ram 1500 Sport is available in Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models in both two- and four-wheel drive.
The Sport comes standard with heated high-back bucket seats with full center console, heated steering wheel, halogen projector headlamps, body-color grille, front fascia, mirrors and rear bumper and 20-inch painted/polished aluminum wheels with outlined white letter tires.
Ram 1500 features a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems, including first-in-segment technologies such as thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.
It looks kind of pointless though... the engine compartment for the air intake looks to seal off the filter in its entirety... which is nice for keeping the hot air out... however, the massive cone filter is now only being fed by a much smaller vent. From an engineering standpoint, the hood vent is a major obstruction in getting more air in. I'm not saying it doesn't work... but it seems it could work much better.
It looks kind of pointless though... the engine compartment for the air intake looks to seal off the filter in its entirety... which is nice for keeping the hot air out... however, the massive cone filter is now only being fed by a much smaller vent. From an engineering standpoint, the hood vent is a major obstruction in getting more air in. I'm not saying it doesn't work... but it seems it could work much better.
No clue. The functional vents on my old challenger were to actually let hot air out more than feed cold air in. And it was the same Dodge hood design.
Ram, America’s off-road truck leader, today introduced the Ram Rebel TRX concept. Rebel TRX is a 100-mph off-road machine with 575 horsepower – the most powerful half-ton truck the company has ever built. Ripping over pavement at speeds greater than 100 mph is an experience, but the Ram Rebel TRX concept hits triple digits in an off-road environment with the help of a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® V-8.
“Ram Truck heads to the 2016 State Fair of Texas with a host of product news plus a new concept that pickup fans will truly appreciate – the Ram Rebel TRX concept was built specifically for this event and solidifies Ram Truck’s position as the off-road pickup leader,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global. “With 575 supercharged horsepower and a suspension system built to withstand an all-day hammering, the Rebel TRX concept can devour the roughest terrain at more than 100 miles per hour and never look back.”
Powertrain
The rapidly beating heart of the Ram Rebel TRX concept is a powertrain marvel. A 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI with 575 horsepower, the most powerful Ram 1500 the company has ever built, lays the groundwork of expectation.
Mated to the TorqueFlite 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission, new calibrations were used for the engine, transmission and drivetrain to optimize the expected high-speed off-road driving cycle.
The Ram Rebel TRX concept uses Ram’s 4x4 Performance Control System with a BorgWarner 44-45 transfer case. The system employs different modes of operation: Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-road and Baja.
The Ram Rebel TRX concept uses a standard Ram 1500 front axle with an open differential and custom CV half-shafts to handle the wider track dimension. The spindles are moved forward to make room within the fender wells for the aggressive 37-inch tires.
In the rear, a Dynatrac Pro 60 axle spools power through an electric, selectable locker to 35-spline, 1.5-inch axle shafts. The locker is available in all modes and commits both rear wheels to traction at the same speed, spreads the torque load and maximizes the tractive effort (power put to the ground) in full-throttle maneuvers.
Engineering
The Ram Rebel TRX has an exterior design that radiates focused aggression, which is only trumped by what lies under its skin. The concept was built around suspension and frame prerequisites. Equally important was adapting as many systems from the standard Ram 1500 as possible to ensure durability and proper function.
The high-strength steel frame structure of the Ram Rebel TRX is virtually unchanged when compared to a standard Ram 1500. The frame uses low-torsion attributes that increase durability, stability and handling precision.
A 40 percent increase in suspension travel and 37-inch tires contribute to incredible ground clearance. This combination allows the TRX concept to overcome surface obstacles at high speed.
The front suspension incorporates custom-built upper and lower A-arms with special attention to caster and camber angles during suspension cycling. Overall, front- and rear-wheel travel is increased to more than 13 inches from the standard 9 inches. The front load is managed by a state-of-the-art, adjustable, performance coil-over shock with internal bypass. The result is a smooth ride over smaller bumps, and when the bumps become mounds, the reaction speed and heat dissipation is unbeatable, softening the impact on occupants and maintaining the tire-to-ground contact.
The Ram 1500 uses an exclusive, best-in-class link coil rear suspension system that shares basic architecture with the fastest off-road trucks in desert racing. The frame’s hard points for the five-link suspension system are unchanged and allow the rear axle travel to span up to 13 inches, while standard rear-wheel travel on the Ram 1500 is 9.25 inches. New 2.5-inch bypass shocks use factory upper and lower shock mounts. The standard rear coils are swapped for performance springs located in the factory-spec positions.
To provide incredible stopping power, the factory hydraulic-boost compensation unit enhances brake pedal feel and performance during emergency stop events. Baer brakes six-piston monoblock calipers mounted to 15-inch rotors equip the front. The rear uses six-piston calipers with 14-inch rotors.
High-speed off-road truck racing teams commonly use a 37-inch tire for its height and durability. Tires with 37 inches of height, 13.5 inches of width, aggressive treads and 10-ply design are assigned the task for Rebel TRX. The Rebel TRX concept also features custom beadlock wheels from Mopar. Beadlock wheels provide additional tire-holding strength by pinching the outside of the tire to the rim. The Rebel TRX carries two complete spare tire and wheel packages. Tools and jack are located in custom, lockable storage between the wheels in the bed.
Design
Although it is clear that the line and color combinations are borrowed from the popular Rebel and Power Wagon models, the Ram Rebel TRX has a much more chiseled look.
Three letters burst clear of a Power Wagon-inspired grille spelling “RAM” in body-matching black and red. Out of necessity, the bold, scooped grille allows a fire-breathing supercharged engine to cool with additional air flow. Composite flares help compensate for a six-inch increase in track width and gave designers another location to mark their signature. A lower brush guard is forged in steel and up to the “rock knock” test.
To clear the roots-style blower mounted atop the HEMI engine, the Rebel TRX uses a hood based on the taller Ram Heavy Duty design. The raised fender height matches shoulders to chest. A drone’s-eye view exposes bright LED clearance lighting and the acute hour-glass body lines as they dive back into the doors only to pop back out in the back, enabling rear tires to firmly tuck into the wells.
The side of the Rebel TRX leads your eye to enormous five-inch, side-exit exhaust ports integrated within a full-length rock rail for added body/sill protection.
Closing out the rear of the truck, a large “Ram” badge in Matte Black is borrowed from the Rebel and covers the tailgate. A custom rear steel bumper with integrated skid plate and tow hooks matches capability features on the front of the truck.
When traversing rough terrain at high speeds, seating is important. The interior design team chose suede with accent mesh cloth inserts to cover the rear bench and front buckets. The suede inserts provide tremendous grip to clothing. The front seats integrate lateral support upper bolsters with embroidered logos. All four seats are strapped with six-point harnesses, further fixing occupants to their proper locations.
An open upper glove box with elastic straps holds a sturdy TRX-labeled bag with color matched tools. A seven-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) display cluster features muddy tracks and TRX badge graphics. The same graphics fill the screen on an 8.4 Uconnect. To record TRX’s accomplishments, a custom camera mount is located at the rear-view mirror.
The center console matches efforts on the instrument panel and includes a new polystable shifter trimmed in black suede and Header Red stitching. Designers re-trimmed the Rebel TRX armrests with solid Header Red accent stitching and wrapped the upper bolster in suede to keep arms in place. Nylon-strap door pulls are embroidered with “Release.”
A sport bar covered in black anodized paint provides anchor points dedicated to the six-point harnesses and spans from B-pillar to B-pillar – formed to allow maximum possible seat travel.
The Rebel TRX interior floor trades carpet for black rubberized coating. Black all-weather mats from Mopar reduce foot slip when foot-to-pedal placement is crucial.
One look at the Ram Rebel TRX concept and its intentions are clear — a 575-horsepower off-road machine with the ability to clear miles of desert in the blink of an eye.
The Ram Macho Power Wagon owes its moniker to a popular Power Wagon trim level from the 1970s, and the heavy-duty pickup lives up to its audacious namesake. The Mopar-modified Ram is a bold take on the Power Wagon’s reputation for off-road capability with added versatility delivered by Mopar concept and production products.
That adaptability is showcased in the 6-ft. x 4-in. bed of the Macho Power Wagon, where a Mopar concept Satin Black accessory sliding RamRack securely stores toys to fit a variety of lifestyles. The Ram Rack is designed to neatly slide up and stow under the cab’s sail panel when not in use. The bed rack works in concert with a RamRack roof system that locks down items with six unique tie downs.
The Ram Macho Power Wagon is elevated by a four-inch custom lift kit and giant 37-inch x 12 1/2-inch Nitto Trail Grappler MT tires, set on concept 18-inch beadlock wheels. The vibrant Macho Mango body color, which also extends to the beadlock wheel rings, is accented with painted black graphics on the side and rear. The concept, aggressive hood is Satin Black, and a new front bumper is equipped for the trail with a winch, winch guard and tow hooks.
Further exterior customizations include one-piece Mopar concept off-road running boards, larger concept fender flares, low-gloss black door handles and a 21-inch heavy-duty light bar and LED clearance lights on the roof. Both front and rear bumpers integrate painted, bright silver skid plates and tow hooks. Black “RAM” lettering on the grille and body sides is outlined in Macho Mango.
Macho Mango also brightens the interior, coloring the steering wheel Ram logo and the trim on the gauges, HVAC, infotainment center and side door panels. Interior Mopar accessory upgrades include wireless charging, a pedal kit, front and rear all-weather mats and “RAM”-letter logo sill guards. Under the Macho Power Wagon’s hood is a 6.4-liter HEMI engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A Mopar cold-air intake injects added performance and concept, dual-wall five-inch Mopar exhaust tips are black-powder coated and provide a deeper note.
DETROIT -- Most automakers go to great lengths to keep future vehicles hidden, waiting to make a splash with a reveal at an auto show or global event.
But a windy day and an improperly secured cover can blow the most carefully orchestrated product plans to smithereens.
That's what happened this weekend near Detroit, when a big wind exposed the next-generation, 2019 Ram 1500 pickup.
The maroon half-ton truck -- equipped, according to its badging, with a 5.7-liter V-8 hemi engine -- was exposed by windy conditions at Fiat Chrysler's technical center in Auburn Hills, Mich. The cover was left hanging off the pickup's rear quarter panel, exposing the redesigned front fascia, badging, lighting and tailgate.
The Ram pickup -- a key profit generator -- is Fiat Chrysler's top-selling model in the U.S. and the industry's third best-selling nameplate, after the Ford F series and Chevrolet Silverado pickups.
U.S. sales of the Ram have increased 3.8 percent this year.
The redesigned 1500, which carries the DT designation, is to make its formal debut in January at the Detroit auto show. Spy photographers caught the exposed pickup in an FCA parking lot next to a camouflaged, next-generation Jeep Wrangler.
The exposed Ram shows that FCA will tweak its huge chrome fascia grille work, with a shorter grille that better incorporates the headlights. A single piece of camouflage tape covered a new crossbeam in the grille, obscuring any front badging. But the engine badging, on the front quarter panel on the current 1500, will be moved to the hood for the 2019 model, according to the spy shots.
Notably, the exposed Ram's tailgate looks to be a continuation of the truck's design instead of a split-opening design that had been rumored. FCA had filed patents on a tailgate that would drop down in a traditional manner as well as open in the middle like French doors, allowing better access to the bed.
FCA is scheduled to begin building the 2019 Ram pickup in January at a retooled Sterling Heights, Mich., assembly plant. The pickup should start arriving in dealerships early in the second quarter of 2018.
FCA plans to continue production of the current DS model Ram 1500 into 2018 at a nearby plant in Warren, Mich., while output of the DT pickup spools up.
Spy photographers have caught confirmation that at least some versions of the next-generation Ram 1500 pickup will have a new dual-function tailgate, capable of both dropping down in the traditional manner or opening up 'French door' style.
The tailgate design makes it easier for consumers to access the pickup's bed, without having to reach over the dropped tailgate or climb up on it. Earlier spy photos confirmed that the next-generation Ram 1500's tailgate can be dropped remotely using a button on the key fob.
FCA US plans to begin production of the next-generation Ram 1500 in January at a retooled assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., and will introduce the redesigned half-ton at the 2018 Detroit auto show.
Agreed, can't imagine the split in the tailgate is going to look appealing. Wonder how they keep it all locked up when using the tailgate traditionally. Since they can't do a full swing out unit without Honda patent infringement?
01-23-2015, 07:45 PM
2016 Ram Rebel TRX Concept
