The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 becomes the benchmark for durability, technology, efficiency and convenience with features never before offered in a pickup.

Overall weight for the Ram 1500 has been reduced by 225 pounds. As the truck's backbone, the frame uses advanced materials and engineering to eliminate 100 pounds while increasing stiffness and durability for 12,750 pounds of towing capability and 2,300 pounds of payload.

An all-new eTorque system delivers improved fuel efficiency in both V-6 and V-8 configurations.

As a segment disrupter, the new Uconnect 4C with a massive 12-inch touchscreen leads the pickup world with technology featuring split-screen capability, 360-degree camera views and exclusive content from SiriusXM with 360L.

Active safety and security systems join the technology onslaught with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, Blind-spot Monitoring and ready alert braking.

"The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 delivers a no-compromise approach to the full-size truck segment with strength, durability, technology and efficiency," said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand. "The Ram 1500 offers truck buyers leading-edge innovation with 225 pounds of weight reduction, 12,750 pounds of towing capability, a stunning Uconnect 12-inch touchscreen display and active systems that improve fuel efficiency and assist drivers. The Ram 1500 stands out as the benchmark in a very competitive segment."

What do you get when you want to lunch on a Raptor? You get a Tyrannosaurus Rex, naturally. This is the Ram TRX, complete with at least 575 horsepower, and Ram parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles just confirmed it’s going into production.

The Ram TRX was first revealed as a concept in 2016, and back then it was just seen as that – a concept. After all, if FCA wanted to build something greater than the Ford Raptor, with its 450 horsepower turbo V6, it would have to try a little harder than it did with the Ram Rebel. Like, at least 100 horsepower harder.

But what a concept it was. It came with a 575-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8. Six-point racing harnesses for every passenger. Advanced suspension that Ram claimed was “only shared with the fastest off-road trucks in desert racing.” FCA even made a whole marketing video about it:

Alas, just a concept though.

Or so we thought.

FCA announced that the TRX is indeed going into production at its big business meeting in Italy this morning, meaning that the off-road desert racer wars are officially ON.

But since nobody in their right mind these days tones the engine in a concept down (horsepower is cheap, after all), we can probably expect that the 575-horsepower engine in the concept will just be a starting point. Ram has already been hinting at the same 707-horsepower featured in its Hellcats and Trackhawks and whatnot, and rumors over at 5thgenRams.com actually point to two different models, one named the “TR,” with a naturally aspirated V8 putting out 520 horsepower, and the full-force TRX, with a supercharger bringing it up to 707 horsepower.

No word, however, on if those beautiful harnesses, those splendid side exhausts, or positively bitchin’ bed-mounted spare tires will make it into production.

There is just one disappointment that we can see already, sadly. The original Dodge Ram T-Rex concept, from back in 1997, came with three axles and six-wheel-drive, and we’re not seeing that on the new one.

The 2019 Ram 1500 has been completely revamped as a new generation of the pickup truck. Core expectations from the Ram line continue forward, but a new mild hybrid system and better efficiency and capability have been added. We spent a week in the Rebel off-road model and learned a few things.

When we were first introduced to the Ram 1500 in this new 2019 iteration, it was in Arizona at a launch event. There, we saw the myriad of technical changes and upgrades that have been made to the new-generation 2019 Ram 1500.

In a nutshell, the new Ram has a drag coefficient similar to most sedans thanks to aerodynamic improvements, it has a lighter load and better ergonomics due to the use of lighter-weight materials in key components, and it has a stronger framework to allow more capability. With all of these changes, plus a new mild hybrid setup, the 2019 Ram 1500 might look similar to its outgoing generation, but underneath it's a very different truck.

In fact, our greatest beef so far is that we have yet to try the new eTorque mild hybrid system, which was delayed in release and has only just recently begun production. The mild hybrid has a lot of promise for further improving the truck's efficiency, and we're eager to find out if those theories on paper translate into the real world.

Now that we've spent a week in the 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel model, we do have more insight into the new pickup's design and capability. The Rebel is, of course, the Ram 1500's off-road-centric model with better gear for off-pavement excursions. This comes at a price, which is mainly paid on the highway where the meatier tires and heavier suspension translate to a somewhat rougher ride and slightly less confident handling. The tradeoff isn't a bad one, though, and is well worth making if going off the paved and cultured path is your thing.

The Rebel model is a trim point model for the Ram 1500 and comes standard with several add-ons that are either exclusive to it or offered only as options with other trim points of the truck. Specialized, larger, and meatier off-road tires (33-inch Goodyear Duratrac) are standard on the 2019 Rebel to offer better grip and capability when there is no pavement. These ride on 18-inch alloy wheels that attach to a fortified suspension with beefier shock absorbers than are found on the standard Ram 1500 trucks. The rear axle becomes the Ram 1500 line's higher-torque 3.92 differential, with an electronic lock for the axle to force 50:50 between the tires. Front tow hooks, hill descent control, a trailering kit, LED headlamps and fog lights, and some interior upgrades are also standard on the Rebel.

As far as its general accoutrements go, the 2019 Ram Rebel is nicely outfitted for the price, with much of the cost paid for this trim going towards the upgraded hardware. The Rebel is very similar to the Big Horn/Lone Star model in terms of interior fitment. The Big Horn/Lone Star in its basic 4x4 configuration runs about US$40,000. Upgrading to the bigger engine and more advanced off-road gear in the Rebel requires about a $5,500 jump.

Most of the exterior changes for the 2019 Ram Rebel model are obvious when it's sitting side-by-side with a 1500 sibling. A more aggressive grille, fender flares, hood vents, more obvious undercarriage protection, more heavily-accented bumpers, and more ground clearance due to the larger tires are just some of those changes.

The Ram 1500 Rebel can be had in either the smaller four-door Quad Cab configuration or the larger Crew Cab. Both have the same wheelbase, although the Quad Cab includes the 6-foot 4-inch (1.93-meter) cargo bed while the Crew has the 5-foot 7-inch (1.7-m) bed.

Inside, the Rebel has stitching on the seats and dashboard to delineate the model. The seating has performance upgrades that include a cloth-vinyl mix with heavier bolsters. The tire tread pattern mimics the truck's Goodyears, but is no longer embossed, being instead a print in the new Ram. A black and dark ruby color scheme is exclusive to the Ram 1500 Rebel's interior.

The Rebel's interior is otherwise the same as any 2019 Ram 1500. Not such a bad thing, really, as the Ram's new insides are exceedingly spacious and well-done. Seating in the front is very comfortable and the driver is treated to a large, fat steering wheel and easy access to most vehicle controls. Ram re-did the gear selector knob, making it more tactile with better feedback when used. Like all of the controls in the Ram, that knob now feels workable when wearing gloves, a key point in truck use.

We're also fans, of course, of the 2019 Ram 1500's infotainment system. Our test model Rebel had the 8.4-inch Uconnect screen, which can be found in all of Chrysler-Jeep's products with the infotainment upgrades. This is one of the best systems on the market, with ease of use, clear graphics, and excellent capability all built-in. We generally skip Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connections (standard) with Uconnect, as the Bluetooth connection offers plenty of connectivity on its own. Add in the optional Wi-Fi hotspot and there's little need to plug in a device unless real-time-updated navigation is needed.

Speaking of information screens, the Rebel includes a larger driver information screen (that's "Rebel" branded). That screen offers information on the truck's current status, including off-road data like pitch and yaw, component heat measurements, and so forth. It's an easy-to-read screen that's clear and often useful.

The 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel can be outfitted with any of the three engines available for the 1500 pickup truck. It comes standard with the 3.6-liter V6 with eTorque. A standard 5.7-liter V8 Hemi, as we drove it, and the same engine with eTorque added are also available for the Ram Rebel.

The eTorque mild hybrid system includes engine stop-start and regenerative braking. The latter stores a limited amount of power in a small lithium-ion battery (430 watt hours). This battery reduces weight from the engine by providing power to accessories independently, improving fuel economy and power output in the process. It also adds a moderate amount of boost to the engine itself.

The V6 is rated at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 269 pound-feet (365 Nm) of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powers the rear wheels or, optionally, all four in four-wheel drive. Towing is rated at up to 7,730 lb (3,506 kg) with this engine equipped on the Ram 1500.

The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque in the 2019 Ram 1500 produces 395 horses (295 kW) and 410 lb-ft (536 Nm) of torque. The same eight-speed automatic, reprogrammed for the engine's output, is used here and both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive are offered. Maximum towing is 12,750 lb (5,783 kg) for this setup. A best-in-class number for a half-ton pickup truck right now (including the Nissan Titan XD).

The same engine without eTorque, which is what we've driven so far in the 2019 Ram 1500 and Ram Rebel, has the same power outputs, but towing is reduced to a maximum of 11,610 lb (5,266 kg). This is due to the difference in real-world engine output capabilities for the engine with and without the mild hybrid system. The mild hybrid removes some encumbrance from the engine, in terms of power output leeching, that improves output to the wheels. So while the bench test maximum outputs for the engines are the same, the eTorque system essentially improves the torque output band, allowing more power earlier in the curve, which improves capability.

In the 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel, this better torque curve would also mean better power output at lower speeds when out on the trail. Because our test model didn't include eTorque, however, we were unable to test that theory.

What we did test was the 2019 Ram Rebel's well-earned reputation for both off-road driving and on-road comfort and confidence. The Rebel is a great-looking and well-mannered pickup truck both around town and on the freeway.

The 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel is a fun, well-equipped, road-worthy truck that adds great style to the pickup, good capability for workhorse duties, and excellent off-road credibility for finding fun times. This is a solid combination that covers many of the wants of today's buyer.

As of right now, the 2019 Ram 1500 is the most fuel efficient new pickup truck in America, thanks to its 3.6-liter V6 engine fitted with the brand's new eTorque technology. According to the EPA, Ram's six-cylinder eTorque engine delivers 20 miles per gallon in the city, 25 on the highway and 22 combined in rear-wheel-drive form. Adding four-wheel drive drops those figures to 19/24/21.

Those are big improvements over last year's Ram, which had a max efficiency rating of 17/25/20 without the eTorque system. By way of comparison, a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 3.3-liter V6 is rated at 19/25/22. That's down a single mile per gallon in the city but is otherwise a match for the Ram. The most efficient truck from Chevrolet currently rated by the EPA is the 2018 edition with GM's long-running 4.3-liter V6 at 18/24/20. There's a good chance Chevy's upcoming 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder will take the efficiency crown, but it's not yet available.

Ram also offers its eTorque technology on its Hemi V8-powered 1500. The EPA rates the two-wheel-drive V8 at 17/23/19 with eTorque (down one mpg on the highway with four-wheel drive). That's a meaningful gain of two miles per gallon combined over the standard non-eTorque Hemi offering.

Ram's eTorque system replaces the trucks' standard alternator with a 10-horsepower electric motor and includes a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack in addition to the standard lead acid battery. We took an eTorque Ram out for a quick spin and found that the technology makes for a truck that's nicer to drive, with the small electric motor working to make gearshifts feel smooth and refined. And now that we know it provides a real boost in fuel efficiency, it seems eTorque could be a big win for Ram.

Just last week Ram informed us of the red and blue Harvest Edition chassis cab trucks that match Case IH and New Holland hardware, and now there's a new color theme edition available. We last saw Ram's Mojave Sand hue on the 2017 Ram Rebel truck, shown to the public at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, but now the color debuts on a Ram Heavy Duty truck for the first time. Ram is introducing a limited, 1,500-unit Mojave Sand edition of the 2018 Power Wagon.

The limited edition has contrasting black details and graphics, giving it a nice desert-style look; you won't mistake it with a similarly colored Ram Rebel as the truck proudly proclaims POWER WAGON on the cabin end of the bed — not to mention it rides quite a bit higher. The all-black wheels are also new, shod with 33-inch Goodyears, and the interior is fully black, with features from the Heavy Duty Luxury Group like LED bed lighting and an overhead console.

But the Power Wagon is much more than just add-ons: Underneath, it's a 2500 HD 4x4 Crew Cab with the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 providing 410 horsepower. There's a suspension kit offering more than two inches of lift, giving the truck a total of 14.3 inches of ground clearance. As well as an electrically disconnecting front sway bar, there are locking diffs front and rear and a 12,000-pound winch — it's like you're factory-instructed to go deep into Mojave Desert sand and then power your way out of it.

The Mojave Sand package is a $795 bump to the standard Power Wagon, meaning the list price starts at over $55,000 including destination fees. The limited edition will be available during the fourth quarter of 2018.

The next-generation Ram 2500 Power Wagon was spied without a hint of camouflage covering it on the road. New headlights and taillights are full LED units, and they look epic. The design is reminiscent of the 1500, but Ram definitely put a slightly different spin on them. It resembles the Ram Rebel to a certain degree, but with a dose of more hardcore truck-style to it. We're digging the look for now.

Traditionally, the Power Wagon is a much more off-road ready Ram. We'd expect this one to have the same locking differentials front and rear, a front anti-roll bar disconnect and a lead for a winch cable, leaving it the only factory truck that offers a winch. The engine is most likely the same 6.4-liter V8 with 410 horsepower too.

Its bumpers are entirely new, along with the fender flare design on this truck. It all comes together and gives the Ram Power Wagon its traditional look while still meshing with the complete redesign the 2019 Ram 1500 received.

How Ram let this 2020 model year truck venture out into the world uncovered is mighty confusing. Maybe Ram wanted everyone to see it? We'll only be guessing for the time being. The 2500 Power Wagon is expected to make its debut in 2019. We'd imagine the most likely scenario for that one is at the Detroit Auto Show in January where the redesigned 2019 1500 was revealed. For now, feast your eyes on the next Power Wagon to grace our roads.

In the American muscle car world, horsepower is king (see the new Shelby GT500 rumors), but in the heavy-duty truck world, bragging rights are all about torque. And in that area, Ram does not like to lose, which is why the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty makes a ridiculous 1,000lb-ft of torque.

That’s the figure on the 400 horsepower 6.7-liter high-output Cummins engine, which offers the full grand worth of torque at 1,800 RPM, and 15 ponies more than last year’s model. It helps the Ram 3500 increase its towing capacity to 35,100 pounds, and gives it a payload rating as high as 7,680 pounds.

Ram talks about some of the features of the engine in its press release, saying it’s 60 pounds lighter than the previous motor, with a new cast iron head, “lighter and stronger” pistons, a new forged connecting rod design, and an allegedly “improved” variable geometry turbo bolted to a new exhaust manifold.

Another available 6.7-liter Cummins is also offered, though it’s a bit less potent at 370 horses and 850 lb-ft. There’s still the base 6.4-liter gasoline engine that makes 410 HP and 429 lb-ft.

Transmissions are six-speeds for the diesels, with an Aisin AS69RC bolted to the high output motor and a Chrysler 68RFE backing up the standard mill. The gas engine is mated to the eight-speed TorqueFlite 8HP75 used in other Fiat Chrysler products. As for the manual transmission option that can be had with the current Cummins heavy duty Ram, TFL Trucksays it’s gone. “The 2018 Ram HD was the last one to offer a manual option with a diesel,” the website writes. Ram subsequently confirmed this news to Jalopnik via email. The manual heavy-duty truck is dead in the U.S. This is sad news.

Ram also says that its heavy duty trucks have all-new, lighter, more torsionally-rigid frames comprised of lots of high strength steel. And on the inside, there’s an available giant 12-inch infotainment screen like the one offered in the new Ram 1500.

If you don’t believe me when I say that Ram doesn’t like losing the heavy duty “torque wars,” just look at the Ram 2500 and 3500's torque output over the last few years.

In 2010, Ford debuted a 735 lb-ft diesel Power Stroke diesel engine for its Super Duty line. Then, right around that same time, Chevrolet showed of a 765 lb-ft Duramax truck, leaving the Ram—then making just 650 lb-ft—in the dust. In the summer of 2010, Ford showed off an 800 lb-ft Super Duty diesel reflash, and Ram responded not long after with its own 800 lb-ft Cummins. Then in 2013, Ram went all in with an 850 lb-ft 3500 truck.

In 2015, Ford climbed to the top of the torque mountain with an 860 lb-ftPower Stroke diesel, and Ram quickly responded with a truck whose Cummins diesel made 865 lb-ft. Then Chevy went to 910 lb-ft and Ford went to 925 lb-ft in 2017, and Ram responded the next year with 930 lb-ft. That same year, Ford put out a 935 lb-ft Super Duty.

The whole thing is really silly, but that’s how it all stands today, with Ford on top by five lb-ft. So of course, Ram’s dialing up its torque-o-tron, and giving the 2020 Ram Heavy Duty 1,000 lb-ft.

Yes, quadruple digits.

We’d seen a bunch of spy shots (like these from Truck Trend), so between those and the teasers, we had a good idea of what the new heavy duty truck would look like. So what we have here is a vehicle whose styling has been brought more in line with that of its half-ton counterpart, the 2019 Ram 1500, and based on what I’m seeing, it looks good. Especially the Power Wagon, which gets a suspension lift, front and rear lockers, a sway bar disconnect, and, according to Autoblog, a Warn Zeon-12 winch with a synthetic line:

There are a number of different grille and light-surround designs, and while most of them look decent, the first one shown below, with the chrome above and below the non-LED lights, is one I haven’t quite made up my mind on:

Asymmetry isn’t something we see particularly prominently in the motoring industry, is it? That’s probably why you might find yourself staring at these pictures, perhaps while inadvertently letting out a ‘hmmmmm’.

This strange asymmetrical ‘multifunction tailgate’ is an option on all seven versions of the Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up.

The point of it? Dodge says its about making loading items when you’re curbside much easier, while “Being able to access the bed closer to the bumper makes stepping up easier; makes loading bulky items easier; makes unloading and washout easier and allows forklift loading”. Dodge is also keen to point out that the funky tailgate doesn’t - as other “multi-element” arrangements - require you to unhook a trailer before opening it. Handy.

The 60/40-split tailgate is available for $995, and there’s also the option of adding a centre step for $295.

When it comes to exhuming the past for profit, few major automakers have perfected the dark science as well as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' domestic brands. The Dodge lineup is essentially a portal to the 1960s and early '70s, and now Ram is getting in on the fun with this 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock edition, which offers a look back at the very un-gothlike late 1970s.

More than just a spiritual resurrection of the original Dodge Warlock pickup that roamed the Earth from 1976 through 1979, the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock also offers great value for the money. As Reid Bigland, head of Ram, says, "The Ram 1500 Classic Warlock is proof positive that value never goes out of style."

Featuring a monochromatic exterior with front and rear powder-coated bumpers, 20-inch semigloss black wheels, black wheel flares, dark bezels for the projector-beam headlamps, and dark badging and graphics, the Warlock is guaranteed to darken the driveway of even the most average suburban family. The one-inch factory lift kit, tow hooks, heavy-duty rear shocks, and optional sport hood back up its looks with some raw capability.

The standard interior kit includes Diesel Gray—hey, it's almost black—seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an overhead console, a 7.0-inch cluster display, LED bed lighting, and power-folding mirrors. Optional heated bench or bucket seats, black side steps, and a spray-in bedliner are sure to cast a spell on the burgeoning goth/pickup-truck enthusiast market.

Engine choices include the 305-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and the portentous 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8, both mated to the familiar eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose rear- or four-wheel drive. Quad-cab and crew-cab versions are available, but only with the five-foot seven-inch bed. Curiously, the Warlock will be available in hues other than black, although it's hard to imagine who would risk summoning the ire of the chosen by parading though this dimension in a 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock clad in Blue Streak, Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Diamond Black, Granite Crystal Metallic, Maximum Steel, or True Blue. Pearl White, Delmonico Red, and Flame Red are also available.

Overall, this is a fun take on a value package, but we'd be lying if we didn't say that we think it lacks some of the original Warlock's panache. Where, for instance, is the gold pinstriping that graced the tailgate and body of the original? Will purchasers of the modern Warlock take the time to craft their own wood bed stakes to replicate those of the original? One can only hope.

Buyers should be warned, however, that the Warlock package is only available on the 2019 Ram Classic, which is the value-focused carryover version of the previous Ram 1500 that lacks many of the standard and optional features and styling of the all-new 2019 Ram 1500. That said, the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock goes on sale within the next several weeks with a base MSRP of $37,040. So the Warlock is a good value, and there's nothing sinister about that.

The interior keeps things basic with has a vinyl floor and either vinyl or cloth upholstery for the seats.

Modern pickups can come with luxury features that rival what you'd find in a BMW or Audi, but there are still folks who just want a truck that can work hard without all the amenities. The 2019 Ram 3500 Tradesman is the brand's choice for customers who value heavy hauling above all else.

The 2019 Ram 3500 Tradesman is available in a utilitarian combination of a two-door, long-bed body, and rear-wheel drive. Buyers can get the Ram HD's updated 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six engine that produces 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts) and a stump-pulling 1,000 pound-feet (1,356 Newton-meters) of torque. A 4:10-ratio gear set lets the hauler two up to 35,100 pounds with a gooseneck.

The truck is also available with a gasoline-drinking 6.4-liter V8 offering 410 hp horsepower (306 kW) and 429 lb-ft (581 Nm) of torque. It still allows for hauling 7,680 pounds

The Ram HD Tradesman has a spartan exterior. There's simple black trim in places like the grille and its surround where most trims would have body-color or metallic pieces, although chrome is an optional upgrade. Halogen headlights come standard. Buyers get 17-inch steel wheels but can upgrade to 18-inch chrome parts.

Inside, the Tradesman keeps things simple with vinyl floors and crank windows. Customers can pick between vinyl or cloth upholstery for the seats. There are Construction Yellow needles for the gauges and a 3.5-inch grayscale display in the instrument cluster. However, there's still modern active safety tech available to add like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking with trailer brakes.

The Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for decades. The chances of that changing anytime soon are slim to none. But the battle for the number sales slot has finally become interesting. Typically, the Chevrolet Silverado has been the second-best-selling truck, while the Ram 1500 had to settle for a distant third. Not anymore. According to sales figures for the first quarter of 2019, the Ram 1500 has taken the number two spot away from the Silverado.

Here’s the precise breakdown: a total of 114,313 Silverado have been sold so far this year, meanwhile 120,026 Ram 1500s were sold, a 15 percent increase compared to the same time year. Meanwhile, 214,611 F-Series pickups were sold. The 1500’s defeat of the Silverado may only be a little over 6,000 units, but that’s not Chevrolet’s biggest problem.

The real concern is that Silverado sales have dropped nearly 16 percent compared to this time in 2018. Even sales of the GMC Sierra are down by 2.2 percent to 40,546 units. However, combined Silverado and Sierra sales are still more than the Ram. It also needs to be pointed out that the Ram’s sales figures include both the previous generation 1500, now called the 1500 Classic, and the latest generation. But still, this is a trend GM won’t take kindly to, especially since it just invested a lot of time and expense to redesign its full-size truck twins.

The Ram 1500’s also recent redesign has won praise, us included, for its refinement, cleverly designed features, and its almost seamless ability to blend luxury and ruggedness into a single package. GM’s trucks, for some, did not go far enough to advance the segment in the same way the Ram 1500 has done. The sales results from the first fourth of this year may reflect that some consumers think the same. But there’s still plenty of time left this year for Chevrolet to rebound.

This year will be the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, an event and a track Ram has sponsored for the past 10 years. To celebrate the milestones, Ram's unveiled a Kentucky Derby Limited Edition of the recently introduced 2500 HD and 3500 HD. The truck maker specced equipment meant to give breeders and their crews confidence when hauling multi-million-dollar, 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. That means trailering technology like the 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer-reverse guidance, fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep, and air suspension with bed lowering. There's also Forward Collision Warning-Plus with trailer braking, and a bed step.

Starting with the Limited trim, those features come as part of the Limited Level 1 Equipment Group, Towing Technology Group, and 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Towing Group. That bundle throws in the Uconnect 12-inch touchscreen radio with Sirius XM 360L and navigation, power-retracting running boards and blind-spot monitoring, too. The combined price of those packages alone is $3,885. Ram has priced the Kentucky Derby trucks at $66,890 for the 2500 HD, $68,240 for the 3500, plus a $1,695 destination fee for both. That's $2,250 more than the base price of the 2500 Limited, and just $625 more than the entry-level 3500 Limited.

The extra-cost equipment doesn't end there, though. A billet-appearance grille sets the tone up front, body-colored bumpers are fitted front and rear, and a DOT safety kit gets stashed in a cubby. The interior's been dressed in black and saddle brown leather with greystone stitching and piping.

Ram has capped production at 1,000 units, available in almost every configuration possible on the 2500 and 3500: Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel I-6 in standard or 1,000 foot-pound trim, 6.4-liter Hemi V8,
4x2 or 4x4, Mega Cab or Crew Cab, single rear wheel or dual rear wheel, 6-foot-4 or 8-foot bed lengths. The only exclusion appears to be that you can't order the truck in Billet Silver Metallic, one hue in the eight-strong exterior palette. If you're OK with that, then giddy up.

We've been eagerly awaiting Ram's answer to the ultra-capable, high-performance Ford F-150 Raptor since the FCA brand revealed the Ram Rebel TRX concept in 2016. We don't have to wait much longer. Soon there will be a burly Ram pickup with a whole lotta supercharger whine on the streets. According to this post on Twitter today, the 2021 Ram TRX will make its official debut this summer.

The TRX concept was equipped with a 575-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, but if we know FCA as the power-hungry company it is, we think Ram will ditch that lousy amount of power to use the full capability of the Hellcat's 707 ponies. The whine produced by the Hellcat's supercharger is hard to miss and was very apparent when our spy photographer spied a TRX prototype testing last year.

As for the TRX's looks, we know that it'll sit pretty high compared to the standard Ram 1500 and that it gets specially designed wheels and rugged fender flares. Like the F-150 Raptor, and of course the Ram Rebel, we expect the TRX to have a unique, more aggressive grille and bumpers. In other words, the TRX will have the looks to back its insane powertrain.

Expect to hear more about the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX pickup in the coming months. It should arrive early next year as a 2021 model with an expected starting price around $56,000.

CarsDirect crossed paths with a Ram dealer order guide revealing a 2021 Ram 1500 Classic. That news nugget means the fourth-generation Ram truck will get a third year on the market sold alongside the fifth-generation Ram 1500 that entered production for 2019. FCA didn't need more help being the undisputed king of successfully milking a platform (Challenger or Grand Caravan, anyone?), but a 13th year of what's now the Ram 1500 Classic puts local competition out of reach. This truck greeted the world for 2009, when Chrysler — then an unalloyed automaker owned by Cerberus — marched 115 head of cattle down a Detroit street in January to create a spectacle for what was to be the brand-new 2009 Dodge Ram.

The order guide showed a $250 bump over the 2020MY pickup, for a total of $30,145 after a $1,695 destination charge to get into a Tradesman regular cab 4x2 powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. That's the only change CarsDirect mentioned for the new year. The fifth-generation Ram 1500 in its base trim, a Tradesman Quad Cab 4x2, is $3,800 more expensive.

However, it's important to note that there's a full line-up of Ram Classics. It's not just the stripper Tradesman model. You can't get the high-dollar Longhorn or Limited, but there's still the mid-grade Big Horn, leather-lined Laramie and the above-pictured Warlock, which is a sort of Rebel-lite model.

Some take the Classic's undying existence as a way for Ram to lure mid-size pickup buyers with the most inexpensive full-size pickup. It's possible, yet midsize buyers often don't want to deal with the size and bills that come with full-size trucks, never mind the higher MSRP. One size down, the 2021 Ram Classic costs roughly $1,500 more than a base Tacoma, $4,000 more than a Ford Ranger, and $7,000 more than a Chevrolet Canyon. Incentives this month can take as much as $6,250 off the Ram's price, but Ram isn't alone in putting money on the hood.

Besides, the Ram Classic isn't a runaway price champ compared to other full-sizers. A 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 regular cab 4x2 starts at $30,095, and next year's Ford F-150 will start at $30,635 after destination. The Ram Classic makes more sense as a base-truck competitor for full-size competition, one that pays a lot more profit to FCA. And having the old guard on duty did help Ram outsell the Chevrolet Silverado last year.