Diesel power comes to Ram 1500

RAM Trucks Australia has lobbed pricing for its diesel-powered 1500 Laramie full-size pick-up, dubbed EcoDiesel, that will sit atop the entry-level truck line-up at $109,950 plus on-road costs.

As the new flagship for the 1500 range, the Laramie EcoDiesel is $30,000 pricier than the model-opening $79,950 Express and $10,000 more expensive than the $99,950 Laramie – both powered by a 291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre Hemi petrol V8.

Propelling the EcoDiesel, however, is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 that outputs 179kW of power at 3600rpm and 569Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

All Ram 1500 vehicles send drive to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, but crucially the oil-burner sips just 11.9 litres per 100km compared to its petrol sibling’s 12.2L/100km economy rating.

The 1500 Laramie EcoDiesel also outmuscles its smaller rivals in torque, including the 157kW/500Nm Ford Ranger Raptor, 147kW/500Nm HSV Colorado SportsCat and 190kW/550Nm Mercedes-Benz X350d; but falls just shy of the Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Ultimate’s 190kW/580Nm output.

Of note, the Ram 1500 Laramie EcoDiesel is also at least $30,000 more expensive than its aforementioned competitors.

However, the Ram 1500 is also larger – measuring 5817mm long, 2017mm wide and 1990mm tall with a 3571mm wheelbase – and features a 3500kg braked towing capacity and a 735kg payload rating.

When compared to its petrol-powered 1500 siblings, though, the EcoDiesel is down on braked towing and payload ability by 1000kg and 100kg respectively.
 
Matching the petrol 1500 Laramie in specification, the EcoDiesel is equipped with 20-inch wheels, while its grille, bumper, door mirrors and exhaust tips are all trimmed in chrome.
 
Inside, the EcoDiesel is fitted with an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and a nine-speaker sound system as well as leather trim, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row pews, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry, push-button start and rear air vents.

Standard safety systems include front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring and a bevy of airbags.