Ram toughens up 1500, 2500 pick-ups
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 25th Mar 2019
RAM Trucks Australia has released a minor model-year update for its 1500 pick-up range that ushers in a fresh look, increased specification and significant price cuts for some variants.
The flagship Laramie grade remains exclusively available with a Crew Cab body style and a 5’7” tub, priced from an unchanged $99,950 plus on-road costs, while its RamBoxes storage option still adds $4500.
While standard specification remains the same, the Laramie picks up a new chrome grille with ‘Ram’ lettering and horizontal louvres, while the tailgate now features chrome ‘Ram’ lettering that is raised and 300mm high.
The same visual changes have been applied to the larger 2500 Crew Cab line-up that instead features a 6’4” tub. Its pricing is unchanged, ranging from $139,950 to $150,950.
The entry-level 1500 Express Quad Cab has the same 6’4” tub, but it has added a reversing camera and Trailer Brake Control as standard equipment.
Despite its increased specification, the Express still starts from $79,950, with its optional Ramboxes continuing to add $4500.
However, Black Pack versions of the pair, which darken the chrome exterior trim, are now $4500 cheaper, at $89,450 and $93,950 respectively.
The 1500 is still motivated by a 5.7-litre Hemi naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine that produces 291kW of power at 5600rpm and 556Nm of torque at 3950rpm, with drive sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. Maximum braked towing capacity is 4500kg.
“Since its launch last year, the RAM 1500 has proven to be the outstanding success for Ram in Australia that we expected, a point proven in February by the Australian production line achieving more than 200 vehicles remanufactured in a month for the first time,” Ram Trucks Australia general manager Alex Stewart said.
“More of a surprise has been the number of people wanting the luxurious top-of-the-range specification of the 1500 Laramie matched to aftermarket performance features such as the sport bonnet and the sports exhaust.
“In response to this demand, we have moved from the tradition Ram ‘crosshair’ grille to the chrome grille with the word ‘Ram’ emblazoned across its front.
“Given the performance of the Hemi V8, many people’s first sight of a Ram 1500 will be as it goes past them, so, once again, there is no mistaking the Ram 1500, it now has ‘Ram’ adorning the tailgate in 30cm-high raised chrome lettering.”
Sales of the 1500 are off a strong start this year, with 125 and 90 examples of the Express and Laramie sold to the end of February respectively.
The 2500 and 3500 have combined for 49 units – an increase of 113.0 per cent over the 23 deliveries made during the same period in 2018.
2019 Ram 1500 pricing*
| Express Quad Cab 6’4” tub (a) | $79,950 |
| Express Quad Cab 6’4” tub with RamBoxes (a) | $84,450 |
| Express Quad Cab 6’4” tub Black Pack (a) | $84,950 |
| Express Quad Cab 6’4” tub Black Pack with RamBoxes (a) | $89,450 |
| Laramie Crew Cab 5’7” tub (a) | $99,950 |
| Laramie Crew Cab 5’7” tub with RamBoxes (a) | $104,450 |
*Excludes on-road costs
2019 Ram 2500 pricing*
| Laramie Crew Cab 6’4” tub (a) | $139,950 |
| Laramie Crew Cab 6’4” tub with RamBoxes (a) | $144,350 |
| Laramie Crew Cab 6’4” tub Sport Appearance Pack (a) | $146,550 |
| Laramie Crew Cab 6’4” tub Sport Appearance Pack with RamBoxes (a) | $150,950 |
*Excludes on-road costs