Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93737
FIRSTDRIVE By Bruce W. Smith New half-tons show the boys at Ram Truck are not afraid of innovations and refi nement; 8-speed automatic and more fuel-effi cient engines should be attractive to fl eet buyers E ight-speed automatic, air suspension, electric power steering, elec- tronic upgrades and a host of other aerodynamic, suspension and interior changes pave the way for the 2013 Ram 1500s to make what could be the biggest forward step in the history of the company's half-ton pickups. Combine those improvements with a new 305hp V-6, which gets an estimated 25mpg high- way and 18mpg city, and the Hemi gaining a solid 10-percent jump in fuel economy, and you have a combination sure to make a lot of loyal Ram owners beat feet to their dealers this year and next to trade up for a new model. At least that's my initial im- pression after spending a little time driving several diff erent 22 PROPICKUP October 2012 versions of the new Ram 1500s this summer. HEALTHY V-6 OPTION From my perspective, the biggest advancements of interest to pickup fl eets large and small are in power and fuel economy. The Pentastar 3.6L V-6 pulled in from the 2012 Jeep Grand Chero- kee ($1,000 option over the Ram's base 4.7L V-8) is pumping out 42 percent more horsepower and 20 percent better fuel economy Optional air suspension is industry fi rst in full-size pickups. Self-leveling is just one advantage to contractors. than the 3.7L it replaces. You can really feel the diff erence, too. Ram's new V-6, which comes packaged with with the close- ratio TorqueFlite 8 automatic, might actually perform better than the standard 4.7L V-8 – and with far better fuel economy. I consistently saw fuel numbers in the low 20s during my drive time around the country roads and interstates of central Tennes- see in a crew cab SLT 4x4 with the optional air suspension. What impressed me most about that particular pickup is how well the 8-speed automatic worked with the V-6. The shifts are equally spaced all the way into the two overdrive gears for strong power delivery