Ram leads from the front

THE great pickup war has officially started with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles RAMping up the pace with its recent launch of the new 2019 Ram 1500 loaded up with technology, as Ford and General Motors prepare to roll out new vehicles.

The stunning Ram has already generated rave reviews by motoring correspondents such as GulfWeekly’s Kristian Harrison who put it through its paces in Dubai and it received a spectacular unveiling by dealers Behbehani Brothers at the Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain beach resort.

“In launching the all-new 2019 Ram 1500, we knew it was important to offer class-leading features and technology. But it’s also important to offer our great product at a competitive price,” said Mike Manley, head of the Ram brand, in a statement. “We feel that we’ve delivered the right no-compromise mix that Ram Truck customers will appreciate.”

GM are targeting the market with the new Silverado due out later this year. Ford, meanwhile, plans to roll out a Ranger midsize truck early next year.

Available only in the four-door crew-cab body style for now, the new Ram 1500 is offered in Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie and Limited trims for the GCC region. The exterior styling is a departure from the Ram’s previous three generations’ big rig looks, with a selection of grille designs and headlight configurations based on the trim you buy. The top-dog Limited features the most chrome, and also comes with 22-inch wheels and electric-folding side-steps. The Rebel gets a black cladded look with 18-inch wheels, slightly lifted ride height and fixed side steps.

Inside, the abundantly-spacious Ram features stitched leather on the dash, doors and sides of the centre-console as well as a huge 12-inch touchscreen with Uconnect in the Limited version. This offers plenty of features including split-screen capability, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and new Type-C USB ports that charge devices up to four times faster than standard USB outlet

The screen is responsive and easy to navigate through various options, and there are still physical buttons for the main A/C controls along the sides. The Rebel and other versions have an 8.4-inch touchscreen.

With plenty of leather and real wood trim, the cabin of the RAM 1500 is luxurious – a feeling that is heightened with a class-leading 45.1-inch inches of rear legroom, heated and ventilated rear seats, and plenty of storage areas around the cabin, behind the seats, and under the floor. This includes a centre storage box that can be configured in 12 different ways to suit different purposes.

Still powered by a 395bhp 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 552Nm of torque and mated to a knob-controlled eight-speed automatic (with gear-limiter buttons on the steering wheel), the Ram is adequately powerful for daily driving.

Best of all, the motor has cylinder-deactivation tech, which cuts the number of cylinders being used to power the engine to preserve fuel. Indeed, the fuel economy hovers around 17 litres/100 km, which is fantastic for a segment usually stereotyped as gas-guzzling.

Underneath, the Ram’s ladder frame is held up by coil-spring rear suspension in contrast to rivals’ rear leaf springs. Height-adjustable air suspension is optional, as is a locking rear differential, although neither make a huge difference if you don’t intend to do anything more than minor off-roading.

For those who regularly venture off the beaten track, there is an optional 4X4 Off-Road Package, which includes a factory-fitted suspension lift, electronic locking rear axle, tuned shocks and off-road tyres.

The starting price is BD16,600. For more information, visit the Behbehani Brothers showroom in Sitra or call 17459955.