Top 10 Highlights from Ram’s First 10 Years
Ram trucks became a standalone brand of the Chrysler Group (now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, or FCA) in October 2009. Over the following decade, a number of key launches and innovations helped turn Ram into one of the automaker’s two biggest pillars and driving forces along with Jeep.
Here are the top 10 highlights from Ram’s first 10 years…
2009 – RamBox
In 2009, Ram introduced a feature that would become a stalwart in the brand’s portfolio: the RamBox cargo management system. RamBox’s side bins create storage along each side of the pickup bed, space previously left untouched because of wheel-well intrusion. RamBox bins fit the length of the pickup bed and incorporate the space over each wheel well to secure cargo within a lit, lockable and drainable container.
2010 – Crew Cab and Outdoorsman Models
The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks were available for the first time in Crew Cab configuration, making a lot of construction companies and other businesses quite happy. The same year, the Ram 1500 Outdoorsman joined the lineup as a new trim that was designed for hunters, fishermen, campers and boaters, with features and capabilities they look for.
2011 – Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Making its debut at the State Fair of Texas for the 2011 model year, the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn was unveiled as the most luxurious truck ever produced by the automaker. Owners are greeted by the highest-quality materials every time they climb behind the wheel.
2012 – Ram 1500 Tradesman
A new Tradesman Heavy Duty joined the lineup for the 2012 model year and brought with it class-leading towing, payload and gross combined weight rating. Even today, the Tradesman continues to be a value-priced, entry-level model designed to meet the needs of small-business owners, construction jobsites and commercial fleets.
2013 – Improved Looks and New V6
The 2013 Ram 1500 featured new exterior design cues, including an all-new grille and front fascia, plus improved headlamps and taillamps. Best-in-class fuel economy was achieved with the addition of the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine and eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
2014 – 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6
The Ram 1500 was the first modern half-ton, full-size pickup to offer durable, efficient diesel technology. With the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel’s historic debut, Ram customers could enjoy class-leading fuel economy and range, along with torque that was unsurpassed by any full-size truck with a V-6 engine. Believe it or not, its highway rating exceeded that of the top-ranked midsize pickup at the time.
The same year, Ram introduced the ProMaster van and launched a new division to focus on commercial trucks.
2015 – Ram 1500 Rebel
The 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel introduced a one-of-a-kind design and robust off-road capability, enabling the brand to reach even more consumers. Beyond the new “cross-hair” grille and black off-road front bumper, highlights included new front tow hooks, a lifted suspension with Bilstein shocks and new steering calibration.
2016 – Ram Rebel TRX Concept
Seeing a growing demand for performance-focused off-road pickups, like the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ram presented the Rebel TRX concept at the State Fair of Texas. It had a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 producing an unprecedented 575 horsepower. As part of FCA’s recently unveiled five-year plan, the Ram Rebel TRX concept has been approved for production. One word: Hellcat.
2017-2018 – Special Editions and Colours
New standard features were added for 2017, but we mostly remember the Night and Hydro Blue special editions of the Ram 1500 Sport. These machines definitely turned heads and intimidated other drivers around them.
The following year, other special-edition trucks joined the lineup, including the Tungsten and Harvest models. The latter were the industry’s first agricultural market-specific trucks and were visually distinguished by two new colours: Case IH Red and New Holland Blue.
2019 – All-new Ram 1500 and Ram Heavy Duty
The fifth-generation Ram 1500 burst onto the scene with bold new grilles, a more rigid structure, lighter weight and heavily revised suspensions. Let’s not forget the more technologically advanced cabins (dominated by an available 12-inch touchscreen) and the new eTorque mild hybrid system for the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6.
Meanwhile, the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty became the first truck to top 1,000 pound-feet of torque thanks to its Cummins turbo-diesel engine. It can tow massive loads of up to 35,100 pounds.