The Ram 1500 has become lighter, stronger, and gibridnye

15 January 2018

A new generation of American pickup truck remained conservative

In Russia a large pickup truck Ram 1500 is a great novelty from another part of the world: to us he never delivered, and deliver it only enthusiasts. At the same time in the US market is one of the most popular cars on the mass it is inferior only to two other players of the same segment, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. And since the Ram 1500 with a huge margin the best-selling model of the concern FCA, we can only imagine how the company came to the creation of a new generation.

The updated frame consists of 98% high-strength steel. Overall, the car became lighter by 100 kg (the same frame accounts for approximately half of the total effect of diet). At the same time, the engineers did not become widely used aluminium: it made only the hood and tailgate (compare with the same Ford F-150, whose body is almost completely made of "winged metal").

More hardy frame allowed it to increase load capacity up to 1 043 kg (was 853). In addition, almost a ton (5 760 kg) increased the maximum weight of the towed trailer. Noticeable improvement in other aspects. In particular, the manufacturer calls the Ram 1500 the most streamlined pickup class: a drag coefficient 0,357.

From the point of view of the technical stuffing of the fundamental differences of this model from the former is not noticeable. The two main motors in the Ram 1500 lineup will remain the good old "atmosfernyi": V6 Pentastar volume of 3.6-liter and 5.7-liter V8 HEMI. Their power is 309 and 400 horsepower, respectively. The place remains and eight-speed automatic, although it supposedly upgraded.

But from now on, all series pickup trucks Ram 1500 will be "mild hybrids." They will be equipped with starter-generators eTorque with a belt drive which will help you start and during the shutdown half of the cylinders. Built-in electric motor has a rod 122 to 176 N·m. 

In the ranks will remain the off-road version of the Rebel. Now from a regular pickup truck it is not only 33-inch wheels, increased ground clearance, Bilstein shock absorbers and a modified grille, but the headlamps.

Sales of the new Ram 1500 in the United States will begin in the current quarter.