Ram Prices 1500 EcoDiesel, Adds 6.4-Liter V-8 and Air Suspension to HD Models

Earlier this year, Ram announced that it would be the first automaker to bring a diesel-powered full-size pickup to the U.S. market, which had us rather excited. But after discovering that the same 3.0-liter V-6 diesel was a $4500 option in the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel, we were a bit apprehensive as to what sort of premium Ram would charge for the option on its trucks. As it turns out, the brand says that its oil-burning 1500 will cost buyers $2850 more than a similarly equipped Hemi-powered truck. Ram didn't release full pricing information, but the base truck will start at $25,295—that's an increase of $800 over last year's model. Based on this, we're expecting that the EcoDiesel-driven 1500 won't be had for much less than $30,000. Also new for the 1500 this year is a front-park assist system. Ram has other news, too, in that its 2500 HD model ditches its leaf springs in favor of a multilink setup; both it and the 3500 HD have available air-suspension setups, and both receive a new-to-the-lineup 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. Prices for the 2500 HD start at $30,695; pricing for the 3500 HD was not announced. The new V-8 offers up a best-in-class-for-a-gasoline-engine 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The new mill joins the 383-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 as well as the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel that's available in three states of tune producing from 350 horsepower and 660 lb-ft all the way up to 385 horses and 850 lb-ft of twist. The new 6.4-liter Hemi will cost $1495 more than a similarly equipped 5.7-liter unit, and will be the first gasoline engine available in Ram's 3500 dually offerings. Long-Term Road Test Intro: 2013 Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4×4 First Drive: 2013 Ram 2500 / 3500 HD Feature: Twist and Clout—Inside the Heavy-Duty-Truck Torque War The optional air suspension in the 2500 replaces the standard suspension's coil springs and also provides self-leveling capability. The 3500′s optional air suspension, however, merely serves as a complementary feature to its leaf-sprung suspension. Production of Ram's latest heavy-duty offerings will begin production this fall with sales beginning soon thereafter. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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