Bigger, bolder new RAM 1500 now on sale

RAM Trucks Australia has pitched its new-generation DT-series RAM 1500 pick-up truck directly at the Chevrolet Silverado, setting a $115K entry price that’s almost line-ball with its crosstown rival.

Starting at $114,950 plus on-road costs for the 2021 RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab, the DT-series line-up is now on sale alongside existing DS RAM models and has kicked-off with three new variants.

As well as the Laramie, which is just $960 more expensive than Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium that starts at $113,990 plus ORCs, the DT-series RAM 1500 is also available as a Limited and a Limited Launch Edition Crew Cab, both priced at $139,950 plus ORCs.

The current DS-series 1500 models that continue are the Express Quad Cab (from $79,950), Express Crew Cab (from $89,950) and Warlock Crew Cab (from $108,950), while Ram Trucks Australia has confirmed that heavier-duty DT-series 2500 and 3500 models will arrive later this year.

The big American-built pick-up trucks are converted to right-hand drive by Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Group, which is also responsible for remanufacturing the Chevrolet Silverado that’s sold through General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV).

The new DT 1500 Laramie and Limited use an upgraded version of the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 petrol engine that now has a 48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid system that is said to boost efficiency and driveability but continues to output 291kW and 556Nm of torque.

The official fuel consumption figure is also unchanged at 12.2L/100km.

The V8 drives through the same eight-speed automatic transmission but swaps out the part-time 4x4 system for full-time on-demand four-wheel drive that adds 4WD Auto in addition to selectable 2WD High and 4WD High/Low.

There’s a variety of other detail mechanical changes but the headline figures don’t change much – maximum braked towing capacity is 4500kg, payload is 833kg for the Laramie (down to 701kg on Limited), and kerb weight ranges from 2617kg to 2749kg.

The high-spec cabin has received a full workover, with the longer and wider crew cab building on the already generous space with an extra 80mm in length and more than 150 litres of internal storage capacity.

Wheelbase has increased to 3672mm while the DT 1500 now stretches almost six metres from nose to tail (5916mm).

Standard features on the Laramie include 20-inch wheels, air suspension, active aerodynamic aids and, inside, heated leather seats (front and rear) and a fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment system with 12.0-inch touch-screen and split-screen display.

There’s also Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, voice-controlled sat-nav, wireless phone charging pad and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo with 900W amplifier, 10-inch subwoofer and active noise cancellation.

Advanced driver assist safety systems become available with the DT series, but most of these are contained in a $4950 option pack.

They include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, ParkSense parallel/perpendicular parking and a 360-degree camera.

Other options include metallic/pearlescent paint ($950) and, on Laramie only, electric auto-deploy side steps ($1950) and the RamBox integrated storage system ($4950).

RamBox and the powered side steps are standard on the Limited, which also gets 22-inch wheels, LED projector headlights, a full-length dual-pane panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats and other premium features.

Details on the Limited Launch Edition are still to come.

RAM Trucks Australia says there are 400 locally-sourced new parts in the DT’s transformation from left- to right-hand drive and that the Aussie R&D program included 50,000 hours of pre-build development, 80,000km of road rolling testing, 50,000km of real-world road driving and 20,000km of durability testing at the Anglesea Proving Ground in Victoria.

There was also a 30,000km final validation trip from Melbourne to Broome, across to Townsville and back down to the Melbourne via Alice Springs.

“The all-new 1500 DT marks the culmination of a detailed planning, development, remanufacturing and testing program with our local and global partners, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles,” said RAM Trucks Australia national manager Jeff Barber.

“With the all-new 2500 and 3500 also arriving later this year – and some other exciting developments – 2021 looks set to be a record year for RAM Trucks Australia.”

The 2021 RAM 1500 TRX is coming late this year, packing in a 500kW-plus 6.2-litre supercharged V8 and priced from about $180,000.

How much does the 2021 RAM 1500 cost?
DS Express Quad Cab – $79,950
DS Express Crew Cab – $89,950
DS Warlock Crew Cab – $108,950
DT Laramie Crew Cab – $114,950
DT Limited Crew Cab – $139,950
DT Limited Launch Edition Crew Cab – $139,950

* Prices exclude on-road costs