CHICAGO MOTOR SHOW: RAM 2500 Off-road Package

Fiat Chrysler has dragged the covers off a rugged new off-road package for its RAM 1500 pick-up, first deliveries from new Australian converter American Special Vehicles (ASV) commenced last month.

Asked about the chances of the RAM 2500 4x4 Off-road Package being offered here, ASV spokesman Daniel Cotterill said: "Our focus is very much on getting started properly with our 2500 and 3500 RAM Laramie vehicles. Anything else would have to wait until after that."

American Special Vehicles is a joint venture between independent importer Ateco Automotive and Walkinshaw Automotive Group. ASV imports RAM trucks direct from the factory and converts them to right-hand drive on a dedicated production line in Clayton, Melbourne.

ASV offers the RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 in top-spec Laramie dual-cab form with full Australian Design Rule compliance, priced at $139,500 and $146,500 plus on-roads respectively.

Both are powered by a Cummins 6.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engine producing 276kW and 1084Nm, with power fed to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Payloads run from 913kg for the 2500 to 1713kg for the 3500, with hefty towing limits of 6989 and 6170kg respectively.

The RAM 2500's hard-core 4x4 package raises the bar significantly, by adding a limited-slip differential, transfer case protection, Bilstein monotube shocks, Firestone LT 275/70R all-terrain tyres, big front tow hooks, larger black or body-coloured wheel-arch flares and an upgraded stability control system with hill descent control.

Of course, there's a chunkier cosmetic package to go with the more hard-core hardware, including '4x4 Off-ROAD' decals, and the option of a new 'RamBox Holster' rack accessory.

In the US, the RAM 2500 4x4 Off-road Package will be available from the third quarter of this year with Crew Cab and Mega Cab body styles, short- and long-wheelbase configurations, petrol and diesel engines and all RAM trim levels, including Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn/Lone Star, Outdoorsman, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Limited.

“Truck customers require a wide range of off-road capability options and Ram trucks are designed and engineered for the full spectrum,” said Bob Hegbloom, head of FCA North America's Ram Truck brand, which has been a standalone sub-brand since 2009.

“Anyone who spends most days on the outskirts of a job site or the weekend on the shore of a favorite fishing hole will benefit from the standard features on our new Ram 2500 4x4 Off-road Package.”