Official release: Ram 1500
Ram has made a preliminary release of the 2012 Ram 1500 figures, verifying some Allpar predictions. The Ram 1500 will come with a six-speed automatic with electronic range select and a new, more efficient torque converter; no details beyond those were given (pickuptrucks.com claims there are only five speeds in normal, full automatic use). The 2012 Rams use the new corporate steering wheel, and have new colors: Black Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red, Deep Molten Red, Sagebrush, True Blue Pearl and Tequila Sunrise.
There are now eleven Ram 1500 models: Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn. A factory spray-in bed liner is available on all of them.
Aerodynamics are now best in class with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.419. Ram 1500 remains the only full size pickup with a coil-spring, multilink rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle for unexpected ride and handling capabilities. The power-boosted Hemi engine now produces 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft with 20 mpg; the R/T can do 0-60 in 6.1 seconds.
The industry-first RamBox® cargo management system includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins built into bed rails; as predicted, it is now available in Quad Cab and short bed Regular Cab Pickup with a bed divider/2-foot bed extender; and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats. RamBox bins hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages, or other gear for work or leisure
Ram continues its first-in-segment “store in the floor” storage bins with removable liners, big enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice; first-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats with optional heated rear seats; first-in-segment surround-sound audio system; and standard four-wheel anti-lock brake system and electronic stability program with Hill-start Assist and Trailer-sway Control. Side seat airbags will arrive late in the model year.
In addition to the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 which produces 390 horsepower (283 kW), 407 lb.-ft. (548 N•m) of torque and 20 mpg, the 2012 Ram 1500 can be purchased with:
- a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter V-8 providing 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N•m) of torque, or
- a 3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque;
Buyers can choose from part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 axle ratios.
A frame design incorporating high-strength steel supports segment-exclusive, multi-link coil spring rear suspension that improves ride and handling characteristics without sacrificing payload (up to 1,850 pounds) and towing capability (up to 10,250 pounds).
