Peek-A-Boo! 2019 Ram 1500 Slips From Under Covers

TopSpeed

By Mark McNabb

Published Jan 3, 2018

The crosshair grille is officially gone

The next-generation Ram 1500 will debut in a few weeks’ time at the Detroit Auto Show on January 15 to much anticipation. Yet ahead of the show, we’re getting a solid look at the half-ton’s new grille and front fascia design. Gone is the iconic crosshair grille design that’s been a mainstay since 1994. It’s replaced by a six-sided grille with the R-A-M logo brazened right in the center.

This is a change Ram has been preparing its customers for over the last few years. Trim levels like the Ram Rebel and Laramie Longhorn have departed from the traditional grille in favor of a nostril-style grille with the R-A-M logo rather than the ram’s head emblem.

The 2019 Ram also features headlights and fog lights are more integrated into the body; the stepped fenders and tall hood are reduced to a barely-noticeable feature on the new truck. Thankfully, the tow hooks are still easily accessible, and the air dam seems to be rather minimal for a better approach angle.

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What We Know

The 2019 Ram 1500 might be completely new, but it’s shaping up to be more evolutionary versus revolutionary. The venerable 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission are expected to return, as well as the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, though perhaps with the automatic start/stop feature found on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL. Last but not least, the lovely 3.0-liter EcoDiesel will return, though with the healthy boost in power that is scheduled for the Jeep, as well. Horsepower is up from 240 to 260, while torque moves from 420 to 442 pound-feet.

We also know the Ram’s tailgate will be getting an innovative new feature. As we reported in November 2017, the tailgate will have a vertical split (roughly 70/30) that will allow for either side to operate independently. The tailgate will also swing open like French doors, while still being able to fold flat like conventional tailgates. The RamBox storage system should return, as well.

The interior will have the latest version of Uconnect, the Uconnect 4 system, along with a large vertically oriented screen. The gauge cluster should see an enlarged driver information screen, too. The rotary shift knob for the eight-speed automatic will also be present.

Save for pricing and final fuel economy numbers; Ram will announce all the official details come January 15, 2018, at the Detroit Auto Show. Of course, Ram won’t be the only new half-ton truck from a domestic automaker. General Motors will debut the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. We’ve already gotten a substantial view of the Chevy at the automaker’s centennial celebration at the Texas Motor Speedway in December 2017. Still, we know nothing beyond what the Trailboss trim package looks like from the outside. GMC could also debut the 2019 Sierra at Detroit, as well. The GMC is expected to have a greater departure from the Chevy, giving GM customers more variety rather than different grilles and badges.

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