RAM launches 1500 diesel

RAM Trucks Australia has announced pricing for the long-awaited diesel version of its hot-selling RAM 1500, but the news isn’t good for anyone holding out on a cut-price oil-burning full-size 4×4 dual-cab pick-up.

The diesel RAM 1500 is available only in top-spec Laramie form and will command a $10,000 price premium over the circa-$100K 5.7-litre petrol V8 version, at $109,950 plus on-road costs.

And of course, all RAM 1500s sold in Australia remain based on the previous-generation (DS-series) RAM 1500 Classic, as it’s known in the US, where the old model continues in production alongside the all-new (DT-series) RAM 1500 released in the US last year.

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Similarly, RAM continues to build superseded versions of the heavy-duty RAM 2500 and 3500 trucks in the US, where the all-new MY19 versions were launched in April.

In Australia, the MY18 RAM 3500 has been discontinued and the MY18 RAM 2500 is in run-out, after which RAM Trucks Australia will be without both HD models until the third quarter of 2020, when upgraded (not all-new) ‘MY19/20’ RAM 2500/3500 models will join the newly released MY19 RAM 1500 here.

RAM Trucks Australia and New Zealand chief Alex Stewart confirmed that work to convert the redesigned DT-series RAM utes to right-hand drive has already begun, but cautioned they remain a long way away from local showrooms.

“At the moment we don’t have the DT in our model line-up. We’re focussing on the DS, but at some point we will produce the DT,” he said.

“That’s a timing issue. Things have to be structured from a model line and appropriate timing point of view. It’s still some time away.”

Stewart said RAM Trucks Australia’s first diesel RAM 1500 was delayed in part due to overwhelming demand for the V8-powered RAM 1500 (priced from $79,950), which joined the larger RAM 2500 (from $139,950) in July 2018.

The RAM Trucks Australia ‘remanufacturing’ process at the Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s Clayton facility in Melbourne has been working three shifts for 24 hours a day since June 1 to clear a backlog of more than 460 orders.

The facility, which also produces Holden Colorado SportsCat by HSV utes and converts Chevrolet Silverado pick-ups and Chevrolet Camaro coupes too, produced more than 200 vehicles a month for the first time in February, but will exceed that this month with 24/5 production as it ramps up to build 4500 RAMs in 2020.

RAM Trucks Australia has sold more than 1000 RAM 2500s since January 2016, more than 1500 RAM 1500s since July 2018 and will notch up 3000 total sales this year.

Like the upgraded MY19 RAM 1500 V8 released in March, the MY19 RAM 1500 diesel eschews the traditional RAM ‘crosshair’ grille with bold chrome unit with big RAM lettering, and adds 300mm raised chrome RAM badging to the tailgate.

Apart from the MY19 RAM 1500’s new ‘high viz’ badging, the updated RAM 1500 V8 Express also gains a reversing camera and Trailer Brake Control, but the diesel won’t be available in entry-level Express form, which like the bigger RAM 2500 Laramie gets a longer (6’4”) tub – up from 5’7”.

That’s because – contrary to expectations — the majority of demand is for more expensive Laramie versions, which account for about 60 per cent of RAM 1500 sales.

And while there’s bigger demand for the RAM 1500 in cities than rural areas, where more RAM 2500s are sold, Stewart said diesels will account for only around 10 per cent of RAM 1500 sales.

“Diesel will be a very small percentage of our [RAM 1500] sales,” he said. “It will appeal to a certain part of the marketplace.”

Low expected demand for the MY19 RAM 1500 Laramie EcoDiesel, which like all RAM 1500s is available exclusively in 4×4 Crew Cab form with an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, is partly due to its lower towing and payload capacities.

While the RAM 1500 V8 can tow up to 4.5 tonnes, the diesel is limited to 3500kg — the same as most mid-size 4×4 dual-cabs, many of which offer a bigger payload too.

The EcoDiesel has a payload of 735kg, kerb weight of 2715kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3450kg and gross combination mass (GCM) of 6692kg. For comparison, the RAM 1500 V8’s figures are 800kg, 2650kg, 3450kg and 6261kg (7237kg with a shorter 3.92 diff) respectively.

With ADR 81/02 Combined fuel consumption of 11.9L/100km (and CO2 emissions of 315g/km), nor is the RAM 1500 diesel significantly more efficient than the RAM 1500 V8.

With a taller 3.21 rear axle ratio, the petrol RAM 1500 actually consumes less fuel at 9.9L/100km and emit ‘only’ 230g/km (12.2L/100km and 283g/km with a 3.92 diff). Unlike the V8, the EcoDiesel is only available with the shorter 3.92 final drive gearing.

The MY19 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel runs the same VM Motori 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 that’s been available in the US since 2014, with minor emissions-related ECU updates. Like the V8, it has a Euro 5 emissions rating.

Outputs are 179kW of power at 3600rpm and 569Nm of torque at 2000rpm, making it less powerful but slightly torquier than the 5.7-litre petrol V8 (291kW/556Nm). The same diesel V6 offers up to 202kW/600Nm in the Maserati Levante SUV. Service intervals are as per the V8 at 12 months or 12,000km.

For reference, the RAM 2500 is powered exclusively by a 6.7-litre Cummins straight-six turbo-diesel delivering 276kW/1084Nm, matched with a six-speed auto and 3.42 axle ratio. It has a 913kg payload and towing capacity of up to 6942kg.

As with the RAM 1500 Laramie V8, standard equipment for the EcoDiesel includes coil springs and disc brakes at all four corners, plus five heated seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment touch-screen, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nine-speaker Alpine audio, front seat ventilation, part leather trim, dual-zone climate-control, adjustable pedals and auto high-beam and wipers, but rear RamBoxes aren’t available with the diesel.

Standard safety features include six airbags including side curtains, stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, trailer sway control, hill start assist, reversing camera, tyre pressure monitoring, front/rear parking sensors and cruise control.

The MY19 RAM 1500 Laramie 4×4 Crew Cab EcoDiesel is available from 47 RAM dealers in Australia, backed by a three-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance.

How much do RAM Trucks cost?
RAM 1500 Express Quad Cab V8 — $79,950
RAM 1500 Express Quad Cab V8 Black Pack — $84,950
RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab V8 — $99,950
RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab EcoDiesel — $109,950
RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Cab — $139,950
RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Cab Sport Pack — $146,550

Options:
Pearl paint — $950
Metallic paint — $950
Wheel to wheel side steps — $1500 (2500 only)
Trifold tonneau cover — $1795
RamBoxes — $4500 (N/A for EcoDiesel)