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he third biggest-selling pick-up in America, where around
40,000 examples are sold every month, the full-size
Ram truck is now available in Australia through a new
right-hand-drive (RHD) conversion operation set up by Ateco
Automotive and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group.
Joining other local conversion and retail outfits such as
Performax International, the newly formed American Special
Vehicles has launched the Ram 2500 and 3500 series trucks
through a 20-strong national dealer network and with the
blessings of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in Detroit, which is
providing support in areas such as vehicle supply, homologation
and parts and service.
Backed by a 3-year/100,000km warranty and full volume import
approval (meaning no restriction on numbers), the Ram pick-ups
do not come cheap given the costs involved in importation from
Mexico and substantial re-engineering at Walkinshaw’s factory in
Clayton, Melbourne, to convert them to RHD and measure up to
RAM’s own standards of safety, comfort and build quality.
Prices start at $139,500 for the Ram 2500 and $146,500 for
the 3500, plus on-road costs. Both are offered in five-seat crew
cab configuration in high-end Laramie specification, with the
same powertrain: a Cummins-sourced 6.7L six-cylinder turbo-
diesel engine that pumps out 276kW of power at 2,800rpm and a
stonking 1,084Nm of torque at just 1,600rpm.
The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission
and BorgWarner part-time 4x4 driveline, with high and low range.
The fuel tank holds 117L.
For tradies carrying big loads, the Ram offers up to 6,989kg
braked towing capacity using a pintle or 4,500kg with a 70mm tow
ball; a 50mm ball enables 3,500kg. Gross Combination Mass with
the pintle is 11,479kg, 8,990kg with the 70mm ball or 7,990kg with
a 50mm ball. Payload is 913kg for the 2500 and 1,713kg for the
3500.
The pick-up is built on a steel ladder frame chassis using eight
separate cross members, while the front suspension is a three-
link coil spring arrangement and the rear a solid axle set-up – a
five-link coil-sprung configuration on the 2500, while the 3500
uses a heavier-duty Hotchkiss leaf spring format.
The large cargo box has a 1,939mm floor length, 1,687mm
width (1,295mm between the wheel arches housing 18" alloys) and
511mm depth.
The overall body stretches 6,027mm from end to end, and is
2,009mm wide and 1,974mm high in Ram 2500 form or 2,027mm
for the 3500, which also has extra ground clearance (218mm
versus 188mm). Kerb weight is 3,577kg for the 2500 or 3,596kg for
the 3500, with a GVM of 4,490/5,309kg respectively. The turning
circle is 13.38m.
Safety equipment includes multi-stage front airbags, front and
rear curtain airbags, electronic stability control, four-wheel disc
brakes (360mm rotors up front and 350mm at the rear), ABS, a
rear view camera, eye-level brake light with cargo camera and a
tyre pressuring monitoring system. A security alarm is also fitted.
Comfort and convenience items run to leather upholstery,
heated and ventilated front seats (with 10-way power adjustment
for the driver, six-way for the front passenger), heated/leather
multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, 8.4"
touch screen display, 7.0" multi-view cluster, nine-speaker sound
system (with subwoofer), satellite navigation, a media hub (SD,
USB, aux), a 240V auxiliary power outlet, and plenty more.
Ram Trucks
www.ramtrucks.comRAM 2500
,
3500