2012 Ram 1500 Laramie on 2040-cars

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2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel gets 9,200-pound tow rating

The current-generation Ram 1500 is entering its fifth year on the market, but Ram's half-ton truck is not showing its age whatsoever. While we continue to wait for the fuel economy figures for the all-new EcoDiesel V6, Ram has released towing figures for trucks equipped with this new engine, as well as models fitted with the upgraded gasoline-powered V6.
The EcoDiesel - a $2,850 option - will help the Ram compete with V8-powered trucks with its max towing capacity of 9,200 pounds, which is just 50 pounds shy of the 2013 Ram 1500 with the 5.7-liter V8. The true benefit here is that the diesel should return impressive fuel economy in the process, and even though official estimates have yet to be released, Chrysler has promised that it will achieve more than 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
But even with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6, upgrades to the eight-speed automatic transmission have resulted in an increase in towing capacity, now up to 7,450 pounds. This number is expected to be best in class for base-engine trucks.

Ram considering Rumble Bee concept for production

Yellow truck enthusiasts, take note - Ram is considering production for its Rumble Bee Concept, a very, very extroverted pickup that debuted at the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise. Drawing inspiration from the last Ram Rumble Bee, which in turn borrowed heavily from the Dodge Super Bee muscle cars of the 1960s, the Rumble Bee sports a few things that set it apart from the standard 1500 lineup.
The most obvious change is its retina-scorching, matte yellow paint. Teamed up with a two-inch suspension drop and monster 24-inch black wheels wrapped in low-profile tires, the Rumble Bee cuts an imposing figure. Matching that aggressive exterior is a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, complete with 395 horsepower and an exhaust system that can go from raucous and muscle-car-like to the full-on NASCAR at the push of a button.
According to Edmunds, after a positive reception at the Dream Cruise, the Auburn Hills automaker is now presenting the truck to dealers in a bid to gauge interest. "We try to listen to the dealers. They know their marketplace," Ram's Dave Sowers tells Edmunds, adding that Ram could produce the new truck.

Chevy ramping Silverado incentives after Ram beats it in March

General Motors isn't losing the pickup war without a fight. With the Silverado narrowly falling to third place in the truck segment in March, Chevrolet has announced that it is going to continue its Truck Month pricing through the end of April. In addition to those incentives, some Chevy pickups are going to see even deeper discounts, according to Automotive News.
General Motors Sales Reporting spokesperson Jim Cain says the reason for extending the sale is simple. "It worked," he said. The Silverado's sales were up 6.8 percent for March, which is a big win for a truck with sales down 7.6 percent for the year so far. "Last month we handily beat expectations," he said. Cain attributed the success to having "a simple, straightforward message." He also claimed that the pickup was also able to see growth with lower incentives than competitors. With the weather warming and the economy improving, he thinks the Silverado has the momentum to improve further.
The Truck Month incentives knock as much as $7,541 off some Silverado models, and Chevy is planning even more incentives on top of that in April. "Okay - time to take the gloves off and go back and take back what rightfully belongs to every one of you ... Silverado truck sales," said an email sent to dealers from GM's district manager in the Northeast, received by Automotive News, announcing lower lease rates.