AutoPilot: The all-new 2015 Ram Rebel - Richmond Times-Dispatch
Type: Four-door, rear- /four-wheel-drive full-size pickup truck. Engines (hp): 3. 6-liter DOHC V6 (305). 5. 7-liter OHV V6 (395). Transmission: Eight-speed automatic. Market position: Marketing pickups that are as good as, or better than, traditional sport utility vehicles at handling off-road situations is big business, even if these vehicles never venture off the beaten path. Points: • Unique front end separates Rebel from regular Ram models. • Oddly, base V6 doesn’t come in a rear-wheel-drive model, making the Hemi 4x2 model the least-expensive. • Upgraded interior is more practical than garish • Many buyers of vehicles in this class use them as a platform for upgrading to tougher gear/more performance. destination): $44,000. The bar for off-road-capable light-duty trucks (ones with the 1500 designations) was set for the 2011 model year with the release of the Ford F-150 Raptor. This truck arrived with a 411-horsepower V8 along with oversized off-road meats, jacked-up ride height, tougher suspension and a wider stance. Despite a hefty price tag, it wasn’t long before Raptors could be seen practically everywhere, often piloted by owners who never intended to put even one wheel over a boulder. Sensing a trend, other pickup producers launched similar models. Toyota introduced the Tundra TRD Pro series for 2015 and now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has the Ram 1500 Rebel for pickup buyers to ponder. Source: www.richmond.com
