You can buy a petrol-powered Ram 1500, and an electric one is coming. Now, the American pickup truck brand has revealed something in the middle.
Instead of being a Ram-based SUV as it was before, the Ramcharger is now an all-wheel drive range-extender model in the 1500 pickup series.
It features a 92kWh battery pack and 250kW front and 238kW rear electric drive modules (EDMs).
The venerable 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 is now used to send mechanical power not to the wheels but to the 130kW onboard generator it’s mounted directly to, which in turn sends electrical power to the EDMs.
This electrical power can be used to charge the battery if it’s depleted or if the driver wants to preserve battery power.
There’s an automatic wheel-end disconnect that allows the front wheels to spin freely in certain conditions to maximise efficiency, while the second EDM is positioned on the rear axle and there’s an available limited-slip differential.
The Ramcharger also features a one-pedal drive mode.
Ram claims total outputs of 487kW, 834Nm, with a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of 4.0 seconds, a claimed towing capacity of 6350kg and a payload figure of 1190kg.
It also claims a targeted range of up to 1110km, while the Ramcharger can be used as a, well, charger thanks to vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-home bi-directional charging.
An onboard power panel in the tub can provide up to 7.2kW, allowing you to power appliances and power tools.
The liquid-cooled battery pack is positioned under the floor, and can be charged at up to 145kW using DC power with up to 80km of range added in approximately 10 minutes.
Like the full-electric 1500 REV, the Ramcharger uses the new STLA Frame platform. This features a high-strength steel frame which Ram says uses advanced materials to be both lightweight and stiff, and it’s wider in the middle to incorporate the battery pack “while still using protection afforded by the frame rails”.
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It features multi-link independent rear suspension with active-levelling four-corner air suspension with five different modes.
There are five drive modes – Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow and Off-road – which separately control the drive system, accelerator response, regen level, suspension and steering.
Standard active safety and driver assist features include the Level 2 hands-free highway assist and semi-automatic parking assist.
Ram says it has designed the Ramcharger to have a blend of design cues from both the updated petrol-powered 1500 and the electric 1500 REV, including similar LED daytime running lights to the former and extended tail lights like the latter.
It’s distinguishable from a ‘regular’ 1500 by its body-colour front fascia and a charge port on the driver’s side front quarter panel.
Down back, there’s a semi-flush tub, a power tailgate, as well as an illuminated, lockable and drainable RamBox tub storage with a 115V outlet.
Inside, there’s a 14.5-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, digital rear-view mirror, dual wireless phone chargers, head-up display, and a 23-speaker 1228W Klipsch Reference Premiere sound system.
Those not behind the wheel can use a segment-first 10.25-inch passenger display, with navigation, camera and entertainment (via HDMI) functions.
The new flagship Tungsten trim features an Indigo/Sea Salt colourway, platinum patina/semi-bright dual-textured metal accents, diamond knurling, suede-wrapped headliner and pillars, a crystal-effect shifter, and quilted Natura Plus leather upholstery.
The front seats have 24-way power adjustability, heating, ventilation, and memory and massage functions, as well as power lumbar support and four-way power headrests.
A centre console badge also displays the truck’s VIN.
While Ram has confirmed the updated, petrol-powered 1500 will reach US showrooms in the first quarter of 2024, the company’s local subsidiary Ram Trucks Australia hasn’t confirmed when we’ll see it here – or if we’ll get the Ramcharger.
The electric REV will launch in the US in the fourth quarter of 2024 – to be followed at some point by the Ramcharger – and has been confirmed for an Australian launch at an unspecified time.
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
