The Ram 3500 American pick-up truck has arrived, promising monster towing capacity and load lugging ability.
Ram Trucks are imported into Australia and converted to right-hand drive in Melbourne before making their way over to New Zealand.
The Ram 3500 joins the same sized 2500 and the smaller petrol-powered 1500 in the brand’s growing local line-up.
Power for the 3500 comes from a giant 6.7-litre six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine making a hefty 276kW and 1152Nm.
This mass of torque allows for a max braked towing capacity off pintle is 6.9T, which is the same as the Ram 2500 and 2000kg more than the rival Chevrolet Silverado HD.
Ram has upgraded the suspension on the 3500 compared to the 2500. This has increased its payload to 1,693.
To put all this in perspective, the smaller Toyota HiLux can tow up to 3500kg and has a payload of about one tonne. It’s smaller turbocharged diesel engine makes 150kW/500Nm, which is about half the 3500’s outputs.
Being New Zealand’s strongest ute doesn’t come cheap, the 3500 is priced from $184,990 (before on-road costs), which is about the same as two Ford Ranger Raptors.
Inside the 3500 shares its specification with the 2500, which is packed with standard luxury equipment.
The leather front seats with suede inserts have a heating and cooling function, there are soft touch materials used throughout the cabin and it has seating for six thanks to a small fold-up chair in between the two front seats.
You get a giant 12-inch touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Read More
A 10-speaker Alpine stereo with a subwoofer boosts the on-road experience and active noise cancelling tech and acoustic glass help keep the outside world at bay.
It has a 360-degree camera to help navigate the big truck in tight space and is complimented by trailer reverse guidance and a second rear-view camera that focuses on the tray to keep an eye on your payload.
Auto emergency braking, lane keep assist and radar cruise control are standard.
You’ll need to pay an extra $2000 if you want blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert.
- News.com.au
