Ram is the latest FCA brand to outline its product plans for the next five years, and the pickup-focused firm officially confirms that it has a midsize model to challenge the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado on the way. In addition, there will be a high-horsepower 1500 TRX, and a new heavy-duty model will arrive in 2019, according to Automotive News.
Ram's Future:
Details about the midsize model are essentially nonexistent at this point, and Ram only confirms that the pickup arrives by 2022. The brand hasn't had a truck below the 1500 in its lineup since the Dakota's retirement in 2011.
With the new generation of the 1500 already here, Ram is now starting to expand the lineup. Among the additions is the official confirmation of the performance-oriented TRX trim to compete against the Ford Raptor. The model would reportedly use a version of the Hellcat 6.2-liter V8 with 707 horsepower (527 kilowatts).
Take A Look At FCA's Future:
In its presentation, Ram specially notes that the Raptor has an average transaction price of $71,000, which is $28,000 more than a normal Ford pickup. Ram hopes that having a competitive model yields a similar boost.
The 1500 will also get level 2 autonomous capability in 2021. This will mean the truck will be able to handle steering, accelerating, and braking, but drivers will still have to pay attention to the road because the system won't necessarily be able to detect and respond to all road hazards.
New Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty models are also on the way, and you can get an idea of what they look like from recent spy photos. The current versions have the lowest average transaction price in the segment, and the automaker intends to make the next-gen trucks more expensive. In addition, Level 2 autonomous capability will be available in 2022.
While pickups comprise 84 percent of Ram's sales in the United States, regions like Europe and Asia buy more of the division's vans. In the coming years, there will be a new generation of the ProMaster City, and it'll offer level 2 autonomous features in 2021. The brand won't replace the larger ProMaster, though.
Source: Ram, Automotive News