Some sneaky – and generous – person took pics at a Ram dealer meeting and shared them. The shots just might give us a glimpse of the next-generation Ram 1500.
The images posted on the wall at the dealership were titled “Ram Brand Lit Signatures” and show a more modern, aerodynamic take on the Ram crosshair grille, with Charger-esque headlight casings that feature bright LED signature lighting elements on the top and bottom. The grille opening is horizontally bisected by a thick bar. Its crossbar tapers to the Ram’s head logo badge in the middle.
The rear end seems to blend elements from other truck manufacturers. Its C-shape LED taillights bring to mind the ones found on the GMC Sierra Denali. We expect reverse lights and turn indicators to be in the middle of each C. The chiseled appearance of the tailgate is reminiscent of the back end of the Ford F-150.
Inside, it’s likely that the rotary gear selector will be replaced by a console shifter on some trim levels because of complaints about the dial made at consumer clinics, according to our source.
If you like the looks of this potential new version of the Ram 1500, which has the designation of “DT,” be aware that if it does come off of production lines looking this way, it probably won’t hit the streets until 2018 as a 2019 model.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
