The Ram Rebel Debuts in Detroit

The biggest debut for the Chrysler Group at this week’s media days for the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the all-new Ram Rebel. This premium Ram 1500 has been fitted with unique suspension components that will make it the most off-road capable of the modern half ton Ram trucks while also looking great in any setting with some bold new styling and a two tone paint scheme.

First off, the 2015 Ram Rebel is offered only as a Crew Cab model with the short bed, but buyers can pick two wheel drive or four wheel drive and they can choose between the 3.6L Pentastar V6 or the 5.7L Hemi V8. The Ram Rebel is available in Granite Crystal Metallic, Bright Silver Metallic, Flame Red, Bright White and Brilliant Black with either a monotone or two tone scheme, depending on the exterior color chosen.

All Ram Rebel trucks come with a dressed up interior with unique cloth centered seats with the Toyo tread pattern stamped in, black leather side bolsters with the Rebel logo and radar red sides and seat backs. This interior package is the same regardless of the exterior color, engine or drive configuration chosen and all Rebel Rams come with the high end UConnect infotainment system with an 8.4” touchscreen and the adjustable driver information center.

Where the new Ram Rebel stands out from the rest of the 2015 Ram 1500 lineup is across the front end, where the Rebel package adds the first stock grille that does not featured the familiar crosshair design in decades. While this new grille design might ruffle the features of some Ram brand loyalists, I like the look and for those who don’t – the crosshairs still appear on the rest of the trucks in the current Ram lineup. The Ram Rebel also features a uniquely designed front bumper that extends up into the grille in the middle while the bottoms taper up at the ends for improved corner clearance. Also, a satin silver metal center surrounds the tow hooks and runs down under the front end of the truck to protect the front of the engine.

The front end of the Ram Rebel also comes with fog lights, the LED trimmed projection headlights with black bezels and the Power Bulge hood.

Along the sides, the Ram Rebel has new 17 inch aluminum wheels that have an intricate design sporting a silver face and black painted pockets. These gorgeous rims are wrapped in Toyo Open Country tires that offer great grip in any conditions and a smooth ride on paved surfaces. The painted black portions of the rims match up nicely with the black painted lower body panels, the black Power Wagon wheel opening flares and the black Ram 1500 and Hemi badges.

Out back, the Ram Rebel has the same bumper as the other Ram 1500 pickups with cutout areas for the stock dual exhaust, but the tailgate has been dressed up with a huge “RAM” logo across the middle and black Rebel and 4×4 logos in the bottom corners.

Finally, the Ram Rebel features an advanced version of the air ride suspension that is used in the other Ram 1500 pickups. The Rebel’s suspension package begins with Bilstein performance shocks and the air ride suspension’s standard setting is one inch higher than in other models. In addition to this elevated standard right height, the Rebel has Off-Road mode that lifts the truck another inch while Aero mode activates at speeds over 60mph to lower the truck in the front for better highway fuel economy. Also, this setup has a parking mode that drops the Ram Rebel three inches for easier loading and unloading to the cab or bed.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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