2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Makes the Rounds With Split Tailgate
With a little over a week until the reveal at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, many are still wondering what the 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 will bring.
New Split Tailgate
The 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 has a few new tricks up its sleeves. As the title indicated, one of them has been leaked. Was this intentional? Having seen other photos of the same truck, but completely covered, it is easy to speculate that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) intentionally leaked this in order to bring some publicity to it's newest changes.
While this is a new option for the Dodge Ram, it's nothing new for FCA. Overseas, Fiat has what appears to be a ute, the Fiat Toro. The Toro employs a tailgate that splits 50/50, which is slightly different from the Ram's 60/40 tailgate option.
What else does FCA have up their sleeves for the Ram?
Lightening the Load
An auto industry sleuth with a magnet has found that the hood and tailgate of the 2019 Dodge Ram are made of non-ferrous metal. A quick deduction leads one to the conclusion that Dodge will be making these components out of aluminum. Following Ford's lead with lighter vehicles made from lightweight materials makes sense for FCA.
Part of the reasoning behind lightening the vehicle is to increase fuel economy. As the EPA continues to tighten the reins on the auto industry via the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards. These standards are pushing for a gradual increase to achieve a manufacturer's fleet average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. This is forcing the industry to look for new ways to bring about this change.
Powering On
The available powertrain options for 2019 have yet to be released. If the 2019 lineup is similar to 2018, there will be a gasoline option in both the V-6 and the V8 varieties as well as a V6 Ecodiesel option. It is expected that the eight-speed automatic transmission will also be available in 2019. FCA stated in a 2016 press release that they plan to introduce a hybrid engine to the Ram 1500 in the year 2022. With FCA's Chrysler Pacifica being offered in a hybrid and Ford leading the pack in domestic hybrid electric trucks, it would not be unreasonable to see the Dodge Ram become (partially) electrified sooner than the previously scheduled 2022 release date. On the other end of the spectrum, others are still hoping for a 700 hp engine, similar to the Hellcat, to be offered in the Ram.
Mega Cab and Other Goodies
Photos were taken by the automotive spies in Michigan that the 2019 Dodge Ram, while still under camouflage wraps, indicate that an abnormally large cab. This leads one to believe that the Mega Cab may be an option for the Ram 1500 lineup in 2019. In addition to the Mega Cab option, photos of the test mule reveal that blind spot sensors will be integral in the rear taillights.
This could be huge for Ram (no pun intended). With a lightened body, an interesting tailgate option, updated safety features, and the possibility of a Mega Cab, Dodge could steal away a large segment of the half-ton pickup sales. Many are looking for the versatility, fuel economy, and cabin room.
The 2018 Detroit Auto show is a little over a week away. It is there that we'll all get a chance to see the new Dodge Ram. Can Dodge deliver to the customers in 2019? We will see.
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