DODGE

RAM Classic: the muscle car pick-up arrives in the Brazilian market

The RAM Classic arrives on the Brazilian market, a new gateway to the only premium pick-up brand in the country, delivering strength, comfort, capacity and tradition. A model worthy of receiving the title of classic muscle truck, thanks to the iconic 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine and 400 hp of power and the unique and timeless design, with lines that rescue the 'big-rig' style of the second generation of pick-ups. ups RAM in the 1990s.

The new pick-up is another step in the process of continuous expansion of the RAM brand in Brazil, being the fourth launch (not counting limited editions) in less than three years. This series of waves of unparalleled power began at the turn of 2019 to 2020 with the renewal of the RAM 2500 and followed with the RAM 1500 in 2021 and the RAM 3500 last March.

Produced in Mexico, at the Saltillo plant, the RAM Classic will be available from September 15 at 58 RAM brand dealerships. The first version to arrive will be Laramie. Subsequently, the line will be reinforced by the Laramie Night Edition option.

The available colors are Diamond Black, Bright White, Patriot Blue, Crystal Granite and Delmonico Red for Laramie, which stands out for its external finish with grille, logos, wheels, bumpers and chrome mirrors. The Laramie Night Edition has these parts painted black and the bumpers in the body color, which can be Flame Red, Diamond Black, Bright White and Crystal Granite. The inner lining is always black and leather with white stitching and silver, gold and wood-like appliqués.

Iconic heart... Housing the historic 5.7-liter HEMI V8 under the hood, the RAM Classic is the most powerful pick-up in Brazil, alongside another model of the brand: the RAM 1500 Rebel. The engine delivers 400 hp at 5,600 rpm and the equally generous torque of 556 Nm at 3,950 rpm, the highest among petrol models in the segment.

With hemispherical combustion chambers, which explains the baptismal name, the HEMI accumulates several generations in more than 50 years of tradition and a huge legion of fans. In addition to the broad, smooth, linear force that avoids the hesitation and spikes of turbocharged engines, the thruster has some fuel-saving technologies.

This is the case of the cylinder deactivation system (MDS), in which the electronic control unit cuts off the fuel supply, the sparks from the spark plugs and closes the intake and exhaust valves on four of the eight cylinders during light acceleration, such as at constant speeds in the city or road, when full power is not needed. In this way, consumption can be reduced by up to 20%.

Also contributing to energy efficiency is the synchronization of the variable camshaft of the valves. This reduces the pumping work of the engine through delayed closing of the intake valve, increasing the combustion expansion process.

And the HEMI even benefits from a new 850W electric cooling fan that adapts the fan's power consumption to the cooling demand. The elimination of the traditional fan in front of the engine helps to improve fuel economy by reducing parasitic losses and also reduces noise. On positive sound issues, the pleasure of hearing the roar of this 5.7-liter V8 must be highlighted.

Robust, modern transmission...The RAM Classic is equipped with the fully electronic TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission that, with a wide range of ratios, keeps the engine speed in the right range for the task. The gearshift controls are done by the rotary selector on the dashboard, freeing up space for the compartments in the center console. The system is smart and secure. For example, when the engine is turned off with the gear in D (Drive), the selector automatically goes to the P (Park) position.

As for the drive modes, the BorgWarner part-time transfer case has 4x2, 4x4 High and 4x4 Low options. The driver controls everything electronically, through the buttons below the gear selector on the instrument panel. The differential ratio is 3.92 and the RAM Classic still has a non-slip rear differential, ensuring grip on the most varied terrains. The pick-up also has the Tow/Haul mode, which optimizes gear changes when towing an implement or carrying a lot of load.

Striking design...The name Classic makes perfect sense if you look closely at it. The style of the front is a clear tribute to the second generation of RAM pick-ups, from 1993, which transformed the full-size segment in the United States and took the brand's sales to unprecedented levels until then. Such success earned this generation of the then Dodge RAM 1500 Motor Trend's 'Truck of the Year' award in 1994.

Nicknamed the 'big rig' in reference to the huge trailers that cross North American roads, the Classic's design stands out for the headlights that are positioned below the top line of the grille and that are born as a natural continuation of the fenders, for in turn, also lowered in relation to the height of the hood.

From any angle, the muscular features stand out, reinforcing the sportiness of the RAM Classic. Also contributing to the muscle truck style are the bonnet with special lugs and details, the two exhaust pipes and the 20-inch aluminum wheels. With a five-spoke design, in the Laramie version they are silver, matching all the chrome, while in the Laramie Night Edition they are painted in black, in line with the chrome delete pattern.

The headlights have a dual function projector, playing the role of low beam and high beam, which is also aided by an additional lamp. Integrated amber LEDs play the roles of daytime running light (DRL) and turn signal. The taillights are made up of 15 LEDs.

High level of equipment...The interior of the RAM Classic delivers all the breadth and quality of finish typical of the most desired pick-up brand in Brazil and a long list of series, of which the following stand out: two-zone digital air conditioning and with rear exits, front seats with electrical adjustments in 10 positions with two memories for the driver (which also keeps the position of the exterior mirrors, pedals and radio), heating and ventilation, rear side seats with heating, reversing camera with active lines and rear parking sensors, Uconnect multimedia center with 8.4-inch touchscreen, on-board navigation, connection to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Keyless Enter'N Go keyless with remote start, instrument panel with six dials and multifunctional 7.0-inch color TFT, cruise control, fixed side steps, electric distance-adjustable accelerator and brake pedals, Alpine premium sound system with 9 speakers, 10-inch 506W subwoofer, raised edge mats, 110V in-dash socket and heated leather steering wheel.

In addition to all the space, comfort and luxury, far superior to any medium pick-up available in Brazil, with rubberized finishes on the partially leather-covered front door panel and leather-covered instrument panel, in addition to LED lighting, practicality speaks loudly in RAM Classic with a host of features. Split rear seat case that can be lifted, revealing not only the subwoofer but also a niche for objects and, even more interesting, a folding platform that can make the floor completely flat.

It is also worth mentioning the two built-in compartments with lids on the sides of the rear floor. Waterproof and removable, they can receive, for example, beverage cans and ice cubes to keep them at the ideal temperature or even that fish that gave a lot of work in fishing.

Regarding safety, the RAM Classic is very well served with 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), ramp start assistant (HSA), traction and stability controls and body roll mitigation, disc brakes on the four wheels with Brake Assist, which brings the pads closer in case of rain, in addition to trailer sway control (TSC), which prevents the implement from getting out of control.

Giant bucket...With 1,424 liters of volumetric capacity, the RAM Classic bucket is not bigger, in the Brazilian market, than the RAM 3500 Limited Longhorn (when prepared for fifth wheel trailers). With a special protective coating over the entire surface, unique to RAM pick-ups, and LED lighting on the side and top (in the third brake light), it allows you to receive large objects with ease.

From the outside, the preparation for the tow hook is standard. A very important detail, as the RAM Classic can tow up to 3,534 kg, more than any other brand pick-up on the market.

Three free reviews...Stellantis aftermarket brand, Mopar has prepared an extremely competitive maintenance plan for the RAM Classic, which translates well the English term dependability, one of the RAM brand values. The revisions are annual or every 12 thousand km, but the best news is that the first three stops at the dealership are free. Another highlight is the possibility of advance purchase from the fourth to the sixth revision.

The lubricants and fluids used are from the original Mopar Oil range, developed by Shell in conjunction with Stellantis engineering. Peace of mind is completed by the 24-hour Privilege Service assistance and the 3-year factory warranty, which can be extended to 5 years with the purchase of a 1 or 2-year extension, in the Total or Engine and Exchange plans.

And since the RAM customer is passionate about the brand, it's only natural to customize the RAM Classic from a portfolio of more than 20 original Mopar accessories. Among the highlights are the off-road fender spreader, bucket step, marine top and hitch boom. Soon the list will grow with items like automatic running boards and electric top.

Autonews