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2015 Ram Laramie Limited brings more luxury, tweaked style to Chicago

Once upon a time, the Chicago Auto Show was where truck manufacturers chose to introduce their wares. New HD truck? Go to Chicago. Entry level, midsize pickup? Chicago. Flagship dually? Chicago. While that's far from a rule nowadays, Ram still looked to the Windy City to introduce the new version of its flagship trim – the Laramie Limited. Featured in light-duty 1500, heavy-duty 2500 and I-need-to-tow-Australia 3500 bodies, the Laramie Limited is the latest proof that pickups are no longer limited to work, but are proper luxury vehicles in their own right. To reflect this, Ram has upholstered the Laramie Limited's cabin in gorgeous black Natura Plus leather. We're pretty fond of the Graystone piping on the seats, while the pinstripe theme found throughout on the Black Argento wood and contrast stitching certainly ups the styling ante. The center stack is home to most of the cabin's brightwork, with K-black Dark Metallic paint, while LED accent lighting is found throughout. Ram was liberal with the application of Liquid Graphite finishes, adding it to the center stack's bezels and the gauges and needles in the handsome instrument cluster. For the exterior, Ram has thrown the whole idea of subtlety out the window. There's plenty of inspiration from the Ram Rebel that was shown at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, only instead of the dark finishes of that vehicle, the Laramie Limited features lots, and lots of chrome. Like the Rebel, the flagship truck gets a restyled grille, complete with a domineering "RAM" badge, although the nose of the Laramie Limited is nothing compared to its tailgate. The rear of the truck is home to an enormous, 20-inch wide "RAM" badge that the company hilariously explains away in its press release, saying it's there "so onlookers can clearly identify the truck." Okay. Beyond the borderline obnoxious badges, Ram has finished the front and rear bumpers and mirror caps in chrome, and opted for a stylish dark housing for the halogen-only headlights. Those units crown LED turn signals, while the taillamps are straight LED throughout. We have an extensive gallery of images detailing the new Laramie Limited, and you can bet that we'll be complementing the official shots with live images from the floor of the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. Until then, head into Comments and let us know what you think of Ram's not-so-subtle flagship.

The biggest gas-guzzlers of 2024: 'The Meanest List' is the opposite of greenest cars

In some circles — especially some automotive circles — bigger is better. This explains the Hummer, for example. In its so-called “Meanest List” of a dozen models, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) makes no apologies for berating “the worst-performing mass market automobiles” sold in 2024 in the U.S. The most diminutive car on the list is a Chevy Corvette Z06. At the top of this particular heap is the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63, a gas-powered SUV that the environmental agency says was “the worst-performing vehicle of the more than 1,200 models assessed by Greener Cars and has an annual fuel cost over $4,000.” Not to mention its MSRP of around $184,000. Rank Make & Model Powertrain Green Score MSRP Estimated Annual Fuel Cost* 1 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Gas 20 $184,000 $4,242 2 Ram 1500 TRX 4x4 Gas 22 $98,335 $3,819 3 Ford F150 Raptor R Gas 24 $79,975 $3,777 4 Cadillac Escalade V Gas 26 $152,295 $3,388 5 Dodge Durango SRT Gas 26 $74,995 $3,332 6 Jeep Wrangler 4dr 4X4 Gas 27 $35,895 $3,260 7 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 4x4 Gas 28 $91,945 $3,058 8 Mercedes-Benz G550 Gas 28 $143,000 $3,186 9 GMC Hummer EV SUV EV 29 $98,845 $1,746 10 GMC Sierra Gas 29 $37,700 $3,069 11 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Gas 30 $114,395 $3,169 12 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S680 Gas 30 $234,300 $3,031 *ACEEE analysis using EIA data of the annual cost of driving 15,000 miles In terms of numbers, the dirty dozen of the meanest includes seven SUVs and three trucks. Lonely at the middle of the list is the sole electric, the GMC Hummer EV, which weighs in at 9,000 pounds. The council notes that “though EVs have lower emissions than similarly sized gasoline models, the Hummer demonstrates that size and efficiency, not just fuel source, are important factors in a carÂ’s environmental impact.” ItÂ’s also worth reminding prospective buyers that the average fuel cost of a vehicle on the “Greenest List” eats up only a fifth of the fuel cost of a vehicle on the Meanest List, “showing that greener options can also be more affordable.” The ACEEE also put out a "Greener List" of efficient gasoline and hybrid cars that don't require plugging in.  By the Numbers Green Cadillac Chevrolet Dodge Ford GMC Hummer Jeep Maybach Mercedes-Benz RAM Emissions Fuel Efficiency Green Automakers Truck SUV Electric Hybrid

Ram Long-Hauler prototype spotted testing, world about to get new largest pickup?

In the past few months, Chrysler's Ram brand has gone from also-ran status behind Ford and General Motors to a class leader in many truck categories including fuel economy (25 miles per gallon highway) and towing (30,000-pound maximum capacity). Now, based off these spy shots recently taken, it looks like Ram is preparing to introduce the be all and end all of pickup trucks, with a production version of its leviathan 2011 Long-Hauler Concept.
Our spy shooters recently caught the two-year-old concept truck running around Auburn Hills, MI covered in stickers that would indicate the truck could be testing for a production model, and last we heard back in September, Chrysler has been trying to build a business case for the massive hauler. On the other hand, seeing as how the only changes made to this truck since it was first unveiled are a full factory tailgate and various Mopar accessories (mud flaps, exhaust finisher and bed step), it doesn't appear that any changes have been made that fit in with the recently announced 2013 Ram HD models.
As a refresher, the Long-Hauler rides on the 197.4-inch wheelbase of the Ram 5500 chassis - usually reserved for stake or box trucks - allowing it to combine the luxury of the Mega Cab with the cargo capability of an eight-foot bed and enough room in between to fit a 60-gallon reserve fuel tank. This, along with the 50-gallon, in-bed fuel tank and the truck's factory fuel tank means that the Long-Hauler has the ability to carry 162 gallons of diesel fuel - enough for one incredibly long haul.