2014 Ram 1500 Slt on 2040-cars

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Ram extends Black Package to Heavy Duty trucks

If you liked the Black Express package Ram offers on its 1500 light-duty pickup but need the added capability of a Heavy Duty model, we've got good news for you.
This week at the Atlanta International Auto Show, the Ram truck brand is rolling out the Black package for the Ram HD 2500 and 3500 SRW. It features a sinister-looking exterior with 20-inch alloys, fog lamps, grille, front and rear bumpers and badges all blacked out. All the body-side badging has also been removed, unless you go for Cummins power, in which case you still get a chrome diesel badge on the side.
In correspondence with Autoblog, Ram spokesman Nick Cappa explained that the popularity of the Black edition light-duty truck was the impetus for the Heavy Duty edition you see here. "Ram has a reputation for going further on design and custom-looks from the factory," explained Cappa, pointing towards the Express, Sport and Longhorn editions. "This type of forward design-thinking led us to extend the aggressive appearance to the HD trucks, which in the past has been a bit more subtle."

2014 Ram Promaster reporting for duty

We already knew Chrysler would be getting its own version of the Fiat Ducato for use as the 2014 Ram Promaster, but it was just a question of when and what changes would be made. Well now we know. Though far from conventional-looking, the new Promaster should give Chrysler a fullsize van that is more competitive than the old Ram Van and more affordable than the Mercedes-based Dodge Sprinter.
Chrysler says it made numerous changes to transform the Ducato into the US-friendly Promaster, and the biggest changes were made to the powertrains. Standard equipment on the Promaster 1500 is the widespread 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 rated at 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque paired, which, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offers a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 11,500 pounds. Other models will get the 3.0-liter diesel inline four-cylinder producing 174 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, giving this version a GCWR of 12,500 pounds, and this engine is mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission.

Ram providing horsepower for 142nd Kentucky Derby

More than 120,000 people will descend on Louisville, KY for the 142nd Kentucky Derby this weekend. Seersucker, bowties, and very large, obnoxious hats will be the most common attire among those in attendance, all of whom will have an unquenchable thirst for mint juleps. Ram wants to capture their attention. The truckmaker has announced a new "multi-tier sponsorship" of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, and will serve as a major advertiser during Saturday's race. The company will air two 30-second advertisements during NBC's broadcast. The first, titled "Truck People – Derby" is up top, while Ram is saving the second, "Never Settle," for race day. Beyond the ads, racegoers will be treated to on-site displays around the track, which is perhaps the best evidence of a truck's toughness – if the official truck of the Kentucky Derby can survive its notoriously "decadent and depraved" infield, it can probably handle towing a boat or hauling topsoil. The three trucks, a Rebel, a 1500 Limited, and a dual-axle 3500 Limited will even be decked out in jockey-like styles. To help build up to its Derby involvement, Ram has released a first-person point-of-view video, just in case you've ever wondered what kind of view the jockeys have as they lap the one-mile dirt track. You can see that video below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.