2016 RAM LARAMIE LIMITED



The luxury truck market is alive and well, and that’s especially obvious when blinded by the shimmering chrome grille of the new 2016 Ram Trucks Laramie Limited trim level. It may be a rugged truck underneath, but it lacks strength in subtlety. In fact, the new trim level includes chrome accents along the rocker panels on the doors, the side steps, mirror caps, door handles, and 20-inch wheels. For those who are either blind or car ignorant, the designers threw on a massive R-A-M badge along the tailgate. No mistaken identity here.


Though the mechanics are all the same, the new trim level brings a newness to the Ram Truck lineup. The Laramie Limited is offered across the non-commercial lineup, meaning well-off cowboys can order a 1500, or the Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 series Ram with the luxury and visual updates.


The outside is where the most obvious changes have occurred. The new grille takes after the Ram Rebel truck that debuted at the North American International Auto Show last month, though with a different slot pattern and finish. This marks a big departure from the classic crosshair grille that Ram Ram – and before that, Dodge – trucks have carried. Besides the updated grille, the remaining bodywork remains the same.

The tailgate does get a big change, however, with the RAM block lettering stretching across its center. For those owners planning to remove the lettering, there’s no such luck. The metal under the lettering is also raised. Perhaps just the bare steel would look less gaudy, but until someone tries it, you’d better get used to the look. Perhaps this is Ram’s way to teach the general public that “Dodge” is no long in its name.


The interior has been updated, though with a slight touch more discretion. The diggs take after the current Limited trim level, though a few updates bring a level of uniqueness to the Laramie Limited trim level. An all-black cabin is covered in leather but is accented in Graystone leather piping along the seats, giving them an attractive outline. The seatback pockets are given the Longhorn treatment with the leather flaps. Unique buckles change up the appearance.

The real wood accents are made from Black Argento. The accent on the steering wheel receives a thick coat of gloss to protect it while the remaining trim is left uncovered.


The gauge cluster is also updated and features a black background with Liquid Graphite-faced gauges accented by Liquid Chrome rings. Ram says the design is inspired from modish watches. Interior accent lighting brings an upscale ambiance at night. LED lights in the door handles, foot wells, and lower map pockets add that luxury car feel.


The Ram 1500 Laramie Limited has two engine options: the standard 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and the optional 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6. Both offer great amounts of power, but excels at different things. The HEMI is the performer of the pair, putting down 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The EcoDiesel on the other hand, offers up 240 horses and a respectable 420 pound-feet of torque while earning an EPA-estimated 28 mpg highway, yet still being able to two upwards of 7,900 pounds.

Both engines are mated to the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic and can be had in both 2WD and 4WD.


Ram has not specified which engines will be offered in the Heavy Duty versions of the Laramie Limited, though it’s expected all three of its available engines will be on the table. That includes the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, the larger 6.4-liter HEMI V-8, and the mac daddy of them all, the 6.7-liter Cummins inline six-cylinder turbodiesel.

 3.0-LITER ECODIESEL V-6
 5.7-LITER HEMI® V-8
Type and Description
 60-degree V-type, liquid-cooled
 90 -degree V-8, liquid-cooled
Displacement
 182 cu. in. (2988 cu. cm)
 345 cu. in. (5,654 cu. cm)
Bore x Stroke
 3.27 x 3.60 (83 x 92)
 3.92 x 3.58 (99.5 x 90.9)
Valve System
Chain-driven DOHC, 24 valves
  Variable-cam timing, pushrod-operated  overhead valves, 16 valves,
hydraulic lifters with roller followers
Fuel Injection
Common-rail, 2000 bar, Solenoid Injectors
  Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless
Construction
Cast-iron block, aluminum alloy heads
Deep-skirt cast-iron block with cross-bolted main bearing caps, aluminum
alloy heads with hemispherical combustion chambers
Compression Ratio
16.5:1
10.5:1
Power (SAE net)
240 HP @ 3,600 RPM
395 HP @ 5,600 RPM
Torque (SAE net)
420 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM
410 LB-FT @ 3,950 RPM

Pricing for the 2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited starts at US$ 50,675, or US$ 1,245 more than the 2015 Laramie Limited model. Ram is offering the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 as the standard engine and the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel as the optional mill in this range-topping trim level. Both engines will be available with either two- or four-wheel drive. Simply put, there are four configurations for the 2016 Laramie Limited.


SOURCE : topspeed