2020 RAM 1500 near El Paso TX: The Next Generation of an American Legend
Well over a century ago, an American legend began taking shape. During the late 1800s, John and Horace Dodge co-founded a bicycle manufacturing shop. From the sale of their bikes, they made enough money to venture into the nation's budding automotive industry. They opened their own machine shop in 1900, building and supplying parts and assemblies for up-and-coming greats in the automotive world.
Emerging from behind the Scenes
Within a decade, this dynamic sibling duo had grown to become one of the nation’s largest vehicle manufacturers; of course, back then, the quarter-million vehicles they produced each year bore the Ford name. Few people truly knew of the contribution the Dodge brothers were making to the American automotive sector at that point.
By 1914, John and Horace decided it was time to branch out on their own. Following a less-than-satisfactory business deal with Ford and a rocky lawsuit ultimately panning out in their favor, the brothers began manufacturing vehicles under their own name.
Breaking out with the advertising slogan, “Think of all the Ford owners who would like to own an automobile”, Dodge sold more than 45,000 vehicles and ranked third among the nation’s manufacturers. All this took place by the end of their first official year in operation.
They began building trucks in 1917, but the renowned Ram didn’t make its first appearance until 1981. Since that time, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has taken the reins; still, the 2020 Ram 1500 near El Paso TX is no less impressive than its predecessors. Tvhe rest, as they say, is history, and it paved the way for dealerships like ours to bring one of the nation’s reigning best sellers to people across the country.
Fast Forward to the Future
Now, here we are in 2019, and the 2020 Ram 1500 near El Paso TX has recently been unveiled. Over the years, this particular truck has become synonymous with innovation in the automotive field. From the beginning, half-ton models and larger were standard issues and came with all the towing capacity you can muster from those mighty diesel engines. Visual appeal, front axle-forward design, and unrivaled hauling ability set the bar for other truck manufacturers to follow.
Following in the company’s reputation for innovation, the 2020 Ram 1500 near El Paso TX has already been named the nation’s most powerful half-ton diesel pickup even though it hasn’t yet hit the showroom floor. After having received a major makeover just last year, the latest Ram 1500 won’t be getting a great deal of significant design changes. That being said, its few new features are certainly well worth bragging about.
Under the Hood
Last year’s foremost disappointment for Ram fans across the country was the absence of its highly popular 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 from previous years. Dodge took this to heart in the development of the 2020 model. The new version of this powerhouse has been given a near-complete overhaul with a water-cooled turbocharger and numerous upgrades.
Those who find themselves behind the wheel of the 2020 Ram 1500 can expect a heart-stopping 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. When compared to the 2019, this reflects an uptick in torque and horsepower of 14 and 8 percent respectively. Maximum torque kicks in at considerably lower RPMs than the last generation of the 3.0 EcoDiesel as well.
When paired with the standard 8-speed automatic overdrive transmission, this drivetrain generates an unstoppable 12,560 pounds of towing capacity. This adds up to more than 2,500 pounds over the previous EcoDiesel and brings the 2020 Ram 1500 to the top of its class in tow rating.
Other engines available in the 2020 Ram 1500 lineup include the 305-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 and the 5.7-liter V-8 cranking out 395 horsepower, both of which are gas burners. An 8-speed auto-manual transmission is also said to be entering the mix. Rear and all-wheel drive options will also be available.
On the Inside
FCA’s famed Uconnect infotainment system will be available for the new Ram models, complete with its full 12-inch display screen. This grants drivers and passengers access to built-in navigation features and SiriusXM. They can also tie their mobile devices directly into their trucks to connect with all their essential apps, music and other tools.
Optional dual-zone climate control, remote start, rear park assist, interior ambient lighting, 9-speaker sound system, leather upholstery, built-in LED bed lighting, and numerous other tech and comfort features are likewise on tap for certain trim levels. Driver seat and pedal memory are available as well.
Safety Features
This year’s Ram 1500 is loaded with safety features. Certain trim levels come equipped with rain-sensing wipers and SmartBeam headlights. Crumple zones, side-impact door reinforcements and front, side and overhead airbags come standard as do electronic stability and trailer sway control and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. Uconnect’s wide range of hands-free and driver-assist features fall into this category as well. Definitive safety ratings will be announced later this year.
Fuel Economy and Efficiency
Specific details have yet to be released for the 2020 Ram 1500s, but rumor has it the numbers will outshine even those of last year’s best-in-class ratings. One representative of the Ram brand has noted the EcoDiesel will “lead the segment on fuel economy”.
Some trim levels will feature grille shutters and engine stop-start systems for greater fuel economy. This year’s EcoDiesel and other models also have optional auto-leveling air suspension. This means they can literally hunker down on the highway to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Bottom Line
Based on some preliminary accounts, the 2020 Ram 1500 will be offered in 8 trim levels with as many as 30 different configurations to choose from. The lineup starts with the basic Tradesman and works its way through the HFE, Big Horn, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited. Ram’s off-road Rebel will be available and equipped with its much-anticipated and completely redesigned 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 as well.
Much like the new Ram’s safety and fuel economy ratings, the truck itself has yet to be made available to the public. At present, it’s set to reach showrooms this fall. Check back with us at Viva Ram for the latest updates and be sure to come by to see the new Ram 1500s in person when they arrive.