Ram Rebel first drive

[haven]

Ram brought preproduction examples of the Rebel pickup to Flagstaff recently. Writers for several auto blogs and magazines were invited to drive the new airbag-suspended 4x4 on the street, on Forest Service roads, and at an off-road park Their impressions are appearing today.

ExPo's Chris Collard
http://expeditionportal.com/first-drive-2015-ram-rebel/

Pickuptruck.com
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/05/2015-ram-1500-rebel-first-drive.html

Motor Trend
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1505_2015_ram_1500_rebel_first_drive/viewall.html

 

[haven]

For 2016, I think all pickup manufacturers are offering a 1500-series pickup with off-road pretensions. The Ford F-150 FX4, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 and Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will be joined by the Ram Rebel and the Nissan Titan Pro-4X.

Diesel engines will be available in 2016, too. The Titan will definitely offer a Cummins 5.0L V8 diesel. If enough engines can be found, Ram might offer the 3.0L V6 diesel in the Rebel. And Chevrolet will offer a diesel in its midsize Colorado.

The Ford Raptor returns in 2016 with a twin turbo V6 and aluminum body. It will be interesting to see if the Raptor's cargo capacity increases in the new design.

The Dodge Power Wagon, a 2500-series truck with a 1500 series payload, continues in 2016 as well.

That's the good news. The bad news is the price of these vehicles, which start at $45K and go up from there. At $35K, The midsize Colorado Z71 4x4 is looking pretty attractive.

 

[haven]

Car and Driver lists the Rebel's cargo capacity to be the same as other Ram 1500 crew cab models: 1530 lb.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-ram-rebel-1500-4x4-57l-hemi-v-8-first-drive-review

 

[rad]

I'll admit I have yet to try it, but it seems using that dash mounted knob as a gear selector would be ergonomically awkward.

 

[random]

Did anyone notice the non-matching spare tire in the ExPo article? It doesn't even look like the same size.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Did anyone notice the non-matching spare tire in the ExPo article? It doesn't even look like the same size.

I did, but didn't mention it because I assumed it was preproduction

 

[ripperj]

My local dealer has a new Power Wagon on the lot, $56k, I wanted to check it out, but didn't even bother.

Sent from my Passport using Tapatalk 2

 

[haven]

Ram has announced Rebel pricing:

1500 Rebel 4x4 Crew Cab 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 $44,720
1500 Rebel 4x4 Crew Cab 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 $46,370

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/09/2015-ram-rebel-laramie-limited-pricing/

 

[aearles]

Ram has announced Rebel pricing:

1500 Rebel 4x4 Crew Cab 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 $44,720
1500 Rebel 4x4 Crew Cab 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 $46,370

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/09/2015-ram-rebel-laramie-limited-pricing/

Wow... who is buying a Rebel for Power Wagon prices?

 

[haven]

Because Power Wagon is $10,000 more. That $10K buys you a bigger engine, Mud Terrain tires, better skid plate protection, more articulation in the front suspension (auto-disconnect for front sway bar, softer long travel springs), a winch, lockers in both axles, a lower (higher numerically) gear ratio in the differentials, stronger axles (2500 series truck vs 1500 series for the Rebel). The Rebel has air suspension and an 8 speed automatic transmission; the Power Wagon steel springs and a 6 speed trans.

 

[aearles]

I know all of that, I bought one . But they start in the mid to high forties, not necessarily $10k more.

 

[haven]

You're correct, the starting price for the Power Wagon is $49,145. That's a lot of truck for $3000 more than the Rebel.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/ram_2500/#power_wagon

Looks like I was also incorrect about the mud/terrain tires. The web site above says 33 inch A/T tires on both Rebel and Power Wagon.

If you can live with the basic Tradesman interior, and no chrome accents on the grille, mirrors and door handles ,you can buy a Power Wagon for $150 more than a Rebel, which has a mid-grade interior and chrome accents.