Ram Rebel
For many, a word like “Rebel” conjures up images of someone you want to hang out with for a day. Maybe ride along in the General Lee as the Dukes of Hazzard take you for some stratospheric, suspension-bombing hijinks or belly up to the bar with Han Solo. Good times. The folks at Ma Mopar decided it was time to channel some of that vibe and squeeze another Ram into its stable. Meet the 2016 Ram Rebel.
The first thing people notice on Ram’s latest is the big change to the pickup’s iconic “crosshair” grille. It’s gone. In its place is a thick black frown that not only looks like this truck’s giving you the stink-eye, it also compliments the black powder-coated front and rear bumpers…giving the surfaces some off-road durability.
Waitta minute…doesn’t the Ram lineup already have an off-road warrior in the Power Wagon?
Absolutely. The Rebel is more about casually ripping your way through some invigorating off-road trails than trying to be Edmund Hillary on wheels. That said, Ram’s engineers modified the 1500’s parts bin to deliver off-road capability for the typical pickup owner. The Rebel rides on the same four-corner air suspension that’s available for its siblings, but the ride height has been adjusted so the Rebel stands an inch higher than they do. Taking advantage of that additional ride height are a set of 33-inch (LT285/70R/17E) Toyo Open Country tires wrapped around 17-inch silver and black cast aluminum wheels. The bigger tires and suspension lift add up to what Ram claims is the best ground clearance in its class—10.3 inches. In case you’re wondering what other trucks fall into the “rebel” class, check out weekend warrior pickups like Ford’s FX4,Chevrolet’s Silverado Z/71 and the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Further modifications to the stock 1500’s performance goods include Bilstein shocks for the front and rear and a softer rear stabilizer bar.
A limited-slip rear differential is optional.
Under the hood, the Rebel features a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that churns out 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The block comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 4-wheel drive powertrain with a 3.92 rear-axle ratio. This marks the first time the 3.92 gearing is combined with the 3.6-liter engine, and Ma Mopar expects to combination to deliver 25 mpg on the highway. If you’re celebrating the return of affordable gas prices like we are, however, opt for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine. The burlier block ups the ante to 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque, along with opening up the option for either 4-wheel or rear-wheel drive and your choice of a 3.92 or 3.21 rear. Like the V6, the Hemi comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Dukes wouldn’t be the Dukes if they dressed business casual, and neither can the new Rebel. Obvious exterior touches include the non-functional twin snorkels on the hood, the Power Wagon-style wheel arches and the word RAM spelled out in a 5000-sized font on the tailgate and grill. A tri-fold tonneau cover seals up the bed. The continuation of the black trim along the pickup’s lower body is great for those cringing moments when you can practically feel the branches scraping along the sides of your ride.
New design tow hooks peek out of an optional set of skid plates. The newest Ram will be available only in a Crew Cab bodystyle with a 5’ 7” bed.
Inside the cabin awaits seats embossed with the actual pattern of the Toyo tires the Rebel wears. Deep rubber floor mats trap all the garbage your shoes will drag into your truck from taking it who-knows-where and a new center console bin is designed to hold your tablet and/or phone so you can easily upload pictures of your latest adventures to social media.
Expect to see the Ram Rebel 1500 popping up on showroom floors by fall of 2015.
For many, a word like “Rebel” conjures up images of someone you want to hang out with for a day. Maybe ride along in the General Lee as the Dukes of Hazzard take you for some stratospheric, suspension-bombing hijinks or belly up to the bar with Han Solo. Good times. The folks at Ma Mopar decided it was time to channel some of that vibe and squeeze another Ram into its stable. Meet the 2016 Ram Rebel.
The first thing people notice on Ram’s latest is the big change to the pickup’s iconic “crosshair” grille. It’s gone. In its place is a thick black frown that not only looks like this truck’s giving you the stink-eye, it also compliments the black powder-coated front and rear bumpers…giving the surfaces some off-road durability.
Waitta minute…doesn’t the Ram lineup already have an off-road warrior in the Power Wagon?
Absolutely. The Rebel is more about casually ripping your way through some invigorating off-road trails than trying to be Edmund Hillary on wheels. That said, Ram’s engineers modified the 1500’s parts bin to deliver off-road capability for the typical pickup owner. The Rebel rides on the same four-corner air suspension that’s available for its siblings, but the ride height has been adjusted so the Rebel stands an inch higher than they do. Taking advantage of that additional ride height are a set of 33-inch (LT285/70R/17E) Toyo Open Country tires wrapped around 17-inch silver and black cast aluminum wheels. The bigger tires and suspension lift add up to what Ram claims is the best ground clearance in its class—10.3 inches. In case you’re wondering what other trucks fall into the “rebel” class, check out weekend warrior pickups like Ford’s FX4,Chevrolet’s Silverado Z/71 and the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Further modifications to the stock 1500’s performance goods include Bilstein shocks for the front and rear and a softer rear stabilizer bar.
A limited-slip rear differential is optional.
Under the hood, the Rebel features a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that churns out 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. The block comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 4-wheel drive powertrain with a 3.92 rear-axle ratio. This marks the first time the 3.92 gearing is combined with the 3.6-liter engine, and Ma Mopar expects to combination to deliver 25 mpg on the highway. If you’re celebrating the return of affordable gas prices like we are, however, opt for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine. The burlier block ups the ante to 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque, along with opening up the option for either 4-wheel or rear-wheel drive and your choice of a 3.92 or 3.21 rear. Like the V6, the Hemi comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Dukes wouldn’t be the Dukes if they dressed business casual, and neither can the new Rebel. Obvious exterior touches include the non-functional twin snorkels on the hood, the Power Wagon-style wheel arches and the word RAM spelled out in a 5000-sized font on the tailgate and grill. A tri-fold tonneau cover seals up the bed. The continuation of the black trim along the pickup’s lower body is great for those cringing moments when you can practically feel the branches scraping along the sides of your ride.
New design tow hooks peek out of an optional set of skid plates. The newest Ram will be available only in a Crew Cab bodystyle with a 5’ 7” bed.
Inside the cabin awaits seats embossed with the actual pattern of the Toyo tires the Rebel wears. Deep rubber floor mats trap all the garbage your shoes will drag into your truck from taking it who-knows-where and a new center console bin is designed to hold your tablet and/or phone so you can easily upload pictures of your latest adventures to social media.
Expect to see the Ram Rebel 1500 popping up on showroom floors by fall of 2015.
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