2021 Ram 1500 pricing and specs detailed: New-gen V8-powered pick-up truck arrives to tempt you away from Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

Ram has started rolling out the new-generation ‘DT’ 1500 full-sized ute to Australian showrooms with a starting price of $114,950 before on-road costs for the Laramie, while the Limited grade raises the bar to $139,950.

A special 1500 Laramie Launch Edition is also available for $139,950, but details are yet to be revealed on what equipment is offered.

Powering the new Ram 1500 (as well as the existing Express and Warlock grades) is a 5.7-litre Hemi petrol V8 punching out 291kW/556Nm.

Paired to the engine is an eight-speed ‘Torqueflite’ automatic transmission, which drives all four wheels for a braked towing capacity of 4500kg and a payload capacity of at least 701kg.

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An active transfer case is also fitted, able to switch between two-wheel high, four-wheel auto, four-wheel high and four-wheel low modes.

With cylinder-deactivation technology, engine start/stop and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, fuel economy kept to 12.2 litres per 100km, while carbon dioxide emissions are pegged at 283 grams per kilometre.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, patrial leather interior, heavy duty tow bar, sliding storage console, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, power-adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel, keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone climate control.

Handling multimedia duties is a 12.0-inch Uconnect 4 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, voice-controlled satellite navigation, wireless smartphone charger and premium 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Safety systems extend to trailer sway control, hill-start assist, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, tyre pressure monitoring, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control.

However, parallel parking assist, a surround-view monitor, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and auto-dimming side mirrors can be optioned with the Driver Assist Package.

Of note, these advanced safety features come standard on the Limited variant.

Chrome exterior accents are also featured on the Laramie, found on the front and rear bumpers, door handles, grille, badges and exhaust tips.

The Limited grade swaps out chrome for black, while also adding 22-inch wheels, premium leather trim, soft tonneau cover, a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled rear seats, rubber floor mats, auto-deploying side steps, active air suspension, and LED headlights.

With a cargo tub floor length measuring 1712mm, the new Ram 1500 can accommodate 1500 litres of volume in its tray, though RamBoxes are available in the Laramie for an additional $4950.

The ‘DT’ Ram 1500 has also been extensively tested on Australian soil, with the brand spruiking a 50,000km real-world test, as well as 80,000km on a dyno and 20,000km at the Anglesea Proving Ground.

As with all locally sold Ram trucks, the vehicles are remanufactured in right-hand drive at a facility in Melbourne, and adhere to local design regulations.

Ram Trucks Australia national manager Jeff Barber said the new 1500 truck is expected to kick-off a busy year for the brand, with more models coming soon.

“The all-new 1500 DT marks the culmination of a detailed planning, development, remanufacturing and testing programme with our local and global partners, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (US),” he said.

“The DT version now swells our 1500 range to five diverse models, from the price-leading Express Quad to Crew Cab, Warlock II, and now DT versions of Laramie, and Limited.

“With the all-new 2500 and 3500 also arriving later this year – and some other exciting developments – 2021 looks set to be a record year for RAM Trucks Australia.”

2021 DT Ram 1500 pricing before on-road costs