Let's be crystal clear: It shouldn't take anyone more than two seconds to realize the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel is not a Raptor fighter or anything close to a Power Wagon. It is, however, a special half-ton package that includes unique features and design changes that are pretty cool. Further, this is not a new off-road package but a collection of some of Ram's best and most capable features that have been tweaked or modified to highlight the rugged, adventure-focused capabilities of Ram's half-ton — think of it as a Ram Outdoorsman Plus.
This will give the Ram truck brand 10 distinct trim packages (Tradesman, Express, SLT, Big Horn/Lone Star, Sport, Outdoorsman, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Laramie Limited) with the Rebel slotting just above the Outdoorsman for customers who want a more active, customized look. The Rebel allows Ram to compete with more serious 4x4 packages like the Tundra TRD Pro and Nissan Titan Pro-4X while nudging ahead of the GM Z71 and Ford FX4 packages.
What It Is
A peek underneath the Ram 1500 Rebel makes it clear it starts with a standard crew-cab Ram 1500 platform with the four-corner air-suspension option. The crew-cab-only Rebel can be ordered with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 (4x4 or 4x2) or a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 (4x4 only) with axle ratio choices for the V-8 of 3.21:1 or 3.92:1. The V-6 will only get the 3.92:1 gears; both will be mated to their respective eight-speed ZF transmission.
Obvious front-end changes include the bulging hood (actually an aluminum sport hood from Mopar) and a brand-new molded grille with monster-sized Ram lettering; this grille drops the crosshairs. The front bumpers have been reshaped to allow for slightly better approach angles and larger openings for the frame-mounted tow loops. A powder-coated front skidplate protects a portion of the bumper, then wraps under the front of the truck. Exterior designers agonized over every inch of this new Rebel's front end; they've even removed the small chrome accents inside the headlights — exclusive to the Rebel — to keep the overall look clean and sporty.
Front and rear wheel arches have the fender flares from the heavier-duty Ram 2500 Power Wagon with similarly sized 33-inch (actually 285/70R17E rated) Toyo Open Country tires. This is a unique tire selected specifically for the Ram Rebel package.
A Distinct Look
All Ram Rebels will be offered in two-tone paint or monochromatic styles. Color choices will include Flame Red, Bright White, Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black and Granite Crystal Metallic. Regardless of exterior paint scheme choices, the interior will have a single look, which will include accented stitching in the molded seats, anodized red surrounds in the doors, center console and gauge cluster as well as the tire's footprint embossed into the seatbacks and cushions. A Radar Red ram's head and Rebel logo will be embroidered into the seats and bolsters as well.
The bed design will not changed but we're guessing the RamBox option (with its handy lockable bedside storage) will be popular. Additionally, a new, sturdy three-section tonneau cover offered through Mopar should make hunters, campers or fisherman grateful for the extra high-mounted deck space. It's worth noting most of the tailgate design is similar to current Rams (meaning remote lock and strut assist will be available), but almost the entire rear face of the Rebel tailgate will now covered with 7-inch-tall letters spelling out Ram. The base of the lettering pops out of the metal tailgate, and then each letter sits on top. This three-dimensional effect isn't subtle at all, but it matches the front grille perfectly.
The air suspension computer control setup in the Ram Rebel is a little different than normal Ram 1500s with the same option in that there is only one "off-road" setting to the driver-controlled suspension (normal Rams have two off-road settings: off-road 1 and off-road 2). That's because all Ram Rebel will offer a normal ride height an inch or so taller than a normally equipped Ram air setup, but will still have the automatic aero setting for highway cruising.
The taller "normal" ride height (along with the taller tires) gives the Rebel a more "aftermarket" or lifted look, separating the new package from its Ram counterparts and all of its competitors. The extra ride height gives the bigger tires a little more room to move around for those enthusiastic drives into the backcountry. To round out the improved suspension package, Ram will include a set of specially tuned high-performance Bilstien shocks to help give it extra durability and support.
The new Ram 1500 Rebel will be available by June, but don't expect pricing to be announced until we get closer to its actual on-sale date.
To read the full 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel press release, click here.
To read the full 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel specification sheet, click here.
Manufacturer's images
Source:http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/01/2015-ram-1500-rebel-first-look.html
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