The RAM 1500 is now on sale in Australia redrawing key benchmarks for the fastest growing market sector in the Australia vehicle market.

The RAM 1500 sets new standards for towing capacity, tub size, interior space and comfort and, with the legendary 5.7 litre HEMI V8, it resets the performance yardstick as well as marking the return to the market of the much-loved Australian icon: The V8 Ute.

But, despite all these new benchmarks with an opening driveaway price of $79,990, the RAM 1500 sits comfortably amongst the key top end utes in the Australia market.

“The RAM 1500 is built and equipped to meet the changing demands of the Australian Ute buyer who are demanding more towing capacity, more space inside and out, and better performance,” says Alex Stewart, General Manager of RAM Trucks Australia.

“With a maximum towing capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes, it is a clear full tonne ahead of its rivals and with the legendary Hemi V8 under the bonnet, it has both power and a chassis designed by the world leading experts to safely tow that extra weight.

“The RAM 1500 has a choice of two cab sizes, both which offer a level of space, and therefore comfort, of which other lesser utes may only dream.”

“The space story continues with the tub, again two sizes, with the largest six feet four inches long or nearly two metres long and more than 1.2 metres wide between the wheel arches.

“Then there are the features that other Utes simply can’t offer such as a choice of axle ratios and the unique and uniquely useful RamBoxes, two 240 litre lockers on either side of the tub that may be used as secure storage or as a pair of ice-filled cool boxes,” says Mr Stewart.

At 5.8 metres long and a little over two metres wide, the RAM 1500 is significantly larger than other Utes in its market sector and this translates into more space inside and outside and a much larger towing capacity.

The RAM 1500 is offered with a choice of two cab sizes, the Express with the Quad Cab and the Laramie with the Crew Cab.

Although the Quad is the smaller of the two, an interior volume of 3.3 cubic metres still places it ahead of majority of conventional Utes, while impressive levels shoulder and hip room make it a comfortable place to be, front or back.

The Laramie has a full crew cab with 3.5 cubic metres of interior space with a rear seat leg room length of more than a metre, it is as spacious in the back as the front.

This story was first published in The Fence magazine.