CATS introduces Ram 1500 HEMI V8-powered pickup

The American pickup returns with a vengeance as CATS Motors  launches the Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Formerly sold under the Dodge brand, Ram became a stand-alone marque of trucks and commercial vehicles, still under the Fiat-Chrysler group. The brand was spun off to capitalize on the brand’s tough image and also to cater to a customer group that had very specific usage patterns for their vehicles.

The Ram is in the ‘half-ton’ class as it’s known in America, but there’s no doubt that it is full-sized. The 1500 Laramie Crew Cab measures 5816mm long x 2016mm wide. Its full-size crew cab is paired with a five-foot pickup box.

Behind the chromed crosshair grille and semi-trailer like front end lies a powerhouse engine. This wouldn’t be a proper Chrysler product without a Hemi engine. Ram 1500 is powered by a 5.7-liter V8, good for 395 hp and 550 Nm. A six-speed automatic takes care of the shifting duties. The truck rolls on 20-inch chromed wheels.

Inside is a well-appointed cabin with plenty of electronic goodies, including an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, nine-speaker system with subwoofer, leather seats and steering wheel, wood grain trim, power seats and dual-zone airconditioning.

The Ram 1500 has earned several awards, including the coveted 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year, voted by journalists. The cabin was also named as one of Ward’s best interiors.

Interestingly, the Ram pickup was the first in America to offer a small displacement diesel engine. The 3.0-liter diesel with 240 hp and 569 Nm would be perfect for Philippine use. However, it’s not available at this time. CATS’ marketing department is not ruling out its availability in the future.

Here and now, the Ram 1500 is the brawniest, largest, and most well equipped pickup on the market. The price of admission is P3,180,000.