In the automotive industry, when the Freep speaks, people listen and the DFP has named the 2013 Ram 1500 its Truck of the Year, giving this forward-thinking new Ram Truck a well-deserved accolade.
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The 2013 Ram 1500 has been winning recognition right and left. Ever since its announcement as a refresh with slight cosmetic changes and a complete overhaul of its underpinnings, the 1500 has been catching the eye of journalists and the full-sized truck segment.
When information on the power train and aerodynamics was released in August, it was immediately recognized as the most efficient half-ton truck coming to market. When driven by Torque News contributors such as myself, it was seen as a much-needed kick in the pants for the segment.
Earlier this month, it received the coveted Motor Trend Truck of the Year award, then was named as a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year award.
Now the 2013 Ram 1500 has received the highly sought after Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year title. Their reasons were explained succinctly by Mark Phelan: ""Chrysler could have gotten away with a mere face-lift for the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup. Instead, it provided a glimpse of the pickup of the future, a truck that combines workhorse capability with fuel efficiency."
In short, everything on the truck that isn't the body style was changed. A first-in-segment 8-speed transmission, stop-start system, highly efficient 6-cylinder engine option (cheaper than the nearest competition), and more have changed the game. When sitting in the new 2013 1500 Hemi 5.7, I asked Nick Cappa of Ram Truck what they would do when the competition hurried to meet the challenge (which they surely will), as it didn't seem that Chrysler had left anything out. He said "Oh, we have some plans."
Can't wait to see them.
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