By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos FCA Media
For 2016, the Dodge Ram 1500 Rebel brings a one of a kind off-road design to the full-size truck segment, offering an off-road style package. The Rebel drops right into a core segment of the truck market with unique design cues and mechanical innovation backed by Ram Truck engineering.
Exterior
Rebel features an all-new grille with a prominent billet silver RAM letter badge. Departing from the brand’s iconic crosshair designs, the blacked out Rebel grille tops a completely new black off-road front bumper design with a durable powder coated surface. It also incorporates a powder coated, billet silver skid plate, front tow hooks and an all-new 17-inch aluminum wheel.
The blacked out front end continues on the flanks, where black Power Wagon wheel arch moldings, flat black badge, mirrors and lower body panels create a distinctive trail ready presence. The new trim features a two tone paint scheme with black as a constant on the lower body, front to rear.
Continuing around to the rearview is a bold new RAM stamped tailgate with blacked out lettering. The Rebel and 4X4 badge emphasize the truck’s uniqueness. The rear bumper is also treated with durable black powder coating with flared cutouts around dual chrome-tipped exhausts. Tail lamps incorporate black bezels to match forward lighting.
Interior
Inside, Rebel is every bit as brawny and rugged as it is outside, featuring dramatic, industry exclusive seating elements. High durability technical grain vinyl seats are finished in Radar Red and black with Sedoso fabric inserts embossed with the Toyo tire tread pattern, matching the Rebel’s actual footprint. Standard heated front seats feature Light Diesel Gray accent stitching, Radar Red Ram’s head embroidery on the headrests and black with Light Diesel Gray Rebel nameplate embroidered on the upper seat bolsters.
The all black instrument panel, door armrests and logo embossed center console armrest cover are topped with two tone Radar Red and Light Gray accent stitching. The center stack and console are finished in Iron Gray Metallic paint giving a cast-iron appearance. An all-new center console bin incorporates a cellular phone/tablet holder with molded insert allowing for various sized devices. Radar Red anodized vent rings, door accent rings, door trim spears and center console trim ring add color detail to the interior. The Rebel’s heated steering wheel is wrapped with semi-perforated black leather, accented with Radar Red X-stitches.
Performance
The Rebel’s trail running capability gets a boost with 1.0-inch raised ride height for improved off road approach, departure and breakover angles; Bilstein supplies front and rear shocks with unique tuning and a new steering calibration is matched to the Rebel’s increased ride height. A softer rear stabilizer bar provides improved dynamics.
A new tire offering for Ram trucks, the Open Country A/Ts are versatile all-terrain tires designed for rugged good looks, all-season handling and a comfortable ride. Their aggressive tread pattern offers good traction in bad conditions, on pavement or off. They feature a special wavy sipe arrangement for a comfortable ride and improved snow traction; groove bottom siping for more biting edges for increased traction in the snow and an open shoulder that maximizes water evacuation for excellent all-terrain traction and stability.
The Rebel takes advantage of Ram’s exclusive air suspension system with a 1.0-inch factory suspension lift, which not only helps to clear the 33-inch tires but also contributes to additional ground clearance. A modified alignment of the independent front suspension appropriately adjusts tire angle and aluminum lower A-arms absorb the load. The combination of larger tires and a suspension lift yield best-in-class ground clearance of 10.3 inches, and a new stability program calibration takes Rebel’s modifications into consideration.
Rebel is available exclusively as a crew cab model with 5-ft. 7-inch bed length. Both 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7- liter HEMI powertrains are offered, as is a choice of either 4X2 (HEMI only) or 4X4 configurations. RamBox is optional.
Powertrain
Two engine configurations are available for the Ram 1500 Rebel, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with variable-valve timing offers 305 horsepower, 269 lb.-ft. of torque and fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with fuel-saving cylinder shut-off and VVT provide 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.
HEMI-powered Ram 1500 Rebel trucks are available in 4×2 or 4×4 powertrains with 3.92 or 3.21 gear ratios. When equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, Rebel is available in 4×4 only with a 3.92 gear ratio, allowing the engine to leverage its power and torque.
Both the 3.6-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engines are available with a rear anti-spin differential, which turns both rear wheels in tandem when increased torque is applied helpful in off-road driving conditions. The design automatically unlocks the differential for normal on-road driving, allowing the wheels to spin independently for improved drivability.
The TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, standard equipment with the Rebel’s 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engines, improves drivability and enhances fuel efficiency.
Summary
The Ram Rebel brings one of a kind, off-road design to the full-size truck segment with unique design cues and can-do attitude. Equipped with a standard air suspension, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, tow hooks and other off-road-ready features, the Ram 1500 Rebel appeals to the truck owner looking for a less beaten path.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $45,100.00, the one I drove included the Luxury, Protection, Rear Camera and Park Assist Groups, 8-Speed Automatic 8HP70 Transmission, Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle, 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI MDS VVT Engine, 7-inch Rebel Reconfigurable Instrument Cluster, Uconnect 8.4 Navigation, Trailer Brake Control and Spray-In Bedliner, and it came in at $51,755.00 including destination charge. The EPA fuel economy estimates 15 MPG City and 21 MPG Highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
