Ram 1500 teams work with play

It's been said variety is the spice of life. The 2012 Ram 1500 pickup truck offers variety and more with a lineup that includes Big Horn, Express, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn, Lone Star, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Outdoorsman, Tradesman and Tradesman HD.

For work or play, consumers are likely to find a model at the Chicago Auto Show Ram display to suit their needs.

Though there are no significant changes to the  Ram 1500 for the 2012 model year, there are a few noteworthy features that make the 2012 Ram  1500 an attractive option for half–ton pickup buyers.

For the work–minded, a new Tradesman HD has been added to the lineup. Tradesman HD has an 11,500–pound maximum trailer rating, 3100–pound payload and 17,500–pound gross combined weight rating that beats other half–ton trucks on the market.

Ram shifts a new six–speed automatic transmission calibration with Electronic Range Select to this year's marketplace. The new transmission allows the driver to gain access to all six gears. Manual shift capability gives the driver the control for up or downshifts.

The transmission feature is likely to get a thumbs–up from drivers who use engine braking to slow their vehicle or want more shift control for a variety of situations that warrant gear variety.

Ram's new color palette includes choice of Black Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red, Deep Molten Red, Sagebrush, True Blue Pearl and Tequila Sunrises. Chrysler Groups' 2012 Ram Truck brand collaborates with outdoorsmen's camouflage interest and has introduced a new Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition.

The 2012 Ram  1500 continues to trumpet its performance prowess with the popular 5.7–liter, Hemi V8 engine that puts out 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque to yield up to 20 miles per gallon on the highway.

A Flex–Fuel capable 4.7–liter V8 kicks out 310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, while the 3.7–liter V6 generates 215 horsepower teamed to 235 lb.-ft. of torque. In all, drivers can achieve 20 mpg highway mileage across the entire Ram 1500 model lineup.

Consumers may opt for a five– or six–speed transmission, part–time or on–demand four–wheel drive transfer cases, and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 axle ratios.

Certainly, Ram 1500 is powerful and fuel–efficient. Consumers who crave speed may turn to the Ram R/T regular cab rear–wheel drive model with a short bed and 4:10 gears that hauls 0–60 mph in only 6.1 seconds.

Multiple cab configurations are available on Regular, Quad Cab and Crew Cab models with box lengths ranging from 8–foot on the Regular cab to a 6–foot, 4–inch bed for Regular cab and Quad Cab models. Ram 1500 Crew Cab comes with a 5–foot, 7–inch cargo box.

Ram's high–strength steel frame design carries a multi–link coil spring rear suspension, capable of payloads up to 1,850 pounds and a 10,250 pound towing capability.

Work or play, buyers need a place to store their gear. The RamBox cargo management system is a popular and innovative storage solution offered on the Ram 1500 Crew Cab, Quad Cab and short bed Regular cab models. The lockable storage bins are built into the weatherproof bed rails.

The drainable RamBox can hold as many as 140, 12–ounce beverages in ice. The bins are equally suitable to store dry gear of all types.

A Ram feature called "store in the floor" provides additional storage. The "store in the floor" bins have liners that are removable and are suitable for ice and beverage storage.

To accommodate the "always on" world we live in, Ram 1500 offers Uconnect. Uconnect acts as a hub to connect owners to a variety of media and devices, such as cell phone, Internet, navigation system, satellite and smart phones.

Enhancing the fit and finish continues to be a focus for Ram Trucks. Ram 1500 interiors feature soft touch materials that offer a comfortable, quality feel.

Outside, attractive 20– or 22–inch wheels are available on a variety of models. Designers have focused on creating an aggressive yet premium exterior look and feel for the Ram 1500 with three–dimensional exterior badges. Up front, Ram's signature bulging hood gives the 1500 a unique and imposing appearance.

Ram 1500 has chiseled out a solid place in the half–ton truck market, butting heads with the familiar foes like Ford F–150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

The 2012 Ram 1500 appears fit and ready to continue the battle with a starting price of $20,810.