In a market segment as lucrative as the full-size pickup category, we shouldn't be surprised to see manufacturers' strategies consisting of offering several trim lines to suit all tastes. At Chrysler, the multiplication of trims and special editions seems to work out for them, as sales are increasing.
In addition to the ST, SXT and SLT, the Ram offers Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, Big Horn, Sport, Laramie, Power Wagon and - the subject of our test today - Laramie Longhorn, the most lavishly equipped of the vast line-up.
Let's just say that luxury takes on a peculiar meaning within the Ram brand. Its cockpit dressed in brown leather, livestock horns and Western-style design patterns makes us wanna jump in a pair of cowboy boots, put on a Stetson and hit the road all the way to Texas.
The 5.7L HEMI V8 is standard in the Ram 2500/3500. Despite a premium of $11,245, or roughly the price of a brand-new Nissan Versa Sedan, many buyers are instead choosing the 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel inline-6, which is saddled with a 6-speed automatic. A manual gearbox is also offered.
Down two pistons compared to the diesel engines in the Ford F-Series Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, the Cummins lump develops 350 horsepower, and a colossal 800 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,500 rpm. Thanks to this prodigious twisting force, this Crew Cab, long-bed Ram 2500 can tow up to 14,300 lbs (6,486 kg), while its payload capacity is 2,030 lbs (921 kg).
Certain versions of the Ram can pull up to 22,750 lbs, which seems unreal. We're a little short, however, of the maximum towing ratings of GM (23,000 lbs) and Ford (24,500 lbs). Still, you get a diesel exhaust brake, very useful for controlling truck and trailer speed, and making you feel as if you were driving an 18-wheeler.
As for fuel economy, the Laramie Longhorn used up only 17L/100km in our hands. The last Ram 2500 we tested with a HEMI engine guzzled down more than 20L/100km.
The Ram 2500 starts at $35,345 for a Regular Cab, short bed 4 2 model. However, our Laramie Longhorn 4 4 equipped with the turbodiesel engine and the longer bed costs more than $70,000, which isn't within reach of every cowboy. But cheer up - the Ford F-350 King Ranch is even more expensive.
Muscular, luxurious and utterly enormous, the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn is one of the best ways to show off at the country fair. As a workhorse, you can't ask for much more, but personally, I'd go for a less-expensive trim line of the Ram that's just as hard-working.
More Pictures of 2012 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4 4
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