Summer is an inspiring season. With the cold dull of winter finally behind us, summertime opens up a world of longer days and warmer weather, the perfect conditions for adventure. Summertime lures us to the outdoors, to get out and explore the world around us.
Combine that enticing invitation with the appeal of a pickup truck and you’ve got a scene waiting to be set to music. And that’s exactly what country artist Easton Corbin has done.
Following the lead of fellow country star and Ram brand ambassador, Miranda Lambert, who’s song “Roots and Wings,” is dedicated to the Ram truck line, Corbin has also released a brand new ditty, “Let’s Ride.” Of course, there are scores of songs about pickup trucks, but the theme of making memories and finding your direction really speaks to the Ram brand’s motto, “Grab Life.”
Pickup trucks and summertime fun are a natural fit, and it makes sense that country artists would celebrate that connection in song. See what makes the Ram trucks worth singing about…particularly, the award-winning 2015 Ram 1500–one of the best-selling trucks for sale in Miami.
Let’s Ride!
That’s the title of country crooner, Easton Corbin’s, new tune, a celebration of his Ram trucks partnership and a call to get out and make some summertime memories while the season is in full-swing.
According to Corbin, “When you think about songs you want to perform, you think about those memories that last forever, or songs you heard while in your favorite truck.”
That favorite truck, featured in Corbin’s music video, is a Ram 1500, as adventure-ready as any truck on the market today.
Just ask Corbin.
“It’s easy to write a song like “Let’s Ride” because it is all about fun and having a good time, which is what the Ram brand is all about,” he explained.
He’s right, but of course, you don’t have to take his word for it. Check out the specs on the Ram 1500 yourself and see why this truck is absolutely ready to ride. Just turn that key in the ignition and see why the Ram brand is all about fun and having a good time.
The Ram 1500: A Workhorse that Knows How to Party
Now, there are plenty of competitive pickup trucks on the automotive scene today, but the 2015 Ram 1500 edges ahead of its competitors in the light-duty, full-size pickup truck class.
The 2015 model year did not unveil a total redesign because it didn’t need to.
Building off Ram’s winning formula, this year’s Ram 1500 is mildly refreshed with respect to some new equipment upgrades, and a new R/T twist on the Sport trim.
Actually, this twist packs some thrills. Equipped with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, rated at 395 horsepower, and mated to an 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission, with a 3.92:1 rear-axle ratio, the 1500 R/T crushed the zero to sixty dash in 5.4 seconds and made the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 99 miles per hour.
But the fun isn’t reserved for the R/T only. In fact, the 1500 actually comes in six trim levels: Tradesman, Express, HFE, SLT, Sport, and Laramie. So, you’ll likely have a hard time choosing which one is right for you, especially after considering all of the body styles and packages available for precise personalization.
Diesel-Driven: A Ram-Exclusive Engine Option
A unique fact about the 1500 is that it offers the only diesel engine for the light-duty full-size pickup truck segment. That means, the 1500 has the best EPA-estimated fuel efficiency among its rivals. The 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine generates 240 horsepower with 420 lb.-ft. of torque, operated strictly by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Actual fuel ratings are rated at 23 mpg combined for the two-wheel drive and 22 mpg combined on the four-wheel drive configuration. This option is available on all of the 1500s trims, except for the Express and Sport. In the HFT, the EcoDiesel drivetrain gets 24 mpg combined, which is where the 1500 nabs the reputation for being the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup truck available.
Powertrains for Pickup Truck Purists
However, for those truck traditionalists, the 1500 is well equipped and ready to deliver outstanding performance.
Standard engine equipment comes from the 3.6-liter V6, producing 305 horsepower with 269 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine’s eight-speed automatic is operated by a rotary knob located on the instrument panel, rather than a shift lever.
The V6 is rated at an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined in the 4×2 configuration; while the HFT gets a slight boost to 21 mpg combined, and the four-wheel drive comes in at 19 combined miles per gallon.
The 5.7-liter V8 engine, generating 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque is standard on the Sport, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie Limited trim levels. However, it is available on other 1500 models, like the Tradesman or Express.
If you opt for this engine in the Tradesman or Express, expect it to come paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and optional eight-speed. However, all other 1500s outfitted with a V8 come standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel efficiency for the V8 with six-speed transmission is rated at 16 mpg combined from the 4×2 and 15 mpg combined from the four-wheel drive.
The eight speed gives those numbers a slight nudge, bringing the V8 to 17 mpg (15/22) combined in the two-wheel drive and 17 mpg (15/21) combined from the four-wheel drive option.
Performance Figures for the Ram 1500
All of these 1500 models are capable pickup trucks, but the numbers yielded by Edmunds performance testing vary between powertrains.
Take the Ram 1500 4WD crew cab, outfitted with the EcoDiesel engine. This truck made the zero to sixty mph sprint in an average time of 8.7seconds. But because of the pumped up torque in the diesel-operated Ram 1500s, the truck gives the impression that it accelerates much faster than that.
Maximum towing capacity comes in at 7,600 pounds from the V6, with the diesel V6 pushing those limits to 9,200 pounds.
Nearly matching its competitors, Ram 1500s equipped with a V8 are able to tow up to 10,650 pounds, which is close to the competitive edge marking this full-size segment.
Impressive Interiority – The Ram 1500 Sets the Standard
The Ram 1500 really leads the pack with respect to cabin comfort and design. Using quality materials in all of its trim levels, the luxury factor can be moved up a notch by the available leather upholstery and wood trim details.
Choose between two touchscreen infotainment displays, the first measuring five inches, the other (and most popular) at 8.4 inches. Additional features for extra convenience and accessibility include keyless entry and ignition, Bluetooth, voice-activated controls, WiFi hotspot, and smartphone integration.
Cargo and storage are ample throughout the Ram 1500 line, particularly considering the available Ram-exclusive RamBox system, comprised of two lockable compartments tucked inside the truck bed, located over the rear fenders. Certain equipment allows the compartments to be remotely locked and unlocked.
It’s no wonder that Miranda Lambert and Easton Corbin have made it their business – literally – to sing the praises of Ram pickup trucks.
But, they’re not alone. The Ram 1500 has been winning awards for years, with its most recent accolade coming from U.S. News & World Report, which named the 2015 Ram 1500, “The Best Full Size Truck for the Money.”
Just how much money are we talking?
The 2015 Ram 1500 starts at the MSRP of $25,600, but naturally increases as you move up trim levels, especially after adding any extra bells and whistles from the available package options.
So, get out there. Take Corbin’s advice, get behind the wheel of a Ram truck, crank up the music, and “catch a little sunset” before summer passes us all by…
