The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

T he I FP * H al to n H ill s *W H E E L S A pr il 11 2 01 3 4 is $1,200 over the 4.7 and another $200 for the Hemi 5.7 with six-speed. So $1,400 for a Hemi over the base 4.7. But on the SLT you can actually choose the V6 or the Hemi for same price (again different packages, etc.)." At the press launch in Nashville I spent the whole day in the 3.6-litre in the SLT trim model which is one step up from the base SXT and what I thought will prove the most popular choice especially in the Crew Cab version I drove. Ram claims the 3.6-litre has the same grunt as a V8. With just my co-driver and I aboard, it certainly felt very strong on the combi- nation of most secondary roads south of Nashville. The ride, not the power, was the best part. Even without the optional air sus- pension, the Ram tracked the narrow roads in that part of the state tenaciously. Later towing a big trailer with a large ATV strapped to it, the Ram pulled up and down gentle grades with no discernable sense of the transmission hunting the rev range for more power. Even though our SLT was basically en- try level, the seats were big and supportive with dozens of cubbies and storage areas scattered throughout which is what those who will gravitate to the SXT or SLT are looking for. But if you want premium luxury like fi ttings, the Longhorn has without doubt the most opulently equipped interior of- fered by any vehicles under the Chrysler Corporation banner. The air suspension optional ($1,500) offers fi ve ride heights that raise or lower the body over a range of four inches. It changes ride height at speed as selected manually from the console or key fob. With the air suspension, Ram claims best in class step-in height or 553.4 mm (21 in), ground clearance 274 mm (10.8 in), best departure angle 27.8 degrees and breakout angle of 24.2 degrees. Little details, as noted above, are a big deal with pickup buyers and the Ram has sweated a lot of them. The unique Ram Box built into each side of the bed can now be opened and locked remotely and it is also illuminated. It keeps things dry but, if needed, it can carry ice and there is a drain plug. With the eight-speed transmission there are active shutters in front of the radiator. When closed, they help direct air away from the engine bay to improve aerodynamics. They automatically open when needed. There are some 45 safety/driver aids on every Ram, most standard. With 16 per cent of Canadian vehicle sales being pickups, obviously a lot is riding on the 2013 Ram and offi cials in Nashville were buoyed by the fact their sales are up 28 per cent so far this year, which they see as encouraging. Could this be the Year of the Ram? Dodge Ram 1500 pickup 2013 (at a glance) BODY STYLE: Full-size pickup truck. DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, rear-/ four-wheel-drive. ENGINE: 3.6-litre, DOHC V6 (306 hp, 269 lb/ft); 4.7-litre SOHC V8 (310 hp, 330 lb/ft); 5.7-litre OHV V8 (395 hp, 407 lb/ft) FUEL ECONOMY: NA TOW RATING: V6 up to 6,500 lb; V8 up to 10,450 lb PRICE: Base 4.7-litre, $26,995; 3.6- litre/eight-speed adds $1,200; 5.7-litre/six- speed adds $1,400 over 4.7-litre WEBSITE: www.dodge.ca The interior of the 2013 Ram Laramie Longhorn puts many premium luxury sedans to shame featuring real wood trim imported from France. Ram pickups show their strength Continued from pg. 3