2014 Ram 1500 Tradesman on 2040-cars

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Ram Firefighter Edition launches new 'Built to Serve' trucks

Turns out the "fifth and final" model in Ram's "Built to Serve" series wasn't so final after all. The truckmaker is launching its second round of special-edition trucks with the vehicle you see here, which honors firefighters. Other trucks in this series will give the nod toward police officers and emergency medical service providers. "After honoring each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces with our initial ‘Built to ServeÂ’ models, we felt it would be equally important to also extend our gratitude to all first responders who serve or have served our communities," Mike Koval Jr., Ram Brand Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement. "Whether a first responder or civilian, Ram truck owners are very familiar with this adage as itÂ’s something we strive to build into every truck and van we produce." The fiery Redline and smoky Diamond Black exterior colors and black interior with orange accent stitching certainly fits with the firefighting theme. And the body-color wheel flares, blacked-out grille, bumpers, and lighting elements stand out well against the bright paint. Velcro patches on the seats allow owners to affix their own patches for personalization. A handy holdover from military-themed trucks is the Pouch Attachment Ladder System/Modular Lightweight Load-bearing Equipment (PALS/MOLLE) webbing that allows the attachment of equipment or pouches. Besides the interior and exterior customizations, each Built to Serve truck comes fully equipped with Ram's 4x4 Off-Road Group. They get all-terrain tires, an electronic locking rear axle, hill-descent control, skid plates for the front suspension, steering gear, fuel tank and transfer case,  tow hooks and uniquely calibrated shocks front and rear. This round of Built to Serve packages are available on Ram 1500 Big Horn models. Any body style or powertrain can be specified, with a starting price of $48,420 including destination. We expect to see previews of the other two Built to Serve first responder trucks before they go on sale this spring. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Chevy Blazer EV and Ford F-150 Raptor R | Autoblog Podcast #739

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by News Editor Joel Stocksdale. They cover the big news of the week including an electric Chevy Blazer, the Ford F-150 Raptor R and the strange lifted Toyota Crown sedan. The conversation then shifts to the cars they've been driving including a Ram 1500 Rebel G/T, Porsche 911 GT3 and Hyundai Elantra N. Finally, the episode wraps up not with a Spend My Money question, but an update, as a previous advice seeker reports their car buying decision. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #739 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown 2024 Chevy Blazer EV 2023 Toyota Crown 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Cars We're Driving 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel G/T 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 2022 Hyundai Elantra N Spend My Money Update Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video:

Rivian R1T faces first competitive test in Rebelle Rally

Not long ago, the Rivian R1T electric pickup engaged in a very public bit of development testing as a support vehicle for "Long Way Up" — the trip Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman took on Harley Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycles from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Los Angeles. Next month, the R1T enters the realm of competition testing by competing in the Rebelle Rally, the all-female navigation rally held over 10 days and 1,243 miles in the sandy, rocky hinterlands of California and Nevada. The team behind the wheel will be pilot Emme Hall and navigator Rebecca Donaghe, who won last year's Rebelle Rally driving the then-new Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This is the first year in the Rebelle's five-year history that there will be a pure electric vehicle. A Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will be the only other entrant flying the electrified flag. To welcome the battery-electric pickup and any other electrified runner that wants to join in the future, rally organizers have arranged a battery-powered mobile charging system to be deployed along the course. It's not clear which battery and motors the Rivian will house, but the top spec would provide a 180-kWh pack, up to 750 horsepower, and a range of more than 400 miles in normal conditions. The race will help Rivian hone the pickup's off-road credentials, the brand's creative director saying, "Adventures like the Rebelle Rally are what Rivian vehicles are made for." The Rebelle isn't a timed rally, so the point isn't to beat up the R1T with marathon stints on the throttle. As a navigation rally, competitors aim acquire points by hitting certain checkpoints, making strategy key. The ability to clamber over and through whatever's in the way won't hurt, either, a technique aided by the R1T's height-adjustable suspension that provides 14 inches of ground clearance on its tiptoes. The ability to do tank turns might also come in handy. The Rivian will prove itself by placing, or teach important lessons by falling out. All of this is a necessary step for a manufacturer selling "electric adventure vehicles." There are only two classes in the Rebelle Rally, Crossover and 4x4. Crossovers can be two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and can have unibody construction but no low-speed transfer case. The 4x4 class is traditional off-roaders with a low-speed transfer case, ranging from the Jeep Wrangler to the Range Rover.