- Ram Trucks new Zealand has announced the addition of the Ram 1500 Rebel to its local range.
- The Rebel is a more off-road focussed version of the 1500 pick up, with lifted suspension and underbody protection.
- The Rebel will join the local Ram range at NZ$159,990 and will be available at the end of August.
Ram Trucks New Zealand is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary in this part of the world in a rather special way, with the local launch of an off-road oriented version of the Ram 1500 pick up; the Rebel.
This marks the first time the off-road focused Rebel variant has been introduced to the Ram Trucks Australasia range, and it is anticipated to become a permanent fixture.
The Rebel is powered by Ram's twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 313kW of power and 635Nm of torque - an increase of 7.6 percent more power and 14.2 percent more torque compared to the previous 5.7-litre Hemi V8, which produced 291kW and 556Nm.
The New Zealand specification of the MY25 Ram 1500 Rebel includes a range of features that are offered as optional extras in its home market, including high-riding off-road suspension from Bilstein, which includes a one-inch suspension lift, 32-inch all-terrain tyres (Falken Wildpeak 275/65/18), underbody protection located under the front cross-member, transfer case and fuel tank, an E-locker rear differential, and five distinct driving modes: auto, sport, tow, snow, and off-road, in addition to a ‘Selec-Speed’ off-road function.
As such, the Rebel boasts an impressive approach angle of 20.9 degrees, a departure angle of 22.2 degrees, and a rampover angle of 19.2 degrees.
In terms of utility, the Ram 1500 Rebel offers up to 4.5-tonne towing capacity and a payload of 672kg. A heavy-duty tow bar is included as standard, while it also features a full-size rear ute tub without the RamBox system, which allows for a larger cargo area.
The tub includes a spray-in bed liner and cargo tie-down slider rails, while a power-operated tailgate, capable of both opening and closing with a one-touch function for closing, is also standard.
Inside, the Ram 1500 Rebel features a unique red-and-black trim combination with Rebel stitching on the front seats, which are also heated, as are the outside rear seats. A panoramic sunroof is standard, along with a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, a widescreen 12-inch digital instrument cluster and14.4-inch infotainment screen.
The front seat passenger even gets their own dedicated 10.25-inch display screen that allows phone connectivity via Bluetooth for music controls and can also mirror a smartphone screen for viewing movies or video clips when connected with a USB-C to HDMI cable.
In co-pilot mode, the passenger can access the vehicle’s embedded navigation system to search for destinations or add stopovers and then transfer the route to the main infotainment screen for the driver. The 10.25-inch display also permits access to the camera view at any time, and a privacy film covers the screen, preventing the driver from viewing the display.
Exterior design elements include the obligatory ‘power bulge’ Sports Hood, Rebel decals, and a two-tone colour scheme with black on the lower section of the body, along with powder-coated front and rear steel bumpers, fender flares, and a unique 18-inch wheel design.
Rebel badging is present on the tailgate, and the vehicle includes a Rebel grille and front bumper. Black mirror caps, door handles, and badges are also part of the design, while LED headlights are standard.
"We know Kiwi Ute buyers don’t just want tough; they want uncompromising capability," said Todd Groves, Ram Trucks New Zealand General Manager.
"The Ram 1500 Rebel delivers with black-accented tough-truck styling, a heavy-duty payload, increased ground clearance, off-road suspension and tyres, and a 4.5-tonne towing capacity.
"And with a heavy-duty tow bar included as standard, it’s ready to work straight from the showroom."
The Ram 1500 Rebel is priced at NZ$159,990 plus on-road costs and is due to arrive in New Zealand showrooms at the end of this month.
