Work Truck magazine was invited to drive the all-new 2013 Ram 1500 in Nashville, Tenn., in early August. Presenters at the event included Fred Diaz, president and CEO of Ram Truck Brand; Dave Sowers, manager, Ram Truck marketing; Greg Howell, chief of Ram and Dodge exterior design; and Mike Cairns, head of Ram Truck engineering.

The event took participating journalists through the picturesque roads of rural Tennessee, stopping for a break in Leipers Fork, Tenn., (part-time home of Mike Wolfe of History Channel show “American Pickers” fame).

An off-road course was set up in Leipers Fork to test the handling, agility, and ground clearance of the new Ram 1500 trucks, and a course simulating a typical construction site was also set up for driving. Proving their mettle, not one truck was stuck and all obstacles were overcome with ease.

As many already know, Case New Holland is majority-owned by Fiat Industrial S.p.A., and the Ram Truck team had a few skid-steer tractors on-hand for testing out (or playing in the dirt with).

The Ram Truck brand is up 23 percent year-over-year, with the Ram 1500 up 33 percent in sales this year alone. With multiple awards, high residual values, and iconic actor Sam Elliot as the “voice of Ram,” the truck maker announced several new updatesf for its 2013-model.

Some of the new features include four new grilles, increased openings around the tow hooks, projector headlamps, five new available colors, and updating badging. There is an all-new wheel lineup with more cast aluminum wheels, and an available 7-inch, full color multi-display is available in upper trim-level trucks. Electronic power steering (EPS) is also featured, as well as active grille shutters to reduce the coefficient of drag (CD) when possible.

The five-link coil rear suspension features five selectable ride heights: 

• Normal Ride Height (NRH): 8.7 inches of clearance (measured from the base of the door sill) is the default, load-leveled ride height.

• Aero Mode: Lowers the vehicle 1.1 inches from NRH. Aero Mode improves fuel efficiency by up to one percent and is activated by vehicle speed, adjusting for optimal performance and fuel economy

• Off-road 1: Lifts the vehicle 1.2 inches from NRH for added height in clearing obstacles

• Off-road 2: Delivers more off-road capability, increasing ground clearance by 2 inches over NRH

• Park Mode: Lowers the vehicle 2 inches from NRH for easy entry/exit and cargo loading

Fun fact: The updated Long Horn trim level features real wood that comes from French wood posts that had been wrapped in barbed wire.

Check out a few of the photos from the event below, or check out the full photo gallery here.

By Lauren Fletcher

For additional details and the full news release, click here.