Chrysler unveils new Ram 1500 Rebel, Ford releases Raptor F-150
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
From January 12-15, car, truck and lovers of all things automotive will congregate at the COBO Centre in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show.
Domestic car giants like Chrysler, Chevy, and Ford and import automakers like Honda, Volkswagen, and Acura compete against one another for prestigious awards and use the show to unveil their newest models and innovations.
Chrysler unveiled a new truck that as its name suggests, may seem to go against traditional truck templates. Chrysler released a new model for the RAM 1500 light-duty lineup. The “Rebel” model combines an alternative, aggressive look with a higher-stance and array of accessories usually found aftermarket, class-exclusive dual exhaust and large aluminum wheels.
Bob Hegbloom, RAM CEO and President said the vehicle is made for those who want an aggressive look, like the Power Wagon, but capabilities and pricing similar to the Big Horn model. Specific pricing for the Rebel hasn’t been released yet. It’s comparable to the Chevrolet Silverado Z/71, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, and the Ford F-150 Raptor, which Ford unveiled at the show.
Set to come to market in 2016, Ford’s new 2017 F-150 Raptor offers six different transmission settings: Normal, Street, Weather, Mud and Sand, Baja and Rock Crawling) that allow the driver to change their transmission needs as they need to.
Ford says the Raptor’s frame is the toughest in the F-150 lineup and could see a starting price in the mid $40,000’s.
The 22nd North American Car of the Year awards voted the Ford F-150 as the truck/utility vehicle of the year, marking the 8th truck win for Ford, and the fourth for the F-150 specifically.