2013 Ram 1500: Now Boarding for the Black Express

While some fashionistas continue their ongoing search for “the new black,” the 2013 Ram 1500 is ready to show there’s nothing wrong with the old one: The Chrysler Group’s all-truck brand is launching a new Black Express model that starts with the highly popular 2013 Ram 1500 Express and gives it the full blackout treatment for an added shot of custom style.

“Ram Trucks are known for their bold, in-your-face presence,” said Reid Bigland, president and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand. “The new Black Express takes Ram’s aggressive good looks to an all new sinister level by 'blackening out' the entire truck while maintaining a great price.”

That great price? MSRPs for the 2013 Ram 1500 Black Express will start at $26,995 for the rear-wheel-drive, regular-cab model, with four-wheel drive and quad and crew cabs also available, and all featuring a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that can unleash 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. The classic powerplant is then wrapped up by an all-black exterior that features:

• A black front fascia housing standard fog lamps
• 20-inch black aluminum wheels
• A black grille surround with black hex-link inserts
• Black front and rear bumpers
• Black Rams-head badging
• Multi-LED exterior lighting

Drivers can look for the 2013 Ram 1500 Black Express to begin arriving in dealerships this month, joining the “regular” Ram 1500 Express models that are helpfully recapped on the next page.

2013 Ram 1500 Express: A Refresher Course

The 2013 Ram 1500 Express was designed to provide custom-truck enthusiasts with an affordable starting point that already had significant performance enhancers baked right into the package. Thus, along with a 5.7-liter HEMI mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the regular Ram Express also delivers:

• Body-color exterior accents, including a body-color grille surround, front fascia and rear bumper (with step pads)
• 20-inch aluminum wheels
• Bright-tipped dual exhaust
• Fog lamps
• The Chrysler Group’s Uconnect 3.0 media hub
• A locking tailgate
• 6- x 9-inch side-view mirrors
• Rear wheel-well liners
• A four- and seven-pin trailer wiring harness
• Front and rear stabilizer bars
• Heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling
• Maximum tow and payload ratings of 10,350 lbs. and 1,660 lbs., respectively
• Pricing that opens at $25,850
• Available RWD and 4WD configurations, with regular, quad and crew cabs

“With HEMI power and sport-truck styling, the Ram 1500 Express has been one of our most popular models,” added Bigland. “Young and first-time buyers expect to get a lot for their money. Ram 1500 Express gives them great looks along with HEMI horsepower, torque, towing and payload, in a choice of cab sizes—all at a fantastic price.”

The 2013 Ram 1500 Express is on sale now.