The most popular pick-up in the Netherlands is losing its beloved V8

If you had to guess what the most popular type of pick-up in the Netherlands is this year, what would you say? We forgive you for saying Ford F-150. The pickup truck has been the most popular company car in America for nearly fifty years straight, but it seems dealers here want something different. Here, the Ram 1500 is way ahead of the competition when it comes to sales figures – but we have some bad news for fans.

Yes, the Hemi-V8 is gone with the new model year. But do not be too sad, because instead of eight cylinders, the pick-up gets a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with two turbos. Ram calls this six-cylinder the Hurricane and it comes in both Standard Output and Supercharged Power. The 3.6-liter V6 is also still available.

Details of the new Ram 1500

The regular version of the Typhoon produces 426 hp and 636 Nm. The most powerful six-cylinder produces 548 hp and 706 Nm. The V6 produces 305 hp and 364 Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The strongest can transport 1,000 kg of stuff in the back of its box or pull more than 5,200 kg.

Ram 1500 Ramcharger: an old name for a new concept

You can also order the Ram 1500 as a plug-in hybrid. Hybrid graphics are nothing new in principle, but the way Ram does it is. Customers get the benefit of a fully electric pick-up that has a gasoline engine for extra power and range. For this purpose, the brand uses a cool name from the past: Ramcharger.

The Ramcharger was a two-door SUV from Dodge. At the end of its rope, the second generation came to Mexico and was sold for the last time in 2001. Now the name has returned to the PHEV pick-up. You should think of the new Ramcharger as a middle ground between the Ram 1500 you just read about and the all-electric Ram 1500 REV.

Ram 1500 Ramcharger Specifications

This middle ground is not offensive. You get the 3.6-liter V6 engine we talked about earlier that now powers two electric motors and a 92-kWh battery pack. The battery pack is as large as you’ll find in a full electric vehicle. The driving range is also good. Ram is aiming for 233 km of electric driving range (which is disappointing) and a total range of over 1,100 km.

Total power is 672 hp and 833 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h should be possible in less than 4.5 seconds. You can put 1,190 kg in the back and 6,350 kg of weight can be hung on the tow bar. The Ramcharger is expected to arrive late next year, along with a full electric version.

Price of Ram 1500

US or Dutch prices for the all-new Ram 1500 are unknown. Nowadays you can buy pickups through official channels in the Netherlands, but there are also many dealers who import the products themselves. Next year, as an entrepreneur, you can still enjoy the BPM exemption for company cars, so luckily you can still order one.

The Dutch market obviously has no interest in the Ram, but it will still be interesting to see what the lack of a V8 does to the sales figures here. By 2023, 650 copies of the Ram 1500 will have already been registered (through gray imports). An F-150 with less than 30 units pales in comparison. Ford Ranger is doing well with more than 400 units. Hilux is at 200 this year.