Ram offers two choices of pickups that can be on the opposite sides of the law. On one hand is the 2016 Ram 1500 police truck, also known as the Ram Special Service truck. The latest version of the Ram police truck was introduced in 2011 for the 2012 model year. Naturally, the package includes the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 3.92 rear-axle gear ratio for quick starts, and 4×4. The 5.7-liter HEMI is rated at 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque. In case you are wondering, the law enforcement Ram truck is rated at a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. maximum payload of 1,455 lbs, and a GCWR of 15,500 lbs.
The police truck is only available in the crew cab configuration. There is an option for a front/rear seat separator, so that the bad guys in the back have a harder time getting to the police officer in front. Although, having a police truck sounds cool and glamorous, the Ram Special Service is not “pursuit rated”. It is not built to pass the extreme duty cycle tests and standards set up by the Michigan and California police departments. That’s OK, because it still makes for a good utility vehicle for a variety of fleet customers, not only law enforcement.
Roman recently drove a 2016 Ram Police Truck around the race track at the FCA Chelsea Proving Grounds to get a sense for the handling characteristics.
On the other hand, Ram makes another light duty Ram 1500 that can potentially be on the opposite side of the law. It is the 2016 Ram 1500 R/T. You can order a 2016 Ram Sport in a regular cab, short bed, 4×2 configuration with the 5.7-liter HEMI and R/T package. This V8 has a little more juice than that in the police truck. It makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The starting price for this truck is $35,985, but the black truck you see in the video stickers for $39,920.
Factory sports trucks are a dying breed, so it’s refreshing to see Ram still offering a way to build a sporty pickup.
How quick is the 2016 Ram R/T? Roman took a fast lap with an SRT developer and test driver to sample the truck’s capability at the limit.
