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Chris Fincham21 Apr 2016
NEWS

Ram Rebel arrives down under

Dodge's answer to Ford's F-150 Raptor, is now available down under in RHD form

Fans of tough-looking American pick-ups can now get their hands on the latest sporty variant from Ram trucks.

Queensland import and conversion specialist SCD American Vehicles is believed to be the first Australian company to offer right-hand drive versions of the latest Ram 1500 Rebel 4x4 pick up.

Unveiled at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show, the 1500 Rebel 4x4 is seen as Ram's answer to Ford's performance-focussed F-150 Raptor.

Loaded with options, the Australian versions are powered by the 295kW/552Nm 5.7-litre Hemi petrol V8, linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission and on-demand four-wheel drive system.

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The Rebel stands out from regular 1500 Rams with a blacked-out grille and tailgate featuring bold 'RAM' badging, plus flared wheel arches, dual exhausts and a special 33-inch wheel and tyre package.

Adding to its off-road cred 'active level' four corner air suspension delivers up to 25mm more road clearance than regular 1500 Rams at the highest setting, while it also scores a set of bash plates protecting the lower front lip and underbody.

Buyers can expect similar features to a top-end Jeep Grand Cherokee, including leather trim, sunroof and 21cm touch screen with premium infotainment system and rear camera.

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The 'Rebellious' treatment continues inside with prominent red highlights throughout the cabin, 'tyre tred' embossed seatbacks with Rebel signage on the seats, and red-rimmed instrument cluster.

Bigger than a HiLux but smaller than its Ram 2500 big brother the 2.7 tonne crew cab truck boasts a 694kg payload and 4.5-tonne maximum tow rating. Zero to 96km/h for the V8 Rebel is a claimed 7.3s seconds.

Luke Hawkins from multi-brand Brisbane dealership, Westpoint Autos – the sole retail outlet for the SCD Rebel – said the Rebel 1500 is a much more user-friendly proposition for Aussie conditions than the larger Ram pick-ups, while giving away little in looks, comfort or workhorse capabilities.

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"They're bigger than a HiLux or Navara, but we've found they're just more user-friendly [than the Ram 2500] for Australian roads and carparks," he said.

SCD's Eddy Cocwa said the Rebel is re-engineered from left- to right-hand drive using a 'cross shaft' steering conversion, with the front end left largely unmodified.

"We leave things as factory as possible [with the conversion]," he said.

The conversion also includes new 'plug and play' wiring as well as Australian maps for the sat nav system.

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The Australian-compliant vehicles are backed by a three year/100,000km warranty and SCD is hoping to create a nationwide dealer network.

Standing out at the Bunnings carpark doesn't come cheap though; the first black SCD Ram Rebel is advertised at $145,990 driveaway.

SCD American Vehicles via Westpoint Autos is also offering the 'luxury' Laramie Ram 1500 with eight-speed auto and same VM Motori 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel as Aussie-market Jeep Grand Cherokees.

The Virginia, Queensland-based business is also not far away from offering RHD versions of Nissan's new F-Series Ford rival, the Titan XD pick up. Powered by a Cummins 5.0-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine and sitting somewhere in size between the Ram 1500 and 2500, they're expected to be priced from around $125,000.

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Written byChris Fincham
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