Friday, February 13, 2015 Richmond Review · Page 15Friday, February 13, 2015 Richmond Review · Page 15

at MONSTER JAM on Saturday, Feb 28 at BC Place Stadium

WIN 4 tickets! to the show and VIP access

to the PIT PARTY! ▸Submit a photo of you and YOUR truck…

Go to drivewaybc.ca and click to win!

Kelowna’s Monster Jam driver Cam McQueen hopes his Northern Nightmare truck will give the Grave Digger bad dreams on February 28.That’s when the World Freestyle Champion will steer his Maple Leaf themed truck into a head-to-head battle at BC Place Stadium with the powerhouse of the circuit. “Vancouver is my home show, I have lots of family and friends planning to attend so I want to do well,” says the determined 36-year-old man.“We built a brand new chassis so I can go bigger in freestyle and be a much better contender in racing.”The car-crushing monster truck action featuring 12 trucks gets under way at 7 p.m. Monster Jam royalty Tom Meents, the 11-time World Champion driver of Max-D; will be in the lineup and Scarlet Bandit returns after a 12-year hiatus.Die-hard fans can enjoy the Party in the Pits pre-show experience from 2 p.m. Regular tickets range from $25 to $50 and some children’s tickets are available for $10 each at Ticketmaster. All Access Pass packages are $125 and Pit Passes $10. More info at monsterjam.com.

at MONSTER JAMon Saturday Feb 28

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$125 and Pit Passes $10. More .com.

The full size truck market is big business for automakers and a big deal for the businesses and people who depend on them. For almost five decades, the Ford F-150 has been the best selling truck, with little chance they will squander that crown soon. In fact, Ford finished 2014 with over 126,000 F-Series sold and that set a new record. RAM was the second best-selling vehicle with more than 88,000 sold. What has been happening, over the last few years, is a strong shift from General Motors to RAM in terms of establishing the second best-selling truck brand. The rise in RAM popularity traces back to a few key changes over the last several years, from muscular styling to class-leading interiors, a refined ride, plus engine and transmission advancements. New for the RAM line is a V6 turbocharged diesel in the 1500 or half-ton segment.LooksWhat RAM has been able to do is capture buyer’s imaginations with styling. The big and bold grille is even bigger than last models but has been integrated better into the front of the truck. Depending on the trim the grille finish can be chrome, painted or with a different insert. Be-hind the grille are “active shutters” that close at higher speeds to help send the wind around the vehicle to improve aerodynamic efficiency. There is now a longer side step, which helps reduce buffeting down the side of the trucks, also to aid in fuel economy. One option that makes life easier to live with is the $1,500 air suspension

that lowers for easier entry into the RAM or loading into the bed. This system also automatically lowers at speeds over 100 km/h reducing aerodynamic drag and, yet again, improving fuel econo-my. The opposite is true, at lower speeds and for off-road duties; the air suspension can be raised for better ground clearance. InsideToday’s modern truck is no longer just a vehicle for work; the level of refinement and luxury found in today’s rigs is something to behold. My test unit RAM 1500 LaRAMie Quad Cab 4X4 had a starting price of $51,595 but with a long list of extras from keyless entry and start, to full leather

seats, power moon roof and the larger 8.4-inch uConnect screen, the total came to just over $63,000. Not cheap, but man there is a lot of truck here. The interior is rich looking and feels first rate, from the buttons to the switches and materials covering the cabin. And the room is impressive for all passengers, front and back. In addition to the optional 8.4-inch Uconnect communications and entertainment screen, there is a standard large 7-inch screen behind the steering wheel for fully customizable instant information readouts. DriveThe biggest change for RAM includes the first diesel engine found in a light duty 1500 pickup truck. This is an Italian designed engine that has been used extensively in Europe in Jeep prod-

ucts like the Grand Cherokee. With 420 lb.-ft. or torque, this new “EcoDiesel” has the same out-put as Ford’s Ecoboost but not the same towing capacity. Rated at 9200 lbs. this truck will be perfect for buyers who want impressive fuel economy and good towing capacity; a balance of usability and thriftiness. This engine has not been rated yet for fuel economy but, thanks to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the new EcoDiesel is going to get better numbers than the already class-leading gasoline V6 RAM. Having driven both the Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel and this RAM, I find the gearing and attitude of the RAM much more dynamic and actually inspiring to drive. In real world driving situations, this big luxurious truck can actually return fuel economy of 10L/100km without babying the engine.

VerdictRAM has seen huge sales growth over the last few years due to constant improvements instead of waiting years to update its rigs. It

started with dynamic exterior design, followed by class leading interior, then an 8-speed automatic and now

a Diesel. There is even an off-road ready RAM, just shown in Detroit, due to arrive called the Rebel. The RAM EcoDiesel has been selling very well and Chrysler claims they will put this truck up against the new aluminum F-150 for top dog in the fuel economy race. Good times to be looking for a truck.

The LowdownPower: 3.0L V6 turbo dieselFill-up: 10.6L/7.4L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price as tested: $65,195

zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca

‘‘RAM has seen huge sales growth over the last few years due to constant improvements instead of waiting years to update its rigs.’’Zack Spencer

DrivewayCanada.ca |

Visit the Ram EcoDiesel gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca

RAM designed to challenge the top dog trucks Grave Digger may suffer a Northern NightmareGGrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve DDDDDiiiiiiiigggggggeer may suffereG

FEB 28 BC PLACE STADIUMTADTA

Sat. 7:00 PMS

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Ticketmaster.ca

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Page 16 · Richmond Review Friday, February 13, 2015

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