---
title: "Here’s What the Next Generation of Ram Pickup Trucks Will Look Like"
description: "A sudden gust of wind blew a cover off a pre-production model at Fiat-Chrysler's Michigan headquarters."
date: "2017-10-16"
modified: "2017-10-17"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/15191/heres-what-the-next-generation-of-ram-pickup-trucks-will-look-like"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "RAM News"
  - "Trucks"
tags:
  - "Fiat Chrysler Automobiles"
  - "Next Generation"
  - "ram"
  - "Ram 1500"
  - "ram trucks"
  - "Spy Photos"
---

# Here’s What the Next Generation of Ram Pickup Trucks Will Look Like

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/10/rm018_100fnl5elr4k90qdrq0t5978nrikta.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Ever since Fiat-Chrysler spun it off from Dodge in 2009, [Ram Trucks](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13915/ram-trucks-harvest-edition-has-nothing-to-do-with-neil-youngs-1972-album>) has held onto a few vestigial traces of its Mopar heritage. There's the low-mounted, big rig-inspired headlight treatment, the familiar crosshair grille design, and of course, the ram's head logo itself. But thanks to a well-timed gust of wind, we now know there are big changes in store for the next generation of Ram pickups ahead of their planned 2019 debut.

A spy photographer camped outside Fiat-Chrysler's headquarters in Auburn, Michigan over the weekend managed to snap a few pictures of the next-gen Ram 1500 pickup when a fortuitous wind gust blew the cover off a pre-production model. The redesigned fascia is immediately noticeable; the crosshair grille has been replaced with horizontal slats, and it's not clear if the strip of camo is covering a chrome bar, the Ram logo, or both. [But the snout-nosed update](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/13427/2018-ram-3500hd-passes-ford-super-duty-to-become-pickup-truck-torque-king>) that's raised some eyebrows recently seems to be gone as well.

As for the headlights, the sleeker look features headlights that have been raised to be more even with the top of the grille. A hint of the old fender design has been maintained with some strategically-placed creases and folds in the hood, but it's a pretty radical departure from the old setup. The headlights also feature the same swoop of LEDs under the main projector that's found on other FCA products. It's not homely by any means, but it's also not nearly as distinctive as the current crop of Ram trucks. Honestly, it looks pretty similar to the [GMC Sierra.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/14533/2017-gmc-sierra-2500hd-denali-review-stunning-good-looks-performance-to-match>)

https://twitter.com/_/status/920011780700569600

The rest of the truck is pretty familiar territory, though that shouldn't surprise anyone given astonishing rate [at which we continue to buy pickups.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/11278/6500-new-pickup-trucks-are-sold-every-day-in-america>) The sides are plain and unadorned; same goes for the tailgate, but it's also peppered with mounting holes for various badges and logos. The 1500 appears to be equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that's currently on tap, and given that this will be the truck's first major update in over a decade, there are bound to be some mechanical changes in store as well.

Overall, while we're pouring one out for the old, iconic design, it does make sense for Ram and Fiat-Chrysler to try something new as the pickup truck market continues to explode, especially [on the high end side](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/11885/ram-unveils-1500-tungsten-limited-edition-as-its-new-luxury-pickup-trim>) (note the chrome-accented door handles on the new model). Ram Trucks is nipping at Chevrolet's heels [in the race for second place behind Ford,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/11069/ram-on-track-to-be-americas-second-favorite-truck>) and there's no doubt the new Ram 1500 will have a big load to carry once it's officially revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)