Skip to main content

Ram goes copper crazy with its latest special-edition pickup truck

Pickup trucks are supposed to be practical work vehicles, but most pickup buyers would probably be lying if they said that style wasn’t a big part of their trucks’ appeal. Some people just like the look of a pickup like the Ram 1500.

The aforementioned American manufacturer is playing to that crowd with a new special edition version of its 1500 half-ton model, which is set to debut this week at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. The 2017 Ram 1500 Copper Sport’s name tells you all you need to know about this truck. It combines the previously available Ram 1500 Sport package with a new copper exterior color — Copper Pearl, to be exact.

Recommended Videos

The new hue is splashed all over the truck, thanks to a monochromatic exterior option thatpaints major trim pieces in the same color as the body. The Copper Sport also features a model-specific, blacked-out hood, black exterior badging, and massive wheels. Rear-wheel drive models get 22-inch wheels, while four-wheel drive models get 20-inchers.

The interior is color coordinated, with copper trim pieces and accent stitching, as well as copper-colored “sport mesh” on the front bucket seats. The Ram logo and the word “Sport” are also embroidered into the headrests, just in case you forget what truck you’re in. Aside from the trim elements, the Copper Sport model also adds a nine-speaker Alpine audio system with subwoofer.

While Ram offers numerous configurations of cabs and powertrains on other 1500 models, the Copper Sport is only available as a four-door crew cab, with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. This engine produces 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Ram will only build 3,000 copies of the 2017 1500 Copper Sport, so it will be somewhat of a rare item. Buyers will have to pay a base price of $46,950 to stand out from the crowd in this copper-colored truck. Ram expects the trucks to start arriving at dealerships later this month.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Tesla and Elon Musk sued over use of AI image at Cybercab event
tesla and spacex CEO elon musk stylized image

Tesla’s recent We, Robot presentation has run into trouble, with one of the production companies behind Blade Runner 2049 suing Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for alleged copyright infringement.

Tesla used the glitzy October 10 event to unveil its Cybercab and Robovan, and also to showcase the latest version of its Optimus humanoid robot.

Read more
Qualcomm wants to power your next car with the Snapdragon Cockpit and Ride Elite platforms
Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite automotive platforms

It’s been a big year for Qualcomm. Alongside its massive launch into laptop chips through the Snapdragon X Elite series, Qualcomm is now entering the automotive space. The company has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms at its annual Snapdragon Summit, which it flew me out to attend.

The two platforms are designed for different purposes, and can be used togetheror separately. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is built for in-vehicle infotainment systems and services, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite is built to power autonomous vehicle systems, including all the cameras and sensors that go into those systems.

Read more
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra forge a new path for EVs
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra.

Electric vehicles are inseparable from newness, whether it’s new tech, new designs, or new companies like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. But the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-only brand also relies heavily on the past.

Unveiled Thursday, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and Scout Terra electric pickup truck are modern interpretations of the classic International Harvester Scout. Manufactured from 1961 to 1980, the original Scout helped popularize the idea of the rugged, off-road-capable utility vehicle, setting the stage for modern SUVs.

Read more