If you’re in the market for a new Ram pickup, the current batch has a grotesque number of special edition models to choose from. There’s the 2019 Ram 1500 Kentucky Derby Edition, 2019 Ram HD Harvest Edition, 2018 Ram Southfork, 2018 Ram Limited Tungsten, 2018 Ram Harvest, and 2018 Ram Sport Hydro Blue.
We figured the Ram Rebel TRX would be the next model to become an official special edition vehicle, but Fiat Chrysler threw us a curveball, indicating that the (probably) Hellcat-powered pickup won’t be available until next year. That leaves FCA with a small window in which to cram yet another limited variant of the Ram.
It’s called the 2018 Ram Power Wagon Mojave Sand and it’s really not so much a special edition as it is a new paint scheme. However, since FCA plans on restricting production to 1,500 units through the remainder of this year, we suppose it qualifies as much as the Sport Hydro Blue — which is limited to just 2,000 units.
Mojave Sand isn’t a new color; it was formerly available on the Ram Rebel. FCA just decided to put it onto the bigger and badder 4×4 Power Wagon as part of $795 limited edition package. But you don’t get anything other than the finite hue and a set of extra black wheels. It still comes packaged with 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 foot-pounds of torque.
“The Ram Power Wagon is the most off-road capable production pickup in the market today and offering the new Mojave Sand limited edition will appeal to enthusiasts looking for a truck that stands above the crowd,” said Jim Morrison, head of Ram brand for FCA North America. “Power Wagon is extraordinarily competent off road and provides both the towing and payload required in a heavy-duty truck.”
For what it’s worth, the beige does contrast well with the black bumpers, wheels, and decals. It’s flashy and interesting without being as in-your-face as Flame Red or even Bright White Clear Coat.
The limited-edition truck comes exclusively with an all-black interior and Ram’s standard 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen. FCA also decided that optioning the Power Wagon in Mojave Sand would automatically attach it to the Heavy Duty Luxury Group, which includes LED bed lighting, an overhead console, power heated/fold-away mirrors, and a universal garage door opener. That edges up the starting MSRP to $54,830, plus a $1,695 destination fee — which actually makes the Mojave Sand edition closer to $1,700 extra when you account for more than the paint and wheels. Deliveries begin in the final quarter of 2018.
[Images: FCA]
The graphics are a bit much and the beige makes it look like a county agent or game warden truck. Fail.
The graphics are a throw back to the 70’s. Personally I love the graphics and the color. I was between this and the SS sedan. I think this color would have made my decision much tougher if it had been around a year ago.
Many years ago, right after the Carmageddon of 2008, Fiatsler announced that it would morph itself into the Niche Specialty automaker of the future, with HO vehicles, Special Edition vehicles and other variations on that theme.
Another Special Edition RAM is just keeping in tune with that forecast and will insure that everyone of those specialty offerings will be sold at high profit margins.
Little Red Truck, anyone?
That is what happens when you have aging vehicles, you need special editions. FCA has learned though that making special edition vehicles that are really just limited availability colors are a great way to get attention and are popular in in the communities without having to spend much money.
Agree. The flipside of the coin is “Why mess with a good thing….?”
Toyota has had that philosophy of gracefully ageing vehicles for decades, and it works for them.
Toyota did not become the largest automaker on this planet by messing with their good things.
Toyota, with a few exceptions, rarely has cars aging for ~10 years with minimal styling changes before replacement.
The whole mess with Chrysler towards the end of DaimlerChyrsler, Cerebus, and the bankruptcy resulted in a lost decade for Chrysler.
Chrysler was a lost cause for decades and I’m glad that it is no longer a US automaker.
Wish the same had happened to GM, but no one would have any part of that decomposed carcass.
So the taxpayers forked over $11Billion. To this day, that whole bailout thing started with Shrub’s handouts angers a lot of people who did not get the same consideration when they were down and out.
That said, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee I bought for my wife was an outstanding vehicle as was the 2012 SRT8 my son bought for himself.
Both still in use today as DD, albeit for other members of our family in AZ.
A beige truck with all of the accessory boxes ticked and that is a special edition?
Maybe add a manual transmission and a diesel…. we all know TTAC B&B would line up to pay cash for that ;)
Agreed, the beige makes it look like a fleet vehicle.
Toyota’s sand color that you can find on Tacos, Tundras, and 4Runners(?) looks much better than FCA’s beige.
That is one ugly truck.
This generation’s Li’l Red Express. I look forward to seeing one on the side of the road in 30 years and wondering what the hell Chrysler was thinking.
I dig it. Put a sandbox in the bed and the motif is complete.
Next up: the Ram Tailgater Edition. And I’m not talking about the kind of tailgating that involves barbecue, folks.
Seriously, every time I see that stupid, ugly grill three feet from my back bumper, I wish I had some kind of EMP device.
I must need glasses. I can’t tell what the name of that truck is.
I like it, but the lettering on the tailgate is a bit too small.
Hopefully they’ll scale up the font for next year.
If FCA can make money with special editions then more power to them. As for GM don’t feel the hate for them that others do but that doesn’t mean that they should be bailed out in the future if they go bankrupt again. Toyota, I don’t worship at their altar as some do, they have good vehicles but they do not have a monopoly on quality. I would like to see Ford, GM, and FCA all succeed.
Are all Ram 2500s still made in Mexico? Paging DW, explain yourself!
Who’s ready for another special edition Dodge truck? Nobody, I’m sure.
If I were in the market for a pickup truck, I doubt I would ever consider an FCA product, unless it was a Jeep.
Of course, I have been known to change my mind on occasion!
Yet another Bro-Dozer that will “purchased” by peoole who have an annual income less than the MSRP of the truck.
Daughter’s “bro-dozer” due to land by the first of the month. It’s Bright White- and it really is a fleet truck, although a Power Wagon saves her two weeks of chasing down aftermarket suppliers to equip the truck for what she needs it to do.
Just to further explode the stereotype further, she’s an Engineer, works for .gov, and makes more than my wife and I combined. Did I mention she’s 26?