You’ve probably just read about the Performance Appearance Package foisted on the doomed Chrysler 300. Now that your heart rate has returned to a resting level, here’s another Fiat Chrysler options bundle for your consideration: the Ram 1500 Classic’s Sub Zero Package.
The first new Ram grab bag offered to customers in what seems like eight minutes, ticking the box for Sub Zero prepares customers for a season literally no one wants to think about in mid-June.
One assumes the Ram 1500 Classic Express Night Edition excitement has subsided at FCA Canada, prompting the need for a new bit of tinsel to throw over the brand’s older-generation full-sizer. Yes, this is a Canada-only package.
Starting right away, $1,495 adds a host of wintry goodies to the Classic’s Tradesman, ST, and Express trim levels. Included is a heated front bench seat that seems tailor-made to boost the country’s flagging birth rate, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, 115V power outlet, remote start (to prevent cracked dental fillings while shivering behind the wheel in your driveway on cold mornings), and a bunch of things that have nothing to do with cold weather.
Of that category, expect SiriusXM satellite radio (a 1-year subscription), a Uconnect 3 infotainment system with 5-inch touchscreen, 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, an overhead console, and a security alarm.
With the 1500 Classic serving as the more affordable alternative to the new-for-2019 1500 line, targeted packages like this help Ram milk a little more cash out of its long-paid-off old-gen pickup. It’s also a bundle of features certain customers, especially Canadians, might indeed desire if allowed to add equipment a la carte.
Content levels vary wildly between the U.S. and Canada on most models, with heated seats understandably serving as a noteworthy standard perk. (This writer missed out on that luxury by choosing GM over Hyundai in his last vehicle purchase.)
The package comes with a caveat, however — one must choose a quad or crew cab model that sends power to all four wheels. Bargain basement Classic buyers can forget about enjoying a roasted rump.
The Sub Zero package is on sale now; exactly how long the Classic itself will linger in the Ram lineup is TBD.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
I think this is a genius idea to keep the old truck around as long as it’s profitable, does it cut into profit of the new truck? Sure, but would be buyers aren’t guaranteed to be swayed by the pricier new truck and could have went off to another dealer.
When I saw the term “Sub Zero Package”, the first thing I thought of was an engine block heater. What, no engine block heater?
Already standard on Rams shipped north of the border.
Thanks for clarifying that.
It also isn’t stainless steal.
Where’s the Less Than Zero edition?
Is that the one where Robert Downey Jr. played a guy who Kamala Harrised his cocaine out of some guy’s noodle and decided he liked it so much that he became a hopeless junkie in real life only for Hollywood to hold him up as a role model? What features would the truck have?
Knee-action front suspension? A snowplow on the front?
Included is a heated front bench seat that seems tailor-made to boost the country’s flagging birth rate…
Don’t discount the power of a snowstorm and a bench seat.
Some clever Canuck is going to buy this option package and get a “FINISHHM” license plate. And no one will know why, except him.
And us, I guess.
Flawless victory!
This is very good.
Best laugh I’ve had today.
+1000
My Dodge Caravan has all of those goodies, but no bench seat! And I am in south Texas!!
I assumed they converted the truck bed into a huge fridge.
I had a Sub-Zero refrigerator, very expensive and doesn’t really keep food any longer or better then a standard fridge
Why only for Canada? There are probably close to 100 million Americans who live in or near the snow belt, why can’t they have this?
To be a true Sub Zero package, it needs a special ice blue paint option.
Some of these jokes gave me a good chuckle this morning. When I picked up my new body style Ram in May, the dealer wasn’t pushing these classics. I saw one on the lot in a bright orange color but did not inquire about it. My cousin just picked up a classic for a lot less than I did though and it’s still a lot of truck for money. Quad cab, Hemi, 4×4, and some black out package. Looks cool but is fairly bare bones inside (5 inch screen, nothing heated, etc.). Good for FCA for squeezing every last penny out of the platform.