2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star is a truck just for Texas

Trucks may have gone mainstream, but if you're of the mind that a pickup should be pure toughness then the new 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star might just fit the bill. Revealed, fittingly, at the Dallas Auto Show today, the new "Texas Truck" is just the latest iteration of what's become Ram's best-selling truck in the state.

That, Ram says, is down to "a no-compromise balance of strength, capability, technology and comfort," which for the 2019 model year boils down to not too much gadgetry that might take away from the long-term reliability. Based, of course, on the same Ram 1500 that was unveiled late last year, the Lone Star version keeps chrome to a minimum and focuses instead on a pickup that will last.

On the outside, that means bright front and rear bumpers, together with a bright grille surround with billet inserts. The aluminum wheels are 18-inches, and there are chrome door handle centers, and fog lamps as standard. Ram will offer two monochromatic packages – "Sport" and "Black" – which will pare the glitz down even further.

As if Ram only selling the Lone Star version in Texas wasn't enough to make it exclusive, there's special badging to that effect too. "Lone Star" branding has been added to both the tailgate and the interior trim.

Elsewhere inside, meanwhile, the 2019 Ram 1500's completely revamped cabin gets the Lone Star treatment too. Four trim levels are on offer, with the choice of a six-passenger bench in the front, or optional bucket seats that instead accommodate five people total. The rear bench splits 60/40 as standard, and the steering wheel is leather wrapped.

Since pretty much the only commonality between truck owners is that they each have unique requirements, Ram has a few options packages for the 1500 Lone Star too. That includes the Bed Utility Group, a 4x4 Off-road Group, a Protection Group, Trailer Tow Mirrors and Brake Group, Max Towing Package, and Premium Lighting Group. 20-inch aluminum wheels can also be added.

If a little tech isn't too off-putting, Ram also offers its Active Level Air Suspension system as well. You can add an electric-locking rear axle to the 1500 Lone Star too, together with Blind-spot Monitoring. Both 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains are available, together with Crew and Quad Cab configurations. If you get the Crew you can have a 5-foot 7-inch bed, while all models can get the 6-foot 4-inch bed.

As for what's under the hood, initially there'll just be two engine choices. They're the new 5.7-liter HEMI V8, and a fuel-efficient eTorque mild hybrid which throws in some electrification action. Later in the year, Ram says, it'll also offer the Lone Star with its 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar eTorque engine. Pricing will be confirmed closer to the 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star's arrival at dealerships in Texas later this quarter.