Ram's 2018 1500 Hydro Blue Sport Pickup Is About As Subtle As A Raptor
Trucks going green may be the next big thing in pickups, but Ram clearly didn't get the memo: instead, it's gone seriously blue. The 2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue is the truck-maker's last special-edition Sport model of the year, and if you're the shy and retiring type on the road it probably isn't the transportation for you.
Indeed, there's little this side of an F-150 Raptor that's likely to get as many glances as this blued-out behemoth. That, of course, is just what Ram is aiming for. "Enthusiasts demand that their trucks get noticed," Mike Manley, Head of Jeep & Ram Brands, said of the special edition, "and our Ram 1500 Sport lineup delivers a durable, powerful alternative with great visual appeal."
The core is of course the Ram 1500, but then some stand-out parts are added. For instance, the standard hood is replaced with a black-decaled Sport performance version, while the body-colored Sport grille gets black billet inserts to match the black "RAM" badging. The body-side and tailgate badging are also flat black.
The headlamps are now black bezel projectors, with LEDs at the rear. It's all finished in Hydro Blue pearl coat paint, as is the front fascia, rear bumper, side mirrors, and the door handles. The 4x2 models will get 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, while the 4x4 version will get 20-inch polished wheels. 22- or 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels are options.
On the inside, the blue is a little more subtle. The seats are optionally clad in black leather, but either way you get blue highlight stitching on the doors, heated steering wheel, and instrument panel. There's Blue Sport embroidery on the high-back, black, heated bucket seats with mesh inserts. Ram logos in blue are on the headrests.
The instrument panels have blue anodized trim, as does the center console and door spears. There's also new badging on the instrument panel, and a black headliner.
If you're feeling deep-pocketed, there are several options available. Ram will add on black tubular side steps, chrome wheel-to-wheel side steps, and the RamBox storage system, for instance. Active Level air suspension and ParkSense are also available.
Since you probably don't want to see an identically-specified truck just down the road from you, Ram says only 2,000 of the Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport trucks will be made in the US. They'll be priced from $46,060 (plus $1,395 destination) with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, and with the crew cab and short-bed as standard. Sales kick off this month.
