2017 Ram Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4
Ram made the first big splash in the truck realm at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show today, as the company unveiled its new 2017 Ram Power Wagon that gets updated exterior and interior updates. The new Power Wagon will join the new 4×4 Off-road Package in the Ram truck lineup for 2017.

The exterior of the 2017 Power Wagon is even bolder than previous incarnations of the truck. The new model will receive a grille similar to the one found on the Ram 1500 Rebel, with a Billet Silver “RAM” letter badge front and center. The blacked-out grille is accented on each side with bi-functional projector headlamps with LED marker lights.

2017 Ram Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4
The hood features a black graphic design to give it its own unique look. More unique styling is found on the side of the Power Wagon, where a thick vertical stripe behind the cab with “Power Wagon” written on the stripe, which Ram says is a tribute to design from 36 years ago.

If you wonder where some of the styling for the 2017 Power Wagon came from, look no further than the 1979 Power Wagon.
If you wonder where some of the styling for the 2017 Power Wagon came from, look no further than the 1979 Power Wagon.

If the graphics aren’t for you, however, they are optional, and they come in two slightly different color variations depending on vehicle paint. Color options include: Bright White, Flame Red, Bright Silver, Blue Streak and Granite Crystal receive Gloss Black graphics, but the  Black Power Wagon’s graphics are Bright Silver. One of the boldest styling changes can be found on the RAM-stamped tailgate that features large Power Wagon Gloss Black graphics as well.

2017-Unveil-Ram-Power-Wagon-2-11-16
Ram unveiled the new 2017 Power Wagon today at the Chicago Auto Show.

The front bumper – which, like the rear bumper is powder-coated for durability – features a hidden Warn 12,000-lb. winch, roller fairlead and 125 feet of line. The Power Wagon also gets new 17-inch forged, aluminum Silver and Matte Black wheels fitted with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 33-inch tires.

Inside the truck, new technical grain seats can be found finished in Diesel Gray and Black with inserts that, much like the Ram Rebel uses its Toyo A/T II tire tread, feature the tread pattern of the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires found on the truck. There is also the option to upgrade to leather seats with Power Wagon and Ram logos on the bolsters and Ram logos on the sides of the headrests.

More customization can be found with the 7-inch center cluster for the driver, which uses Power Wagon startup graphics and that complements the 8.4-inch Uconnect backdrop screen that features what Ram calls an “off-road theme.”

The 2017 Power Wagon will be powered by a 6.4-liter HEMI 16-valve V-8 engine rated to produce 410 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a peak torque rating of 429 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Ram says the engine calibration is unique to Power Wagon to enhance its off-road maneuverability. When operating the truck in four-wheel-drive Low, the throttle response softens and the idle speed increases from 650 to 750 rpm for added control. The HEMI is mated to the 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission and connects to a part-time, manual-engagement Borg Warner BW 44-47 transfer case.

2017 Ram Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4
In the suspension department, the 2017 Ram Power Wagon features certain features unique to this truck that include monotube Bilstein shocks, two inches of lift, modified control arms and unique spring rates. The Power Wagon does, however, rely on many of the same suspension features used on its heavy-duty truck, such as a three-link setup for the front and out back a segment-exclusive five-link coil rear suspension system. Additional suspension flex is achieved via the class-exclusive electronic disconnecting sway bar, or “Smart Bar,” which be removed in both 4WD High and Low as long as it’s at speeds below 18 mph. All said, with the sway bar disconnected, the 2017 Power Wagon offer 26 inches of travel.

Thanks in part to the 33-inch Goodyears, as well as the additional suspension lift, the Power Wagon offers 14.3 inches of ground clearance, which is over 2 inches more compared to the 12 inches on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty. The Power Wagon’s approach angle is 33.6 degrees, its departure angle is 26.2 degrees, and the breakover angle is 23.5 degrees. Ram says the truck can ford water up to 30 inches.

Ram did not release pricing with the unveiling of the new Power Wagon, but it did say that the truck will be available later this year in fourth quarter of 2016.