Ram Ups the Luxury Payload, Drops Curtain on 2018 Limited Tungsten Edition

As the current-generation Ram 1500 nears the end of its life cycle and its Heavy Duty siblings await either a refresh or something more significant, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has decided to offer its most luxurious pickup to date. Tungsten, which has the highest melting point and tensile strength of any metal on earth, lends its tough-sounding name to new Ram trim slotting above the existing top-rung Limited.

For 2018, the Limited Tungsten Edition becomes the latest and greatest pickup from an automaker known for tossing out special editions like Halloween candy. What can a buyer expect from a Ram 1500, 2500 or 3500 decked out in Tungsten duds? Well, besides an MSRP above $55,000 for a rear-drive 1500, you’ll find a truck Mick Jagger might enjoy.

Oh yeah, there’s suede. The Light Greystone headliner is the segment’s first in this material, Ram boasts, acknowledging that there’s no real ceiling for pickup opulence these days. Velvet curtains were not mentioned anywhere in Ram’s press release.

“The Limited Tungsten Edition is the highest trim level Ram has made available,” said Mike Manley, Ram’s global brand chief. “The new Tungsten Edition is an example of how Ram directly responds to customer input by offering the industry’s most luxurious pickup. Premium truck buyers will recognize the attention to detail, surrounded by quality materials.”

As high-zoot pickups and SUVs are a surefire way to mine coin, Ram isn’t being stingy with its new range-topper. Buyers can check the Limited Tungsten Edition box on any light-duty or HD four-door pickup, regardless of drive wheels or bed length. If you’ve always wanted suede in your dually, so be it.

Tungsten chrome festoons the exterior of the model, starting at the grille and moving on to the model’s oversized lettering and badging. Body-colored mirrors, bumpers, running boards, and door handles mingle with a sport hood on 1500 models, or a normal one in HD guise. At each corner you’ll find satin-painted Limited wheels.

While light-duty models get standard air suspension, all Tungsten Editions receive navigational radio, remote start, backup camera, power adjustable pedals with memory, heated steering wheel, front ventilated and heated seats, heated rear seats and the brand’s RamBox storage (HD buyers must opt for the 6’4″ bed). A standard 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment screen allows users to access Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SiriusXM Guardian.

Nice features to have, but what about the kind of luxury you can rub with your hand? Ram has that covered. All Tungsten Editions arrive with “Natura Plus” Frost and Indigo-colored leather covering almost every surface, backed up with real wood for that rolling drawing room atmosphere every buyer desires. The kind of room lit with warm, low-wattage bulbs containing tungsten filaments. A room that says you’ve climbed to the top. Your friends will fear you.

As Ram claims 40 percent of its HD pickups roll off the lot in one of three premium trims, the tougher models weren’t exempted from this latest coat of luxury varnish. Starting at $55,120, 1500 model Tungsten Editions represent a $2,245 increase over the previous highest trim level. Deals can expect the new trim on their lots in the third quarter of this year.

A next-generation 1500 should arrive next year as a 2019 model, making this something of a swan song. Will this trim, or another like it, continue on in the new model? Knowing the market (and knowing FCA), you can almost guarantee it.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]