RAM 1500 RHO: Rhino Rush!

“A trail of dust rises like smoke that signals victory. Hoofs fall heavy on the ground and yet they approach with the swiftness and strength of a hurricane. The triumphant march over Martian terrains rises and falls in the recurring cadence of a thunderous laugh. It is the approach of the Rhino…” [From the chronicles of the ‘Flying Rhino’]

The graphics etched on the wide, central console armrest of the latest RAM 1500 model doesn’t leave it to imagination, what the three-letter badge of RHO stands for. The dramatic presence too is nothing less than that of the armoured beast!

The playboy of RAM 1500 range

Not long ago, RAM 1500 had a beast in its range – TRX, which was understandably dubbed T-Rex. The dunes still echo its roar. RHO isn’t exactly a replacement, if only for the fact that the RHO is driven by the next generation powerhouse – a 3.0L twin turbo inline-6 engine of the new Hurricane series, which has a Standard Output and a High Output version. No points for guessing which one drives the RHO with an output of 540 hp and 702 Nm. While it is still a far cry from the 702 hp V8 of the TRX, it has more horsepower than the iconic 5.7L HEMI V8 that powered the RAM 1500 just a couple of years ago with 395 hp and 556 Nm.

The RHO still has a Baja mode among its capability arsenal, which signals a no holds barred approach to fun, frolic and flag-planting! As I proceeded quickly along the desert tracks, the wheel-travel made itself obvious – the truck bouncing like birthday balloons and the mind laughing along heartily!

Design and Dimensions

The RAM 1500 RHO is 5.94 m long, 2 cm longer than the Tungsten trim. Everything is super-sized about the RHO – 35” tyres and 18” beadlock capable wheels are part of the formidable package. But then, much of the cargo bed has been taken over by the spare tyre – this truck clearly isn’t a farmhand!

Rammed by a Rhino

The RAM 1500 RHO can be described as capable, challenging and adventurous in spirit. Still, I prefer to use the single, simple word: fun. The kind of fun on a trampoline: ride for once on its air spring suspensions that has a 13” and 14” inch wheel travel in the front and back, and you’ll know what I mean! RHO is fitted with Bilstein Black Hawk shock absorbers fully equipped for a ‘desert flight’ and to absorb the impact of a dune-landing. The 0 – 100 time of TRX (that beast!) is a fraction of a second quicker than the RHO (4.6 seconds). If any vehicle doesn’t need fancy all-terrain assistance, it must be the RHO but you’ll find the whole range of all-terrain modes nevertheless!

Is the Rhino a tough ride?

Taming the Rhino isn’t exactly rodeo ride stuff. The initial formidable power is something to watch out and so is the feat of driving in and out of parking lots – better keep those side mirrors folded! The mirrors cover blind spots even though the mirror housing and the A-pillar might slightly take away from corner visibility. As with trucks, maneuvering around hurdles is just a matter of habit.

Yes, it is a big vehicle but there are in-built features that don’t make you feel the size. Head Up Display is something to look up to. Then there is approaching-object-alerts and automatic braking while reversing, rear cross traffic detection and multi-view camera that shows you the sides and the corners – everything is designed to make your life easy!

Baja or Drag – truckloads of fun!

The RHO, like similar RAM models, has a .357 drag co-efficient which lets you mix speed with stability, thanks to active aerodynamic features like an air dam that automatically extends 6 cm downward and active-level air suspensions that lowers the truck’s ride height, to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Cabin features to fly in comfort

Quietness isn’t exactly a truck trait but the RHO makes a decent job of it. Another sign of refinement is the side step. RAM RHO comes with storage conveniences like a thoughtful icebox under the rear flooring (the kind we saw in Tungsten). Spike the entertainment with a 900W 19-speaker Harmon Kardon system. Those tractor-sized wheels belie the tech inside – two wireless charging slots and a tablet style 14.5-inch screen grace this cabin!

The essential RAM RHO

The RAM RHO is the best available way to flex truck muscles on a long trip along roadless mountains or grow wings to cross the dunes, and the good thing is that the ticket fare is not something you’ll grudge (unless you already own a TRX) at AED 424,900 onwards. The RAM 1500 range starts at almost a whole hundred thousand less and is usually delivered with a 5-year warranty and a 5-year service & maintenance package.