Diesel Bombers - 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn Most Expensive Ram Truck Ever Debuts

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DALLAS — Dodge on Thursday trotted out the 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn, saying the upscale truck with details aimed at what appear to be gentleman ranchers will be the most expensive Ram truck ever.
The Ram Laramie Longhorn models will go on sale in the first quarter of 2011. Prices will be announced closer to launch, Chrysler said in a statement.
During a Thursday morning Web chat about the truck, Inside Line asked Ram Truck Brand President and CEO Fred Diaz, "Is it fair to say the Ram Laramie Longhorn will be the most expensive Ram truck ever?"
"To answer your question directly, yes," he replied. "The vehicle will naturally be priced commensurate with its premium luxury features."
Presumably, this edges the upscale truck toward the $45,000-$50,000 price range. A more ordinary 2011 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Laramie starts at $43,550, including a $900 destination charge.
Diaz said the Laramie is "currently 25 percent of our Ram sales. A strong indication that truck buyers are looking for premium trucks." He said he expects the Laramie Longhorn to be 6-10 percent of sales. "We think the mix will be higher with heavy-duty models," he wrote.
The Laramie Longhorn is an appearance package that takes its inspiration from hand-tooled leather cowboy boots, saddles and antique pocket watches, the automaker said in a statement. Details include Western-style exterior badges and exclusive Sagebrush exterior paint with White Gold touches not available on other Ram trucks.
The Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn gets 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. The cabin has a full leather interior with unusual details, such as front seatbacks with flap-closure pockets designed to look like saddlebags. There is also new footwell lighting.
Standard features include navigational radio, remote start, a back-up camera and ventilated front and heated rear seats.
In an interesting twist, Chrysler handed out Laramie Longhorn belt buckles to representatives of the media and patrons of the Texas State Fair on Thursday. Ryan Nagode, design program lead on the truck, said during the Web chat that "we wanted to let the media and public know this truck is so special, the interior parts can be worn as 'personal jewelry.'" He said the automaker plans to offer a version of the belt buckle on the Web.