2013 Ram 1500 Black Express slips into showrooms

Adding a stylishly sinister quality to its basic persona, the 2013 Ram 1500 Black Express lineup is arriving in dealers this month.

Available in rear- or 4-wheel drive and standard, quad cab or crew cab body styles, this all-out-ebony exercise based on the performance-oriented Express model features a monochrome black exterior treatment that extends to its fascias, grille, bumpers, lamp surrounds, 20-inch alloy wheels and even the front/rear Ram badges — the side badges have simply been removed.

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The only bits of brightwork remaining on what Ram execs call "the baddest-looking factory-built truck on the market" are chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets. Standard kit in the new Ram Black Express package also includes premium bi-functional halogen projector headlamps with amber LEDs for its park/turn/position lamps and front side markers, plus red LED taillamps and rear side markers.

Like the standard Ram 1500 Express, this attitude-rich dark-side alternative packs a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine with Fuel Saver Technology. Developing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, it’s backed by a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maintaining the strong value orientation of the baseline Express, the 2013 Ram 1500 Black Express in regular cab/rear-drive form starts at $28,090, with the quad cab version commanding $33,280 and the crew cab opening at $35,760.

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