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We can thank high winds and ill-fitting tarpaulins for giving us an unobstructed look at the face of upcoming 2019 Ram 1500.

Spy photographers caught the 2019 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view but today we’re bringing you the whole enchilada.

READ MORE: 2019 Ram 1500 Split Rear Tailgate Spotted in Spy Shots

It’s all but confirmed now that the next Ram pickup will depart from the mini-Freightliner look that defined the truck since the mid-‘90s. The test mule shown here dispenses with the traditional gunsight grille in favor of a six-sided chrome maw. The R A M billboard of letters stand front and center, flanked by a pair of rectangular nostrils that are toned down from the units found on current Sport and Laramie trims. Five black plastic bars, two above the model nomenclature and three below, span the width of the grille as well.

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With its front fascia free of camouflage swirls and other visual chicanery, one can now see this particular Ram 1500 trim has applied a heavy dose of LED mascara, bookending what is surely a set of high-intensity headlamps. Fog lights remain in the chrome bumper. For reasons unknown, the tow hooks are covered by black tape on this test mule.

A power-bulge hood appears to remain, under which hides one of several possible engines. Past spy shots showed additional Ram badging stuck awkwardly on the sides of the power dome. Camouflage makes it tough to tell if they are on this test truck or if that detail was simply a bit of disrupting eye candy meant to distract us from the rest of the truck. Let’s hope it’s the latter.

READ MORE: Spy Shots! 2019 Ram 1500 Limited

The Ram 1500 is said to be continuing with the steel body, which is a break from Ford and GM’s approach for weight savings on a full-size truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional predominantly steel Ram is the right path for its next generation truck. This author is still laying a wager that the outside skin of the bed on the next Ram will be aluminum, with the inside of the bed constructed of steel. Precisely zero proof of this exists, of course.

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Other details of the Ram 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year, including several clues pointing to an industry-first split tail gate. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, as is the RamBox storage system. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, and a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the 2019 Ram 1500 to officially break cover at this month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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