Upgraded Engines Boost Torque for 2019 Ram 1500
As with many new and established entries in the full-size half-ton pickup truck class, the name of the game is saving weight and making existing powertrains more efficient to maximize fuel economy. The 2019 Ram 1500, debuting today at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is no different. But some of the tricks it employs are interesting.
The base engine in the new Ram 1500 will continue to be the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 . However, it will now be equipped with Ram's new mild-hybrid system called eTorque, providing a huge boost in off-the-line power. Standard on all trim levels, the eTorque V-6 will add 90 extra pounds-feet of torque through a 48-volt belt-drive setup that essentially bolts onto the back of the engine to interact with the next-generation TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission. This transmission will be standard on all Ram 1500s equipped with the V-6 or V-8. The mild-hybrid system provides the Ram with stop-start functioning to improve fuel economy during city driving; it also provides brake energy regeneration. Stop-start can be turned off with a switch near the rotary transmission dial.
The eTorque system replaces a traditional alternator with a motor generator that feeds a 48-volt current to a 300-watt-hour lithium-ion battery pack (air cooled and mounted to the rear wall of the cabin) where the needed power can be used at takeoff or to turn over the engine when stop-start is activated.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 will be offered with or without the eTorque system and, we assume, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel will eventually be offered in the new 1500 as well — although Ram is not saying whether the eTorque setup will be adapted to the EcoDiesel. The eTorque system generates an additional 130 pounds-feet of torque for V-8s equipped with it
Ram has not released estimated or EPA fuel-economy numbers for the new 1500, but we're guessing the new eTorque system will deliver at least 3 or 4 extra mpgs for combined ratings. Official EPA 2019 numbers won't be released until closer to the truck's on-sale date later this year.
The current 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 generates 305 horsepower and 269 pounds-feet of torque, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 gets 395 hp and 401 pounds-feet of torque. Pricing for the pickup will be announced close to that date as well.
Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry
Comments
This isnt just a new look, its a completely new system. Amazing work from ram considering all chevy was change the body and keep the exact same interior
I was impressed with the Chevy when it was released but this RAM is way more impressive, they put a lot of work into this truck.
I am a diehard Ram fan and I love the looks overall. I will miss the cross hair grill and taller grill but it looks good the way they have designed it. As for engines and upgrades I feel like this is where they dropped the ball. I know the hemi is a great engine and it is proven reliable and stout since it is a 17 year old engine but I was expecting direct injection and a turbocharged version or more HP. I am curious on their 3.0 l diesel. they may increase the outputs due to competition but by how much? the 2 yr refresh will probably have more updates for engines but who knows. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPLIT TAILGATE?
pssssssst:
The F-150 Eco-Boost is much more advanced and reliable and we use a 10 speed transmission.
Ram will never catch up with the F-150 as the sales leader!
A truck is not more advanced when it is sitting on the side of the road.
This is very interesting technology for sure! Will have to wait a year to make sure all bugs are worked out but I think this is AWESOME innovation! Great job RAM!
Why is the Ecodiesel not available; was hoping to order one but tired of waiting for RAM to get their act together.
Very impressive technical additions, however, these changes also introduce additional complexity. The anticipated trade-off for more complexity is the improvement in fuel economy.
Improved FE is great if gas prices go up. This will lay an egg with consumers if gas prices go down, or stay flat.
The current US strategy is to expand oil production and discovery, so it's hard to picture a long-term trend of higher prices, unless Washington and the states raise fuel taxes.
RAM is rolling the dice on this, but the technology is very interesting and was unexpected.
Could be a winner. I personally like this approach more than a greater emphasis on turbos or variable displacement. My ultimate choice would be to see someone like RAM embrace the price leader approach with a simpler drivetrain in their base models.
That e-torque thing...one more thing to break. I hope they don't
decide to stick that contraption into a 2500 with the Cummins.
I wish they'd concentrate more on reliability and a little less on
gimmickry. There are too many sites that are rife with horror
stories from Ram owners with engine/tranny/electrical/paint/weld
pollution device nightmares. Their engineers should spend more
time on whats NOT working rather then on designing more
Harry Potteresque flux capacitor Finnigan pin thingamajigics.
For the first recall,
Relocate battery pack due to excessive heat causing passenger seats to start on fire and injure passenger.
Or will they just say it's a standard rear seat heater?
That's safest place for battery, ever.
Reviews of the turbo 4 with etorque in the JL Wrangler have been very positive. Just think of the possibilities with a bigger battery and a 5kW inverter.
The fact they didn't do anything to raise the horsepower numbers on the hemi tells me they will have an upgraded engine in a year or two. Hard to do everything at once.
I agree with joe , I believe a new or bigger hemi will follow in a year or two, I won’t purchase until that happens.
That's safest place for battery, ever.
Posted by: RAM | Jan 15, 2018 6:54:17 PM
I wouldn’t want that battery in the cab by the passengers. I also believe this system for adding torque needs a better explanation.
Based on the size of that battery are you telling me that system will provide that torque increase while towing for long periods of time?
If I had to guess its going to provide start stop and short bursts of torque increases. Really a gimmick. We shall see once its in the wild....
If I had to guess its going to provide start stop and short bursts of torque increases. Really a gimmick....Posted by: andrwken | Jan 16, 2018
@andrwken
Not a gimmick at all. The whole point of this new system is to do two things that their engineers believe will improve fuel economy in a really big way:
1. Regen the braking
2. Boost the drivetrain when moving from a dead stop
Every heavy vehicle can benefit from regen braking. No debate there. This makes the extra bulk of big pickups turn into free lunch. The power recovered by the regen boosts the truck when the drivetrain needs it most.
What's not to like?
2. Boost the drivetrain
Posted by: papajim | Jan 16, 2018 2:36:11 PM
This would be a nonstarter in Australia and the bumper is also illegal.
1. Regen the braking
2. Boost the drivetrain when moving from a dead stop
Every heavy vehicle can benefit from regen braking. No debate there. This makes the extra bulk of big pickups turn into free lunch. The power recovered by the regen boosts the truck when the drivetrain needs it most.
What's not to like?
Posted by: papajim | Jan 16, 2018 2:36:11 PM
——-
When they use it as a marketing gimmick to say they have the most torque in a half ton truck.
Based on the size of the battery, that will not be sustainable power delivery. It will help off the line but will not provide sustainable power while towing.
But it will be marketed that way.
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel with 48,000 miles on it, it's a Beast towing 8,600 lb travel trailer in the Colorado mountains.. Would like to order a 2019 in Feb or March of 2019. Will the new and improved diesel be ready by then. 2019 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel Crew cab with 5'7" box with 3.92 ratio rear axle 4x2, with cargo management system. When will this be available ?
Ram hasn't released information on the Ecodiesel yet. If I had to guess, it's because the EPA is currently bending them over due to the whole emissions cheating thing. Until they get the emissions system tuned in a way that keeps the EPA off their back, we won't know anything about the 2019 Ram ED.
What type of battery is this??
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