Dodge Ram 1500, 2014

 

 Dodge Ram 1500, 2014

The 2014 Ram 1500 new, 3.0-liter Eco Diesel engine, mated with the Torque Flite eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency, unsurpassed torque and impressive capability.

Pricing for the Ram 1500 starts at $24,200, plus $1,095 destination. The exclusive V-6 Eco Diesel with Torque Flite 8-speed automatic transmission is priced $2,850 greater than a similarly equipped Ram 1500 with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with Torqueflite 8 speed transmission.

New on the 2014 Ram 1500 is a front park assist system and host of efficiency, comfort and emissions-friendly refinements including a variable displacement compressor; pulse-width modulated blower; humidity sensor; and the latest technology in air conditioning refrigerant.

The Ram 1500 delivers best-in-class fuel economy with a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems including: eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start system, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.

Powertrain
The 2014 Ram 1500 continues the brand's quest of re-defining the half-ton full-size pickup class with the introduction of an exclusive small displacement turbo diesel engine that delivers a best-in-class combination of torque and fuel efficiency.

Aptly branded Eco Diesel, the new 3.0-liter power plant is a turbocharged 60-degree, dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) 24-valve V-6 that produces 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque ¬is noticeably more efficient than all V-6 gasoline engines in the half-ton category.

Like the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engines already offered on the Ram 1500, the new Eco Diesel V-6 mated to the TorqueFlite 8, the only eight-speed automatic transmission offered in the half-ton class.

The new Eco Diesel - developed and manufactured by VM Motor (a Chrysler supplier since 1992) - is one of the most advanced diesel engines in the marketplace. Equipped with a diesel oxidation catalyst, diesel particulate filter, and selective catalytic reduction, it will be emissions-compliant in all 50 states.

The new Ram 1500 also is equipped with a capless fuel filler system for re-filling convenience.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine (Ward's 10 Best Engines Award three years in a row) with variable-valve timing (VVT) offers 305 horsepower, 269 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class fuel economy for V-6 engine trucks. The Pentastar V-6 features 42 percent more horsepower, 13 percent more torque and at least 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to the previous 3.7-liter V-6 powertrain. The legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with fuel-saving cylinder shut-off and VVT provides 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.

The class-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8), standard equipment with 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel and 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar, doubles the amount of gears compared to the previously available four-speed automatic transmission, which improves drivability and enhances fuel efficiency. The eight-speed also is available with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8.

When the 2014 Ram 1500 full-size pickup arrives in retail outlets the fourth quarter of calendar year 2013, it will establish what is unmistakably the most advanced and efficient powertrain portfolio in the light-duty category, as evidenced by:

• Exclusive offering of a small-displacement turbo diesel engine (Eco Diesel V-6)
• Exclusive offering of an eight-speed automatic transmission (8HP45 with Pentastar V-6, 8HP70 with HEMI V-8 and Eco Diesel V-6)
• Unsurpassed torque
• Best-in-Class V-6 gasoline engine fuel efficiency (Pentastar V-6)
• Best-in-Class combination of power and fuel efficiency in a V-8 engine (HEMI V-8 mated with eight-speed transmission)
• Only manufacturer in light-duty class to offer diesel, gasoline, and flex-fuel (E85 capable 3.6-liter V-6) engines

Engineering

Beginning in model year 2014, the Ram 1500 will offer a front park assist system, a first time offering on a full-size Ram pickup truck.

The system uses four sensors located on the front bumper. The bezel-less, integrated sensors sequentially send out ultrasonic waves when the vehicle is driven in forward at low speeds. The system can detect objects as far away as 47.2 inches.