Ram Truck says it plans to introduce a new gasoline V8 engine and several new transmissions next model year.
Chrysler Group’s truck division said a new 6.4-liter Hemi V8 will debut for the 2014 model year, adding that two versions of the engine will be produced – one for Ram HD pickups and another for chassis cab models.
The truck maker says each 16-valve engine will be “optimized” for the vehicles’ duty cycles, and will produce 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The engine will also feature cylinder deactivation capabilities, allowing it to shut down four cylinders during optimal conditions to save fuel.
Ram says it will also add a coil suspension system to Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 heavy duty trucks.
Ram Truck brand said Tuesday its sales were up 23 percent, the brand’s best June sales since 2007. The Ram pickup truck, with its 24 percent sales gain, logged its best June sales since 2007. It was the Ram pickup truck’s 38th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of the Light Duty Ram pickup were up 36 percent, driven by the Quad and Crew Cab pickups, while Heavy Duty Ram sales were up 5 percent. The Ram Cargo Van had its best sales month since launched in 2011.
Ram also announced it will add an automated six speed transmission in the forthcoming Ram ProMaster van, which will be paired to a four-cylinder, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, with 174 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
Another new six-speed transmission, a traditional automatic, will be available in 2014 Ram chassis cab models, Chrysler says.
Ram also gave an update on its plans to release its 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel in the 2014 Ram 1500. The engine’s release will anoint Ram the first automaker in North America to offer a diesel engine in a light-duty pickup. Ram says the diesel-powered unit will command a $2,850 higher asking price than a similarly equipped Hemi eight cylinder truck.
The 3 liter engine, Ram says, will produce 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and is produced by Italy’s VM Motori – a Chrysler supplier since 1992.
