Ram has added an updated version of the diesel powertrain under the hood of its Heavy Duty pickup truck, but this is pretty much everything for this year. That’s because the manufacturer plans to introduce the totally redesigned model in 2019, most likely at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. They’ve started testing the 2020 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty already, but the mule doesn’t show what’s changed thanks to the heavy camouflage. Still, judging by the latest reports, the HD workhorse is going to host a number of changes inside and out, plus the carmaker plans some performance improvements as well.
Under The Hood
The future drivetrain lineup is going to stay without the current 5.7-liter V-8. The engine isn’t going to be available under the hood of the new Ram 1500, so it’s pretty certain that it’s not going to be available with the bigger brother too. Instead, the 2020 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty will most likely rely on a 6.4-liter V-8 that delivers 410 hp and 429 lb-ft. Ram may add some new gasoline option latter, but we have nothing on that now. What we know for sure is that there will be nothing new under the hood of the oil-chugging, simply because the carmaker added the updated 6.7-liter turbocharged inline-6 from Cummins earlier this year. They didn’t say how many ponies the amazing diesel is going to have, but we think it’s going to deliver around 400 hp. on the other hand, it features a staggering 930 pound-feet of twist, so the towing must go over $30,000 lbs.
New Platform, Changes, and Features
Both diesel and gasoline trucks will improve fuel economy numbers thanks to an updated platform. The architecture will likely include plenty of lightweight materials, yet not as much as Ford’s workhorses feature. Since it’s just a testing mule, we can’t really know how it will look at the truck. Still, that’s going to be pretty clear when the manufacturer introduces the smaller Ram 1500 in a few months at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. What we know for sure is that the 2020 Ram Heavy Duty is getting plenty of new technologies. Aside from it’s going to feature the new infotainment and better entertainment, the large truck will also a new 360-degree camera view, which will be a part of the new hook assist system. Ram will definitely boost pickup’s safety system and driver assistance technologies, which will provide new adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
We are at the beginning of the road right now. Ram will have to do a hundred of tests during the next year and we will be there to catch every single change on the next-generation Ram Heavy Duty. So, stay tuned for updates.
