Straight-six power for new Ram 1500

A COMPREHENSIVELY revised Ram 1500 large pick-up has made its North American debut with no sign of a Hemi V8, power instead coming from parent company Stellantis Group’s 3.0-litre ‘Hurricane’ twin-turbocharged petrol straight-six.

The familiar Pentastar V6 petrol engine is central to a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that, in similar style to the Nissan e-Power setup, uses internal combustion solely as an electricity generator with no direct connection to the drive wheels.

Both join the previously revealed all-electric Ram 1500 REV with which the 2025 model year models share much of their styling and technology.

Scheduled for North American launch early next year, the revised Ram 1500 will arrive later in Australia as it requires local right-hand drive conversion and other validations.

As such, no local specifications are yet available for the MY25 Ram 1500 but the new driveline is claimed to be more powerful and more fuel efficient with no compromises made to the big pick-up truck’s durability, tech offering, safety and efficiency. 

The Hurricane family of engines comprise two 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol straight sixes in 313kW/635Nm standard output and 400kW/706Nm high output variants that form two thirds of the 2025 Ram’s powertrain offering.

PHEVs derive 130kw from the petrol V6 generator engine, powering a 250kW front electric motor and 283kW rear motor. From a full petrol tank and charged battery, Ram claims the ‘Ramcharger’ drivetrain can deliver a 1100km range.

Regardless of drivetrain the MY25 Ram 1500 features an on-board power inverter that can produce up to two kilowatts and features two covered outlets located inside the bed that allow customers to power items such as lights, television, reciprocating saw, chainsaw or fan.

Said to be the most technologically advanced Ram 1500 yet, the MY25 model packs “leading-edge” features incorporated into what the manufacturer describes as the segment’s best interior with latest-generation Uconnect 5 multimedia system and the most screen coverage in the segment comprised of a new 14.5-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch passenger screen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, digital rearview mirror and head-up display.

A dual wireless phone charger is optionally available, standard on some variants as is hands-free driving assist that provides Level 2+ (L2+) automated driving capability.

Topping the range is a new Tungsten variant that “raises the no-compromise benchmark for upscale pick-up trucks loaded with best-in-class technology.”

Ram says the new model caters equally for family and working applications with a “complete line up of segment-leading gas (gasoline) and electric trucks”.

From launch, the US line up comprises the ultra-premium Tungsten, Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn and Limited models.

A new variant called the Ram 1500 RHO will join the line-up later in 2024 complete with a 400kW Hurricane H/O engine that is aimed at reinforcing Ram’s position in the North American off-road and performance truck space.

Ram brand CEO Tim Kuniskis said: “The new 2025 Ram 1500 brings our customers more: more power, more performance and more fuel efficiency with our all-new 3.0-litre Hurricane engines.

“With a choice of new and proven gas engines or our upcoming electric truck offerings, Ram is built to serve truck buyers everywhere. Our new powertrain offerings add to the unique combination of bold styling, leading-edge innovation and technology, durability and capability Ram customers have come to know and love.

Towing capacity is 6350kg from the ladder chassis equipped Ram with a payload of more than 1100kg.

Double wishbone front suspension and a five-link solid rear axle are available with self-levelling four-corner air suspension and in styling terms, the MY25 Ram 1500 is a re-imagination of the current vehicle with a “contemporary design aesthetic”.

It rocks a sleeker, more aerodynamic appearance with new premium LED headlamps, a new, larger, forward-leaning grille available in eight interpretations dictated by the particular model.