’ 13 Ram Heavy Duty trucks: Powerful, refined
Ram Truck Brand is thinking big at the State Fair of Texas Auto Show. Its display is a towering scalfolding structure with three enormous hanging white curtains spelling out “R- A- M” in black letters as tall as a house.
This looming industrial- looking prop is a fitting backdrop for the new imposing 2013 Ram 2500 and 3500Heavy Duty pickups. “It’s virtually an all- new truck from the frame up,” said Fred Diaz, president
and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, noting the new Heavy Duty trucks are a result of instructions from Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne — “Boys, go big or go home.”
Ram Heavy Duty bodies sit on re- engineered frames, constructed of high- strength steel, including eight separate crossmembers, hydroformed main rails and fully boxed rear rails. Teaming with the beefier frames is an improved front and rear suspension system, which significantly increases roll stiffness. Bed structures also are strengthened.
A new steering system provides a “precise, on- center feel,” Ram Truck Brand reports, and body noise, vibration and harshness are lessened with improved engine, transmission and body mounts. These include the new application of hydromounts at the C- pillars.
Re- engineered mounts support a new lineup of powertrains with serious workhorse grunt. For 2013, the 5.7- literHemi V- 8 engine is available on 3500 models— standard on the 3500 single- rear- wheel pickup, as well as 2500 models. It moves the big trucks with 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.- ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Bolted to theHemi V- 8 is a six- speed automatic transmission.
Turbo Diesel muscle comes in three versions of the 6.7- liter Cummins I- 6, each mated with a different transmission. One combination pairs the Cummins with a segment- exclusive six- speed manual transmission. It delivers 350 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 660 lb.- ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm ( vs. the 2012 model’s 600 lb.- ft.).
Output gets amajor boost with comboNo. 2, partnering the Cummins with a 68RFE six- speed automatic transmission. This version produces 370 horses at 2,800 rpm and 800 lb.- ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm.
The top upgrade matches the CumminsHigh- Output version with a new Aisin six- speed automatic transmission— aheavy- duty unit thatmanages big- time torque. This powertrain’s output is 385 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and a Ram Truck Brand- reported “best- in- class” 850 lb.- ft. at 1,600 rpm.
Another “best- in- class” Cummins advantage the truck maker reports is a 15,000- mile oil- change interval and a 10 percent fuel- economy gain via a new diesel exhaust aftertreatment.
Performance, durability and operating costs for the diesel engines are improved with an all- new cooling system providing 25 percent more heat- rejection capacity.
A new front- axle disconnect works with the 4x4 transfer case to boost fuel economy— a manufacturer- reported up to 1 mile per gallon. Towing and payload capacities haven’t been announced.
The brute engines sit behind fresh- design cross- hair grilles. SLT and new- for- 2013 Tradesman models wear a molded- in blackHex- Link grille. The PowerWagon and Lone Star/ BigHorn editions are fitted with Billet- Perf designs with separate model- specific finishes. The Laramie’s grille has a chrome- finishedHex- Perf texture, and the top- line Laramie Longhorn’s grille is dressed up withWaveMesh.
Headlamps provide a more- efficient distance and light spread. Standard on Laramie Longhorn and optional on Laramie are new, premium headlamp and taillamp designs. The upgraded headlamp has functional halogen projectors, 15 amber LEDs for park/ turn/ position and three LEDs for the side marker. The upscale taillamp stop/ tail/ turn functions consist of 15 red LEDS with a trio of red LED side markers.
Adding convenience, RamBoxes can be locked, along with the doors and tailgate, with a single push of a remote button.
Along with “stop- youdeadin- your- tracks looks,” Diaz said, “the newHeavy Duty is now a smarter truck.”
The 2013Heavy Duty pickups are available with next- generationUconnect Access. TheUconnect system provides in- vehicle, hands- free communication and entertainment systems. This includes a wireless platform allowing for Wi- Fi hotspot capability. Connected services can be managed via the web or on the Ram’s 8.4- inch touchscreen.
Owners also can keep tabs on their trucks’ various systems with an available customizable 7- inch vehicle information center. On both the 8.4- inch and select 7- inch screens, the backgrounds are tailored to match the themes of specific Ram models.
Designers pulled Ram 1500 refinement into the Heavy Duty pickups, with a redesigned interior featuring improved fit and finish, material upgrades, new color choices and moreuserfriendly redesigned HVAC controls.
Diaz said the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty pickups are well- rounded, boasting refined interiors and exteriors, and smart technologies. Of course, the other big component is “best- in- class” workhorse capability, he said, because “You can’t be all hat and no cattle.”