The battle of the best pickup is on. After Ford and General Motors announced the diesel engines and capabilities of their respective full-sized pick-up ranges, which are the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, RAM unveiled their cards and retakes the throne with an updated version of the 2020 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel. The RAM 1500 is 14% more powerful than its predecessor, which can beat the competition at any time of the day.
In the heart of the RAM 1500 Ecodiesel pickup truck is an updated turbocharged V6 3.0-liter engine. It increases the performance of the RAM and now outputs 260 horsepower, which is an increase of 20hp compared to the predecessor and reaches full torque output at 1600 rpm, 400 rpm lower than the old one.
These numbers put the 2020 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel as the queen in its class in terms of torque. The new RAM 1500 Ecodiesel now has a max tow rating of 12,560 pounds when properly equipped. This is way higher than its competition as the Ford F-150 Power Stroke diesel is only reported to tow 11,400 pounds and only has 250 horsepower. The Chevy Silverado half-ton diesel, although can beat the RAM in horsepower with its 277hp, can only handle up to 9700 pounds.
RAM, a firm belonging to the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Group made the improvements possible, thanks to the inclusion of water-cooled variable and geometrically improved turbo, which increased the compression ratio from 16:1 to 16.5: 1. Lighter pistons which are made of aluminum alloy with oil jet cooling, revision of the intake system, a new dual-flow exhaust gas recirculation system and redesigned head inlets also adds up to help increase the RAM 1500 performance.
Other changes were made to raise the level of savings and emissions. To justify the name EcoDiesel, the V6 comes with a two-way gas recirculation system (EGR), one high and one low pressure, responsible for receiving the gases after they pass through the particulate filter system.
With an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system, the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel 2020 also has a pneumatic cushioning system, which is able to adjust the tread height for each situation and gives the driver the best height while driving. When boarding people or cargo, the suspension gets lower, while at the off-road time, the height is raised to the maximum.
In addition, the Italian V6 also received the new compacted-graphite iron block and forged-steel connecting rods and crankshaft that provide the strength and durability required by diesel engines. Noise reduction has also been added, and the wrist pins are now slightly offset by about 0.1 inches to reduce vibration and harshness.
The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel 2020 also features adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking in front of pedestrians, track alert, and blind spot, among others.
There are still many details unknown for the new RAM 1500 Ecodiesel, such as the load capacity, price or efficiency. In its previous version, the engine delivered 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. Expect these details to be uncovered in the next few weeks as the launch of the RAM 1500 is near. Ram says the 2020 EcoDiesel will be in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2019.
