The latest version of the Ram 1500 isn’t powered by a V8 engine. Shock horror. But we are used to the idea of engine downsizing, and now it’s been applied to the Ram.
This fifth generation model is in its mid-life facelift phase, and for our market, that sees the Hemi retired (its origins date back to 1951, so it’s time) replaced by the new 3.0-litre, twin-turbo straight six.
This comes in two guises, the Laramie Sport gets the Standard Output (SO) version making 313kW and 635Nm, healthy improvements over the 5.7’s 291kW/536Nm numbers. The up-spec Limited is blessed with the High Output (HO) version making 403kW and 707Nm. That’s a 38 per cent increase in pull. Those numbers are impressive for a truck engine if you think an M3 CS makes 3.0-litre has 405kW and 650Nm.
As to the fuel consumption, the spec sheet figure reads 10.74L/100km, while the old Hemi’s numbers were somewhere between 12-14L/100km, depending on what test regime they were calculated under. The stated consumption on the HO is 11.8L/100km.
Read more 2024 Ram 1500 Big Horn review
In terms of engine specs, the Hurricane is a bit special. Terms like cross-bolted steel main-bearing caps, forged crank and rods and a deck-plate-honed block are mentioned in the media blurb. It’s all new too, no more than five per cent of the components are shared within the Stellantis family. There’s a water-to-air charge cooler, high pressure direct injection and two low inertia turbos. All together, the six is lighter than the V8 at 200kg versus the 254kg for the Hemi. The SO blows 22psi and can run on 91. There are different turbos on the HO, running up to 26psi, and it’s fed its required premium octane by twin high-pressure fuel pumps. There’s no electrification here, just an idle stop system. There’s a bit of hardware difference in the transmission and transfer case between the two.
There are also a handful of new drive modes including Auto and Sport, a few truck settings (Towing, Off Road and Snow).
We had a brief drive of the truck on road, and as expected, there’s more torque across the rev band. In 2WD mode, it’s a lot easier to chirp the rubber and step the tail out from intersections. It’ll be hairy in the wet, which is why it’s a good thing it has a quick-acting torque on demand AWD setting.
There’s more than enough urge low down for everyday driving, while it surges on mighty quick for such a huge thing. The six itself pulls best from 3000rpm and revs to just past 6000 in the HO, while the SO changes up at 5800rpm. While the response isn’t sportscar crisp, it feels strong across the rev band as the torque gets it moving before handing over to the power higher up in the rev band.
The eight-speed could be a tad quicker to kick-down and hook the power up, but it is a truck after all. The sound is not quite as stirring as a V8, though the HO does huff and puff when it’s under the pump.
The Limited has a more controlling ride on its standard air springs while it rolls on larger 22s which are encased in more sports-orientated Pirelli Scorpions. So it’s a tad more precise in its cornering attitude. But these aren’t sport trucks, they still weigh in at 2700kg.
Rather quick. We got to check out its turn of speed, laying down a few 0-100km/h runs with the VBOX attached at the old Lang Lang proving ground in Melbourne. The SO turned in a 0-100km/h of 6.0sec while the HO was quicker still at 5.3sec. That’s bloody quick for a big rig that can tow 4.5 tonnes. Well the Laramie Sport at least, the Limited is good for 4.2 tonnes.
There is still a focus on premium inside, luxurious even in the case of the Limited with lots of hides and a full grain aroma too. It now gets a massage function for its front seats to go with the heating and ventilation. There is a larger 14-inch central touchscreen though it’s still flanked by physical buttons, while the passenger gets their own 10-inch display to help pass their time away. This has a special screen to prevent the driver seeing it. There are two device chargers and 10 USB ports. And there’s plenty of lounging room in the rear of the cabin, these full size pick ups allow space for three adults to relax in comfort back there.
There are also a few more active safety features on the spec list (of the Limited at least), but the driver assists are not over done so the alerts aren’t constant.
Out back, there’s still the big tray with its spray-in liner, Rambox wellsides are now standard, the retractable step is still there while the tailgate is powered both up and down. This works either off the remote or you can give it a little nudge upwards, and it does the rest for you. The payload improves slightly for each model, the Sport now at 863kg (plus 160kg) the Limited at 782kg (up 81kg).
Pricing has risen for both models, the Laramie Sport now goes for $164,990 (up from $154,990) while the Limited is now $185,990, rising from $172,990. The new trucks arrive in the country shortly, with the Big Horn, which has more of a worker-spec trim, coming later in the year.
