Ram introduces new 'Built to Serve' edition trucks
Those who are considering a standard size truck but want some of the features found in bigger vehicles should be sure look into the new 5th generation of the durable Ram 1500 trucks. Let’s take a quick look at some of the drivetrain features that these trucks offer.
Engines
According to the sales staff at Autonation, there are four engines available under the hood of the 2020 Ram 1500 trucks.
Base Engine: The base engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 with 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. This engine makes use of Ram’s eTorque mild hybrid system and is rated at 20/26 mpg for standard rear-wheel drive models.
Standard V8: The first V8 is a 5.7L V8 Hemi with multi-displacement operation (MDS) and variable valve timing (VVT). It offers 15/21 mpg in 4WD configuration.
Hybrid V8: The second 5.7L V8 Hemi engine couples with the eTorque mild hybrid setup and is rated at 15/22 mpg.
Diesel V6: For diesel enthusiasts, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 model puts out 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, and offers up 22/32 mpg in two-wheel drive trim.
Transmission
All the engines available in the new Ram 1500s are mated with the 850RE 8-speed transmission. Manufactured by Germany’s ZF corporation, inside each 850RE is a integrated electronic transmission control unit that allows for lightning fast shifts. According to ZF, the 850RE was designed to easily be coupled with the Ram V-6 and Hemi V8 power plants.
Rear Axle Ratios
There are three rear axle ratios available for the Ram 1500 trucks. The first is the standard 3.21 axle ratio. By selecting a final drive ratio such as this, engine rpm is lowered when on the road and this allows manufacturers to more easily meet government gas mileage standards. By contrast, two optional “higher” axle ratios are available. These 3.55 and 3.92 provide more towing capability by increasing the amount of available torque delivered to the axles.
Which drivetrain options are best for you?
The folks at Ram recommend that truck shoppers look at the towing and payload tables on the official Ram websites. They're there to help customers select the right drivetrain options for their specific needs.
