RAM 1500 to downsize from V8 to I6

The end of V8 power has already been locked in for the Dodge muscle car line-up and not it seems the writing is also on the wall for the RAM 1500 pick-up, following a new report out of the US claiming RAM is busy testing and developing six-cylinder versions of its new full-size pick-up.

Before all the local fans panic, it’s not as bad as you think because the six in question is Stellantis’ new twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six ‘Hurricane’ engine, which was revealed last year with up to 373kW/644Nm.

Rumours of this new force-fed inline six replacing the familiar 5.7-litre HEMI V8 have swirled from the outset, but now MoparInsiders has published spy images of working RAM 1500 prototypes fitted with the gutsy six-cylinder.

Anticipated to be launched next year as part of the DT-series RAM 1500’s major mid-life upgrade as an MY25 model, the Hurricane is tipped to produce 298kW/610Nm in ‘standard output’ form for lower-grade variants, while the higher grades will receive the full-fat ‘high output’ version.

Both tunes develop more power and significantly more torque than the free-breathing 291kW/556Nm V8 they’ll replace, and they also consume drastically less fuel in the process – specifically “being up to 15 per cent more efficient”.

MoparInsiders also claims the mild-hybrid ‘Pentastar V6 with eTorque’ will serve as the absolute base powerplant of the RAM 1500 range in North America, but given we’re yet to get even a whiff of that system here it’s unlikely to ever make it across the pond to Australian showrooms.

An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission will reportedly be standard across the updated MY25 RAM 1500 line-up, which is expected to sport an even bolder and more imposing look to match its new forced-induction muscles, as well as an overhauled interior.

The best-selling RAM’s shift to six-cylinder power means Australian examples will compete with the upcoming Ford F-150 V6 head-on and leave the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as the only V8-powered full-size pick-up officially available here, given the Toyota Tundra will only be offered here with an electrified six.

There’s no indication yet as to when the updated RAM 1500 will arrive on our shores, but we’d hazard a guess it will be sometime in 2025 – depending on when it makes its global debut.

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