POPULAR RAM “BLACK PACKAGE” EXPANDS TO RAM HEAVY DUTY PICKUP
For 2014, on the heels of an overwhelming response for the Ram 1500 Black Express package, the brand now offers a new, even more imposing visual appearance treatment for the Ram Heavy Duty (2500 and 3500 SRW).
Making its debut at this week’s Atlanta International Auto Show, the Ram Black Appearance Group is a combination of brute force and style, with powertrains offering best-in-class power in both gas and diesel, not to mention a long list of features not found anywhere else in the segment: Cargo-view Camera, RamBox, manual transmission for diesel and a best-in-class ride from Ram’s link coil rear suspension (2500) with air suspension option (both 2500 and 3500). The most capable Heavy Duty also is the “baddest-looking” factory-built truck on the market.
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty Black package is distinguished by its all-black exterior. Starting with 20-inch black aluminum wheels, it also features fog lamps, black grille surround with black horizontal inserts specific to the two available trims. Of course body-color front and rear bumpers and head badges on the grille and tailgate complete the look, camouflaged in darkness. All body-side badging has been removed unless if ordered with a Cummins engine. For those trucks, only the diesel designation remains.
“Ram has continually pushed the limits of truck design and paved new themes that have been copied by competitors,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Black package on the Ram Heavy Duty is proof that our designers are passionate about trucks and will continue to maintain our trendsetting leadership.”
Looks and technology go together. The Ram Heavy Duty Black package features premium bi-functional halogen projector headlamps with black bezels, 15 amber LEDs for park/turn/position lamp and three amber LEDs for the side marker. The taillamps also include black finishes and are comprised of 15 red LEDs with three red LEDs for the side markers. Also, as part of the Black package, the trim includes Parkview and Parksense.
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty Black package is available in Ram 2500 and 3500 SRW, Crew Cab and Mega Cab, Big Horn/Lone Star and Laramie models with the choice of two- or four-wheel-drive.
Ram Heavy Duty Black pricing starts at $42,140, plus $1,195 destination charge and is currently open for orders.
RAM TRUCK AND CUMMINS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF DIESEL POWERTRAIN LEADERSHIP
- Available 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel produces 385 horsepower (283 kW) at 2,800 rpm and best-in-class 850 lb.-ft. of torque (1,151 N•m)
- 10 million B-series Cummins engines have been produced with more than 2 million finding a home in a Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab trucks
- Proven durability – Cummins has the longest-running large-displacement diesel design/architecture
- 2014 Ram Heavy Duty retains the highest level of capability with best-in-class towing, best-in-class payload and best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
- 2014 Ram Chassis Cab outworks the competition with best-in-class towing, gross combined weight rating (GCWR) and best-in-class total cost of ownership
- Unsurpassed powertrain warranty – five years/100,000 miles
- 15,000-mile oil change interval and best-in-class exhaust brake
Twenty-five years ago, Ram and Cummins changed the face of heavy-duty pickup trucks forever. Together, the two companies have succeeded by combining dominant truck engineering and superb diesel powertrain design. The result, competitors continue to chase the legacy which began in 1989 and Ram’s 2014 Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab truck lines grip best-in-class titles in the No. 1 purchase reason: capability.
“Ram and Cummins are names synonymous with power, quality and durability. We’ve enjoyed a successful relationship and remained leaders in the diesel pickup market for 25 years,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The numbers don’t lie. Backed by a Cummins engine, our Ram Heavy Duty is King of the Hill with 30,000 lbs. of towing capacity – three tons more than the closest competitor and our flagship Chassis Cab trucks hit Gross Combined Weight Ratings of up to 37,500 lbs.”
When first introduced in 1989, the Dodge Ram 3500 with the 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine produced 160 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Today’s 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel available in the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups and Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks delivers up to 385 horsepower and a ground shaking 850 lb.-ft. of torque – more than any competitor.
“The Cummins and Ram Truck partnership has created a legendary package over the last 25 years and we appreciate their continued loyalty to Cummins,” said Dave Crompton, Cummins Vice President and General Manager – Engine Business. “This commitment to our partnership allows us to focus on delivering best-in-class performance, reliability, and durability for the heavy-duty pickup market. The Cummins and Ram brands continue to provide a terrific combination for our customers.”
Noteworthy facts
- The Cummins engine has an 85 percent take rate on Ram Heavy Duty trucks
- Since 1989, the Ram Heavy Duty with Cummins engine has held more best-in-class titles than any other pickup truck manufacturer
- Best-in-class long-term quality, reliability and durability when compared to other automakers
- Only engine also found in heavy equipment when compared to other truck manufacturers
- More Cummins B-series million-mile club members and the greatest brand recognition when compared to other automakers
- Built to last, Cummins’ 6.7-liter is the benchmark in medium-duty truck markets, featuring a cast iron head (competition uses aluminum), 30-40 percent fewer moving components and the largest bore and stroke – a testament to its durability, structure and longevity
Best-in-class
Heavy Duty:
- Power – 850 lb.-ft. of torque
- Towing – Up to 30,000 pounds with Ram 3500
- Towing – Up to 17,970 pounds with Ram 2500
- Payload – Up to 7,320 pounds with Ram 3500
- Capacity – Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 37,600 pounds with Ram 3500
Chassis Cab:
- 3500 GCWR of up to 30,000 pounds and max trailer weight of 22,750 pounds
- 4500 GCWR of up to 32,500 pounds and max trailer weight of 24,650 pounds
- 5500 GCWR of up to 37,500 pounds and max trailer weight of 29,600 pounds
Ram Heavy Duty Powertrain
Dominating the torque charts, the renowned 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 is available in three versions. The first version is paired with Ram’s segment exclusive six-speed manual transmission, which features a wear-compensating clutch for lifetime like-new performance and a dual-trunion shift tower to accommodate a compact shift pattern. This combination delivers 350 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 660 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm.
The second option matches the Cummins to the 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine cranks out 370 horsepower at 2,800 rpm with an unsurpassed in ¾-ton trucks 800 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm.
Finally, the 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel I-6 for Ram 3500 is paired with the Aisin six-speed automatic transmission (AS69RC), leaving no doubt to Ram Heavy Duty’s capability. In addition to 385 horsepower at 2,800 rpm, the most powerful Cummins generates best-in-class torque of 850 lb.-ft. at 1,700 rpm. The AS69RC transmission features wide gear ratios that contribute to impressive shift performance, efficiency and drivability.
Ram Chassis Cab Powertrain
Ram Truck offers two engine variants based on the 6.7-liter Cummins for diesel supremacy in the Chassis Cab segment.
The first version features 320 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm. The engine is paired with Ram’s segment-exclusive, six-speed manual transmission, which features a wear-compensating clutch for consistent performance, and a dual-trunion shift tower to accommodate a compact shift pattern.
A second high-output diesel delivers 325 horsepower at 2,400 rpm and generates best-in-class torque of 750 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm. The engine is paired with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission (AS69RC).
Innovation
From behind the wheel, Cummins diesels deliver best-in-class stopping capability from innovations such as the “smart” exhaust brake. Enabled by Cummins’ unique, proprietary sliding-nozzle turbine design, the feature electronically manages best-in-class exhaust braking for smoother downhill driving, regardless of vehicle load. By monitoring throttle input, the system automatically adjusts to the driver’s intended speed by activating more exhaust brake when necessary. The result is long lasting brake linings and improved control when running heavy loads down a grade.
Ram trucks featuring the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel also feature the industry-exclusive Ram Active Air intake system. When the intake system senses extreme heat, it draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle – a function that also engages at high altitudes for superior throttle response in low oxygen environments. When conditions are wet from snow, ice or water-fording, the system pulls air from an under-hood inlet, clear from snow packing and water.
All Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab trucks equipped with the Cummins engine benefit from an advanced cooling system. A high-efficiency fan, dual radiators, dual transmission coolers and a charge air cooler provide impressive heat-rejection capacity to align with best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Lower operating temperatures deliver unsurpassed performance, durability and lower operating costs.
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab trucks are backed with an unsurpassed five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. The powertrain-limited warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair a covered powertrain component – engine, transmission and drive system. Coverage also includes free towing to the nearest Ram Truck dealer, if necessary. The warranty also is transferable allowing customers who sell their truck during the warranty period to pass the coverage to the new owner. The standard three-year/36,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage from the body to the electrical system.
About The Ram Heavy Duty
The 2014 Ram Heavy Duty adds new powertrain, suspension and innovative features that deliver the most powerful, capable and comfortable heavy-duty truck in the segment. Ram’s Heavy Duty line offers an all-new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 with best-in-class (gas engine) 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque. Other engine options include the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and the renowned 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6, cranking out 385 horsepower and best-in-class (diesel engine) 850 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty takes lessons learned from the successful Ram 1500, adding an all-new five-link coil rear suspension system for best-in-class ride and handling. Also offered is an exclusive rear air suspension system on both the Ram 2500 and 3500. The robust options meld with a new front suspension to handle the best-in-class 30,000-pound towing capacity.
Innovative features such as a cargo bed camera, 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer prep package and the popular Uconnect system come together to offer customers the best Heavy Duty trucks in the segment.
About Cummins
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins employs approximately 46,000 people worldwide, and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 6,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.65 billion on sales of $17.3 billion in 2012.
About Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they’d like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.
The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.