It was recently stated in a SEC filing by the Chrysler Group that the Ram 1500 will soon have the 3.6L Pentastar V6 in place of the current 3.7L V6. This move will make the entry-level Ram 1500 far more powerful than the current V6 Ram, while also likely offering improved fuel economy figures. Those fuel economy efforts will also be boosted by the offering of the new eight-speed automatic transmission. While the information in this SEC filing confirms rumors that were almost a year old, but the eight-speed transmission is an added bonus for future Ram 1500 owners.
Power figures and fuel economy numbers for the upcoming Pentastar
powered Ram 1500 pickups have not been announced but based on the output
of the Pentastar V6 in other applications range from 283 to 305hp. The
Dodge Durango offers 292 horsepower from its Pentastar option so
somewhere in the range of 295-300 horsepower is likely when the new 3.6L
V6 option reaches the Ram 1500. The Ram could also offer better than
300 horsepower but right now, Dodge likes to brag that the Challenger
has the most powerful application of the Pentastar. The Ram could take
that claim from the Challenger–unless the next model year V6
Challenger got a boost in power.
The other big piece of Ram Truck news was the addition of a new 8-speed
automatic transmission for the Ram 1500. Chrysler has not specified
which engines or chassis configurations will come with the eight-speed
automatic, but the company did state that this new transmission will
improve fuel economy by 12% compared to the current 5-speed automatic.
That automatic comes with the 4.7L V8 and the Hemi while the current
3.7L V6 comes with a 4-speed unit so perhaps the new eight-speed will be
mated to the Hemi. However, the eight-speed gearbox in use
with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger only comes with the Pentastar
V6, so it will be interesting to see which Ram 1500 models get this new
transmission later this year.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
