Ram Truck and Cummins Celebrate 25 Years of Diesel Powertrain Leadership

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• 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 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. Press releases can be found on the Web at cummins.com or cumminsengines.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cumminsengines and on YouTube at http://youtube.com/cumminsengines.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC