Spy Shots
New Products and Technology

Spy Shots—2020 RAM HD

RAM

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

RAM

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde