Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is expected to roll out a series of comprehensive revisions to its hot-selling Ram 1500 pickups next year. The 2500 and 3500 models may not get all those upgrades, but as you can see from these reader-submitted spy shots, the Heavy Duty version does have some tricks up its rolled-up sleeve.
Spotted testing in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, some of these Ram HD pickup prototypes are still wearing camouflage to keep our prying eyes from seeing what stylistic revisions are planned for the front end. But the script on the door tells us more.
Look carefully and you can see that these trucks are not being tested by FCA but by Cummins. While most automakers manufacture their own diesel engines, FCA outsources some of its oil-burners. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 in the Ram 1500 (as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and various Maseratis) is furnished by VM Motori, which FCA purchased outright a few years ago, while the big 6.7-liter inline-six in the Ram HD is made by Cummins (like the 5.0-liter V8 in the Nissan Titan).
The fact that the Indiana-based powertrain manufacturer is testing these Ram trucks tells us that upgrades are in store for the diesel engine. So expect the 2018 Ram HD to offer even more than the 385 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque in the current version, and potentially run more refined as well.
Hat tip to Brett for sending in the photos.
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