The RAM 1500 introduces a new V6 engine with "mild-hybrid" technology for the European market

Enjoying the great American pick-up trucks in the Old Continent is difficult, although now it is a little easier, since at the end of last year RAM began selling its 1500 model in Europe thanks to the Stellantis group (which is related to the European version of the Ford Ranger Raptor Ford). But selling here means complying with European anti-pollution regulations, including for the RAM 1500.

European anti-pollution regulations are much less permissive than American ones, which is why RAM has had to adapt its engines to our market, hence the new updated engine now being presented. This engine was unveiled over last weekend during the MXGP Championship race in Germany, taking advantage of the fact that RAM is a sponsor of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team this year, to which they supply four of their pick-up trucks.

The engines RAM offers in North America are unthinkable in Europe, not only because of pollution but also because of power and consequently consumption, so for our continent the 1500 is offered with a much more restrained turbodiesel engine that reduces its output to 260 CV. But pick-up trucks with petrol engines are also in demand here, so to attract even more customers we will now have the option of choosing a V6 petrol engine featuring mild-hybrid technology.

This is the 3,600 cc Pentastar V6, capable of delivering 305 CV of power together with a torque of 364 Nm, equipped, as I mentioned earlier, with 48 V eTorque mild-hybrid technology, and paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels. This system consists of a lithium-ion battery with graphite and cobalt manganese nickel, with a capacity of 43 kWh, which supplies the 48 V during starting and gear-change phases. This battery is also able to use a 3 kW DC/DC converter to maintain a conventional 12 V starter motor, which translates into assistance for cold starts at low temperatures.

Apart from eTorque mild-hybrid technology, the Pentastar V6 engine also features other novelties that contribute to greater efficiency, such as wide-range variable valve timing and two-stage variable valve lift to achieve the best combination of power and economy depending on the type of driving being done; and let us not forget the new cooled exhaust gas recirculation system. Thanks to all these technologies, RAM and the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) state that the Pentastar V6 engine achieves a 19% fuel saving compared with the 5,700 cc V8 engine.

For the time being RAM has not revealed prices in Europe, but we do know that this engine will be available in the 1500 in its Big Horn, Laramie and Rebel versions.