Super Ram: Ram's 2025 heavy-duty lineup powered by stronger engine, more heroic exterior
DETROIT—Ram has unveiled their new 2025 Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab lineup, and the Stellantis-owned brand has unveiled plenty of upgrades, which include a souped-up powertrain, updated safety and technology features, and an interior and exterior design refresh.
The engine: More power & efficiency
At the forefront is the Cummins 6.7-liter high-output turbo diesel. “It's hard to talk about a Ram Heavy Duty truck without bringing in the Cummins turbo diesel engine,” noted Doug Killian, Stellantis chief vehicle synthesis manager, during the brand's media event this past December.
The new engine has the same displacement and same layout as the previous version but generates a lot more power — 430 hp and 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque. Killian said versus its predecessor, an unloaded 2025 HD Ram has a 1-second faster 0-60 mph time, and 6 seconds better loaded.
Killian added this engine has been “refined” to provide more power while running cleaner and more efficiently, he explained.
Cummins achieved this increase in performance by building the engine’s intake manifold from cast aluminum instead of cast iron. This helps “manage the airflow between the cylinders across that intake manifold to get the right level of charge to the cylinders to create the power,” Killian explained.
Further, the fuel pump pressure was increased giving the “proper charge of diesel injection, which leads to better emissions.” Cummins also added a closely coupled diesel oxidation catalyst that helps reduce emissions and improve power.
Oil changes should be a bit easier with oil filter now placed on the enigne's topside. New glow plugs also improve cold start performance.
Here are the vital specs:
- Cummins 6.7-liter high-output turbo diesel or 6.4-liter V8 Hemi
- Up to 405 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque (gas)
- Up to 430 hp and 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque (diesel)
- 36,610 lb. max towing
- 7,590 lb. max payload
- Most advanced Uconnect system
- Available 12-inch or 14.5-inch touchscreen display
- On-board power inverter
Transmission
The Cummins engine is paired with a TorqueFlite HD 8-speed transmission, whereas the previous powertrain offered a 6-speed transmission. The addition of these two gears provides a more fuel-efficient gear ratio. Using engine sensors, the truck will also automatically start in a smooth second gear when it senses the vehicle is unloaded.
A power take-off is available in the 2025 Ram Chassis Cab with both left- and right-hand operation—new for 2025. These PTOs are also engine driven as opposed to turbine driven. This is an advantage for applications such as gravel hauling when the truck can move at a low speed while raising the dump body simultaneously, Killian said.
2025 Ram HD interior upgrades
“Our goal is to raise the benchmark for pickup truck interiors through advanced technology, premium-colored materials and textures, and enhanced functionality,” Jon Gaudreau, director of Ram interior design, said during the event.
The most noticeable change to the Ram HD lineup is the size of the screens, Gaudreau said. The driver’s digital cluster is displayed on a 12.3-inch screen, the infotainment system screen gets an upgrade to 14.5 inches, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display for the passenger is now available.
Upgrading the infotainment screen from 12 inches to 14.5 inches gives Ram HD and chassis cab operators 34% more screen surface area and expands the portrait screen layout. This improves the navigation experience by better positioning the map on the screen. Split screen is also enabled with the new screen size, and customization allows drivers to keep all their favorite or most-used functions in one convenient location, Gaudreau said.
The new lineup also features a dual wireless charger phone shelf with faster charging and an available ventilated charging system that keeps devices cool during the charging process.
Back by popular demand for MY 2025 is a column shifter. “For ‘25, we are 100% column shift. This is something our customers express a preference for, and especially for commercial applications,” Gaudreau said.
Another small tweak to the Ram HD and chassis cab is the addition of power-adjustable tow mirrors. Considering 90% of Ram HD and chassis cab customers use their trucks to tow, according to Gaudreau, this tweak will be a significant improvement to the trucks’ overall convenience.
Other interior upgrades include new materials for the Tradesman, Limited, Big Horn, and Laramie trims, and the Long Horn, Laramie, and Limited all have new color options.
2025 Ram HD technology
Ram also gave its HD and chassis cab lineup a technology upgrade. Advanced Atlantis, the Stellantis electrical architecture, enhances the 2025 Ram lineup’s Uconnect capabilities, offering operating speeds that are five times faster than the previous generation. It also offers more memory and faster response to touchscreen input.
Further, the truck’s many cameras help drivers maneuver on the roads.
“Whether it's commuting to the jobsite or towing heavy equipment, the goal for us is to make the big truck feel manageable and precise,” Gaudreau said. “For this reason, we have the full suite of camera functions on the radio screen.”
The cameras help assist drivers when hitching a trailer and changing lanes, as the blind spot camera automatically displays on the infotainment screen when the driver activates a turn signal.
A fully digital rearview mirror with tow mode is also available with the lineup that provides “an unobstructed view” by displaying a video of the rearview in real time. Drivers can easily revert back to a traditional mirror view with a toggle switch.
As for improved safety features, the 2025 Ram HD and chassis cab lineup features new standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, ParkSense on both the front and rear (Big Horn), and forward collision warning. New drowsy driver detection, active lane management, and traffic sign recognition are also available.
See also: Ram 1500 Tradesman: A work truck with unexpected perks
2025 Ram HD exterior enhancements
The refreshed lineup wouldn’t be complete without exterior updates.
“We wanted to amplify the boldness and heroicness of the truck,” Nico Vardis, Stellantis lead design manager, said, highlighting the goal of the new exterior design for the Ram HD and chassis cab lineup.
The new trucks also feature a 2.4 kW power panel on-board that can power tools for the jobsite.
Vardis said many of the exterior elements of the heavy-duty lineup were brought over from Ram’s light-duty pickup line. Yet, each trim has its own “personality,” he said. That personality can be seen in the trucks’ grilles, of which there are four new ones for 2025.
LED headlamps are standard on the lineup, while premium LEDs with bi-functional projectors are available.
New wheels are also available with “personality” that corresponds with the selected trim.
Ram expects the truck lineup will be available at dealerships nationwide at the beginning of Q1 2025.
This article was originally published on FleetOwner.com
