The goal from the beginning was to improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing capability. Thanks to the talented team of Ram engineers, the new 2013 Ram 1500 accomplishes exactly that, matching a best-in-class EPA-estimated 25 mpg with two other numbers Ram fans will love to hear: 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque.
Last week, a few of those talented engineers participated in a live chat with Ram fans who, among other things, asked in general how the increased fuel efficiency was achieved. The official transcript from that chat is located below. As for the new 2013 Ram 1500, it will soon be on its way to a dealership near you.
4:06
Hello and welcome to our Engineering A Giant live chat session. This session will focus on the fuel economy of the new 2013 Ram 1500, but we welcome all questions and will do our best to answer as many inquiries as possible. The chat moves quickly so we appreciate your patience as we attempt to answer as many questions as possible in the time we have with our Ram Employee.
4:09
Comment From Denny – What will the mpg be for the 2013?
4:11
Thanks Denny, The new 2013 Ram 1500 with the award winning Pentastar V6 and TorqueFlite8 transmission will get an EPA-estimated 25 MPG highway. This gives the Ram 1500 best-in-class fuel economy.
4:13
Comment From Tony – Hey. Good looking truck. What have y’all done to the exterior to improve fuel economy?
4:16
Thanks Tony! Some of the exterior enhancements that contribute to improved fuel economy include: Active grille shutters, wheel-to-wheel side steps, and a new redesigned air dam.
4:17
Comment From Ron T. – Will electric power steering make a measurable difference in fuel economy in the 2013?
4:18
Thanks Ron! Electric power steering is one of the many components that helps to improve fuel economy in the new 2013 Ram 1500. It also allows the HEMI to produce an extra 5 HP bringing it to 395 HP.
4:19
Comment From Tony – How do the grille shutters help improve mileage?
4:21
Thanks Tony! The active grille shutters located in the front grille of the new 2013 Ram only open when the engine needs additional cooling. During normal driving, they remain closed improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the truck.
4:21
Comment From jdc – Will you be answering selected questions?
4:22
Thanks for joining our chat JDC! We are trying to get to as many questions as we can. However, we are focusing on questions that pertain to the new 2013 Ram 1500’s fuel economy.
4:22
Comment From Jason – What kind of trade-off in terms of horse power are we getting for that 25 mpg?
4:26
Thanks Jason! You are actually getting more of everything. The award winning Pentastar 3.6L V6 with TorqueFlite 8 transmission has 42% more horsepower, 13% more torque, and 20% better fuel economy than the 3.7L V6 it replaced. It also has best-in-class horsepower, fuel economy, and max towing.
4:27
Comment From Alex – Does this truck have flex fuel as well?
4:27
Thanks Alex! The 3.6L Pentastar is Flex Fuel capable.
4:28
Comment From Nick – What are the mpg estimates with the Hemi?
4:30
Thanks Nick! The HEMI paired with our current 6 speed transmission will achieve an estimated 20 MPG highway and 14 MPG city. We have not yet released fuel economy estimates for the HEMI paired with our TorqueFlite 8 transmission.
4:33
Comment From Taylor – Did you ever think of making the 1500 a hybrid to get even better gas mileage?
4:37
Thanks Taylor! We already have a small group of PHEV trucks on the road. In late 2011 we built and provided a demonstration fleet of 140 vehicles that will be used during the next three years to evaluate customer usage, drive cycles, fuel economy, and more. They are currently testing with eight different utility companies within the United States. Information gathered from test fleets like these will help us provide products that benefit consumers down the road.
4:38
Comment From Bill – When will the Pentastar be available?
4:39
Thanks Bill! We will start shipping Pentastar-equipped Ram 1500s in the fourth quarter of this year. Look for one at a dealer near you!
4:41
Comment From Doug – With all the improvements in the engine does it still have that great growl all Ram trucks have?
4:42
Thanks Doug! In the new 2013 Ram 1500 most 5.7L HEMI models will have dual exhaust. The Sport and R/T models have distinct throaty sound that has become iconic with the HEMI.
4:44
Comment From Vinnie – I drive a 99 Ram truck and I love it. How does weather affect MPG of the new truck?
4:51
Thanks Vinnie! Good question! Weather influences fuel economy in all trucks in a number of ways. Wind, for example, can either help or hurt fuel economy depending on the direction. Precipitation has a negative impact on fuel economy by increasing the truck’s rolling resistance. Cold weather has a negative influence, especially right after starting the truck when certain fluids such as transmission fluid, engine oil, etc. are cold. In the new 2013 Ram 1500, a new thermal management system helps to raise engine and transmission fluids to operating temperature quickly. Improving fuel efficiency by 1.7%.
4:52
Thanks for all your questions! We now have roughly ten minutes left in our chat. Keep the great questions coming!
4:54
Comment From Guest – The V6 Pentastar getting 25 MPG is that for 2WD and if it is what will the 4WD be rated at?
4:58
Thank you for question! The new 2013 Ram 1500 will achieve a best-in-class EPA-estimated 23 MPG highway and 16 city on V6 4 wheel drive models. Ram offers the 3.6L Pentastar with TorqueFlite 8 in a crew cab 4×4 where others don’t.
4:59
Comment From Guest – As the 25mpg is for a regular cab, I assume, how much will it go down when going to the 4 door and Hemi?
5:00
Thanks for your question! EPA-estimated 25 MPG applies to regular, quad and crew cab.
5:01
Comment From Bobby – Does the truck tweet your mpg?
5:03
Bobby, great question! Actually the truck doesn’t tweet, but it will read your text messages to you. With UConnect Advantage, Ram offers voice-to-text and text-to-voice.
5:05
Thank you for joining our Engineering A Giant live chat session. Be sure to follow Ram on Facebook and Twitter so you can join us for our next live chat!
