Unveiled: The 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Goes Mild Hybrid!

The all new light-duty Dodge Ram pickup truck will feature a Wrangler-sourced 48-volt mild-hybrid setup for added fuel efficiency.

You and I both know that the future is electric, and now Dodge seems to have had their dose of this cognizance too. Now spare the Chargers and Challengers please, as the ones in talk here are the mighty Ram pickups. You heard that right; it is now official that these trucks in their 2019 versions will boast mild hybrid technology. The newly added technology is designed to give a notable boost to the average fuel economy of these behemoths.

One could say that the year’s North American International Auto Show, held in Detroit saw an unfathomable lineup pickup trucks! From Rangers and Silverados to F-150s, it literally rained pickups. Though it can be argued that the main showstopper was the new Ram 1500 that had just been revealed to have a mild hybridization tech onboard.

It definitely seems ironic to have Dodge, a brand with very few electric models, to spearhead the hybridization among pickups! Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, though not aggressive on the electrification front, had recently introduced some hybrid tech in the Pacifica minivan and the Wrangler SUV. It is indeed this very same 48-volt mild-hybrid setup from the Wrangler that has now made its way to the Ram 1500. Ram’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or 5.7-liter HEMI V-8,comes bred for an easier go on the pockets with the eTorque system , as it is officially christened.

According to Green Car Reports: 

"“The 48-volt battery pack powers a belt-drive motor generator unit to enable start/stop and brake energy regeneration. Additionally, the system brings some extra torque to Ram models: 90 lb-ft with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and up to 130 lb-ft with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. All V-6 models will come with the mild-hybrid system as standard equipment.However, if you want to forgo the extra torque and complexity of the system in a work truck, buyers can opt out of the hybrid gear for V-8 models. Unfortunately, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 won’t get the hybrid system.”"

Well that sums up the technology aspect of it. What follows is better efficiency figures, which the automaker is yet to cast an official word on. The new efficiency is a direct result of Dodge shedding over 100 pounds of net bodyweight from its RAM 1500.

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Though the hybrid tech is standard for all 3.2l V6 models (It should also be mentioned here that the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6s are yet to have a taste of being hybrid ), one has the convenience to opt them out on the V8 models,  just in case you are a bit too old-school for a 2019!

The new avatar retains its predecessor’s air suspension, models devoid of which would feature active aero elements that would reduce the drag considerably.

A Forbes reporter said the following in his Detroit show report:

"“Regardless of how the Trump administration ultimately chooses to gut fuel economy and emissions regulations, manufacturers are pressing ahead with their various powertrain plans that have been in development for several years.”"

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Here is a video from the Detroit Auto Show featuring the 2019 RAM 1500. Comment your thoughts below to let us know what you think.