- Ram-Cummins partnership spans four decades
- Capability of current High-Output Cummins engine more than double that of original offering
Canada’s best-selling and most durable diesel pickup delivers another impressive number. Cummins Inc. has produced its 2-millionth diesel engine for Ram Truck, highlighting the latest milestone in a storied partnership that spans four decades.
“The Ram Truck-Cummins diesel partnership is one of the industry’s most enduring and certainly fitting of such a tribute,” says Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Both companies have benefited greatly, but Ram diesel customers are the real beneficiaries. Every day they experience the toughness and capability a Cummins-powered Ram can deliver.”
Cummins began supplying engines to Chrysler Group in 1988. Today in North America, only Ram-brand pickups and chassis cabs feature the coveted Cummins “C” logo.
“I am immensely proud of our association with Cummins,” says Bob Lee, Chrysler Group Vice President and Head of Engine and Electrified Propulsion Engineering. “And I have no qualms matching our truck diesels against those of any competitor for performance and durability.”
For 2013, Cummins-powered Rams boast capabilities and features that include:
- Best-in-class torque Segment-exclusive dual-inlet “Ram Active Air” that adjusts induction according to driving conditions for optimal performance
- “Smart” exhaust brake for smoother driving characteristics
- Best-in-class oil-change intervals — up to 24,000 kilometres
- A new cooling system for improved performance and durability
- B20 fuel capability
- Next-generation Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and diesel exhaust fluid system with range of up to 6,437 kilometres between refills
- Dual fuel filtration system for enhanced reliability and durability in virtually every climate and environment
- Unsurpassed diesel powertrain limited warranty — 5 years/160,000 kilometres
The Chrysler Group-Cummins partnership traces its beginnings to 1985, when development work began on a 5.9-litre 12-valve in-line 6-cylinder turbo diesel. When it launched in 1989, it was rated at 160 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of peak torque – less than half the numbers for today’s High-Output 6.7-litre Cummins turbo diesel.
In the 2013 Ram Heavy Duty pickups, the top-line Cummins engine delivers 385 horsepower and a best-in-class 850 lb-ft of torque.
Among other notable events in the evolution of Cummins diesels produced for Chrysler Group:
- 24-valve design introduced in model-year 1998.5
- Adoption of high-pressure common-rail fuel delivery in 2003
- Named to Ward’s 10 Best Engines list in 2004
- Displacement increased to 6.7 litres from 5.9 litres in model-year 2007.5
- Met 2010 federal emissions certification in 2007
Take-rate is testament to the appeal of Cummins engines among Ram customers. Diesels account for nearly 80 per cent of Ram Heavy Duty sales.
