The updated Ram 1500 has been approved for sale in Australia, packing a new twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine in two states of tune instead of the venerable Hemi V8. While Ram Trucks Australia remains tight-lipped about launch timing, this approval – as well as the recent start of runout for Hemi-powered 1500s – points to an announcement being around the corner. The approval documents list five variants in total.
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The short- and long-wheelbase Big Horn, as well as the Laramie – with or without the lockable Rambox tub-side storage compartments – pack the standard-output version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ inline petrol six called the SST SO. While only a power output is listed – 313kW – we know the US-market 1500 with this engine pumps out 636Nm of torque.
The high-output version of this engine, called SST HO and producing 403kW, is exclusive to the Limited. This produces 706Nm of torque. For context, the Hemi V8 produces 291kW and 556Nm.
Both Hurricane engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 1500 is classified as a NB1 vehicle, which means one with a gross vehicle mass between 3.5 and 4.
5 tonnes. The outgoing model is classified as an NA vehicle, apart from the TRX, with the move to NB1 meaning it’ll be exempt from certain safety regulations like ADR 85/00 (Pole Side Impact Performa.