2016 Ram 1500 Big Horn on 2040-cars

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Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE ekes out another mpg, creeps toward 30

The idea of a fullsize pickup knocking on 30-miles-per-gallon highway was impressive last year when Ram announced its 28-mpg figure for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. For 2015, the company has figured out how to nudge that number up slightly higher for a new HFE version of the diesel model. The mileage tops the segment and beats the nearest competitor by 12 percent, according to the truckmaker. The 1500 EcoDiesel HFE bumps up the standard version's economy numbers by one mpg across the board for an impressive EPA rating of 29 mpg highway, 21 mpg city and 24 mpg combined. The special model is based around the Quad Cab body with rear-wheel drive and a six-foot, four-inch bed and mixes features from the Trademan and Express trims, including optional body-color bumpers. The right combination of 20-inch wheels, side steps and a tri-fold tonneau cover provides the formula to improve the aerodynamics and increase mileage. Mechanically, the truck has been left alone with the 3.0-liter diesel V6 still making 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque and routing through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Like gasoline, diesel fuel prices have been on the decline in recent weeks, though the fuel still runs significantly more per gallon than gas. It's intriguing to see Ram going after buyers who hope to eke the best economy from their trucks. The EcoDiesel HFE will go on sale late in the first quarter of 2015, and brand spokesperson Nick Cappa tells Autoblog pricing will be announced soon. Check out a video of Ram CEO Robert Hegbloom unveiling the this fuel-sipping pickup at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and read the official announcement below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Ram Has "Turned Up the Eco" on Fullsize Truck MPGs ... to 29 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE increases highway MPG rating to 29 EcoDiesel tops next nearest competitor by 12 percent 21 MPG City and 24 MPG Combined are highest EPA ratings for any pickup EcoDiesel HFE will be first diesel powertrain offered in Ram 1500 Express model January 13, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram Truck brand today announced that it will add a new, more fuel-efficient model to its half-ton truck lineup and further extend its claim on the industry's highest fuel efficiency rating. The 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE will deliver the highest fuel economy among all fullsize truck competitors -- 12 percent higher than the next-closest competitor.

Ram Truck digs in with Laramie Longhorn-inspired Case backhoe

Some combinations seem natural immediately like chocolate and peanut butter, but others take a little more consideration before they begin make sense. That is exactly the situation with the new partnership between Ram and heavy equipment-maker Case to build a one-of-a-kind Ram 3500 with a matching, customized Case 580 Super N Wide Track Backhoe. The unique combo is currently on display at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014 show in Las Vegas, NV, and afterwards will go on tour for the rest of the year at Ram- and Case-sponsored events.
While it is undoubtedly odd to see a modified backhoe, it almost gets cool when you se the interior. Both vehicles the same two-tone gold and black paint scheme, and the backhoe's cab has been refinished to match the truck with shades of brown leather, Laramie badges and chrome trim. If you have to be in a backhoe, this one looks like the one to choose. Plus, this might be the first backhoe ever with chrome wheels.
The truck that the backhoe is attached to a Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 with a 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel with 850 foot-pounds of torque, plus an improved transfer case and heavy-duty transmission. Like its matching heavy equipment friend, the truck is also supposed to offer a mix of luxury and working ability. Scroll down for the full press release on this very curious combo.

Ford F-450 claims best-in-class towing, company abandons practice of removing items to boost payload number

The ongoing heavy-duty truck battle between Ford and Ram is showing no signs of slowing down. The Blue Oval is trying to remove at least one point of contention between the two brands by testing its 2015 F-450 Super Duty using the Society of Automotive Engineers J2807 towing standard, which Ram also uses. In the new evaluation, the F-450 is rated at a max towing capacity of 31,200 pounds. That's an identical amount as under Ford's own, previous test.
"We leave no doubt with customers that the F-450 pickup truck has best-in-class towing of 31,200 pounds - whether tested using our own internal towing standards or SAE J2807," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development, in the company's release.
At the same time, Ford is also changing how it calculates the F-450's payload. Instead of using its minimum curb weight as before, the brand is now using the truck's base curb weight. The revision lowers the pickup's rating to 5,300 pounds, compared to 5,450 pounds previously. The company said in its announcement that the reason for this is "aligning its payload rating practices with other manufacturers to make it easier for customers to compare vehicles." General Motors made a similar switch for its pickups in August.