The 2012 Ram pickup to get Pentastar V6
While no information is known about the 2012 Ram V6 other than the fact that it will feature the Pentastar V6, we can expect that it will likely be the same V6 offered in the rest of the Chrysler lineup where power levels range from 283 to 305 horsepower. The most likely application to show up in the 2012 Ram would be the 290hp version found in the 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This SUV version offers 260lb-ft of torque while achieving 16mpg around town and 23 on the highway.
Should the 2012 Ram receive a similar 3.6L Pentastar as the current Durango and Grand Cherokee, it would offer a substantial increase in power going from 215hp and 235lb-ft of torque in the current 3.7L V6 to 290hp and 260lb-ft of torque in the next Ram with Pentastar power. Also, the 16/23mpg would be a fair improvement over the 14/20 offered by the 3.7L V6 used in the Rams right now.
Some rumors have suggested that there could be a healthier version offered in the 2012 Ram but with the popularity of the 5.7L Hemi –both from the consumer end of things and from the Chrysler Group management – it would be a big surprise to see Chrysler infringe any on the Hemi sales. However, regardless of the tune chosen for the 2012 Ram 1500, the Pentastar V6 will be a welcomed improvement over the antiquated V6 mill that has seen meager success over the past few years.
The other question from the introduction of the Pentastar 3.6L V6 to the 2012 Ram is what is to become of the 4.7L V8 offered as a middle of the road engine? The 4.7L has not proven to be particularly popular with consumers either and if the new V6 offers 290hp, it doesn’t leave much space between itself and the 310hp 4.7L V8. One advantage of the entry V8 is that with 330lb-ft of torque, the 4.7 is far stronger than the Pentastar in terms of torque output.
Source: Ward’s Auto Twitter Feed
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