Although at first glance it might appear to be a simple restyling, with a new front end, the most important changes lie beneath the bodywork. Under the hood of these trucks is a completely redesigned 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine. This upgrade was done solely to significantly improve engine performance while reducing fuel consumption and increasing reliability.
The 2025 Ram Heavy Duty ZF PowerLine
One of the most important changes to these vehicles involves the transmission. Starting with the 2025 model year, Ram Heavy Duty trucks will be equipped with the new 8-speed ZF PowerLine automatic transmission. This state-of-the-art transmission has been fitted to replace the previous 6-speed options, making a number of advantages available. These are certainly the smoother gear changes, thanks to which driving will be more comfortable with virtually imperceptible gear changes. Improved fuel efficiency-The new transmission is designed to optimize fuel consumption, thereby reducing operating costs. Improved towing capabilities-Because it is more robust and has a wider range of ratios, the new transmission will allow heavier loads to be towed with greater ease.
The new upgraded Cummins engine
The 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine, a popular unit in the commercial vehicle sector, is set to receive a series of major upgrades. According to HDRams.com sources, the changes will mainly affect the upper part of the engine, with a new cylinder head that will house external fuel injectors and designed fuel lines. This configuration is expected to address an increase in both the engine’s overall efficiency and its long-term reliability.
The cast iron structure of the engine block, already particularly famous for its robustness, will be retained, ensuring a solid base to cope with the stresses typical of heavy use. As for cold starting, new glow plugs will be put in place to replace the previous intake manifold grille heating system, ensuring faster and more reliable starting even in adverse weather conditions.
ZF PowerLine for 3500 models
The high-pressure fuel pump, a fairly important component for engine performance, has been fully engineered to solve the reliability problems found in previous models. Finally, a new Holset variable geometry turbocharger with a 10-blade design has been integrated into the engine. This advanced technology maximizes and optimizes exhaust gas pressure and airflow at the engine inlet, providing improved power delivery and quicker response, especially during towing phases. In summary, these upgrades aim to make the 6.7-liter Cummins engine even better performing, reliable and efficient, confirming its industry-leading position.
The powerful 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output engine will remain a paid option for Ram 3500 models, but now includes the ZF PowerLine transmission at no additional cost. This upgrade, however, carries a price increase of $12,595. Even though there have been all these improvements, Ram truck sales are declining in 2024, as opposed to competitors Ford and GM registering increased sales. To revive sales, Ram will introduce the new 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty models at the Detroit Auto Show on January 10, 2025, replicating the launch of the previous generation. With these upgrades, Ram aims to regain market share in the highly competitive heavy-duty truck segment.