heavy-duty truck market has gotten smaller,
but the guys who buy those pickups are fiercely loyal to the
segment-they need the extreme capability these hard-working haulers
provide. Some may wonder why anyone would own a truck that can tow
nearly 20,000 pounds, but for a lot of people in construction, those who
transport vehicles or goods, and those with ranches, this is just a
part of everyday life.
Instead, the Ram 2500 and 3500 use
a NOx adsorber with precious metals that convert the NOx into inert gases. Not only
does this mean the Ram's emissions and exhaust systems are less complex
than those in the upcoming Ford Super Duty and Silverado/Sierra HD
(which could improve reliability and help keep maintenance costs down),
it also means that, at the dealership, the Ram will very likely have a
price advantage over its competitors. And while in this size category
diesel is king, there are plenty of heavy-duty truck buyers who prefer
gas power. The 5.7-liter Hemi, the Ram's base engine, has the most
horsepower (383) and torque (400 pound-feet) of any V-8 in its class --
and only the Ford Super Duty's V-10 has more torque than the Hemi, but
it still has less horsepower.