Ram 1500 eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology Ups Economy and Torque

At the 2018 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show), Ram pulled the cover off its brand-new Ram eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology that delivers better fuel economy and quick torque delivery for greater payload and towing capacity.

In 2024, the Ram 1500 with the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 now comes standard with the Ram eTorque system. Ram 1500s with the available 5.7L Hemi V8 can also be upgraded with the eTorque option, offering even more torque and towing power. According to Popular Mechanics article Ram 1500 eTorque: Why the Electrified Pickup Truck is Even Better by Mathew Jancer, The V6’s eTorque generator is liquid-cooled and mounted on the front of the engine, while the V8’s is air-cooled and mounted on the top of the engine.” There is no difference in performance.

What is the Ram eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology?

New for the 2019 and 2020 Ram 1500 is an innovative eTorque Mild Hybrid system that is proven to improve fuel economy without sacrificing power, torque, or capability, which is ideal in a world where gas prices always trend upward. These modern trucks require no additional effort by the driver and are part of both the Pentastar V-6 and legendary HEMI® V-8 powertrains.

The new Ram eTorque Mild Hybrid system is a replacement for the traditional alternator. It sports a belt-driven motor generator unit that executes several different functions.

How Does Ram eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology Work?

The 2024 Ram 1500 eTorque powered by the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, and a four-wheel drive system is available, according the First Look Review: Is the 2024 Ram 1500 eTorque still a good buy? article by Shrawan Raja, founder and CEO of TopElectricSUV.

A belt-drive motor generator on the engine recuperates energy during braking and deceleration that is stored it in a 430-watt-hour lithium-ion Nickel Manganese Cobalt-Graphite battery. The generator provides a smooth start/stop function and assists the engine with up to 130 lb.-ft. of additional torque.

A 48-volt battery pack works with the engine-mounted motor generator to create:

• a seamless start/stop function;
• a short-duration torque addition to the engine crankshaft in particular driving conditions; and,
• brake energy regeneration to increase efficiency and responsiveness.

When the engine is running, eTorque's motor generator unit delivers 48-volt current to a 430-watt-hour, lithium-ion Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC)-Graphite battery pack. The battery pack includes a 3-kilowatt DC-to-DC converter. This holds the battery's charge and converts 48 volts to 12 volts to charge its conventional 12-volt lead-acid battery for powering the Ram 1500 accessories.

About the size of a small suitcase, the air-cooled battery pack is mounted behind the seats on the interior rear wall of Ram eTorque 1500’s cabin. The battery pack's case is insulated to hush the noise generate by the dual cooling fans. Cooling air is then drawn from the vehicle interior and released through the built-in cabin exhausters.

A second high-voltage motor generator mounts at the front of the transmission case to replace the conventional torque converter of an automatic transmission. The power and torque between the e-motor and engine are managed with two clutches (on/off binary clutch).

Beyond spinning the engine for restarts, the Ram eTorque system also recaptures energy during deceleration and braking to recharge the battery pack. Further, eTorque also bolsters the driving experience with additional torque to the crankshaft during gear changes, which minimizes noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

With the Ram eTorque Mild Hybrid system, the Ram 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine boasts 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Maximum torque arrives later in the rev range, at 4,800 rpm. The Ram turbocharged Hemi engine with eTorque and a 3.92 axle ratio boosts towing capacity from 11,610 to 12,750 pounds and increases fuel efficiency from 17mpg to 19 mpg combined city/highway.

Ram 1500 Hybrid Technology Warranty Information

The 2019 Ram 1500 comes backed by a five-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, which covers the cost of all parts and labor needed for repairing a covered powertrain component – engine, transmission and drive system. Additionally, it covers any necessary towing to the nearest Ram dealer. For users who sell their trucks during the warranty per

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