2014 Ram 1500, 1500 EcoDiesel tow ratings announced

Chrysler has announced the gasoline-powered 2014 Ram 1500 and 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel tow ratings.

The 305-hp Pentastar V6 can handle up to 7,450 lbs.

Ram calls this performance “class-leading,” but there's a catch: If the consumer compares the base-level versions of the Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500 the Ram 1500 then it is true that the Ram 1500 edges out the competition.

If buyers compare EcoBoost V6-powered F-150s equipped with the heavy duty package, however, the Ford truck will out-tow the Ram by more than one ton with a top capacity of 11,300 lbs. That Ecoboost engine isn't a cheap option at just under $2,400, though.

Ram will also offer a hotly anticipated 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel, which sets the truck in a class all by itself. The 2WD, two-door, long bed 1500 EcoDiesel will haul an impressive 9,200 lbs. while delivering an equally impressive 25 mpg on the highway.

Besides the addition of a diesel option, not much has changed between the 2014 Ram 1500 and the 2013 model where exterior appearance is concerned. Recall that the redesigned 2013 Ram 1500 added a lower air dam on the front end to keep the truck lower to the ground, like a sports car, to decrease drag. Active grille shutters, most commonly found in semi trucks, cool the engine when the Ram 1500 is producing unusual amount of heat from hauling a large load or climbing a steep grade. Also, the wheel-to-wheel tubular side steps are another aerodynamic feature the Ram 1500 comes equipped with, and available air suspension is an offered upgrade.

One major mechanical change for 2014 is a spruced-up eight-speed TorqueFlite 8 transmission; Ram engineers added a more robust parking gear for the drivers who must park their Ram1500 with a trailer on a steep grade. We can see this feature comforting some truck owners -- maybe it will help them sleep better at night when they have their haul parked in an awkward position.

Automakers are striving to meet the needs of pickup buyers seeking a truck that can meet their hauling needs while making trips to the pump less frequent. Perhaps the Ram 1500 and 1500 EcoDiesel will suit their needs.

We'll find out soon enough -- the EcoDiesel pickup is expected to go on sale by the end of the year.

By Andrew Standish