This could bring an end to inter-brand rivalry between the “High Output” and standard versions of the Cummins mill
- Ram is reportedly thinking about offering its HD Cummins diesel in one state of tune
- That’s because a new 8-speed automatic transmission could enable such a change
- Whether or not the rumours are true, expect any new offering to best the output of rivals
The same amount of bragging extends to the truck-makers in Detroit, of course, with the three major companies regularly beating each other over the head with a proverbial steel chair in an endless game of one-upmanship. It didn’t take long for the Blue Oval to respond when Ram pushed past the 1,000-lb-ft mark, for example.
Now, it appears Ram could be clapping back at recent upgrades by its crosstown rivals by offering its HD trucks with a Cummins diesel packing one set of power specifications instead of two.
The news first surfaced earlier this year from the always-on group at Mopar Insiders, who suggested Ram was on the cusp of paring its pair of Cummins offerings back to a single spec — one which would outstrip the existing High Output and its 1,075 lb-ft of torque as offered in the Ram HD 3500. Talking heads speculate a new transmission, showing up in the form of a ZF eight-speed automatic, is the enabler of this potential change at Ram. A pair of six-speeds handle those duties, now.
One thing is certain: any new configuration from Ram is sure to outstrip its crosstown rivals. We’re placing the over/under at 1,300 lb-ft of torque.
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