Rumors were swirling about big changes coming to the iconic Ram 1500 for the 2025 model year. After months of speculation, the truckmaker has pulled back the curtain to reveal a whole new powertrain landscape stretching as far as the eye can see.
In a shocking development, Ram has inexplicably dropped the beloved Hemi V8 engines that helped define the brand. The 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemis that delivered up to 430 horsepower have been sent out to pasture after many loyal years of service.
Taking their place are a pair of twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane straight-sixes borrowed from the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The standard output version produces a stout 420 horses and 469 lb-ft, while the higher-strung option unleashes an earth-shaking 540 hp and 521 lb-ft!
Both twisters will be mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Ram claims max towing is now a stratospheric 11,580 pounds, while payload stays thick at 2300 pounds.
Under the reworked sheet metal, the 1500 gets a lightly nipped and tucked facade. The grille enlarges slightly and new LED headlamps illuminate the way. An available adaptive lighting system moves the beams based on steering inputs for optimum vision.
In back, the powered tailgate incorporates obstruction detection for safety. Closing speed will adjust accordingly to avoid pinched fingers or other trailer hitch mishaps.
Inside, the Big Horn and Lone Star receive new etched designs on the dash and doors plus seat embossing. The brawny Rebel sports fresh two-tone UltraGlo seats for 2025.
The posh Limited Longhorn model boasts sleek open-pore wood, while an expanded 12.0-inch or massive 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen sits proudly at the center of it all.
Ram will also launch an extreme off-road special, dubbed the 1500 RHO, in Q3 2024. It essentially replaces the mighty TRX with the 540-hp straight-six and factory foolhardy gear for high-speed dirt diving.
The aggression isn’t limited to just one model either. Every 2025 Ram 1500 will come infused with a bit more machismo thanks to revised grilles, trims, and details befitting the all-new look.
Pricing for the standard trucks is still TBA but expect a slight increase versus current models. The three engine options should hit all the major trimmed buckets from workhorse to lavish luxury hauler.
The future is indeed electrified as well. Ram will launch its anticipated REV electric pickup in Q4 2024, using a modular platform that will underpin multiple body styles.
And for those who simply can’t live without that soul-stirring V8 soundtrack, the high-output plug-in hybrid Ramcharger arrives later in 2024. It makes a V8 with electric motors for range-topping power.
With output across the board now boosted compared to Hemi trucks of the past, the 2025 Ram 1500 promises to deliver exciting new performance in addition to its revolutionary powertrain shift.
Somewhere, diehard V8 owners are surely still in mourning. But with muscle car numbers coming from the new straight-sixes, this transition may be easier than it first appears on paper.
Ram is clearly staking its claim for the coming decades with advanced engines, luxurious interiors, high-tech infotainment, and more electrified options than ever.
The future is now for full-size trucks, and this revamped 1500 looks set to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead while staying true to its rugged roots.
With meticulous execution, Ram could have a major commercial and critical success on its hands when this new model generation arrives next year.
FCA’s truck brand is firing on all cylinders as it starts a new chapter in the ever-evolving pickup segment. This modern mega machine promises to build on current momentum.
With bold choices that push the 2500-pound pickup into the high-tech present while honoring its working-class past, the 2025 Ram 1500 is primed to dominate in showrooms and out on the open frontier that lies beyond the highway’s end.