Larry Vellequette of Automotive News found otherwise-embargoed information on the next generation of Ram trucks in a filing with the SEC. The public document describes a new eight-speed automatic transmission cutting fuel usage by up to 12% over the five-speed, and says Chrysler will use a 285-horsepower Pentastar V6 instead of the current 3.7 liter V6. New, lightweight axles should also improve gas mileage. Currently, the best gas mileage of the Ram is 2 mpg less than that of the most frugal Ford, but the 2013s are said to have other efficiency improvements which may bring it to the same level.
In the spy shot above, horizontal slats said to open and close for aero effect and noise reduction (according to “Diamond Jim”) are apparent; one source also said that an optional stop-start system might be arriving as well — just the thing for construction crews working in city traffic or stop-and-go job sites.