Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ completely-redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 pickup is breaking new ground for the Italian-Canadian automaker, being the automaker’s first pickup model ever to offer a production hybrid powertrain option – two of them, in fact: one with the company’s 3.6L Pentastar V6, and one with the 5.7L Hemi V8. Yet it’s ground over which General Motors has tread twice before, first with the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid (2009-2013), and later with the Silverado/Sierra eAssist models, which were produced in limited numbers and sold in select US markets from the 2016 thru the 2018 model years.
In fact, the 2019 Ram 1500’s new “eTorque” powertrains aren’t too terribly different from GM’s eAssist, both using motor/generator units that are tied to the engine’s crankshaft through pulleys and a fairly typical rubber belt. Like GM’s eAssist, FCA’s eTorque is a mild-hybrid system – that is, one that can’t propel the truck entirely on its lonesome, but rather can only supplement engine torque here and there to bolster efficiency and performance. Both systems weigh in the neighborhood of 100 pounds; both rely on similarly-sized lithium-ion battery packs (450 Wh in GM’s system, vs. 480 Wh in FCA’s); and both provide somewhere around a 2-mpg boost in fuel economy when deployed with a V8.
The most substantial way in which they differ, in fact, is that where General Motors tepidly introduced its eAssist mild-hybrid system to its full-size, light-duty pickup range, Fiat Chrysler is going all in; eTorque is standard on all V6-equipped trucks, and available as a $1,450 option on Hemi-powered ones. We reviewed the new 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque pickup trucks on our sister site FCAuthority this week, finding the mild-hybrid system to be well-designed, pleasant, and effective. Those attributes alone might not be enough to sway many buyers, but with the extra 1,140 pounds of towing capacity that comes with it, we’d bet that FCA will find more than a few takers.
It might be time for General Motors to take a look at introducing another mild-hybrid Silverado/Sierra powertrain.
Comments
T1 will offer electric and hydrogen propulsion! This came out awhile back..
Wait until tuning starts and people are launching 5500lb Rams like a rocket. Could see a low 5 second 0-60mph. Sure that’s in the ballpark of the 450hp Ecoboost and 420hp 6.2, point is it’s fast for a truck. That was BMW M3 quick from not long ago
“General Motors tepidly introduced its eAssist mild-hybrid system to its full-size, light-duty pickup range, Fiat Chrysler is going all in”. The culture of the automotive landscape is changing rapidly every year with fuel efficiency becoming one of the biggest selling points. Therefore the number of buyers that would consider buying any kind of hybrid is increasing. FCA (Chrysler) is trailing in the electrification/efficiency game so adding this system to the Ram is a good move in that direction.
My question is, is this system from Tula Technology as is DFM?
If so, I’m sure GM has already looked “at introducing another mild-hybrid Silverado/Sierra powertrain”. and went with the latter.
Remember this?
A friend of mine has had one of these for about 6-8 years (bought it used) with little issues.
https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1019333_first-drive-2009-chevrolet-silverado-hybrid
It is nice to see the big three offering new features .For the exorbitant prices charged for these high profit machines competition is the only recourse for buyers . More !
Why go back to a light hybrid that is mostly an assist? Go ALL THE WAY as a full hybrid using the RWD system of the Cadillac PHEV CT6 or the FWD transaxle of the Chevy Volt in all future vehicles. The gas savings will be huge! Ford announce full hybrid for the F-150, so GM must do the same or better with all the trucks, plus all the big SUVs.
FCA a “Italian-Canadian automaker”? What makes you write this, Aaron Brzozowski?
Because the late Sergio Marchionne, the multi-CEO for all Agnelli-investments with wheels and engines, was born i Italy and grew up in Canada?
— quote —— from the 2017 Annual Report
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. was incorporated as a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap)
under the laws of the Netherlands on April 1, 2014 and became the parent company of the Group on October 12, 2014. Its
principal office is located at 25 St. James’s Street, London SW1A 1HA, United Kingdom
———— unquote —-
FCA operates thru two main subsidiaries, FCA US LLC, Wilmington, formerly known as Chrysler Group LLC, (“FCA US”), a 100% subsidiary of FCA NV, and FCA Italy S.p.A., Torino, Italy. FCA NV is controlled by Exor NV, the wider industrial holding of the Agnelli family.