Ram is trying to win the race and take the crown of the heavy-duty trucks with the all-new 2023 RAM HD. A heavy-duty category is where all the ruckus is. Many try to throw in the fighting gauntlet but it all boils down to the big three companies. Ford, Ram, and GM have a proven track record of the best heavy-duty trucks.
However, they have to constantly update and refresh their current flagship trucks to stay ahead of the competition. Ram is preparing their mid-cycle refresh in the form of 2023 RAM HD and is hoping to run past the competition and top the sales chart with the updated heavy-duty truck. Not many details are official but we heard through the grapevine that most of the changes will be of stylistic nature.
Nevertheless, we are hoping for some utilitarian upgrades, it is always a good idea to improve the ride and stability of the truck that is supposed to go to work. Read along to find out more about the upcoming changes to the 2023 RAM heavy duty.
Interior
Current RAM HD is not lacking in style and is looking mighty fine. But that is no reason for RAM to not upgrade the already good basis and give more luxury to the 2023 RAM HD. The manufacturer updated the design and gave many amenities that are needed on today’s trucks. Both for safety and for stylistic reasons. This is, without doubt, the best cabin in the class, beating both Ford and Chevy for the crown.
Even in the basic trim, you can expect high-quality materials like leather and suede for upholstery. Contrast stitching will be available to add more style. On the inside RAM is trying to up the safety aspect of the 2023 RAM HD. Apparently, they are adding 8 cameras with 15 different views. Four of those are just for the hitched cargo. And we heard about the all-new cargo mirrors that will ensure that you never lose any cargo or anything happens.
There is also a Uconnect 5 infotainment system that will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We suspect we will have the standard Bluetooth connectivity and wifi hotspot. Hopefully, this is at least a 10-inch system in the middle. This way even the backbench will be able to join in on the fun.
So far we know of three cab designs, these are named Regular, Crew Cab, and Mega Cab. Depending on the choice between these three you can expect different amenities and gadgets. There is a need for more comfort, this is always something trucks can upgrade. So adding heated and ventilated seats is a prerogative. This would ensure a comfortable ride even when you go off-road and use the truck for work for long periods of time. Most of the changes on the inside are for the sake of style but we noticed some of those will improve comfort and make the truck more luxurious.
Exterior
On the outside, the refreshed 2023 RAM HD is getting only minor tweaks. Nothing drastic is in the works on the exterior, mostly because the current model is all good when it comes to body construction and looks. Ram 2500 HD is already quite modern, with a less blocky look and more curves. This makes the truck more aerodynamic, which means less wind resistance and better fuel economy.
Also, there is an aspect of driveability and control. There were no issues with this so no need to mess with the dimensions, architecture of the truck, and ground clearance. We noticed that there is a new air suspension that will definitely improve the ride. Hopefully, we get more color choices, this will allow for better customization. New wheels are in the works and hopefully, they are from lightweight materials.
This is a heavy truck and it can be used to shave off some weight. This would increase its power to weight ratio and make it more powerful and improve driving. The tailgate should remain the same. Perhaps as technology advances, we might get more settings available but don’t hold your breath. It would be nice to see if we get off-roading tires with different trims.
2023 RAM HD Engine Options
We can count on old and reliable options for the heavy-duty line. As far as 2023 RAM HD is concerned there are 2 models for the powertrain. The first one is a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 gas-guzzling engine. This beast of an engine produces around 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. It will be paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends all its power to all four wheels.
Another option is a reliable 6.7-liter inline-six turbo-diesel engine made by Cummins. It has two output options. The basic version is around 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The higher trim variant is 400 horsepower and 1075 pound-feet of torque. Perhaps as the year passes these numbers become bigger.
Chevy is apparently working on a brand new Duramax engine that should be able to produce 500 horsepower with more than 1000 pound-feet of torque. With these specs, expect the 2023 RAM HD to be able to tow 37.000 pounds with ease. There is still no news about the electric variant or perhaps a hybrid version. But since it is a heavy-duty truck and it does heavy lifting we don’t see it getting too many miles with an electric motor.
2023 RAM HD Release date and Price
The refreshed 2023 RAM HD is about to hit the road sometime in the second half of 2022. Hopefully, the date doesn’t get pushed back due to the pandemic.
Starting price for the basic trim is around $38.000, which could increase based on the amenities you opt for.
“Gas guzzling 6.4L” What a crock! I have a 6.4L in a 3500 and consistently get over 20 MPG! Much more environmentally friendly than these damn EV’s!