2014 Ram 1500 HFE With Stop-Start System Overview
Bragging rights and one-upmanship have long been a part of
pickup truck marketing: who has the most horsepower, the most
stump-pulling torque, the biggest payload capacity and the most towing
grunt.
But a new pickup bragging rights category has emerged – fuel economy.
It began in 2009 with General Motors’ two-mode hybrid system for the
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and its twin toolbox, the GMC Sierra Hybrid
(both now discontinued). Their EPA ratings of 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway
and 21 mpg combined made them the pickup fuel economy kings.
Two years later Ford bragged that its F-150 pickup, with a new V6
twin turbocharged 3.7-liter V6 engine, delivered an EPA 23 mpg highway
rating. Ford’s marketing, however, bypasses the F-150′s 17 mpg city and
19 mpg combined ratings.
For the 2013-model year, an all-new Ram 1500 pickup leapfrogged Ford
and claimed fuel economy bragging rights with its all-new model. Powered
by Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, the new half-ton truck
came through with a 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway rating – numbers that
were unthinkable just five years ago.
Ram added icing on the cake with the HFE (high fuel efficiency)
model. With a stop-start function, the HFE bumps city fuel economy to 18
mpg.
For 2014, the Ram 1500 will continue with the styling and mechanical
changes unveiled on the 2013 edition, Ram’s first sheet metal re-do
since model year 2009. New for 2014 is a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6
diesel that Ram says “is noticeably more efficient than all V6 gasoline
engines in the half-ton category.”
Ram’s Stop-Start System
An industry first for a non-hybrid full-size pickup, the Ram 1500′s
stop-start is considered a “light stop-start” system. Ram says the
system improves fuel economy by up to 3.3 percent, or an increase of
about 1 mpg during city driving.
Stop-start operates automatically and doesn’t require any input from
the driver. Electronics such as the radio, gauges and climate controls
remain on, and the engine restarts automatically when the driver
releases the brake.
System voltage is continually monitored through a battery sensor. If
the battery’s charge is reduced, the truck will discontinue stop-start
until the battery is recharged to an acceptable level.
The system monitors the brake-pedal position and vehicle speed over
time to determine the appropriate situations to shut off the engine to
avoid constant on/off cycling in heavy stop-and-go traffic. And a
system-disable switch on the dash lets drivers turn off the feature
should they desire.
Due to additional high-use and electrical load demands placed on the
starter, alternator and battery, these components have been upgraded for
heavy-duty operation.
This includes a high-durability starter housed in a stronger case, heavy-duty flywheel teeth and a more robust starter solenoid.
Ram says the new starter was subjected to durability testing cycles
more than 2.5 times that of a non-stop-start equipped unit – more than
300,000 on/off cycles.
The new battery features 800 amps with absorbed glass mat (AGM)
technology. An upgraded 220-amp alternator also is included in the
charging system.
When asked if stop-start was a move towards the electrification of
vehicles, Ram spokesman Nick Cappa said, “Not entirely. We see it as a
dedicated fuel saving technology. More interesting will be how truck
customers will react.”
Under The Aluminum Hood
Stop-start is only a small part of the Ram HFE’s fuel economy story.
Another Ram fuel-economy enabler is weight reduction, including an
aluminum hood, which weighs 26 pounds less than the previous model.
Combine that with a new, lighter frame, aluminum suspension pieces,
revised bumper and lighter powertrain components, and the new Ram shed
143 pounds.
That aluminum hood hides the biggest contributors to fuel efficiency,
Chrysler’s Pentastar V6 engine connected to a super-thrifty eight-speed
automatic transmission, another pickup industry first.
Featuring variable-valve timing (VVT), the 3.6-liter naturally
aspirated engine offers a hefty 305 horsepower and 269 pounds-feet of
torque, while delivering 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to
the previous 3.7-liter V6 powertrain.
The eight speed has widely spaced ratios with a super-low 4.71 first
gear ratio for quick starts and two tall overdrive ratios on the top
end. This range of gears translates to a good gear for highway fuel
economy without sacrificing a low first gear for power.
Wringing out this kind of fuel economy improvement requires big and
small changes. Just to name a few: A new electric power-assist steering
reduces engine drag; thermal management quickly gets the engine and
transmission to optimum temperatures; pulse-width modulation technology
run the fuel pump and cooling fan only as needed; low-rolling resistance
tires; active grille shutters reduce drag as does a lower front
valance.
Design Elements
In profile, the new Ram doesn’t look any different than the 2009-2012
generation. Up front, however, the “I wanna-be-a-big-rig” grille is
larger and taller with crosshair bars that are now flush at the top and
bottom of the grille surround.
Subtle are restyled headlights and LED turn signals/taillights.
Improved aerodynamics was a key goal in the Ram’s 2013 revamp. Ram
says the truck has best-in-class aerodynamics, coefficient of drag (Cd)
at 0.360. And that’s before adding a standard tonneau cover to the HFE
model.
Inside, the Ram’s interior, already considered one of the best, even
the lower trim levels including the HFE have upgraded materials and
boast an attractive design. The 40/20/40 split folding bench seat is
firm and comfortable, the steering wheel is appropriately thick and
there are plenty of cup holders and storage cubbies.
A new gauge cluster includes a 3.5-inch vehicle-information screen and the gauges are clearly legible day or night.
The eight-speed automatic transmission uses a rotary dial in place of
a floor or steering-column-mounted shift lever, not unlike that found
on a Jaguar. Located on the dashboard above the driver’s right knee, the
knob is well sized with groves for operating with thick gloves.
This new shifting device rotates easily through the traditional,
Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive settings. Manual-type gear control is
available via small steering-wheel buttons.
Rotary shifter.
While amenities such as remote power everything, leather seating and
touch-screen multimedia aren’t available for the HFE, the list of
standard equipment covers most of the wants for buyers. These include
power windows and door locks, cruise control, air conditioning, variable
intermittent wipers and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with USB/iPod
connectivity.
Safety features include all the biggies: four-wheel anti-lock disc
brakes, stability control, hill-start assist, front-seat side airbags
and side curtain airbags.
Pricing
Ram’s 2014 HFE model has a sticker price of $29,805, including $1,095
destination charges. It is available only in a Regular Cab (two-door)
4×2 configuration with a short bed, the smallest full-size Ram 1500
pickup in the lineup.
Four-wheel drive is not available on the HFE, nor is any other cab
configuration or box length. Also, it has one of the smallest payload
ratings at 1,430 pounds and one of the lowest maximum tow ratings, just
4,750 pounds.
If your looking for a basic half-ton regular cab pickup with no
frills, the base Tradesman model can be had for $4,500 less and it
offers the 25 mpg highway fuel economy and one mpg less in the city.
But if you want some creature comforts, the HFE is actually $215 less
than the SLT version, which is the next step up from the Tradesman and
is similarly equipped to the HFE.
Ram’s spokesman Cappa said it will be interesting to see how truck
customers will react to the HFE. While it’s obviously not a heavy-duty
work truck, fleet buyers such as municipalities would benefit from the
HFE’s urban stop-start fuel economy. The same would apply to
construction trades who work primarily in urban areas and don’t haul
heavy loads or tow equipment.
And then there’s the consumer who just wants a pickup to throw some
camping gear or bikes in the bed for weekend recreation and for trips to
Home Depot so they can check off items on the ”honey-do” list.