Ram Power Wagon: Diesel Engine Could Be on the Horizon
Mar 24, 2025
The Ram Power Wagon, known for its heavy-duty capabilities, currently only offers a gas-powered V8 engine. However, according to a Ram powertrain engineer, a diesel option could be in the works.
Although the existing Hemi engine is powerful, it doesn’t compete with the performance of the turbo-diesel engines available in other Ram trucks, nor does it match the offerings from Ford and General Motors.
Customer Demand for Diesel
Customer feedback regarding the Ram Power Wagon has been taken into consideration. According to Car and Driver, a Ram powertrain engineer shared insights into customer preferences. The engineer noted that customers have been vocal about their desire for a diesel option in the brand’s off-road pickup.
“We hear what’s going on,” the Ram engineer told Car and Driver. “If there’s an opportunity there, then we can engineer it.”
Interestingly, the Power Wagon is the only truck in the brand’s heavy-duty lineup without an available diesel powertrain, which stems from the positioning of a winch. The front-mounted winch on the Power Wagon interferes with the intercooler found on the turbo-diesel siblings.
While a timeline for the diesel treatment is not specified, it won’t be available for the 2025 model year.
Diesel Engine Comparison
Other heavy-duty Ram trucks, such as the Ram 2500 and 3500, are equipped with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine, producing an impressive 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the Power Wagon’s 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine generates 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque.
Competitors’ Diesel Offerings
The Ram Power Wagon faces tough competition in the heavy-duty truck market. Both the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado offer diesel engines, aiming to enhance towing capacity and off-road performance.
The Chevrolet Silverado HD features an available Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine that generates 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission. This allows the Silverado HD to tow up to 36,000 lbs, nearly double that of its gas-powered 6.6-liter V8 engine. The GMC Sierra HD line shares the same diesel engine option.
The Ford Super Duty boasts a high-output version of the Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine, delivering 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Ford Super Duty can tow up to 40,000 lbs.
A standard variant of the Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo diesel V8 engine produces 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. All power in the Ford Super Duty is channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Conclusion
Adding a diesel engine option to the Ram Power Wagon could enhance its competitiveness within the American truck market.
