Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 03, 2003 - Dodge, the brand that revolutionized the diesel pickup market when it launched the state-of-the-art 1989 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel, announced today the 20041/2 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins "600" with a class-dominating 600 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm and 325 horsepower at 2,900 rpm. Equipped with the new Cummins "600," the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty takes its position at the head of the heavy-duty pickup segment.
Domination Across the Board
"The Dodge Ram dominates in every category," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. "With the new Ram Heavy Duty Cummins "600,” the Ram family of trucks now includes the strongest heavy-duty pickup available, the fastest production pickup with the 150 mph Dodge Ram SRT-10, and the most powerful, mass-produced light-duty pickup, the HEMI-powered Dodge Ram 1500. This is an exciting time for Dodge."
In addition to the most torque ever available in a production heavy-duty pickup, the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins "600" boasts best-in-class towing capability of 16,400 lbs. (a 3,000 lb. advantage over the Ford F-350 PowerStroke®), a payload of 5,020 lbs. and a best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 23,000 lbs. and 12,000 lbs., respectively. Additionally, the new Cummins “600” generates its peak torque of 600 lb.-ft. at 1,600 rpm, earlier than either Ford's PowerStroke or Chevrolet's Duramax® diesels. The new Cummins "600" delivers an 80 lb.-ft. torque and 25 horsepower advantage over Chevrolet Duramax and is priced just $135 more than the previous Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel. The Standard Output Cummins Turbo Diesel is dropped from the Ram Heavy Duty line-up.
"The Ram Heavy Duty has the most sophisticated chassis in the segment, the biggest brakes, excellent handling and class-exclusive safety features such as side curtain air bags," said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President Product Development. "It is only fitting that it now has the most powerful diesel engine. This is also the quietest Ram diesel ever and the first High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel that meets 50-state emissions requirements.”
Do More, Get the Job Done
The names Dodge Ram and Cummins are synonymous with power, durability and quality. All are characteristics that made the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Motor Trend's 2003 Truck of the Year and merited a best-in-class rating for the Cummins-powered Dodge Ram Heavy Duty in the J.D. Powers 2003 Initial Quality Survey, surpassing both Ford PowerStroke and Chevrolet Duramax.
With real-world customers in mind, the re-designed 5.9-liter Cummins “600” powerplant not only meets 50-state emissions requirements, but was designed to be even tougher with premium exhaust valves and seats, high-strength exhaust manifolds, gallery cooled pistons and an oil bath turbo system.
Built for high-mileage customers who need the most capability available, the new Cummins "600” delivers best-in-class oil change intervals of 15,000 miles (versus 7,500 for the competition) and is the only heavy-duty diesel pickup pre-equipped for an exhaust brake. The Ram Heavy Duty Cummins “600” is also capable of zero-throttle launches, enabling smooth drive-offs under load with the 6-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is also available with the new Cummins "600."
“Our goal during the development of the Cummins '600' was to make meaningful changes, not just chase numbers," said Frank Klegon, Vice President, Truck Product Team. “The Ram Heavy Duty Cummins '600' delivers more torque and power where our customer needs it, under a full load and heading up a steep grade. We designed the Ram Heavy Duty Cummins '600' for the severe use customer, and for them, torque is everything. Dodge is also the only heavy-duty pickup manufacturer confident enough in our product to offer a seven year, 70,000 mile powertrain warranty.”
The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty is built in Saltillo, Mexico.
