Manoli Katakis 
Ram is once again offering a diesel in its half-ton truck, and does so with gains in just about every measurable metric. The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel comes in with a more robust 260 horsepower and a class-leading 480 lb-ft of torque, and will go on sale in Q4, 2019.
Along with class-leading torque, the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will have a class-leading diesel towing capacity of 12,560 pounds. That’s nearly 3,000 pounds more than the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax, or the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax. The F-150 Power Stroke is rated to tow 11,400 lbs. Numbers such as payload and fuel economy have not yet been disclosed. But the last Ram 1500 EcoDiesel was rated at 21 miles per gallon city and 29 mpg highway.
If you’re worried about being locked out of a half-ton Ram diesel truck because of rigid availability, don’t. The EcoDiesel V6 will be available on all Ram models and configurations, including the Ram Rebel for the first time, and even the last-generation Ram Classic. Even Ram’s trick air suspension system can be paired with the EcoDiesel engine.
The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel represents the latest offering from a lineup that seems to be soaking up every award under the sun these days. And if diesel is not your thing, Ram offers a mild-hybrid model as well, cleverly named eTorque. Its most efficient configuration delivers 22 mpg combined, while its most powerful configuration can tow a superlative 12,750 lbs. That’s class-leading.
The new EcoDiesel engine is described as a “next-generation” variant compared to before, which FCA had to stop selling due to an environmental regulation settlement that led to over $300 million in fines. FCA officially admits to no wrongdoing, but also had to settle a $307 million class-action lawsuit filed by over 100,000 EcoDiesel owners. The engine was also featured in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2020 Ram 1500 is build in Sterling Heights, Michigan, while the EcoDiesel engine is built in Italy. Pricing will be announced closer to when the truck goes on sale later this year.
