Is the 2019 Ram eTorque Worth It?
Slideshow: The eTorque offerings for the 2019 Ram provide customers the capability of using a hybrid motor and increasing fuel efficiency. But how do the pros and cons balance?
2019 Dodge Ram 1500
The new eTorque comes in several different configurations. The available trims are Tradesman, BigHorn/Lone Star or Laramie. They are all available in the 4x2 configuration or the popular choice of 4x4. There is also the Rebel, which is only available in 4x4. You can also choose between Quad or Crew Cab.
eTorque System
For Dodge, this is a major breakthrough for the automotive brand. The eTorque system is a new mild-hybrid system that increases fuel efficiency while producing more torque. This is considered a “hybrid” system because it provides electricity (no need for an alternator), but also offers hybrid capabilities, such as auto stop/start, electric power assist, fuel shut-off, intelligent battery charging, and regenerative braking.
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V8 eTorque
With this truck first debuting at the 2018 Detroit Auto show, consumers were very curious about how much more "bang for your buck" you were getting if choosing to opt for the mild-hybrids over the traditional alternator equipped non-hybrid predecessors. The V8 eTorque Ram shows an improvement of 2 mpg city and highway combined. Therefore, the fuel economy increase, while significant, might not be enough to convince consumers that it's worth the added cost, added weight and loss of packaging space.
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V6 eTorque
Compared to the V8 eTorque, the V6 gets up to 20 mpg city, 25 highway, and 22 mpg combined, or 3 mpg city and 2 mpg combined higher than the 3.6-liter non-hybrid Ram Classic. This is between 10-20% increase in fuel economy and that's a significant range to gain in fuel savings. The 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain does not drastically change the feel and drivability of the truck overall. The other added benefit to the fuel economy is how the transmission shifts when the MGU handles the release from the brake pedal. It's a "start-stop" system that is virtually unnoticeable making for a smooth experience.
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The conclusion
It is hard to say in advance whether the eTorque will be worth it for consumers in the near future. More real-time testing and on-road experience would be required. With more and more auto manufacturers adopting hybrid systems and integrating electrified components, sooner or later, consumers will be left with few other choices. That said, the system does have several benefits that can be realized in the short term, as well as in the long run. Based on the reviews, it seems to be a much better set of benefits if utilized on the V6 model rather than the V8. This should give consumers time to transition away from the non-hybrids while being assured that the newer mild-hybrid counterparts can be trucks they can learn to embrace. At the end of the day, the numbers will paint the real picture in terms of performance and efficiency.
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