Is the Jeep Wagoneer a Preview of the Next-Generation Ram 1500?
Stellantis’ full-size SUV lineup includes the Wagoneer and luxurious Grand Wagoneer. The Wagoneer began life as a Ram truck chassis. But as Jeep engineered the new vehicle, it made several important upgrades to Ram’s technology. Could the advanced Wagoneer be a preview of the next-generation (6th gen) Ram 1500?
Will the next Ram truck have independent rear suspension?
One major difference between the Ram 1500 and Wagoneer chassis is that Jeep’s full-size SUV has independent rear suspension. While the solid rear axle has been a hallmark of Detroit’s full-size pickup trucks for generations, there’s good evidence that the Ram 1500 may migrate to independent rear suspension.
During Stellantis’ EV Day press conference, it announced a Ram 1500 EV. The company hopes to launch this Ford F-150 Lightning competitor for the 2024 model year. Ram even released some renderings of the next-generation vehicle’s body and chassis. This next-generation Ram chassis included independent rear suspension.
Both General Motors and Ford have tested full-size trucks with independent rear suspension. The Ford F-150 Lightning has independent suspension, both front and rear. This allows the AWD F-150 Lightning to have two motors, attached to the frame in the place of its differentials. Ram may introduce a similar system, leveraging technology developed for the Wagoneer.
Will Ram trade the HEMI for a Hurricane?
Sixth-generation Ram 1500 trucks with an internal combustion engine probably won’t even offer the beloved HEMI V8. Stellantis has already developed a 3.0-liter I6 to replace its V8s, and will introduce the new engine in the 2023 Wagoneer.
Stellantis’ new Hurricane I6 boasts some impressive numbers. It comes in two tunes: a regular tune and a high output version with extra turbocharger boost and 510 horsepower. By trading the big displacement of the HEMI V8s for a tighter, turbocharged package, Wagoneer also hopes to improve fuel efficiency 15%.
Chances are that the regular Hurricane will replace the next-generation Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8 while the high output version will see duty in the Ram 2500 and larger trucks. See how the I6 matches up to the older V8s in the table below:
| 5.7-liter HEMI V8 | SO Hurricane I6 | 6.4-liter HEMI V8 | HO Hurricane I6 | |
| Displacement | 5.7 liters (345 cubic inches) | 3.0 liters (approx. 183 cubic inches) | 6.4 liters (392 cubic inches) | 3.0 liters (approx. 183 cubic inches) |
| Horsepower | 363-395 horsepower | 400+ horsepower | 470-485 horsepower | 500+ horsepower |
| Torque | 394-410 lb-ft | 450+ lb-ft | 470-475 lb-ft | 475+ lb-ft |
| Boost | Naturally-Aspirated | 22 psi | Naturally-Aspirated | 26 psi |
Will Ram trucks be plug-in hybrds?
Jeep is hard at work on a Wagoneer 4xe plug-in hybrid SUV. The company is targeting a 500 mile range. This technology could find its way into the sixth-generation Ram 1500, giving us the world’s first plug-in hybrid full-size pickup truck.
Besides the Wagoneer 4xe’s targeted range, we don’t know much about the upcoming SUV. Will it use the same turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 Jeep’s other 4xe plug-in hybrids use? Or will the full-size SUV have a larger engine such as an I6? Will it have a larger battery pack than the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe, and perhaps an even longer all-electric range? When Stellantis does release these numbers, they may prove a preview of the next-generation Ram 1500’s plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Next, read about the Ram 1500 EV’s range extender or see upcoming Ram engine options in the video below:
