What's New for 2012: All Makes
2012 Ram 1500: The big news for Ram in 2012 is the introduction of a six-speed automatic transmission, which will be standard with the 4.7- and 5.7-liter V8s. The 5.7-liter V8 is standard on all Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, Lone Star, Sport, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn models.
Ram 1500s with the 3.7-liter, 215-horsepower V6 continue on with a four-speed automatic.
There's also a new steering wheel for 2012. Finally.
2012 Ram 2500/3500: Heavy-duty Rams also benefit from six gear ratios, but from different transmissions. Trucks equipped with the 383-hp 5.7-liter V8 get a six-speed auto. Equip your 2012 Ram with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel and you'll get a heavy-duty six-speed automatic or the standard six-speed manual with an "ultralow" 1st gear.
The 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel is a 350-hp inline-6 cranking out 800 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm when hooked to the automatic, and 650 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm when combined with the manual transmission.
An exhaust brake is now standard on 2500/3500 trucks equipped with a diesel, while all HD Rams, like the 1500s, get a new steering wheel with finger controls.
2012 Ram Cargo Van: The Dodge Caravan Cargo van has been christened the Ram Cargo Van (C/V) for 2012. Compared with the standard Grand Caravan, the Ram C/V gets solid side panels and an aluminum flat load floor, 16-inch wheels, 160-amp alternator, 20-gallon fuel tank, extra-load capacity tires, commercial-duty suspension, engine oil cooler and load-leveling suspension.
Unlike the Ford Transit, the Ram Cargo Van is powered by a real motor — a 3.6-liter V6 making 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This gives the Ram C/V a tow rating of 3,600 pounds and a payload rating of 1,800 pounds.
Add A Comment »
myob says:
04:15 AM, 01/04/2012
The 6th gear is a modification to the previous "kickdown gear"and probably doesn't make that much difference.
As for the other "junk" comment by the other poster, I've owned them all (except Nissan) and they all have problems. I'm buying a ram to replace my '07 Chevy 2500 that already has transmission slipping issues at 34,000 miles. My last ram had zero issues well beyond double that.
garanimal says:
09:50 PM, 10/09/2011
Unreliable junk . Good thing they have Fiat to help out....................not
trx4tom says:
10:07 AM, 09/10/2011
I actually expected you to say FINALLY to the change in gearboxs, not the steering wheel. I don't know what the big fuss is. I have a 2010 TRX4 HEMI with luxory package, so stereo controls are on the backside of the steering wheel. I don't mind the cruise control stalk. I have the same on my wifes 2008 Jeep Patriot and my 1996 Camry. I don't mind it at all. What would be more important is Chrysler reprogramming the computer for how the cruise works. It often stays in too low a gear after topping a hill. Or is too quick to downshift barely going down a hill. It doesn't go from 5th to 4th, skips it it to go right to 3rd. Best bet is to just turn it off in the hills. Just took mine on a 6,000 mile trip best mileage indicated by the computer was from Laramie Wyoming to Denver showing over 20 mpg which is more realistically 19 plus. That's at 75-79 mph two people and a bunch of engine parts at or over the LIGHT GVWR. Not bad considering it has AT LT tires. Best with a car trailer and un-aerodynamic ol racecar total trailer weight about 6,200 @ 65 mph was 12.5 mpg, truck still carrying parts. 800 plus miles worth. Worst was 11.7 @ 70. SO, after that I expect the 6 speed to better handle the low speed trailer towing better and a bit more mileage at higher speeds.