The Ram Power Wagon Could Get a Diesel Engine - Eventually

The Ram Power Wagon currently features a gas-powered V8

The Ram Power Wagon is the automaker’s heftiest version of its heavy-duty pickup truck, but with one huge caveat: there is no diesel engine available. According to a Ram powertrain engineer, though, that could change in the future. Granted, the available V8 engine is a Hemi, but it still doesn’t match the staggering output of the turbo-diesel engine that’s available in Ram’s other trucks, and also puts it a step behind both Ford and General Motors.

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Customers want a diesel engine in the Ram Power Wagon

According to Car and Driver, a Ram powertrain engineer was willing to give some insight into the Ram Power Wagon, specifically regarding customer requests. According to the engineer, customers have been clamoring for a diesel option in the brand’s hefty off-road pickup. "We hear what's going on," the Ram engineer told Car and Driver. "If there's an opportunity there, then we can engineer it."

Interestingly, the Power Wagon is the only truck in the brand’s heavy-duty lineup without an available diesel powertrain, and it boils down to the placement of a winch. The Ram Power Wagon comes with a front-mounted winch, which gets in the way of the intercooler found on the pickup’s turbo-diesel siblings. Unfortunately, there’s no specified timeline for when the Ram Power Wagon could get the diesel treatment, but it definitely won’t be happening for the 2025 model year.

Other heavy-duty Ram trucks like the Ram 2500 and 3500 have a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine that produces an astounding 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Power Wagon's 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine generates 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, a far cry from the diesel powertrain’s muscle. 

The Ram Power Wagon’s competitors come with diesel options

The Ram Power Wagon is a perfectly capable truck in its own right, but the lack of a diesel option puts it behind competitors. The Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado both feature heavy-duty trucks packing diesel engines designed to maximize trailering weight and off-road capability.

The Chevrolet Silverado HD packs an available Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine that generates 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. With that kind of muscle, the Silverado HD can tow up to 36,000 lbs., nearly double that of its gas-powered 6.6-liter V8 engine. The GMC Sierra HD line shares that same diesel engine option.

The Ford Super Duty’s diesel powertrain delivers best-in-class muscle. The high-output version of the Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine delivers 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful trucks in the industry. When properly equipped, the Ford Super Duty can tow up to 40,000 lbs.

That’s not the only diesel engine available in the Ford Super Duty. The standard variant of the Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo diesel V8 engine produces 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of which diesel engine comes under the hood of the Ford Super Duty, power is channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Final thoughts

Getting the Ram Power Wagon on par with its American competitors is a step in the right direction for the Stellantis-owned brand. The umbrella company hasn’t exactly had the best go of it recently, with former head honcho Carlos Tavares exiting unexpectedly last year. On the bright side, the Ram Power Wagon crossing over to the diesel side would mean an increase in towing and off-road capability. At the very least, a handful of the truck enthusiasts in my neck of the woods will have their prayers answered - eventually, anyway.