Cummins has built its 2 millionth diesel engine for Ram Trucks, the company announced Monday. Don't expect to see that milestone motor in a truck, though: The 350-horsepower, 6.7-liter six-cylinder turbo-diesel will go on display and tour the country.
"The Ram Truck-Cummins diesel partnership is one of the industry's most enduring and certainly fitting of such a tribute," said Fred Diaz, Ram president and CEO. "Both companies have benefited greatly, but Ram diesel customers are the real beneficiaries. Every day they experience the toughness and capability a Cummins-powered Ram can deliver."
Cummins began supplying engines to Chrysler Group in 1988. When it launched in 1989, the engine was rated at 160 hp and 400 pounds-feet of torque. In 2013 Ram heavy-duty pickups, the top-of-the-line Cummins HO makes 385 hp and a class-leading 850 pounds-feet of torque. Diesels make up nearly 80 percent of Ram HD sales.
"I am immensely proud of our association with Cummins," says Bob Lee, Chrysler Group vice president and head of engine and electrified propulsion engineering. "And I have no qualms matching our truck diesels against those of any competitor for performance and durability."
Last year, PickupTrucks.com visited the Cummins plant in Columbus, Ind., and saw how a Cummins is born. Additionally, both celebrated their own select engine milestones as well. Now everyone has a reason to be happy.
Features in the Cummins engine for 2013 include a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy; dual-inlet Ram Active Air, which adjusts induction in different driving conditions; a "smart" exhaust brake; 15,000-mile oil-change interval; a new cooling system for improved performance; and a dual filtration system for enhanced durability.
