The competition in the heavy-duty segment is all about the Big Three and what we like about it is that every year brings some interesting novelties from one of the manufacturers. The next year will bring more than that if we can trust the latest rumors. Chevy is about to bring a significantly upgraded engine with plenty of torque, but Ram will try to steal the show. Allegedly, the company is preparing a mid-cycle refresh, which could bring all kinds of interesting novelties to the 2023 Ram HD lineup.
At this point, the details are still unavailable, but we presume that this update will be mostly about the styling. furthermore, we could see a couple of interesting updates on the inside as well, while engine upgrades are always a possible thing in the case of the FCA group. Finally, there are rumors about a new transmission for the diesel version.
We believe that the 2023 Ram HD release date could be scheduled for the second half of 2022.
2023 Ram HD Design
At this point, we still don’t know the details but we presume what this update may bring. Of course, one of the first things that come to mind is styling. If you look at the current model, it looks nice but somehow, the rivals look a little bit tougher. That’s why believe that the 2023 Ram HD refresh could bring a couple of styling changes, which would make this truck look bolder and more aggressive. This particularly refers to the front end of the vehicle, which should utilize new headlights, a more prominent grille, a more aggressive bumper etc.
The rest of the truck may come with some styling changes as well, while new color options and appearance packages also seem like a certain thing. On the other hand, the mechanical aspect of the truck shouldn’t change, especially if we consider that the current version offers superior comfort and remains extremely capable at the same time.
Interior
The inside of the current model also looks pretty impressive. The materials are nice, while the build quality is very good. All in all, it’s hard to believe that bigger changes could happen. The 2023 Ram HD interior will continue in the same way, with a design that can even compare with many SUV models in higher trim versions. Besides great quality, this interior also comes equipped with lots of tech features, but the next year’s model could bring even more. The currently optional 12.0-inch touchscreen doesn’t seem too exclusive anymore, so it may become standard in some of the lower trim levels as well.
On the other hand, we have no doubt that the next year’s model will continue in familiar configurations regarding cab style and bed length. Therefore, you may count on three cab designs on the offer – Regular, Crew and Mega Cab.
2023 Ram HD Engines
When it comes to powertrain, we count on two familiar engine options on the offer. Standard models should continue with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, which currently puts out around 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. This engine might get a few more horsepowers but it will definitely continue in pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is one of the best units in the business.
Also, there is the well-known 6.7-liter inline-six turbodiesel from Cummins, which comes in two output variants. Base versions are good for about 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded variant of the engine puts out 400 horsepower and 1.075 pound-feet of torque. We could easily see these numbers increased for the next year, especially if we consider that Chevy is working on a new version of its well-known Duramax engine, which should deliver over 500 horsepower and 1.080 pound-feet of torque.
New Transmission on the Way?
Besides more power, the turbodiesel could also come with a new transmission. The current version uses a 6-speed unit from Aisin, which is capable and reliable, but which also makes this truck look a little bit inferior compared to rivals, even though it features a max towing capacity of more than 37.000 pounds. Simply, both Chevy Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty models come with 10-speed units, so we may expect something similar from Ram in the future as well.
At this point, there are two possible scenarios for the new transmission. The first one is to see a 10-speed Allison unit, the same one that can be found in Silverado. The other one is to see a new transmission from Aisin, which will also feature 10 gears. At this point, the officials are still quiet about the new transmission.
2023 Ram HD Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2023 Ram HD will hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022, with a starting price of around 38.000 dollars.
