As is the case with all automakers, Ford routinely benchmarks its competition, giving its rivals an up close look on a regular basis. In recent months, Ford Authority spies have spotted The Blue Oval benchmarking a number of Ford F-150 rivals, including the Chevy Silverado LTZ Duramax diesel, as well as the Raptor R’s chief competitor, the Ram TRX. Now, those same spies have caught Ford benchmarking a Ram 1500 Laramie equipped with Stellantis’ 5.7L V8 Hemi eTorque mild hybrid powerplant.
As a direct competitor to the F-150 equipped the the Ford 3.5L V6 PowerBoost hybrid, the Ram 1500 equipped with its own electrified powertrain is naturally-aspirated – not twin-turbocharged like the PowerBoost – and produces far less in terms of power – 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, versus the PowerBoost’s 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. It also offers less in the way of fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 18 miles-per-gallon in the city, 23 on the highway, and 20 combined, versus the Ford’s 25/25/25 estimates.
The Ram 1500 with the eTorque 5.7L V8 Hemi does slightly edge out the F-150 with the PowerBoost in terms of max towing capacity, with a rating of 12,750 pounds versus 12,700, though the Ford beats it in the max payload department – 2,120 pounds, compared to 1,800 for the Ram.
While the Ram 1500 and its mild hybrid powerplants are a few years old and getting a bit long in the proverbial tooth, the Ford F-Series also currently enjoys a higher level of dealer stock than its rivals. However, as Ford Authority reported back in May, FoMoCo has already stopped taking 2022 F-150 orders as demand quickly exceeded the automaker’s production capacity, a common problem that affects multiple models in The Blue Oval’s lineup due to various supply chain constraints including the semiconductor chip shortage.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
FORD, please don’t follow the Ram with it’s rear body fender wells rusting out so fast.
I have a 2021 RAM Laramie eTorque 5.7L Hemi. I would hardly call it a mild hybrid. The Alternator/Motor starts the engine with the start/stop feature and provides enough power for a half wheel turn before the gas engine provides power. I wish RAM had a full plug in hybrid as it would have been my first choice. Reading on line Ram forums and FB groups, it’s hard to know if the eTorque improves MPG in the real world. However, it does provide a smooth and fast engine start after the start/stop feature. A cold start utilizes the traditional starter motor.
I have one as well, and I am fairly sure it helps economy in city/suburban driving, which is mostly what I do.
It you put 97 ot 98 octane it makes a huge difference
Build my bronco. Still waiting