One of the most talked about features of the full-size Ram pickup lineup is its beefy powertrains. It's hard to find a competitor to match the feel and power of the HEMI V8 or the Cummins turbo-diesel. When it comes to the Ram lineup, you have some impressive powertrain capabilities and a smattering of noteworthy engines to choose from.

If you're curious about the power plants that give the Ram series its performance and potential, then before you visit a Ram dealer near Red Hook and buy one for yourself, perhaps first explore who makes the Ram's engines and where it all happens. Such knowledge might help you better pick out the kind of Ram truck you want to drive. Alternatively, it might give you enough info to feel more secure in your purchase before you commit to buying a new or used Ram pickup.

What Company Makes the Ram's Engines?

Some companies outsource their powertrain designs to other companies, but in the case of the Ram, most of their engines are made in-house by Stellantis (previously Chrysler). The HEMI engines, in particular, have their roots traced back to the original FirePower engine, first produced in 1951. Chrysler maintained production of the engines up until Stellantis took the helm in 2021, producing the Ram series in full—from the light-duty 1500 all the way up to the heavy-duty 3500.

The only other company responsible for making Ram engines is Cummins, which is known for its diesel power plants. Cummins has been producing engines for automobiles since 1919, headed up originally by founder Clessie Cummins. The company makes engines for a number of different companies and industrial purposes, which includes Ram trucks. In particular, they have been producing diesel engines for full-size Ram trucks since the late 1980s and continue to do so for the heavy-duty variants of popular pickups—specifically the Ram 2500 and 3500.

What Are the Ram's Engines?

So, what are the engines that power the Ram series? In recent years, these have been the Pentastar V6, the HEMI V8, the Ecodiesel V6 (discontinued as of 2023), and the Cummins inline six-cylinder. These engines offer different performance vectors for the Ram and enable it to achieve the output that people love so much from this full-size truck.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque in the current generation of the Ram 1500 is a mild-hybrid powertrain that makes 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 has been in use since 2011 and debuted for the Ram 1500 during the fourth generation for the 2012 model year. Meanwhile, the Ecodiesel V6 was introduced in 2014 for the Ram 1500 series, and it gets up to 260 hp at 480 lb-ft of torque.

The 5.7-liter HEMI “Eagle” V8 has a long and storied history in the auto industry, being the successor to Chrysler's FirePower engine. The "HEMI V8" designation refers to the hemispherical combustion engine block design; it relates to the combustion chamber being arranged in a hemispherical dome. The HEMI has roots that span three generations of powertrain designs, with the third generation being the most famous for being attached to Ram trucks and Dodge sports cars.

The HEMI “Eagle” V8 with eTorque for the current generation of Ram trucks makes 395 hp at 410 lb-ft of torque. The immaculate supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI “Hellcat” V8—which you can find on specialty trims like the Ram 1500 TRX—is best known for empowering the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger. For the Ram 1500 TRX, the HEMI “Hellcat” V8 makes 702 hp at 650 lb-ft of torque.

The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is made for the heavy-duty line of Stellantis vehicles, which includes the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 series. This HEMI V8 delivers up to 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque for the latest generation of Ram heavy-duty trucks. Alternatively, you can get a diesel option for the Ram 2500 and 3500 series in the form of the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder; this particular engine has been in production by Cummins since 2007.

Cummins has been making engines for Ram trucks since 1989. The current generation of the 6.7-liter Cummins inline six-cylinder makes 370 hp at 850 lb-ft of torque. For the Ram 3500 series, there is a high-output version of the Cummins turbo-diesel that delivers up to 420 hp and a stunning 1,075 lb-ft of torque.

Where Are These Engines Built?

The most popular Ram engines are mostly built at the Saltillo Engine Plant, located in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. This 1.2-million-square-foot facility is responsible for producing a number of engines used by Stellantis subsidiaries, including Ram trucks. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 used for Ram's full-size trucks and other vehicles is made at this plant, along with the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI used in the Ram 1500 TRX and the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 used in the Ram 2500 and 3500 series.

The Saltillo Engine Plant in Mexico has been in operation since 1981, and it has been producing engines for the Ram for years, including the popular Magnum V8 and Magnum V10 engines during the highly popular second-generation run of Ram's trucks during the 1990s. They have been producing the 5.7-liter HEMI engines for Chrysler (now Stellantis) since June 2002, with 2023 being the final year of production for the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 for Ram's trucks.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is actually produced at three different plants, one of which includes the Saltillo South Engine Plant at Carretera Derramadero, also located in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. This plant is responsible for producing only 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engines, which include the 3.6-liter Pentastar engine for the full-size Ram 1500 series. This plant has only been in operation since October 2010, so it's a rather recent addition to the supply chain.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is also produced at two other plants, one of which is the Trenton South Engine Plant in Trenton, Michigan, in operation since 1952. This plant was repurposed in 2011 to produce Pentastar V6 engines and has been doing so ever since. The Pentastar was also partly made at the Dundee Engine Plant in Dundee, Michigan, until August of 2023. Meanwhile, the 6.7-liter Cummins inline six-cylinder is produced at the Cummins Columbus MidRange Engine Plant in southern Indiana.

Are Any Plants That Make Ram Engines Near Red Hook?

You'll note that none of these companies are located near or in New York, so if you were expecting to tour a plant that makes Ram engines during a day trip, you're out of luck. However, if you live in Red Hook and planned a vacation to Coahuila, southern Indiana, or Trenton, Michigan, then you might be inclined to tour the facilities there!

Even still, if you're in the Red Hook area, you can visit us at Ruge's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Rhinebeck to find a great pickup for a competitive price.

Will the Ram Get More Engine Options?

The Ram is expected to get further power plants in the coming years, which is exciting for fans of the brand like we are. This will include the all-new Ram EV, a battery-powered full-size pickup truck propelled by electric motors—so if you're a Red Hook resident looking for an alternative-fuel version of the Ram that isn't just a mild-hybrid, then you should get amped-up about the new Ram EV!

Additionally, the newer Ram models are due for a refresh with upgraded powertrains. Stellantis currently builds the Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinders, which may be fitted to replace the outgoing HEMI V8 lineup. There will be more changes coming as Ram preps for a mid-cycle refresh, but this is hopefully a sufficient amount of info until then.