TRUCKS & TRANSPORTATION
ELECTRIC, HYBRIDS AND MORE HIGHLIGHT PICKUP TRUCK LANDSCAPE BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR
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he pickup landscape is changing fast as new technologies provide a wider range of options for buyers to consider. This year has brought some big moves from the major manufacturers, and more are on the horizon. While electrification continues to be a target, other additional technologies are also making their way into truck models for 2022 and beyond. Here is a look at key developments to keep an eye on in the pickup truck scene.
RAM HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ADD TRAILERING CAPABILITY AND MORE
Ram’s Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 models have always focused on rugged performance, and that hasn’t changed for the 2022 models, with continued emphasis on payload and towing capability as well as updates to technology and a number of other features. Towing capacity is up to 20,000 pounds on the Ram 2500 and 37,090 pounds for the 3500, matched with a payload of up to 7,680 pounds on the 3500. New updates for 2022 that focus on improved towing include the availability of Trailer 360 View, which provides enhanced visibility of trailer surroundings with a bird’s-eye 360-degree view of the trailer, as well as the availability in “tow mode” of a digital rear-view mirror that provides a view behind the trailer through a remote camera.
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Buyers can choose from three different engines to find the power they need. The 6.4-l HEMI V-8 produces 410 hp at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm; it also features variable valve technology with Fuel Saver Technology cylinder deactivation. A 6.7-l Cummins Standard-Output Turbo Diesel generates 370 hp and 850 lb.-ft. of torque, and the 6.7-l High-Output Turbo Diesel provides 420 hp and 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque. More technology upgrades for 2022 include the all-new Uconnect 5 system, standard on all Big Horn models and above, which is four times faster and has three times more memory than previous systems, along with Wi-Fi capability, tow-specific navigation and flexibility for new updates. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500, offering up to 12,750 pounds of towing capability and 2,300 pounds of payload, is also available in a variety of configurations, with a selection of engine options to choose from. Ram’s eTorque mild hybrid system is also offered.
FORD ADDS COMPACT HYBRID TRUCK ALONG WITH FULLY ELECTRIC LIGHTNING While the heavy-duty offerings for Ford have yet to be fully realized for the 2022 model year, the company did deliver what can easily be considered the biggest news of the year: the fully electric version of its iconic F-150. Announced in May, the full-sized 2022 F-150 Lightning is expected to have hauling capacity of 2,000 pounds with 5,000
