You may have heard Ram’s proud proclamations today about its best-in-class 777-horsepower Hemi V8 in the 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX, arriving next year as a high-speed off-roader.
But there’s more news today from Ram: The 2027 Ram Power Wagon Diesel pickup also arrives in the second half of 2026, and the truck brand is claiming best-in-class torque of 1,075 pound-feet from the Cummins 6.7-liter High-Output turbodiesel inline six-cylinder engine. Ram claims a tow rating of nearly 20,000 pounds and payload capacity of nearly 3,000 pounds.
The Ram 2500 Power Wagon Remains A Mighty HD Off-Roader
We test Ram’s Power Wagon out in the California Mountains to see if it still has what it takes to do both heavy lifting, and serious off-roading.
Read The Fine Print
That’s a lotta grunt, but sometimes these “best-in-class” claims require a closer look. There’s a version of Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel in its heavy-duty trucks that is rated at 1,200 pound-feet of torque, topping the Cummins diesel in the new Power Wagon by 125 pound-feet.
So here’s the catch: The high-torque Ford is an optional upcharge, while Ram, by way of its significant HD truck refresh for model-year 2025, made the High-Output Cummins as the standard diesel across all Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups. That means Ram is technically right to claim “best-in-class base diesel torque” for the new Power Wagon.
Ready For Gooseneck
The new Power Wagon falls under Ram’s 2500 HD umbrella, and most customers tend to use these trucks to pull big trailers carrying horses, cars, boats and the like. For the first time, this new Power Wagon diesel can be optioned for a fifth-wheel/gooseneck hitch.
Until the Cummins is offered later this year, the 2026 Ram Power Wagon comes standard with a 6.4-liter Hemi gasoline V8 rated at a mere 405 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. That wasn’t quite enough for the big loads, forcing Ram customers to look elsewhere in the lineup for the Cummins.
Customers Have Been Clamoring
“Customers have been telling us for years to put the Cummins in the Power Wagon,” says Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance and North American Marketing and Retail Strategy for Stellantis. “Matching the Power Wagon with the Cummins turbodiesel delivers everything our hardcore Ram fans expect.”
That means off-road capability, too, which explains the accessory rock rails, front and rear electronic-locking differentials, Bilstein shocks, disconnecting front stabilizer bar and 34-inch all-terrain tires rolling on 20-inch satin black machined rims.
31 Gallons = 600 Miles, Maybe
There’s also extensive underbody protection to shield the transfer case, fuel tank and Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank as part of the urea-based selective catalytic reduction technology to reduce emissions.
Running on ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel, the Power Wagon will burn cleaner, with reduced emissions of hydrocarbons, particulates and NOx. In addition to being less smoky than the diesels of old, this Cummins will be quieter, as well. The engine’s maximum high-idle speed is 3,200 rpm. A 31-gallon fuel tank translates to a Ram-estimated 600 miles of range, but less when towing.
Eight-Speed Auto And Bilsteins
The 2027 Power Wagon retains solid front and rear axles, built by American Axle Mfg. When disengaged, the electromagnetic rear locker functions as a mechanical anti-slip differential for better grip. Power reaches the wheels through the TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic transmission.
Beyond the new Power Wagon, the entire Ram HD lineup gets an advanced three-link front suspension to ensure roll stiffness, while the Power Wagon gets Bilstein monotube shocks. The rear axle gets a five-link coil suspension, also cushioned by Bilstein monotubes and coil springs.
First Drive: 2025 Ram HD 2500 Mega Cab 4×4
Ram’s top tower brings a revised diesel engine for 2025, and it’s a whopper.
Starting Price Of $88,470
Optional is an automatic-leveling rear air suspension to maintain a level stance under heavy loads, while incorporating a bed-lowering mode for easier trailer hookup. The interior is designed to be upscale, with premium materials, a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, optional front passenger display and optional heated and ventilated leather-trimmed bucket seats. A cloth bench is standard.
The 2027 Ram Power Wagon Diesel comes only as a crew cab 4×4 with a six-foot-four-inch bed and arrives later this year with a starting price of $88,470, including destination charges. The current 2026 Ram Power Wagon is assembled in Saltillo, Mexico, and carries a destination charge of $2,595.
Source: Stellantis