![]() When the engine is operating near its horsepower or torque peak, the eTorque system does not provide additional power. An internal fan and heat fins provide air-cooling for the motor/generator unit. ![]() (Photo courtesy Michel Deslauriers) The eTorque system on the Hemi 5.7L engine is mounted at the top of the engine and driven by an eight-ribbed serpentine belt. On V-8 applications that use Ram’s Multi-Displacement System (cylinder deactivation), eTorque smooths engine transition from eight to four-cylinder modes in much the same way as during stop/start operation. Because the torque curve of the gasoline engine is so steep, it overruns the torque of the motor/generator quickly and the transition from electric power to gas is not noticeable. After a stop, if the driver is very quick off the brake and back on the gas, the eTorque motor/generator provides a significant push during the first half-rotation of the wheels as the engine is restarting. When the driver lifts their foot off the brake and on to the accelerator pedal, the system pushes torque to the engine on a pulsating basis that matches the compression cycles to smooth engine start. At a stop and as the engine shuts off, the motor/generator delivers torque to the engine to actively dampen vibration by countering the rotating mass and pulses of the cylinders’ compression cycles. The eTorque stop-start operation is seamless. The battery pack is charged by the motor/generator through regenerative braking and can power all the truck’s accessories. (Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automotive) The eTorque’s motor/generator, and 48-volt battery pack work together to provide a seamless start/stop operation. Depending on operating mode, it can produce electrical power for charging the 48-volt battery or provide electrical power-assist to the engine. eTorque replaces the conventional alternator with a more powerful motor/generator connected to the engine via a large serpentine belt. The concept of the eTorque system is simple. Many people that have test driven a RAM 1500 with the eTorque system conclude that it feels like a smooth, unobtrusive engine stop-start system that shuts off the V-6 or V-8 engine when waiting at traffic lights, but eTorque is more. The 20 eTorque is not a full-fledged hybrid system but is a “mild hybrid,” a term that means the on-board electric motor can’t power the vehicle on its own without the help of the gasoline engine. The 2019 Dodge RAM 1500 series trucks are leading the charge with the first, full-sized pickup truck hybrid offerings. (Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automotive) The 2019 Dodge RAM Rebel is priced between the Laramie and Longhorn trim levels and is available with the eTorque hybrid system that comes standard on the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and is optional on the Hemi 5.7L engine The full-sized pickup truck market has been without this technology until now. Most OEMs offer one or more hybrid models but only for cars or crossover vehicles. ![]() The Motor Age article, “The Future of Hybrid Vehicles” (January 2019), concluded that the transition from ICE to battery power will take place over time via powertrains that use both ICE and electric motors - hybrids. The auto industry is also making a “jump," not to light speed but from internal combustion engines (ICE) to all electric vehicles. “We're losing our deflector shield! Go strap yourself in, I'm going to make the jump to light speed,” said Han Solo in Star Wars. ![]()
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