eTorque @ local dealer

[Jared B]

Dumb question. Do the non etourqe motors have cylinder deactivation?

They do yes, it has been mentioned that the eTorque system lets the engine stay in 4 cylinder mode longer than without the eTorque system which might be the wildcard for highway MPG.

 

[Edwards]

Thanks for the review! I'm impressed that the etorque motor appeared to keep the A/C compressor etc humming while the engine shut off. Also reassured to hear that it makes for rapid restarts.

I do wonder if there's any perceptible 0-60 difference. I have to assume there isn't, otherwise we would have heard more about it. So far I'm not regretting my non-etorque choice but sounds like it's a decent implementation!

Can we get some clarification on the AC impact of eTorque? As I see it, there is one belt connecting the eTorque generator to the crankshaft pulley so there is no way eTorque can run the AC with the engine off. Also, the manual describes all of the conditions when start/stop will not activate including heavy AC load (hot cabin and AC working to cool it off.)
I think there has been some confusion in this thread and it's possible it's mine. It would benefit all if we can define how it works and how it doesn't.

 

[rvsixer]

Until we can get our hands on system schematics, my guess is the AC heater runs off residual coolant heat and or DC from the hybrid pack.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Until we can get our hands on system schematics, my guess is the AC heater runs off residual coolant heat and or DC from the hybrid pack.

That's how I guessed it would run, as well.

 

[SpeedyV]

That's how I guessed it would run, as well.

Yes - battery power. And as I mentioned in this response, there is a 'meter' display that shows the percentage of battery life remaining at that moment (which I imagine depletes pretty quickly when A/C is on full blast). I wish I had captured some images of that...

 

[Edwards]

Yes - battery power. And as I mentioned in this response, there is a 'meter' display that shows the percentage of battery life remaining at that moment (which I imagine depletes pretty quickly when A/C is on full blast). I wish I had captured some images of that...

So you are saying eTorque models have electric AC compressors instead of belt-driven?
That's huge news but absolutely not documented anywhere I've seen.

We also need reviews on their AC performance since some have had questionable belt-driven performance.

 

[SpeedyV]

So you are saying eTorque models have electric AC compressors instead of belt-driven?
That's huge news but absolutely not documented anywhere I've seen.

No, I don't know that. I think @rvsixer is on the right track there. Also check out this video for an overview.

 

[alacombe]

So who's are first member that is most likely going to receive their e-torque and approx when?

 

[SpeedyV]

So who's are first member that is most likely going to receive their e-torque and approx when?

Somebody without RamBox...that's for darn sure!

 

[Edwards]

Ok, but I don't understand how residual coolant heat has anything to do with AC cooling. Definitely open to learning something new here.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

So who's are first member that is most likely going to receive their e-torque and approx when?

Mine is getting the spray in bedliner this week so it should make its way to Florida in the next 3-4 weeks.

 

[cjbrown24]

Incredibly frustrating this is literally the only review I've read on the etorque. Why is this not a bigger thing? Really surprised Ram didn't loan out some trucks to be properly reviewed by the press...

 

[TimG]

So who's are first member that is most likely going to receive their e-torque and approx when?

I'd gladly let you use my Rebel as a test and evaluation piece if it meant it would actually get built sometime this year lol!

 

[edrclark]

It is really strange there are no other reviews out there.

 

[alacombe]

I dont think it was advertised very good.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Incredibly frustrating this is literally the only review I've read on the etorque. Why is this not a bigger thing? Really surprised Ram didn't loan out some trucks to be properly reviewed by the press...

I agree, I've been Googling daily looking for e-torque road tests/reviews...... Crickets......

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

I'm a Google Pro (literally get paid to Google...I'm an engineer, lol) and I've literally scoured the internet looking for ANYTHING. The only data is all from the same regurgitated marketing sources.

The SpeedyV review is truly the only documented test drive in existence.

 

[I Love Grits]

Can we get some clarification on the AC impact of eTorque? As I see it, there is one belt connecting the eTorque generator to the crankshaft pulley so there is no way eTorque can run the AC with the engine off. Also, the manual describes all of the conditions when start/stop will not activate including heavy AC load (hot cabin and AC working to cool it off.)
I think there has been some confusion in this thread and it's possible it's mine. It would benefit all if we can define how it works and how it doesn't.

The serpentine belt connecting the generator does in fact run to the crankshaft pulley. The only difference between the eTorque and regular hemi is that the eTorque has a separate water pump belt shown below, and the eTorque has the option of (listed in the service manual) a mechanical tensioner (like the non-eTorque) or a hydraulic tensioner.





What's interesting is that the parts diagram I have does in fact list separate part #s for the eTorque compressor:



But there is no mention of anything different about the systems (other than water pump belt) in the service manual.

Until we can get our hands on system schematics, my guess is the AC heater runs off residual coolant heat and or DC from the hybrid pack.

What is the AC heater? The AC system works by taking high pressure, low temperature liquid refrigerant and passing it through a small opening called an expansion valve. If the compressor clutch disengages, there's no way to maintain the high pressure needed to drive the system.


@SpeedyV the only explanation I can come up with is that when you stopped, the AC demands were light enough to shut off the engine. There might not have been a noticeable change in the cabin because the blower motor speed - wind noise - will stay the same. Given that it wasn't balls hot yet outside, the air being recirculated through the blower motor (assuming you had it on that setting) was cool enough to not notice the decreased cooling performance across the evaporator.

Based off what I can see there is simply no way for the compressor to continue running with the engine off.


ETA:

No, I don't know that. I think @rvsixer is on the right track there. Also check out this video for an overview.

Here's a timestamp in that video:

Two quotes of interest:

"and climate control airflow may be reduced" & a few seconds later "the vehicle may also start automatically to maintain cabin comfort"


I'm more confident that the eTorque system operates in the same manner as other stop/start functions on the market today in regards to HVAC. If the AC demands are high enough (actual temperature vs. desired, humidity etc.) the computer will not shut off the engine in order to try to maintain the desired climate settings.

 

[cjbrown24]

I'm a Google Pro (literally get paid to Google...I'm an engineer, lol) and I've literally scoured the internet looking for ANYTHING. The only data is all from the same regurgitated marketing sources.

The SpeedyV review is truly the only documented test drive in existence.

Just insane. I don't really care for Ford but I can't help but think their marketing department is hands down 1000% better than Ram. You can bet commercials and reviews would be all over the place on a new powertrain.

 

[Edwards]

The serpentine belt connecting the generator does in fact run to the crankshaft pulley. The only difference between the eTorque and regular hemi is that the eTorque has a separate water pump belt shown below, and the eTorque has the option of (listed in the service manual) a mechanical tensioner (like the non-eTorque) or a hydraulic tensioner.


View attachment 1287


What's interesting is that the parts diagram I have does in fact list separate part #s for the eTorque compressor:

View attachment 1288

But there is no mention of anything different about the systems (other than water pump belt) in the service manual.






What is the AC heater? The AC system works by taking high pressure, low temperature liquid refrigerant and passing it through a small opening called an expansion valve. If the compressor clutch disengages, there's no way to maintain the high pressure needed to drive the system.


@SpeedyV the only explanation I can come up with is that when you stopped, the AC demands were light enough to shut off the engine. There might not have been a noticeable change in the cabin because the blower motor speed - wind noise - will stay the same. Given that it wasn't balls hot yet outside, the air being recirculated through the blower motor (assuming you had it on that setting) was cool enough to not notice the decreased cooling performance across the evaporator.

Based off what I can see there is simply no way for the compressor to continue running with the engine off.

Thanks! Very helpful information!