MotorTrend Tests the 1500's
The article The resident RAM and EcoDiesel haters might not want to read this.
Forum Discussion
otrfun wrote:FishOnOne wrote:IMO, the market for the Toyota & Nissan (T&N) V8 Cummins will be determined solely by payload and tow capacity.
. . . It'll be interesting to see what market is targeted by the Nissan Titan and the Toyota Tundra with the Cummins approach with more HP and Torque with perhaps less fuel economy than the Eco Diesel.
If the payload remains in the 1/2 ton area (1300-1500 lbs.), it'll have a very rough time competing with the V6 Ecodiesel's higher MPG's.
If T&N can get the payload above 2,000 lbs. (tow capacity 12k lbs.), IMO they'll do well. To be able to offer near 3/4 ton capability with projected low 20 highway MPG's will fill a nice void in the market.
It'll be interesting to see how T&N will market their V8 Cummins trucks. IMO, their only option is to market them as 1/2 tons or Heavy Duty 1/2 tons (if they can bump up the payload/tow capacity). Otherwise, (as 3/4 tons) they'll be slaughtered by the Big 3 diesel marketing machine--labeled as the wimpiest 3/4 ton ever (less HP and torque).
Exactly, as far this "well-informed" (?) consumer is concerned.
Not sure about the average consumer though. The Cummins badge and Price may be more important determinants. If you can get one for significantly less $$ than a similar RAM 2500 Cummins, it will sell no matter if the payload is under 1800#. Unfortunately.
And IMHO, RAM did make a mistake not taking the 5L and putting it in their 2500s.
And by the way, all spy photos show the new Nissan with only 6 lug wheels. That doesn't look like a steel bodied HD with >2000# payload to me. Maybe they'll come up with a HD variant later ...
