The 2014 Ram 1500 will get the EcoDiesel V6 as an optional engine designed by VM Motori making 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.The 2015 Nissan Titan will get the Cummins 5.0-liter V8 as an option, which makes roughly 300 hp and 500 lb-ft.I think RAM loses :S

The interesting thing that will come out will be whether or not RAM or Nissan made the right move. That 5.0 was originally designed for RAM, however since Fiat bought out Chrysler, they now had access to the A630 engine. This motor was originally designed for Cadillac Europe operations and Fiat operations as well. GM was a 50% partner in VM Motori. RAM's rationale is that it is cheaper for them to offer the A630/Ecodiesel versus the Cummins since it's in-house, along with saying that it gets better fuel economy than the 5.0 Cummins. Once some real-world testing happens, we'll see if there is a real fuel economy difference between the two. I'm sure the Nissan would be able to gulp more fuel if everyone kept their foot in the throttle, but I'm not sure if that's going to be the case when it comes down to just highway cruising and city driving. Power wise, I'm sure Nissan will walk away with it, but fuel economy and price wise, we'll see who is right. I also have a feeling that Nissan may make a heavy half-ton or 3/4 ton version of the Titan with that motor. They already have an HD chassis for the NV series vans.Another interesting thing I found out about the A630 motor is that it doesn't use Piezo electric injectors. It uses solenoids which are far cheaper per injector. I also believe the fuel pump is a CP3 which is what the ISB currently uses. I think that VM Motori had a goal of making this motor as cheap as possible to service. Again we'll see what happens in reality in the coming years.

300 HP will mean 16-19 hwy, 10-12 towing. Specific fuel consumption stays the same for any diesel. Gearing, weight and wind resistance mean better fuel mileage. I'm an Engineering Flight Test Tech.

CKNSLS wrote:Payload?Bingo. So what if the Nissan has the Cummins with more power if it can't tow much more or has a low payload. IMO that's the main reason why Ram went with the smaller diesel motor. Ram 1500's aren't tow monsters to begin with so why not capitalize on the mpg's. The bigger Cummins would've been a waste in the 1500.

The japs are trying to keep up, That 5.0 V8 would do better if the Japs built a 3/4 ton for that engine to fit in too. A 3/4 ton would be better use of power with a bigger pay load and towing capacity.

2015 Nissan Titan and Cummins Diesel | Good Sam Community

CKNSLS
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
N-Trouble wrote:
I am a HD diesel owener but I have yet to jump on the 1/2 ton diesel bandwagon as I just don't see the ROI. I believe the manufactures know this as well, and have only now decided to come out with these offerings becuase consumers continue to ask for it.

With current gas motors able to easily pull anything within 1/2 ton weight ratings and continuing to get better MPG figures I just don't see the benefit of these 1/2 ton diesels. By the time you factor in the added cost to upgrade, maintenanance, diesel vs gas fuel cost, its going to be 200K miles down the road before you ever see a penny of savings. I don't know to many people who hold on to their vehicles this long.

I always tell people you buy a diesel because you want/need the pulling power, NOT to save money. I still stand by this after owning both gas and diesel HD offerings.

But hey to each their own...

Quite frankly, if they payload numbers don't at least match today's numbers I see no benefit either. Pickup trucks used exclusively as grocery getters or to be used as an "image vehicle" are becoming less and less due to fuel prices. And I am a half-ton owner.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
I am a HD diesel owener but I have yet to jump on the 1/2 ton diesel bandwagon as I just don't see the ROI. I believe the manufactures know this as well, and have only now decided to come out with these offerings becuase consumers continue to ask for it.

With current gas motors able to easily pull anything within 1/2 ton weight ratings and continuing to get better MPG figures I just don't see the benefit of these 1/2 ton diesels. By the time you factor in the added cost to upgrade, maintenanance, diesel vs gas fuel cost, its going to be 200K miles down the road before you ever see a penny of savings. I don't know to many people who hold on to their vehicles this long.

I always tell people you buy a diesel because you want/need the pulling power, NOT to save money. I still stand by this after owning both gas and diesel HD offerings.

But hey to each their own...
mtofell1
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Is there a "winner" between an apple and an orange?

These are two different engines for two different needs. The "winner" doesn't always have to be the biggest, loudest, heaviest pulling fuel sucking engine.

And just because it's a diesel doesn't mean it has to pull a 15,000lb 5th wheel. Something we ignorant Americans don't know is that small diesel engines are commonplace in vehicles in pretty much every country other than the grand old USA.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I agree that all consumers win with these engines. If there is a significant price and MPG difference between the two engines, RAM made the right decision.

Personally, I think the 5.0 would be a good 2nd option for a 2500 truck. I wouldn't say that about the 3.0.
john_bet
Explorer II
Oct 28, 2013
I have seen an NV-2500 Nissan(test mule)with the 5.0 Cummins pulling a trailer loaded to about 8500#. I have also seen an NV-3500 Nissan with the 5.0 Cummins on the road. So Nissan has 3/4 ton and 1 tons.
spoon059
Explorer II
Oct 28, 2013
Old-Biscuit wrote:
The 2014 Ram 1500 will get the EcoDiesel V6 as an optional engine designed by VM Motori making 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.

The 2015 Nissan Titan will get the Cummins 5.0-liter V8 as an option, which makes roughly 300 hp and 500 lb-ft.

I think RAM loses :S

I think that both the manufacturers win, as do consumers. There are plenty of people who will refuse to buy the Nissan because its a foreign vehicle. There are plenty of people who will refuse to buy the Ram because its a domestic vehicle. There are plenty of people who will buy either because they have the potential to be a great vehicle.
ng2951
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
The other questions will be reliability and durability. These are some of the reasons why people buy diesels.

One other immediate problem will be the cost of diesel fuel. As of late it is staying very high compared to gasoline.
bmanning
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
OpenRangePullen_Ford wrote:
The japs are trying to keep up, That 5.0 V8 would do better if the Japs built a 3/4 ton for that engine to fit in too. A 3/4 ton would be better use of power with a bigger pay load and towing capacity.

It's 2013 Bro, time to stop knuckle-dragging.
OpenRangePullen
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
The japs are trying to keep up, That 5.0 V8 would do better if the Japs built a 3/4 ton for that engine to fit in too. A 3/4 ton would be better use of power with a bigger pay load and towing capacity.
goducks10
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
CKNSLS wrote:
Payload?

Bingo. So what if the Nissan has the Cummins with more power if it can't tow much more or has a low payload. IMO that's the main reason why Ram went with the smaller diesel motor. Ram 1500's aren't tow monsters to begin with so why not capitalize on the mpg's. The bigger Cummins would've been a waste in the 1500.