Hello Ram 1500 Diesel!

[sch911]

Have been driving/testing these for a while now, but couldn't say anything, until today!

And yes it'll have plenty of towing capacity...

Chrysler wrote:
Ram to Build Industry's Only Light-duty Diesel Pickup3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel to deliver best-in-class fuel economy, a title already owned by the 2013 Ram 1500

-Clean diesel features low CO2 emissions and impressive V-6 capability
-Diesel engines praised for outstanding range and torque
-Ram first to market with game-changing technologies

February 14, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Beginning in third-quarter 2013, Ram will become the only brand to offer a small-displacement diesel for its half-ton line of trucks.

The 2014 Ram 1500 will offer a new, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, mated with the eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The powertrain is expected to deliver an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency, best-in-class torque and impressive capability.

"Truck owners have been emphatically asking for it, and Ram will be the only manufacturer to offer a diesel powertrain in the half-ton segment with the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. "The half-ton truck market is incredibly competitive, and although we're honored the Ram 1500 has received a number of prestigious awards, we cannot rest on what we have accomplished, we must keep pushing."

The 2013 Ram 1500 won Motor Trend's Truck of the Year, The North American Truck of the Year and Truck of Texas -- a rare trifecta in the pickup segment. Building on the award-winning truck, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will further stretch its best-in-class fuel economy title lead and continue to raise the innovation bar in one of the automotive industry's most customer-loyal segments.

"The Ram 1500 with 3.0-liter V-6 turbo EcoDiesel and TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission deliver on the demands of truckers by providing best-in-class torque, fuel economy and range. There's no doubt that being the only truck manufacturer to offer this game changing technology will provide Ram with a competitive advantage."

The new 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel is among today's most advanced diesel engines. Its emissions are 60 percent less than those produced by diesel powertrains 25 years ago. The impressive combination of torque and fuel economy marks new levels of performance for small V-6 engines.

Ram's newest turbo diesel engine is manufactured by VM Motori, a Chrysler Group diesel engine supplier since 1992.

Over the past 10 months, the Ram Truck brand has set an aggressive product cadence. Ram's big push began in April 2012 with the introduction of the Ram 1500 with class-leading 25 mpg fuel efficiency and innovative features such as Active Level four-corner air suspension.

The Ram Brand followed that news with the launch of the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups. Their 30,000-pound trailer-tow rating – more than three tons more than their closest competitor -- and 850 lb.-ft. of torque are at the top of their class. Most recently, Ram introduced the new 2014 Ram ProMaster van with its own list of best-in-class features, including fuel efficiency, payload, cargo capacity and lowest cost of ownership.

About Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they'd like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.

[RobertRyan]

Wilber 1 wrote:
What gallons are you comparing, US or Imperial. Imperial is as good as Latin to all except Canucks Brits and Aussies on this forum

Seeing no "Gallon' is actually the same. Imperial Gallons here converting to US gallons. We use the same litres/100k as in Canada though.

[wilber1]

RobertRyan wrote:

itguy08 wrote:
Empty the EB Ford was 22.3
Empty the Ram Hemi was 21.7
8500 Lbs the EB Ford was 10.9
8500 Lbs the Hemi was 10.4

Empty!!! That is terrible mileage.Even the Barra Turbo 6 got better mileage than that in the 5000lb Ford Territory SUV.

What gallons are you comparing, US or Imperial. Imperial is as good as Latin to all except Canucks Brits and Aussies on this forum.

[RobertRyan]

itguy08 wrote:
Empty the EB Ford was 22.3
Empty the Ram Hemi was 21.7
8500 Lbs the EB Ford was 10.9
8500 Lbs the Hemi was 10.4

Empty!!! That is terrible mileage.Even the Barra Turbo 6 got better mileage than that in the 5000lb Ford Territory SUV.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

itguy08 wrote:

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

OK the EB a V-6 twin turbo beat the the 5.7 V-8 by 0.6 of a gallon WOW that sure is a bad butt whopping there isn't it?

Considering it out towed it with 2 less cylendars and 2 less gears, I'd say it's a butt whopping. Especially how the RamBois were saying how the 8 speed would kill everyone in fuel economy. And that the EB will drink fuel like a sailor on leave. It does, but so does the Hemi.
I don't know anyone that has said the Hemi gets great fuel mileage. However if you use some of your gray matter you should be able to understand that an engine with two small quick spooling turbos will be faster and make better mileage, then an engine without them. With that said I find it funny that you side stepped the fact that the NON TURBO 3.6 Pentastar was faster and got better mileage then that Ego-Boost your so proud of. Care to address that?

As for the diesels the Ram that was tested was not running DEF. Now that they are all running the same system (Note: the Ram still uses the CP-3 pump) the 2013 Ram's are getting better mileage then the GM/Chevy and Ford HD trucks.

Source please from a test.
Link

By the way we get it you are not a Chrysler/Ram fan, so why not drink your Blue Kool-Aid in a Ford post?

The facts are the facts and speak for themselves. They are not Kool Aid, Fanboi or whatever. They are the facts.
To bad your facts are a joke. 0.6 MPG more is a joke if you look at the FACTS! Non turbo 5.7 V-8 that makes within 0.6 MPG over a twin turbo that has never made anything close to what Ford said it would! But again why let the facts get in the way right?
Cause the RamBois are stroking themselves about how great this Diesel will be and it will be the be all and end all of 1/2T fuel economy. I'm pointing out that Diesels don't necessarily get better fuel economy. Has nothing to do with brand other than to point the different MPG's among all. If anything, compare Ford to Ford, Dodge to Dodge, Chevy to Chevy.

Should it get much better #'s while towing than the Ecoboost or GM I'll eat my words and buy you a beer.

Your going to have to buy me a beer then,

Motor Trend wrote:
Engine note varies by model and age. The ST we drove had 37,000 miles on it, and a less gravelly top end -- all 2900 rpm of it -- than the new Laramie Longhorns did. Turbo whine is faint at best, there's none of that planetary surround sound emanating from below, and driveline vibration is well controlled, even at WOT in first gear. From what we could tell with our relatively limited mileage information (trucks this size aren't under EPA guidelines for fuel economy), we can only observe the 370/800 engine in the 2500s were showing close to 20 percent better economy than we get with similar 2012s, suggesting Ram's claimed 15-22 percent improvement is accurate. Even including DEF, fuel costs could easily be cut by more than 10 percent.

Read more: http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_1305_2013_ram_3500_hd_first_drive/index.html#ixzz2YgbhXSI7

BTW I'm a Labat's Blue drinker thank you, you supply the beer and I'll buy the Crown Royal XR

Don

[RobertRyan]

itguy08 wrote:
There is nothing "special" about Diesel's construction other than that it is built tougher due to the compression ratio and load characteristics of compression ignition. No reason you can't overbuild a gas engine.

Except the V6 Ecoboost is lighter in build than the Barra Turbo 6. it is certainly no diesel engine. Diesels normally run at at lower revs to get the same power and torque.

itguy08 wrote:
think there is some confusion here. I'm 99.9% positive the 3.5 Ecoboost has nothing to do with the Austrailian engine. Typically Ford US and Ford Austrailia have been 2 separate divisions. Ford has been playing with turbos since the early 80s. The 2.3 OHC was one of their first stabs at it and it was a very good engine.

Ford Australia has done a lot of work on US vehicles over the years. The Ecoboost was one of them. The Global Ranger was one project they virtually did themselves. They have designed vehicles for the new Ford India

[RobertRyan]

Fly-boy wrote:
I have never been a Dodge fan but a half ton diesel option could certainly change that.

A half ton really is more than enough truck for a big percentage of 3/4 ton truck buyers. Likely they buy the bigger truck for the diesel option and/or the towing prowess of the 3/4 ton. The much higher capacities today's half ton trucks have along with now a diesel option means 1/2 tons should get a second look.

Will be a gamechanger and other OEM's will follow suit.

[RobertRyan]

itguy08 wrote:
There are plenty of 300-500k+ Ford 4.6, 5.2, and 6.8L engines out there. Most Crown Vic taxis started life as a cop car and then get to do taxy duty until they die. There are a few Million Mile Ford Vans out there as well. No reason why a gas engine can't last a long time.

A Highly stressed gas engine? Already problems are occuring with the Ecoboost. There is even a facebook page detailing ongoing problems.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-F150-Ecoboost-Problems-and-what-is-Ford-Motor-Company-doing-abou...
4 Cylinder Volvos were averaging 400,000 miles. !960's Mercedes were doing the same, but they were not overstressed V6 Petrol engines.

[fly-boy]

Let's get back on topic and stop turning this into a Dodge versus deal!

I have never been a Dodge fan but a half ton diesel option could certainly change that.

A half ton really is more than enough truck for a big percentage of 3/4 ton truck buyers. Likely they buy the bigger truck for the diesel option and/or the towing prowess of the 3/4 ton. The much higher capacities today's half ton trucks have along with now a diesel option means 1/2 tons should get a second look.

I will certainly entertain the idea of buying a Dodge diesel half ton for day dirt bike trips, hauling the ski boat around and daily driver! Heck, with the torque of a diesel you can likely put nice big tires and lift without re-gearing!

[itguy08]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

OK the EB a V-6 twin turbo beat the the 5.7 V-8 by 0.6 of a gallon WOW that sure is a bad butt whopping there isn't it?

Considering it out towed it with 2 less cylendars and 2 less gears, I'd say it's a butt whopping. Especially how the RamBois were saying how the 8 speed would kill everyone in fuel economy. And that the EB will drink fuel like a sailor on leave. It does, but so does the Hemi.

As for the diesels the Ram that was tested was not running DEF. Now that they are all running the same system (Note: the Ram still uses the CP-3 pump) the 2013 Ram's are getting better mileage then the GM/Chevy and Ford HD trucks.

Source please from a test.

By the way we get it you are not a Chrysler/Ram fan, so why not drink your Blue Kool-Aid in a Ford post?

The facts are the facts and speak for themselves. They are not Kool Aid, Fanboi or whatever. They are the facts.

Cause the RamBois are stroking themselves about how great this Diesel will be and it will be the be all and end all of 1/2T fuel economy. I'm pointing out that Diesels don't necessarily get better fuel economy. Has nothing to do with brand other than to point the different MPG's among all. If anything, compare Ford to Ford, Dodge to Dodge, Chevy to Chevy.

Should it get much better #'s while towing than the Ecoboost or GM I'll eat my words and buy you a beer.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

itguy08 wrote:

Alan Maschek wrote:

Now take the F-150 with the 3.5 Eco Boost, a very powerful and torquey. What would the FE be for the Eco Boost F-150? Somewhere south of 10mpg?

What will the Hemi powered Ram's FE be? Slightly better than the Eco Boost F-150.

Wrong on both counts:

Pickuptrucks.com's 2013 Light Duty Shootout

Empty the EB Ford was 22.3
Empty the Ram Hemi was 21.7
8500 Lbs the EB Ford was 10.9
8500 Lbs the Hemi was 10.4

Here is an eye opener but they don't talk weights towed only it was over 2000 miles:
pickuptrucks.com 2011 Heavy Duty Shootout

Ford Diesel Fuel Economy: 9.5 MPG
GMC Diesel Fuel Economy: 9.1 MPG
RAM Diesel Fuel Economy: 8.5 MPG

OK the EB a V-6 twin turbo beat the the 5.7 V-8 by 0.6 of a gallon WOW that sure is a bad butt whopping there isn't it? As for the diesels the Ram that was tested was not running DEF. Now that they are all running the same system (Note: the Ram still uses the CP-3 pump) the 2013 Ram's are getting better mileage then the GM/Chevy and Ford HD trucks.

By the way we get it you are not a Chrysler/Ram fan, so why not drink your Blue Kool-Aid in a Ford post?

Don

[wilber1]

Weren't those shootout trucks pulling 19,400 lb trailers over mountain passes? I average about 11.5 during our annual trip between BC and SoCal. 2011 RAM 3500 pulling a 10k 5er, 12.5 ft high at 60 mph.

[spoon059]

itguy08 wrote:
Wrong on both counts:

Pickuptrucks.com's 2013 Light Duty Shootout

Empty the EB Ford was 22.3
Empty the Ram Hemi was 21.7
8500 Lbs the EB Ford was 10.9
8500 Lbs the Hemi was 10.4

Here is an eye opener but they don't talk weights towed only it was over 2000 miles:
pickuptrucks.com 2011 Heavy Duty Shootout

Ford Diesel Fuel Economy: 9.5 MPG
GMC Diesel Fuel Economy: 9.1 MPG
RAM Diesel Fuel Economy: 8.5 MPG

I find this very interesting. We went camping over 4th of July with some friends. One had a Ram 2500 diesel pulling a 26 foot 8000 lbs camper. He told me he was getting about 9mpg pulling that camper. I tow a 22 foot 6500 lbs camper with my Tundra and get about 10mpg. It was level towing, no mountains or hills. We were pulling at the same speed and same distance. That really blew my mind. I would have thought the diesel would have gotten quite better mileage with a comparable trailer...

[itguy08]

Alan Maschek wrote:

Now take the F-150 with the 3.5 Eco Boost, a very powerful and torquey. What would the FE be for the Eco Boost F-150? Somewhere south of 10mpg?

What will the Hemi powered Ram's FE be? Slightly better than the Eco Boost F-150.

Wrong on both counts:

Pickuptrucks.com's 2013 Light Duty Shootout

Empty the EB Ford was 22.3
Empty the Ram Hemi was 21.7
8500 Lbs the EB Ford was 10.9
8500 Lbs the Hemi was 10.4

Here is an eye opener but they don't talk weights towed only it was over 2000 miles:
pickuptrucks.com 2011 Heavy Duty Shootout

Ford Diesel Fuel Economy: 9.5 MPG
GMC Diesel Fuel Economy: 9.1 MPG
RAM Diesel Fuel Economy: 8.5 MPG

[itguy08]

RobertRyan wrote:

No it is not. A diesel has much better longevity. That is why you get 350,000 a I million miles out of a relatively small one.

There are plenty of 300-500k+ Ford 4.6, 5.2, and 6.8L engines out there. Most Crown Vic taxis started life as a cop car and then get to do taxy duty until they die. There are a few Million Mile Ford Vans out there as well. No reason why a gas engine can't last a long time.

Efficiency is from the oil used as fuel ,longevity from construction and the Diesels operating charateristics.

There is nothing "special" about Diesel's construction other than that it is built tougher due to the compression ratio and load characteristics of compression ignition. No reason you can't overbuild a gas engine.

The Ecoboost was partially developed in Australia using Ford Australia's expertise using the 4 Litre Turbo Barra engine.

I think there is some confusion here. I'm 99.9% positive the 3.5 Ecoboost has nothing to do with the Austrailian engine. Typically Ford US and Ford Austrailia have been 2 separate divisions. Ford has been playing with turbos since the early 80s. The 2.3 OHC was one of their first stabs at it and it was a very good engine.

But, from what I gathered on the web, the 3.5 Ecoboost was a joint develepment with Ford, Bosch (who did the DI work) and some other German engine company. It's actually based on Ford's 3.5 V6 which was around since 2007.

[itguy08]

Powerdude wrote:
According to multiple sources, city mpg will be 23 mpg, and highway mpg will be below 30, but obviously above the 23 mpg for the city.

Towing performance will be at least equal to the Hemi powered Ram 1500, which is easily rated at 10k lbs.

See here

And here

Those are just estimates. Nobody knows the real MPG. I find it interesting that they (Chrysler) doesn't have numbers yet. It's also interesting it won't be available till late this year or 2014 (according to Chrysler). Seems like they (as they did with the 8 speed) want to announce to great fanfare but deliver way late.