Ram1500 EcoDiesel V6 revealed!

[Scooby074]

To each his own tpw, that's what makes the world, and these segmented markets go around.

Light vehicles should be designed for an reliable operational life of around 7 years, give or take. But, you may already know that !

The frustration I was on about (and Jason of JST fame as well )is that the light truck market here has been skewed by people like yourself using them primarily as personal luxury vehicles. Most of the manufacturers attention and product offerings are chasing the margins in luxury trucks.

Partly for economic reasons, partly personal preference, I prefer a utility type truck. By that I don't mean the marketese of "SUV", but how an electrical utility will typically order a field truck. In a given era, the will typically order the simplest technology they can (mechanically actuated 4wd vs. vacuum/electric/bluetooth/internet-back-to-the-factory-database for permission to engage 4wd as an example ).

Why do utilities do this ?

Short answer - cheaper all around, and more reliable. Less bling to pay for up front, less to go wrong and tie up a vehicle in the shop when it should be out working. The more sensors and control modules you hang off a data bus in a modern vehicle, the more chance you have of problems being created up to and including the data bus being shut-down - as in the vehicle is dead, or, if you are lucky, in a low-level limp home mode.

At my end of the market, I don't need those headaches since I maintain typically 10+ year old vehicles on my own. In a truck, most of what I want is a good solid drivetrain and suspension, good brakes, and an application appropriate towing capacity. Basic comfort in the cab (think light trucks of 25 years ago) works for me.

The opposite extreme is people that lease a new vehicle every 2 years. Most of the "bling" keeps working that long, even from a lower reliability manufacturer, so on a 2 year cycle, folks don't care. But, even if I won a lottery, I probably wouldn't go that route. Just me.

Rgds, D.

Hear, hear!

JST, FTW!

Sort of related. The new $58000 Silverado/ Denali. http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/wh...-denali-2014-chevrolet-silverado-high-country

 

[dgl24087]

I just glanced thru a Diesel Power magazine, they tested a new 1500 diesel and said to expect EPA mileage to be 27 highway.

 

[wmonroe]

A reliable 27 mpg on the highway would be great in a half ton.

 

[Diamondpilot]

So you get a less capable truck than the gas V8 and Eco Boost offerings that turn in 20 plus mpg while using fuel that's $3.19 per gallon vs $3.99 for diesel. Sucker born every day.

The gas Eco Boost or V8's will be cheaper to drive and pull more weight.

Now if Cummins can supply Nissan with a strong diesel with a real gain in capabilities and do 27 mpg that's a different story.

Chris

 

[Renze]

So you get a less capable truck than the gas V8 and Eco Boost offerings that turn in 20 plus mpg while using fuel that's $3.19 per gallon vs $3.99 for diesel. Sucker born every day.

Thats mileage when empty. When towing, the gas engine needs to be revved high so fuel consumption increases, while the Diesel is doing it at 2000rpm with already 80% of rated power. Thats where the gain comes in

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thats mileage when empty. When towing, the gas engine needs to be revved high so fuel consumption increases, while the Diesel is doing it at 2000rpm with already 80% of rated power. Thats where the gain comes in

My 08 Nissan will tow 9700# all day long at 1600 rpms and 60 mpg while turning in 9.1 mpg. A diesel would have to get 12 mpg to just break even on fuel cost.

Chris

 

[3930dave]

Thats mileage when empty. When towing, the gas engine needs to be revved high so fuel consumption increases, while the Diesel is doing it at 2000rpm with already 80% of rated power. Thats where the gain comes in

While Ecoboost is an impressive technology, I'm not convinced that it is (what I consider) mature yet. Real world use at over 100,000 miles will be interesting to watch, esp. re. injector performance after that many miles. What I've meant to check, but haven't, is whether Ford put a fuel filter back onto these gassers, after dropping it off the pickup's MPFI motors a few years ago..... guessing yes, but haven't verified.

Agreed, 3.5 EB fuel consumption at the truck's max tow rating would be the critical #.

That is IF the market in USA and Canada weren't so skewed by personal use vehicles. Many people (not talking about Chris) drive around with an empty pickup, almost all the time.

So, from a N. American marketing standpoint, I get what Ford is doing. EB is just not something I'd buy, at least not yet.

Rgds, D.

 

[ssls6]

The diesel ram will beat the ecoboost empty or towing in mileage. Dodge made a great move. I'm looking forward to the Tundra with 5.0L cummins in it. The economy won't get close to the dodge but it should be a towing brute. I have a 6.2L F150 that does great now but I would love to get 14-15mpg while towing just for the extra range.

 

[tcartwri]

So you get a less capable truck than the gas V8 and Eco Boost offerings that turn in 20 plus mpg while using fuel that's $3.19 per gallon vs $3.99 for diesel. Sucker born every day.

The gas Eco Boost or V8's will be cheaper to drive and pull more weight.

Now if Cummins can supply Nissan with a strong diesel with a real gain in capabilities and do 27 mpg that's a different story.

Chris

Ecoboosts are returning 15 mpg on average. One less than the 5.0. This diesel will kill it in fuel economy.

 

[dgl24087]

Side note: There's also an article on the new Cummins ISV 5.0 in the Titan, it says the engine will be over 300 hp and 520 ft lbs torque