Ram 1500 to get diesel V6

[philsey]

Linky:

Ram 1500 first modern half-ton pickup with diesel

Very smart move IMO. Can't say how much need there is in this segment, but I'll bet there's lots of want.

 

[JohnsD90]

Linky:

Ram 1500 first modern half-ton pickup with diesel

Very smart move IMO. Can't say how much need there is in this segment, but I'll bet there's lots of want.

Small contractors that cant afford the $40k+ of a cummins but still wants a diesel motor because they are durable, reliable and effiecent. Not to mention the people that like to tow stuff with their F150's and 1500's but would much prefer to reduce their fuel bill.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Same for Jeep GC

Motor is extremely good by all accounts. It's also going into NATO forces small diesel vehicles. Manufactured by VM Motori in Centi Italy. Not built by Chrysler or Fiat. Gale Banks Engineering in California is doing power upgrades on this exact powerplant, and it might be up to 600hp in race trim.

The write up was in DieselPower Magazine, here's the link.

Inside The Banks VM Motori 3.0L 630T V6 Diesel Engine - Diesel Power Magazine

Lot's of nice things said about how overbuilt it is. I am curious as hell to see what the reliability will be after a few years in the Jeep and Dodge vehicles.

Since I started towing a small travel trailer last Summer, usually over 450 miles round trip, I can definitely see the need for a diesel. If it truly gets a real world 25/26 mixed driving, it would payback the $4500 price difference (from the gas version) in about 5 years at 12,000 miles a year and a $0.50 difference in gas and diesel (around here anyway), compared to my 03 4runner 16mpg combined. My tow mileage drops to 11mpg, and have to stay in 3rd gear the whole time. It won't stay in overdrive unless downhill .

It certainly wouldn't be worth it if the vehicle falls apart around it and the new JGC is too new to know yet. Where's the Toyota diesel at? I mean seriously, just import a few thousand a year for crying out loud, and it shouldn't cost +$45k as an option in the high trim only levels, like Jeep will do this Summer.

 

[6806goats]

My take on it as well john. I am wondering what kind of hp/tq numbers they're talking about with the 1500 diesel. There was mention that they'd have different specs on the pickup vs the JGC. I think the JGC with 240hp and 420 lbft and 8 speed auto should move out pretty well. I wonder if easy driving at 75mph will get better fuel results from the JGC 4x4. Waiting for test results in all the mags and internet reviews. I too wish Toyota would bring some of their awesome diesels to the US. I guess EPA restrictions and fear that we Americans don't want diesels is a big hold point for them. I guess our earlier attempts at diesel cars was susch a flop that the buying public isn't interested...or so it seems. Glad there are a few of us that are into coal burners.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

I think my biggest obstacle with any SUV diesel (Jeep, VW, BMW, Audi) is the entry price. They are all well north of $45k - up to $65k...

Imagine, a $50,4995 Jeep Summit , diesel.... It is a Jeep. I won't pay that much even if it's a Toyota. And right now, Toyota has no comparable diesel engine. THe Toyota 3.0 diesel in Australia makes a weak 170hp / 302 ft-lbs , that's barley more torque than the 4th gen 4runner V6 (282 ft-lbs).