We asked, and the manufacturers are FINALLY delivering! For years, the general population has been asking for the expansion of efficient, light duty diesels in the car and half ton pickup market. Several manufacturers, such as Volkswagen have ruled the market in the diesel car segment, leaving most of the others, including US built, with nothing to offer. On top of this, there has never been a half ton or lighter truck in the U.S. featuring a diesel. These scenarios are unfortunate, because if you travel to most other countries, light duty diesels are prolific in many applications. Most would blame the absence of these vehicles in the U.S. due to stringent and ever-changing emissions regulations that would force the manufacturers to redesign the powertrain every several years on a line that may or may not be a top seller.
In 2013, a handful of automobile manufacturers have stepped out on a limb and are making the plunge into the light duty diesel market (FINALLY)! The biggest news is that of the Ram 1500 lineup to be featuring a 3.0 liter turbo diesel V-6 built by Italy’s VM Motori, the same diesel supplier to Chrysler since 1992. For those abreast to new and upcoming offerings, this engine may sound familiar, because it is the diesel engine slated to be offered in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, starting in May of 2013. Big wigs aren’t releasing any numbers just yet for the Ram 1500 application, but if it’s anything like what’s been released for the Jeep, horsepower is to be rated at 240 horsepower and 420 foot pounds of torque. The news of this could likely change the buying habits of many three-quarter and one ton owners that merely buy the truck for the diesel, but really don’t need the hauling capacity, and wouldn’t mind the smoother ride characteristic of a half ton.
Thank you Chrysler for finally listening to your customers! For more information on the upcoming model you can read this article from USA today. Or Spy Photos of the Mopar test truck on Diesel Power Magazines Blog
-Josh Ullrich
www.dieselpowerproducts.com
I have enjoyed my ’06 Jeep Liberty Diesel. Great ride that I would never sell. Original sticker said 27 mpg highway. Actual is 34 mpg highway. It is a 2.8L VM diesel, the same make as the one slated for the 1500 Ram. If the 3.0L they put into the 1500 performs anything like the 2.8L I have now, this is going to be a real killer combination. It is about time. There has been some information out there that Nissan has considered the 2.8L VM diesel like in my Jeep, for the Titan pickup. Maybe we are going to finally have a selection. VM makes solid diesel engines.
If that 3.0L V6 performs anything like the 5.9 Cummins in my 3/4 ton Dodge, they are seriously on to something. Good luck Dodge! It’s about time.
Can’t wait to order one! I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 Cummins diesel right now, but have been waiting for an offering just like this. I just hope the EcoDiesel is offered in the Ram 1500 Sport model, but any trim level would make me happy!
Yeah, it is going to be monumental. This month’s Diesel Power magazine mentions the production model in the 2014 Grand Cherokee that will have the same engine. It is expected to achieve 30MPG in 2WD form on the Grand Cherokee. That is very exciting!
I can’t find any literature mentioning the possibility of an exhaust brake being available with the 3.0 V6 EcoDiesel, but I hope it’s at least an option. In my opinion, the Ram 1500 should have the same standard and optional equipment as their big brother Ram 2500/3500. Cross your fingers everyone!
Too bad Dodge didn’t opt to use the American made Cummins 4bt, little brother to the 6bt in the 2500 / 3500 Rams… Customers buy the Dodges to get a Cummins engine but another foreign no name instead of the Cummins? Good luck to Dodge.
Like Greg says I own a 2500 and a 3500 Dodges since I have no brand loyalty I bought a Cummins engine I started working on diesel engines the early 60s I prefer the In line six for the ease of access during maintenance. Cummins has always been proven to be a very reliable engine. I have had some experience on most of the brands and Cummins has always proven to be reliable I like the idea of a diesel in smaller Vehicle but I wouldn`t even consider the v configuration. I have changed 6 injectors in slightly under 4 hours and I doubt that is possible with the v configuration. I was stationed in Japan for 4 years and diesel was available in most vehicles. I did have a Ford escort with the 4 cyl diesel and it gave me a steady 49 mpg for 312000 miles until my wife totaled it.
hope the engine for the 150 will be better on fuel .I hope to order one when they get on the market
It is too bad that they have decided to start with this piss ant engine . Some of us actully use our trucks to do some work . Until I test ride one of these . I really doubt that it will get the job done .Chrysler is known for using tiny motors that are underpowered . Too bad .
Check them out at your local dealer. Most dealerships should have them in stock by now. We have not done a full review yet but I believe we will sometime soon. We probably will also purchase one for the company to give it a full real world test.
My dad had a half ton diesel made by Chevrolet or gmc back in the early to mid eighties. It was a piece of crab that he didn’t keep very long. It broke down constantly and had no power
There is a huge difference between the early diesels from the 70s and 80s. The modern diesel is a powerhouse. These EcoDiesels get incredible fuel mileage(24+) while still able to tow a trailer. Our salesman Tyler Lucas just ordered his 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, it is going to be delivered in about 9 weeks.
I just purchased the Jeep Grand Cherokee Outlander with the 3.0. I bought it for its 7400 lbs of towing capacity and its small stature. The fuel economy is a great benefit for us since we spend about $160 a week in gasoline with our Ram 1500, this should drop in half. So far the only learning curve is understanding the Diesel Exhaust Fluid…I used to have my apprentice mechanics try to change the exhaust fluid until it drove them nuts trying to find the drain plug, and now its real!! I look forward to the Ram 1500 Sport package with the 3.0 Diesel.
When will the Eco diesel be at the dealerships this year?
It is available now. They released them about 9 months ago. Our Sales Manager Tyler Lucas ordered his 4 weeks ago and it is going to be delivered in a few weeks. You can check out the information on it and build your dream RAM 1500 here: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/ecodiesel/
Say, you got a nice blog post. Really Cool.
I have been looking for this truck all year. Can’t find one in my part of Texas.
I hope the EcoDiesel sells. It may not be for everyone, but I believe that for everyone who doesn’t want a diesel powered Dodge Ram 1500, there are also people do. And for those people, they should be allowed that choice.