Ram 1500 is getting a 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel... THIS YEAR!

[66nova]

Besides, there are many more possible uses for a mid-duty truck than just pulling. Service/delivery/work trucks for 15K less sure will look attractive to business owners and those self-employed.

It's not intended to replace the gas engine, it's a complement.

This.

I understand its not for everyone, but there is a huge market for a 1/2 ton that has loads of low end torque and get great mileage. Not to mention has the potential to last for a lot longer than its gas counterpart.

Hunters, farmers, business owners, those who put more than the typical 12,000-15,000 miles on a truck per year, etc.

 

[CJ Hungus]

Interesting.

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I understand its not for everyone, but there is a huge market for a 1/2 ton that has loads of low end torque and get great mileage. Not to mention has the potential to last for a lot longer than its gas counterpart.

Hunters, farmers, business owners, those who put more than the typical 12,000-15,000 miles on a truck per year, etc.

If it gets reasonably-priced, could be suitable even for the average Joe.

 

[99 4X4 5.3]

This would be good for people who use their trucks for work but might not need a 2500 or a one ton truck. Fuel milage would be better when pulling a heavy load, and the curve on a diesel is flat enough to sit a glass of water on.

With the right gearing and the right driver I could see this truck getting into the mid 20s. Sucks it's in a dodge though

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

With the right gearing and the right driver I could see this truck getting into the mid 20s. Sucks it's in a dodge though

I wouldn't doubt it could reach low 30s in highway, if it had manual transmission as an option...

 

[Shanks12]

Nice.. Will be interesting to see what the final numbers are

 

[mr_bots]

I bet it gets mid 20s easy. In the not much lighter Grand Cherokee it's rated 30mpg highway on the 4x2 and 29mpg highway on the 4x4. A Dodge? Dodge doesn't even make trucks anymore. A Ram isn't any more Dodge than a Jeep.

 

[drperry]

No thanks. That diesel costs $2100 more than the Hemi in the GC so I bet it's atleast that much in the Ram. Take the better mileage, add $0.60/gal, and then add the $2100 and it works out where that it will take years to even out. Drop the price to even with the Hemi and we'll talk. For pulling: if it's too much for the Hemi, it's too much for a half ton.

My engine and transmission are my limiting factors in my towing capacity.

It's also the power curve of a turbo diesel that makes them much better for towing, not the amount of power.

A turbo diesel with 370 ft lbs will tow better than your hemi with 420 ft lbs.

Any delivery/hotshot company would find great use is a light duty diesel. If for nothing else, than idle time...

No gas job can compare to a diesel when it comes to a diesel for idling fuel consumption.

 

[mr_bots]

I agree the diesel has a better powerband and will pull better than a gas V8 just saying that if it was too much for the Hemi to handle it's too much for a half-ton chassis. For GM, if it's too much for the 6.2/6-speed it's too much for a half-ton chassis. The 5.3/4 speed isn't very hard to overwhelm.

 

[drperry]

I agree the diesel has a better powerband and will pull better than a gas V8 just saying that if it was too much for the Hemi to handle it's too much for a half-ton chassis. For GM, if it's too much for the 6.2/6-speed it's too much for a half-ton chassis. The 5.3/4 speed isn't very hard to overwhelm.

True. That damned 4 speed .
The 5.3 can tow just fine... It's just a little lacking in the big hills...

But if the powerband is so much better, than someone who tows all the time, maybe only 6000 - 8000 lbs, doesn't need a 3/4 ton or 1 ton, they'd make perfect use of a diesel half-ton. Better mileage under load. If a contractor can get even an extra 1 MPG, that's a lot of savings.