Ram 1500: Diesel Option Dead?
Fans of oil-burners, brace yourselves. Dodge is confirming [via Detroit News] that a hybrid Hemi version of its light-duty Ram pickup is in the works. A diesel option, however, is still being reviewed. And its prospects aren’t looking good. When Chrysler senior vice president of engineering Scott Kunselman confirmed that the hybrid would be a reality, the only thing he would say about the diesel option is that he “isn’t convinced there is enough of a market among recreational buyers,” who buy light-duty trucks. His argument is that recreational light-duty buyers don’t see the long-term reliability of diesels as being worth the extra price of admission, a perspective which reflects both the classic “Detroit knows best” attitude and a resignation on Chrysler’s part to doing business from Consumer Reports’ cellar. Especially considering Chrysler’s partners in developing its two-mode hybrid appear to be walking away from the technology. And since 85 percent of heavy-duty rams are bought with the diesel engine, you’d think it would make a certain amount of sense to offer a Cummins option in the mass-market model. But it’s looking like that train will not be coming back to the station. Meanwhile, has anyone seen Mahindra lately? We’re starting to worry…
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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I have to think there is a market for a 1500 with a diesel for the occasional towing over gas as I would buy one. Chrysler just has to market and support it, which I feel that they've done a poor job of doing just that with the current Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. JP Magazine had an excellent long term report on this CRD and did a lot of towing and had some impressive MPG... 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Road Trip - Diesel Grand Cherokee Long Term Road Trip http://www.jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/154_0903_2008_jeep_grand_cherokee_road_trip/index.html
Up until last year, Cummins and Iveco were knee deep in a European diesel engine joint venture. It is quite possible that some of Iveco's products may have roots in Cummins designs. http://www.industryweek.com/articles/cummins_to_conclude_joint_ventures_with_cnh_and_iveco_16868.aspx
I work for Cummins so I'm not going to say anything that's not in the public domain windswords : NO ONE is gonna buy an HD because that’s the only one that comes with a diesel. I'd bet you half a car park of 2500 Diesel Rams that your wrong! Most of the HD Rams I see in Columbus IN are loaded with (obviously very heavy) air CommanderFish : They were planning a new V6 Cummins diesel Cummins HAVE developed a 5ish ltr V8 that was destine for the 1500 - They didn't plan a 2011 launch without spending lots of money (before July's announcement canceling the contact) phargophil : My money says that if Dodge trucks offer a diesel in 5 years, it will be an Iveco. According to yesterday Chrysler details they'll keep the Cummins 6.7 in the HD rams. The suggestion is that a Iveco diesel would be fitted in the the Ram 1500 - however looking at the various Fiat (Iveco) engine website I can't see anything that would meet the light duty truck need (assuming you'd want something that is >300 hp)