Chicago 2014: Nissan Displays Diesel Frontier

@ajla, No the VM Motori is pretty good. Outside NA there is a vast choice in diesel suppliers, you have a "Hindustani" type choice in the US/Canada

@RobertRyan They might play outside NA, but how many RAMs are going to be sold there? The Cummins name has 100% more recognition and respect in the American truck world than VM Motori, and Chrysler has spent decades building up their relationship with Cummins. I think it is a big mistake to not capitalize on that connection for the entire RAM line and to let a Nissan truck wear that badge. It is built-in legitimacy for the Titan.

@ajla My comment about the "Hindustani" type of choice you get in NA. What Fiat is doing is bringing the engine supply "in house" and building up positive brand awareness for VMotori. I think the 5 Litre V8 Diesel will be a replacement for the V10 Triton used a lot in Motorhomes and which Cummins infers in its publicity blurbs for the new diesel V8

@ajla I strongly agree, FiatChrysler's new management trying to bring engine procurement in-house and built Motori up as a 'respectable' brand when they have Cummins as a household name is leaving money on the table for no sane reason.

@Les Cummins does not have great name for small diesels and has virtually disappeared as a over the road supplier to Trucks outside NA. It makes sense for Fiat to bring in VMotori

@Les So just put Cummins engines in the RAM and VM Motori stuff in everything else. As far as I know there are no plans to sell pickups outside North America. So the international reputation of Cummins and VM aren't going to be a major help when selling those. Are they going to drop the Cummins from the HD trucks?

@ajla I think you'll find Cummins has a good name in China and the ISF series engine is going into many commercial vehicles there. The ISF comes in two sizes, the 2.8 and the 3.8. If the 3.8 can be developed to the same extent as the 2.8 in this Frontier it would be quite acceptable in a 1/2 ton pickup or even an HD. My best guess would be that it would put out about 280hp and 550ftlb of torque. If you go onto the Sinodiesel site they have an article on this Cummins that was developed. Cummins have built a massive factory outside of Beijing to manufacture the ISF diesels. Cummins have done extensive work with the SCR and EGR system to reduce emissions on this engine. If you google this you will see this engine is quite promising in meeting future diesel emission standards in both the EU and US.

@Big Al from Oz Vertical integration is the name of the game. Volvo and Paccar want their own OEM engine in their HDT trucks in NA. Cummins sees the writing on the wall and is providing engines to many of the smaller Chinese Truck makers

That's what everybody I think wants/expects from a truck, a torque-curve that sets you off just barely above idle speed.