Ram’s 1500 pickup is the third in the Chrysler stable to add a new diesel engine option, Chrysler reveals today.
The 3.0L EcoDiesel, also available in the ’14 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and the ’14 Ram ProMaster large van, mates with an 8-speed transmission in the 1500. Chrysler executives say the 6-cyl. engine will deliver the best fuel economy in its segment, though official numbers have yet to be released.
Ram President and CEO Fred Diaz has said that consideration is being given to adding diesel to its light-duty pickup fleet. The Ram diesel news comes as several auto makers introduce diesel powertrains in the U.S. this year.
“The Ram 1500 with 3.0L V-6 turbo EcoDiesel and TorqueFlite 8-speed transmission deliver on the demands of truckers by providing best-in-class torque, fuel economy and range,” Diaz says in a news release. “There’s no doubt that being the only truck manufacturer to offer this game changing technology will provide Ram with a competitive advantage.”
The EcoDiesel engine is manufactured by VM Motori, a longtime Chrysler supplier. Ram’s heavy-duty trucks, which also offer a compressed-natural-gas engine, use diesels supplied by Cummins.
Production begins in third-quarter 2013.
