Turbodiesel Engine Being Tested for Ram 1500
Ram is trying out the same 3.0-liter V6 mill that powers the European-market Jeep Grand Cherokee, for both RWD and 4x4 setups.
Ram is looking to expand its diesel offerings down into the light-duty truck segment with the intent of offering oil-burning mills in the 1500 down the road, according to Allpar.com. The testing, tipped to Allpar.com by "a reliable source," is in the very early stages, constituting a few purpose-built mule vehicles to test fit, tuning, clearance and temperature control. The engine being used is reported to be Fiat's 3.0-liter VM Motori V6 turbodiesel, which powers the European-market Jeep Grand Cherokee -- and which reportedly is headed to the U.S. to do the same before the end of next year. (The 3.0-liter VM already passes the ever-tougher U.S. emissions standards.) The mill can be tuned to put out more than 400 lb-ft of torque and, according to Pickuptrucks.com, could tow as much as 10,000 pounds in truck guise.
Both rear-wheel-drive and 4x4 versions are being tested, according to the initial report.
[Sources: Allpar.com; Pickuptrucks.com.]
have you ever seen or driven a 4BT? in a bread truck or a tractor it's great. but for public consumption it is far from ideal. it is LOUD and vibrates HORRIBLY. I as a diesel fan am hoping americans start seeing the light and acceptintg modern diesels as a great option to ethanol and other alternative fueled vehicles. THE 4BT is not the engine to accomplish this. unfortunately the 4BT, as great of an engine as it is, falls into the category that most americans think of when the hear the word DIESEL.
LOUD, NOISEY, and SMOKEY. it's just not a good fit.
the VM motori 2.8L 4cyl is a great engine in the Liberty, I cant wait to see what the 3.0 does in the grand chero, and possibly the Ram.
"Why don't they simply lop off 2 cylinders from their Cummins 6.7L?"
They essentially did this with their 5.9L 12 Valve Cummins when making the 4BT. The power is rated at 105 horsepower 265 ft-lb of torque. Realistically, in a half ton pickup, this isn't enough towing capabilities. The 4BT cummins would find a happier home in something like the Dakota, or a Jeep Wrangler, for awesome rock crawling efforts and light towing duties.
It is also easier for a manufacturer to drop an already made engine into a lineup. The V6 mentioned above is being produced by Chrysler, so why not grab it and make use of it? The Torque/HP ratings on it are also far superior to the 4BT Cummins and are much better suited for a half ton.
have you ever seen or driven a 4BT? in a bread truck or a tractor it's great. but for public consumption it is far from ideal. it is LOUD and vibrates HORRIBLY. I as a diesel fan am hoping americans start seeing the light and acceptintg modern diesels as a great option to ethanol and other alternative fueled vehicles. THE 4BT is not the engine to accomplish this. unfortunately the 4BT, as great of an engine as it is, falls into the category that most americans think of when the hear the word DIESEL.
LOUD, NOISEY, and SMOKEY. it's just not a good fit.
the VM motori 2.8L 4cyl is a great engine in the Liberty, I cant wait to see what the 3.0 does in the grand chero, and possibly the Ram.
While I applaud the fact that someone is considering putting a diesel in a light-duty pickup, I'm questioning this one.
First I'm not a fan of diesels in a "V" configuration especially a 6 which can never be balanced properly. Add in VM Motori which had questionable reliablilty back when I worked for one of their distributors.
Why don't they simply lop off 2 cylinders from their Cummins 6.7L?
Plenty of power, unparalled reliability with plenty of parts comonality.
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