Ram 1500 EcoDiesel May Not Arrive Until 2014

When the Chrysler Group introduced the new 3.0L EcoDiesel from VM Motori for the Ram 1500 earlier this year, the expectation was that the EcoDiesel would be the first diesel option in the half ton American truck segment early for the 2014 model year.  However, as the 2014 model year is all but officially upon us at this point, it has become clear that the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has been pushed back in the 2014 model year and with the 2014 calendar year close upon us – it seems that it could be some time until the EcoDiesel arrives in showrooms.  In fact, it is rumored that the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will not arrive until mid-January at the soonest.

The VM Motori-built 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel will make the Ram 1500 one of the most efficient half ton trucks sold in the US but unlike many other super-efficient pickups on the market, the Ram EcoDiesel will offer substantial towing and hauling capacities.  With 240 horsepower and 420lb-ft of torque, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel could offer similar towing and hauling capabilities to that of the 5.7L Hemi V8 but thanks to the advancements in turbo diesel technology and the help of the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, this new diesel engine should be the most efficient option in the 2014 Ram 1500 lineup while possibly being the most fuel friendly half ton truck engine available in America.

The problem is that there has been an series of unexplained delays that have reportedly forced VM Motori to hold a large number of EcoDiesel engines in the plant while also shutting down the engine production line building the American-bound diesel mills.  A report at Allpar suggests that the problem rests in the emission levels of the 3.0L V6 diesel engine and the engines that have already been built in Italy are being held for a recalibration of the engine electronics to meet various emission requirements for the US market.  In addition to the calibration issue, the fact that the Jeep Grand Cherokee also packs the same EcoDiesel engine as the Ram 1500 may have played a part in the diesel Ram launch delays.   The diesel Jeep was the first priority so any delays in the production and shipping process for the 3.0L diesel V6 engine would have also affected the oil burning Jeep.  With Jeep EcoDiesel production pushed back, the company would have to first ship motors for the Grand Cherokee before shipping the engines for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and that would push the Ram engines back even further.

Regardless of the cause of the delays, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will be the most efficient and one of the most capable half ton truck engines sold in the US – although it could be as long as 4 months before they hit dealerships in this country.

Source: Allpar

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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