Yeah.


TPMS? idiot system for idiot drivers who shouldn't be on the road.
ABS/traction control? marginal benefit for anyone with a brain, major detriment for a good driver.

If the government REALLY wanted to make the roads safer, they would mandate breathalizer interlocks on ALL cars.

I guaranty it would make the roads safer than would TPMS or ABS.

Also, confiscating vehicles from those found to be driving without insurance, or drunk, or without a license... make it actually financially devastating. Maybe then the roads would be safer without all of these idiot warning systems.

 

You can't just look at power numbers and say "that will suit the Ram 1500 just fine!". How heavy-duty the engine is makes all the difference in a truck. The Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter uses a 3.0L V6 Mercedes common-rail turbo diesel. It is a great engine for the Sprinter, but it would not be appropriate for the Ram 1500. The 4.2L Cummins V6 or 5.0L Cummins V8 turbo diesels would be most appropriate. I feel of the two, the 4.2L is the best choice because someone opting for the diesel is probably going for better fuel economy more than anything (including fuel economy while towing). If towing is a real concern where the Hemi is insufficient, you should be looking at a 2500 with the 6.7L CTD. The 2.8L VM Motori would also be too small/light.

My understanding is that VM Motori diesels are relatively powerful, efficient, and reliable overall. I don't really care for the V-configuration in diesels, maybe just the V6, but I6 is the best diesel configuration possible, with I4 or I5 being necessary for lighter-duty applications. Inline-configs are simpler and seem to have more inherit low-end torque than any V-config of the same cylindered-capacity, and they certainly sound better in diesels. The Ford (International) V8 Powerstroke is the "farting machine" or "flapper".

Hopefully the next U.S. Pres will reverse some of the EPA's worst restrictions and allow diesels some breathing room. Any full-size truck should have some option of a diesel.

 

I dont think they would use the v6 or v8 diesel if they were to use a cummins just because those are for bigger vehicles typically like buses.
If they were to use a cummins then i dont see why they wouldent use a motor like the 3.9L 4 cyl that has been proven for so very long in motor swaps for personal use, tractors, and in commercial vehicals like bread trucks. On top of it they have been working with the new 3.9L to make it more clean burning for all the utility trucks and tractor.
Also the 3.9L isb is a very close match to the 5.9L so the parts department wouldent even have to carry many extra parts and they wouldent have to change the truck much because its power numbers are close to the hemi 5.7L (not sure about weight though).

In all reality i think if they were to use a fiat motor it would be in something smaller like a sedan of some sort just to make there lineup a little more fuel efficient. If they were to use a fiat motor though and it was rough and tough enough to make the numbers people are looking for in a truck motor then i think it would be excepted even if it wasn't a cummins. After all it is a diesel, and it doesnt matter what diesel it will last you a long time. I know there are people that would disagree with me but you never know until you put it to the test.

 

Just what we need in this economy; A RAM 1500 with

a. $4,000 to $6,000 added to the sticker price just for an engine
b. that runs on a fuel that is $1.00 more a gallon
c. doesn't get any more mileage than a gas engine
d. in 3 to 5 years the diesel produces 200% more noise to the point you can't hear yourself think inside the cab

 

Could We Soon See a Ram 1500 Diesel?
Just what we need in todays economy;

a. $4,000 to $6,000 added to the sticker price just for an engine

b. that runs on a fuel that is $1.00 more a gallon

c. doesn't get any more mileage than a gas engine

d. in 3 to 5 years the diesel produces 200% more noise to the point you can't hear yourself think inside the cab
e. the difference in repairing a diesel is what 120% more expensive than the 5.7 liter?

 

As I wrote - 2.8CRD from VM motori is a very old engine. The 2.5L version of this engine was already available in 1995 in UK black cubs, and also Jeep Cherokee XJ and Grand Cherokee ZJ. 2.8CRD that was available on Liberty, is modification of old 2.5L VM motori diesel. WK Jeep Grand Cherokee had a 3.0CRD diesel from Mercedes. It was also an old engine. Mercedes had it in C320CRD/E320CRD/ML320CRD since 2001. The new 2011 WK2 Grand Cherokee has 3.0CRD diesel from VM Motori, which was just developed. It is a new engine! Jut to compare it to HEMI:

HEMI: 5.7L, 360HP, 390 lb-ft
-CRD: 3.0L, 237HP, 405 lb-ft

In reality VM Motori 3.0CRD on Jeep Grand Cherokee performs very similar to 5.7Hemi. The Hemi has advantage on highway, when you have to overtake someone, but in the city the CRD dynamics are better. And, of course, the fuel consumption CRD consumes 50% less than HEMI.

In many countries initial registration and annual car tax is calculated from three figures – Weight of the car, Engine volume and Horse Power. VM Motori’s 3.0CRD has less volume and less HP then Cummins V8, but at the same tame it has more torque then 5.7Hemi. 3.0CRD weights less as well. Cummins V8 weights 788lbs, while CRD 485lbs.

As FIAT plans to sell RAM worldwide, it needs one diesel engine that can work on all markets. Cummins is too big and too heavy. CRD is lighter and it has less volume and just because of the tax, RAM with CRD on retail should be cheaper than Cummins V8. Plus annual tax would also be lower. CRD is already introduced in Europe on 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2012 Lanica Thema (in USA Chrysler 300c). Therefore, it is very likely that RAM will get the new 3.0CRD from VM Motori. The only thing that FIAT has to do, is to tune it to match USA CO2 emission requirements. I believe that that is what FIAT is trying to do now.

 

You don't know American truck buyers, and this is their most important market. I doubt we'll see it anytime soon.

 

A. yes the price cost is a downer
B.diesel is the price as premium which any turbo vehicle runs on anyways or luxury car
C. i dont know what mpg your looking at but diesels get better gas millage and have better torque as well. example my 99 ram 1500 gets 15mpg and my buddy gets 22 in his 94 cummins
D. dont forget modern motor including diesels are super quite. I dont know if you have listened to a new cummins but you cant even hear them now from the out side let alone the inside. all you hear now is turbo

 

Three letters: NVH. And the fact it's an inline 4 wouldn't sell.

Go stand next to a new Duramax or Powerstroke, then tell me how loud they are

 

Yeah, you're comparing a 17 year old Cummins...

When my 08 was bone stock I got about 14 mpg on the highway at 70ish. Now, without the emissions crap, it gets about 18.

I'm pretty sure a new-ish Hemi could match that, although the Cummins does make a fair bit more power.

However, if you're looking at new vehicles, the Cummins will average mid to low teens, same as a Hemi, and it will last perhaps as long as a current Hemi, and it will have higher maintenance costs.

Diesel as a truck engine has been severely crippled by the EPA. It's not an attractive choice anymore. A buddy just bought an ~00 v10 Ram 2500 and he's getting good solid mid-teen fuel economy in that. It makes close to the same power as a Cummins (stock) of the same year, but costs quite a bit less.

All of you guys who think that it's going to happen soon are delusional because you want it to happen. So do I, but realistically it's just not happening until something drastic changes - either to EPA requirements, fuel supply quality, or some breakthrough in the combustion process that will allow the elimination of EGR.