Dodge announces plans for heavy-duty diesel RAM
Dodge is the last of the full-size truck producers to indicate its plan of attack concerning the conversion of its diesel engine used in heavy-duty Ram pickups to meet new federal diesel emissions standards that take effect January 1st. Frank Klegon of the Chrysler Group says that heavy-duty diesel Rams sold after January 1st will feature expensive diesel particulate filters and oxides of nitrogen absorber. The two components will reduce the amount of oxides of nitrogen, but will also reduce the engine's performance as it further restricts the flow of exhaust through the exhaust system. The modified engine will be able to run on new Ultra-Low Sulfur diesel fuel that began being produced on June 1st and will available nationwide beginning January 1st.
GM has announced similar modifications for its Duramax diesels that include a new variable geometry turbo and exhaust gas recirculation system. Ford, meanwhile, will be dumping its troubled 6.0L Powerstroke diesel in favor of a new, cleaner 6.4L unit with equally expensive Piezo injectors.
AutoWeek indicates that both Dodge and GM may release new diesel powerplants in the near future since their current units will likely see a performance loss from these modifications.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mr lux 11:50AM (7/07/2006)
yeah! more diesel
Reply
TexasSteven 12:13PM (7/07/2006)
Yeah.......more diesels with LESS power (due to Uncle Sam)
Reply
GhostDoggy 3:35PM (7/07/2006)
How many diesel-powered pickups are actually used to haul heavy loads? I see diesels all the time in suburban America, most not hauling anything--and a lot of them just for show. If this is indeed a special-service or 'work' vehicle, then pay the special/work fee and be absolved of the matter.
Reply
MikeW 5:09PM (7/07/2006)
Does it still use a crappy obsolete 4 speed automatic?
Is the homebrew Chrysler 68RE 6 speed automatic ready?
Is the Aisin-Seiki 68RE (for 2500/3500) six speed automatic ready?
Reply
Dirk Dundenburg 5:38PM (7/07/2006)
It won't take Banks or some other diesel power developer to find a way to get more power out of them.
Reply
Guenther 5:49PM (7/07/2006)
Hmmmmm...
They published a while ago what they were doing with the Chassis Cab- look it up on the Dodge site. They state that they'll be using the Aisin (Warner/Seki???) Auto box or the carry over 6speed.
For you hot rodders, better buy your '06 models now. Because of the complexity of the pollution controll system, and the fact that its the real bottle neck, '07 model trucks will be nowhere near as tweakable as they are now. But if anyone can make a real case for needing more than 360hp and 650lb-ft of touque, I'll be suprised.
Reply
goat 12:41AM (7/08/2006)
And the end result of these costly regulations?
More, not less, smog.
http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=18794
Reply
Sean 2:08AM (7/08/2006)
#7, no more oil-lobbyist purchased right wing front organization "studies" with 0 factual or peer reviewed scientific rigor.
No more fake-reporters on the take, mining out of context quotes from real scientists, attempting in vain to manufacture a fake "debate" on a well established facts.
No more paid placement on Fox talk soaps of sleazy permed talking heads dribbling focus-group-tested industry talking points out of their shiny wet lips.
That entire heartland.org site is astroturf, astroturf, astroturf. Anti-science, anti-government nutjob talking points, funded by.. anything but those of us from the heartland.
Reply
dakota 12:53AM (7/20/2006)
The 6.7 liter Cummins turbodiesel with 305 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque, featuring an optional factory-installed diesel exhaust brake, will make it's way down. Maybe if Autoweek and Autoblog did their homework they would have found that out, being that it's going in the Chassis Cab models, 6 speed automatic with autostick is available, 6 speed manual is standard. 5 speed automatic is standard on Gas models.
Reply