'15 Nissan Titan pickup will get new Cummins diesel engine

[Bill Stockard]

Does anyone remember the last cummins V8?

Yep, V-903, V-555, etc. , but that was old technology.

Bill

 

[TDRadmin]

I have a feeling the VM engine in the Ram 1500 is an omen of things to come... a Fiat Industrial 6. 7L 6-cylinder Tector series diesel engine in Ram 2500/3500 trucks? This engine meets the European Tier VI emission regulations that become effective January 1, 2014 with "SCR Only" technology. "SCR Only" means no Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and no forced regeneration of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) along with "unprecedented fuel economy".
http://www.fiatindustrial.com/en-US...iatDocuments/20110519_EuroVI_FPT_Iveco_EN.pdf

The "powers" at Fiat may be "chaffing" at the millions they send every year to Cummins when the manufacturing profits could be going to one of their own companies.

Look at what happened with CaseIH shortly after Fiat purchased the majority interest in the company from Tenneco. Cummins was dropped as the high horsepower tractor/combine engine supplier and they now use Fiat Industrial/Fiat Powertrain Technology (FPT) diesel engines. Fuel economy went up and they easily met the US Tier IV emission regulations.

As far as a V8 Cummins, I have no problem with it; however, I have no use for or an interest in a 1/2 ton pickup and the present Nissan product would be at the very bottom of my list.

What if Ford in their redesign of the 2015 Ford Super Duty pickups, decides to go with a Cummins and Ram goes to a FPT engine? Might we see who buys Ram because it's a Chrysler product and who buys Cummins with less concern about what's wrapped around it? Hmmm...

Bill

Bill, the 2015 time frame for changes ... well I'm thinking that 2015 is already "in the can. " So, my guess:nothing new at Ford, nothing new for Ram as far as major power plant changes.

Beyond 2017 would be anyone's guess.

Robert Patton

 

[MLee]

Is this going to be another case of RAM catch up? It took them to many years to get a good trans into the trucks. We knew that the engine would improve because of the feds new regulations. How long did we wait for them to finally get a true CREW CAB? with a 8' bed, Maybe they should consider making the V8 an option? in the 1/2 ton.

These are just a few examples that has bugged me with the way that the manufacturing and idea process took place in the Chrysler/Ram camp. But we were patient and it finally took place and look at there sales now? even in this Economy they are starting to dance.

 

[TDRadmin]

What's the difference between a 3. 0 liter VM Motori and a 1997 Cummins 5. 9 liter 12 valve... about 15 MPG in favor of the 3. 0 VM. Horse power and torque are pretty much a wash. Just sayin.

Good observation. Technology and time march on.

Robert Patton


P. S. Good discussion, thanks for your thoughts.

 

[RustyJC]

From a News Release regarding the Cummins/Nissan project:

Cummins worked very closely with Nissan to help integrate the new V8 diesel into the next-generation Titan chassis. While the powerplant is all new, it wasn't specifically designed to slot behind the pickup's grille. Cummins spokesperson David Goggin said the engine sprouted from a Department of Energy project long before the formation of any corporate partnerships. In 2006, the company began working with Chrysler to use the V8 in the Ram line, but those efforts fell apart around 2008. Nissan picked up the ball from there, and while the Titan will be the first product to see the new 5. 0-liter engine, it likely won't be the last.

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.

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Chrysler executive Fred Diaz announced the engine at the Nissan 360 event in Irvine, California. Nissan plucked Diaz from his role as Ram Truck brand chief earlier this year.

Rusty

 

[CBlack]

I have a feeling the VM engine in the Ram 1500 is an omen of things to come... a Fiat Industrial 6. 7L 6-cylinder Tector series diesel engine in Ram 2500/3500 trucks? This engine meets the European Tier VI emission regulations that become effective January 1, 2014 with "SCR Only" technology. "SCR Only" means no Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and no forced regeneration of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) along with "unprecedented fuel economy".

http://www.fiatindustrial.com/en-US...iatDocuments/20110519_EuroVI_FPT_Iveco_EN.pdf



The "powers" at Fiat may be "chaffing" at the millions they send every year to Cummins when the manufacturing profits could be going to one of their own companies.



Look at what happened with CaseIH shortly after Fiat purchased the majority interest in the company from Tenneco. Cummins was dropped as the high horsepower tractor/combine engine supplier and they now use Fiat Industrial/Fiat Powertrain Technology (FPT) diesel engines. Fuel economy went up and they easily met the US Tier IV emission regulations.



As far as a V8 Cummins, I have no problem with it; however, I have no use for or an interest in a 1/2 ton pickup and the present Nissan product would be at the very bottom of my list.



What if Ford in their redesign of the 2015 Ford Super Duty pickups, decides to go with a Cummins and Ram goes to a FPT engine? Might we see who buys Ram because it's a Chrysler product and who buys Cummins with less concern about what's wrapped around it? Hmmm...



Bill

I was going to say something about that but decided against it.



Especially since Fred Diaz left, I think it's even more likely that Fiat goes with one of their own engines.



If Furd were to take on Cummins as a partner... sign me up.

 

[rscurtis]

What's so special about a Ford? Years ago, that case could be made, but not any more, IMO. Does it have Aisin transmission availability? Does it have a 300MM rear axle? Will it have air suspension in 2014? Maybe Ford should consider an inline six from FPT, it has to be better than their last three efforts.

I think RAM has hit the target with the 3. 0 litre option- the goal is fuel economy, not a half-ton hot rod. Too bad it wasn't the V6 Cummins that was developed with the V8, but at least RAM is first to the plate with the diesel option- and it's not eight or ten thousand dollars. The only logic I can see with the Nissan is if they move toward a true HD truck (similar to the Tundra) to utilize the capability of the V8 Cummins.

So far, the compact diesel PU market plate is still on the table- perhaps GM will step up to it with their new Colorado/Canyon series.

 

[jgillott]

What if Ford in their redesign of the 2015 Ford Super Duty pickups, decides to go with a Cummins and Ram goes to a FPT engine? Might we see who buys Ram because it's a Chrysler product and who buys Cummins with less concern about what's wrapped around it? Hmmm...

Bill

I don't know about you all, but I was a GM guy until the Cummins showed up in a Ram. I purchased my first Dodge, a '92, because of the Cummins and have never looked back. Thankfully, I have had excellent luck with the Dodge part of the Ram package along the way and have been more than happy to be a repeat customer. I can't give you a guess as to how many, but I guarantee there will be some people who will buy the new Nissan offering because of the Cummins alone who would have never considered the Titan for their own merit.

I am not a Ford guy in any way, but if our current trucks were suddenly not available with our tride and true I-6 Cummins and it ended up in a Ford, I would certainly be interested.

 

[JR]

Actually, Ford makes their own transmissions in house rather than sourcing like Ram and GM have to do. : From the earlier 4r up to the current torqshift, they've been pretty impressive. The front ends have always been superior to the others as well, IMO. The trucks have always been tough, but the diesel package has lacked.
I have a close friend who owns a roustabout service and owns 4 different Powerstrokes. Other than engine issues (mainly fueling system issues) the trucks have been bullet proof. They are heavily abused with little P. M.

 

[jgillott]

I have always felt that you can learn alot about what to buy from the guys that work these things everyday. We have quite a few pipeline, drilling, and engineering companies in the area and they work their trucks hard. Most buy fleet trucks, but there are several who give the employees an alotment to buy and maintain their own trucks. Right now, you could probably split it almost down the middle between Dodge and Ford. Every once in a while, you will see a GM product. I can't remember the last time I have seen a Nissan or Toyota out there. At least in the work truck segment, they have a lot of catching up to do.

 

[mwilson]

It will be a shame having an engine from a manufacturer that does not allow the access to parts, part numbers and service information as Cummins does for us.
Cummins makes no attempt to hide information under some "proprietary" arrangement. I doubt VM Motori will be as open with info.

Mike.

 

[Wingate]

I have heard some rumors that the Ford 6. 7L is slated for a major re-design overhaul in 2015... . but have not been able to find anything beyond that. . just rumors.
I agree, it begs the question, will the TDR follow Cummins in the Nissan or the VM in the Ram, or both???

 

[PDM]

What's the difference between a 3. 0 liter VM Motori and a 1997 Cummins 5. 9 liter 12 valve... about 15 MPG in favor of the 3. 0 VM. Horse power and torque are pretty much a wash. Just sayin.

How many mpg? I admit to being uninformed about the 3. 0, but I find it hard to imagine that it gets 15mpg more than my 97 5. 9. If it does, then I'm going to have to have a look at one.

 

[p-Bar]

Ford owns Cummins:-laf

 

[rbattelle]

I question the logic in offering a diesel in a half ton pickup at this time. I get it - huge torque and good fuel economy compared to their spark ignited counterparts.

But the problem is that diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. Your average 1/2-ton consumer, who visits a fuel station weekly and can plainly see that diesel fuel is costlier, will be unlikely to choose a diesel option in his next 1/2-ton buy.

If you're someone who lusts after 3/4 and 1-ton diesel trucks, you're not going to settle for a half ton. Instead, you're going to save up for the bigger truck. "Go big or go home" mentality.

We've been talking for awhile on this site about how it's becoming very hard to justify buying a diesel pickup. Anecdotal evidence suggests that even fleets are buying more gas-powered trucks.

I just don't see this thing selling in any significant quantity.

-Ryan

 

[MGire]

How many mpg? I admit to being uninformed about the 3. 0, but I find it hard to imagine that it gets 15mpg more than my 97 5. 9. If it does, then I'm going to have to have a look at one.

I probably took a little literary license with the mileage With my 98 12v i get 14 -15 mpg around town and about 17 - 18 mpg at 75 mph on the freeway. The best i have ever gotten was 24 mpg at a constant of between 45 - 55 mph.



The preliminary numbers for the 3. 0 v6 in the Jeep are 30 mpg highway & 22 mpg city. I would think they might be a little less in a Ram 1500, will have to wait and see.

 

[PDM]

I question the logic in offering a diesel in a half ton pickup at this time. I get it - huge torque and good fuel economy compared to their spark ignited counterparts.

But the problem is that diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. Your average 1/2-ton consumer, who visits a fuel station weekly and can plainly see that diesel fuel is costlier, will be unlikely to choose a diesel option in his next 1/2-ton buy.

If you're someone who lusts after 3/4 and 1-ton diesel trucks, you're not going to settle for a half ton. Instead, you're going to save up for the bigger truck. "Go big or go home" mentality.

We've been talking for awhile on this site about how it's becoming very hard to justify buying a diesel pickup. Anecdotal evidence suggests that even fleets are buying more gas-powered trucks.

I just don't see this thing selling in any significant quantity.

-Ryan

At first glance that all looks correct on paper. However, tow a 3000 lb. box trailer [motorcycles, atv's, whatever] with a gas engine, and find your transmission downshifting with every small uphill grade or gust of wind... they just don't have any torque at all. Same truck with a small diesel will happily handle the wind and grade without the downshifting economy killing rpm frenzy.

For those customers the 1/2 ton diesel is the perfect solution. Lots of folks tow light loads that catch a lot of wind. Some customers might also be attracted to the type of reliability that many have enjoyed with the cummins B series.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

It's often said we buy Dodge trucks for the Cummins, but clearly there is plenty of loyalty and enthusiasm for the Dodge Ram brand. "Dodge Cummins" is a widely recognized combination, a union that has lasted two and a half decades.

Since members of this board caught wind of the Cummins/DEER project a decade ago there was always hope and enthusiasm at the thought of putting a smaller, lighter Cummins in a half ton, Dakota and Durango. As some may recall there was a 3. 6L V6 developed at the same time. So, on the heels of the VM Motori EcoDiesel, the thought of Cummins partnering with Nissan instead is certainly disappointing. If a half ton diesel is what suits your needs, do you stick with Cummins or Ram?

Vaughn

 

[jjdiesel]

The scary thing is how many people will be 'overloading' and exceeding all legal regulations of weight carrying capacity and towing ability of a 1/2 ton pickup just because it has a 'diesel. ' Money is always the deciding factor, and since it will be considerably cheaper than a full-size 3/4 or 1 ton diesel equipped pickup, I can see many uninformed, 'ignorant of the facts' people opting for the 'cheaper' truck, putting us all at risk... ... fasten your seatbelts!!

 

[jjdiesel]

Ford owns Cummins:-laf

No,... . Ford owns CumminGs!! :-laf