VM Diesel (Fiat) V6 Possibly Being Tested in Ram 1500

[sag2]

Well it says Fiat/GM owns it, but it gets a little more fuzzy than that.

From Wikipedia.
Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) bought VM Motori in 1995.

In 2000 the DDC was purchased by DaimlerChrysler AG.

In 2003, Penske Corporation purchased a 51% stake in VM Motori; in 2007, Penske bought the remaining 49% from DaimlerChrysler and subsequently sold 50% of it to General Motors. [1] As of 2007, both deals were awaiting European regulatory approval and the value of the deal was not known.

In September 2008, GAZ Group announced plans to purchase a 50% stake from Penske Corp. [2] but ultimately cancelled them in February 2009. [3] January 11, 2011 Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera published news that Fiat S. p. A. is about to purchase 50% stake from Penske. [4] In February 11 Fiat Powertrain Technologies confirmed it has bought the 50 percent stake. [5]

 

[HBarlow]

Brand names don't mean very much anymore. Our Rams ceased being a part of Chrysler Corporation long ago. I think Dodge or Ram is now owned by Fiat of Italy and the UAW but assembled by Mexicans in a plant in Mexico. Numerous components are built by outside manufacturers who could be located anywhere.

Our engines have long been built by Cummins in Indiana. I think the engine blocks are cast by other manufacturers in another country. Bosch apparently makes and supplies the HPCR components but I don't know if they are actually manufactured in Germany or some other country.

We can't really be sure of much beyond the dealer or individual who sold us the truck.

 

[Dieselnut59]

We have the 2. 8 VM Moteri in the wifes Liberty CRD. Currently have 68K on it and it has been a great engine that makes the Libby a little torque monster.



If they put the 3. 0 in the Wrangler, I would snap up a 4 door in a heartbeat when we need to replace the Libby.

That is what I have been saying! I just sold my Liberty CRD with 96,000 miles yesterday. I would buy a 1500 truck or a Jeep Wrangler diesel in a HEARTBEAT!!!! (IF it is available with a MANUAL transmission!!)

 

[Dieselnut59]

I am glad to hear this! IF is t is available with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I am game!!! I would LOVE to see this be a Cummins, but I am glad they are not using the V-8 diesel as was rumored a while back. We need fuel economy!! PLEASE tell me it will be available with a MANUAL transmission!?!?

 

[jgillott]

Well gentleman, I will buy one. Not year one of the build, I want to let the growing pains be worked out. As I have mentioned in other posts, I use a 2010 Ram 1500 Crew Cab for work. It gets pounded daily, off road, in the mud, slop, snow, ice, etc. In just shy of 3 years and 45K, it has hands down been the most reliable work truck we've had. I can't stand the 13. 5 average mpg, but everything else is top notch. I'll be ready for another one in 2 years max. If things go well, it will be the new 1500 diesel.

 

[mwilson]

Well gentleman, I will buy one. Not year one of the build, I want to let the growing pains be worked out. As I have mentioned in other posts, I use a 2010 Ram 1500 Crew Cab for work. It gets pounded daily, off road, in the mud, slop, snow, ice, etc. In just shy of 3 years and 45K, it has hands down been the most reliable work truck we've had. I can't stand the 13. 5 average mpg, but everything else is top notch. I'll be ready for another one in 2 years max. If things go well, it will be the new 1500 diesel.

If they prove out I will sell the '06 and keep the '97 for heavy projects.



Replace the '06 with a loaded air ride Diesel Crew Cab 1500 4 X 4 and be happy as a clam at high tide... ... .



Mike.

 

[HBarlow]

If they prove out I will sell the '06 and keep the '97 for heavy projects.

Replace the '06 with a loaded air ride Diesel Crew Cab 1500 4 X 4 and be happy as a clam at high tide... ... .

Mike.

$60k should get you exactly the model you want, Mike. Even your color choice.

 

[jgillott]

If they prove out I will sell the '06 and keep the '97 for heavy projects.

Replace the '06 with a loaded air ride Diesel Crew Cab 1500 4 X 4 and be happy as a clam at high tide... ... .

Mike.

I couldn't be happier with this Dodge. This is my first Dodge 1/2 and I was a little concerned how it would hold up under work conditions with the independent front and coils in the back. Coming from a 2005 Silverado (which was an absolute joke of a truck... . it would have a stroke at anything other than a paved parking lot) I was hopeful. It has far exceeded my expectations. 1 set of tires and oil changes. I've hit the skid plate so hard at times, I had to check if I still have all my fillings. And the dang thing just keeps going. Once it's on the pavement, it rides and handles like a dream. Whoever designed this model really did their homework.

My diesels basically sit at this point. We have the plow and spreader on the '04. 5 all winter. It's had a lot of use this year, but not many road miles. I have to go out of my way to use my '07 anymore. It is just sitting at the barn until I need to tow something heavy. I use the 1/2 for all the little stuff anymore.

 

[JR]

Im glad to see Ram stepping up to the plate on a new market that will surely be profitable and well recepted. But Im a little skeptical of the fuel mileage (or lack of). Ram and Ford both stepped up in displacement for the specific reason of being able to detune the engines to meet emissions. At less than half the displacement of the 6. 7, theyre not going to be able to really crank that little engine up in performance, its going to have to remain rather mellow and dull to meet NOX. If theres no real savings in fuel mileage it will be hard to justify the extra costs over the hemi.

 

[dlmetzger]

At less than half the displacement of the 6. 7, theyre not going to be able to really crank that little engine up in performance, its going to have to remain rather mellow and dull to meet NOX. If theres no real savings in fuel mileage it will be hard to justify the extra costs over the hemi.

I'm sure it will have SCR (urea) system to meet NOx emissions and free it up for better fuel economy (if you can keep your foot out of the accelerator). I have a 2012 Jetta TDI (2. 0L/140 HP/236 lb-ft)and I'm averaging 45 mpg while driving normally. It'll go down to 35 mpg with a heavy foot and up to 50-52 when driving only highway miles.

 

[mwilson]

If they prove out I will sell the '06 and keep the '97 for heavy projects.



Replace the '06 with a loaded air ride Diesel Crew Cab 1500 4 X 4 and be happy as a clam at high tide... ... .



Mike.

This is assuming that they do not tack on a huge premium for the diesel option..... if they do they will miss the target buyers.



I'd love a new 1/2ton but have no desire for a Hemi.



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

$60k should get you exactly the model you want, Mike. Even your color choice.

I was kinda' hoping for $40k and 25mpg. If that criteria is not met then I'm out.



I am getting fond of the Gizmo's fuel mileage and would want more than 16-17mpg out of a new pick-up.

Looked when I pulled in the dooryard tonight, have been 425 miles since fill up and am at just under a 1/2 tank showing on the gauge. The weather has warmed up this week which makes a big difference but still, that ain't much fuel!!!!



Mike.

 

[joemyers]

Fiat has always been crap in my book.

 

[BILLUA]

Fiat has always been crap in my book.

Your book needs updating. This is not the Fiat of the '70s. Especially their turbo diesel engines...

 

[MJThomas]

A quick search from google showed a few news articles relating to the Jeep Cherokee with the diesel option. 20 City 28 Highway estimates for the 4x4 models. How that would compare to mileage in a 1500 I don't know, but I doubt its going to be any better. Has anyone heard any speculation on pricing for the diesel option??



You can also search google and find some interesting reading from Gale Banks who has been working with this 3. 0L motor since Spring 2012, apparently they have already developed upgrade parts for it including "full race" versions.

 

[HBarlow]

Mike,

Out of curiosity I went to the Ram 1500 site and used the build one feature. You said you want loaded and 4x4 so I selected the top of the line model and added a couple more options that were not standard on the premium model. MSRP was about $48k already with a hemi engine. I think it is safe to estimate the price with the turbo-diesel option will exceed $50k, perhaps reach $55k.

The dealers willl probably try to hold the price as close to MSRP or even higher as they can depending on supply and demand, at least during the early months of having them available.

 

[joemyers]

Price with the turbo-diesel option will exceed $50k. Why waste this kind of money on a 1500 when you can get a real Diesel with the 2500 or 3500.

 

[mwilson]

Mike,



Out of curiosity I went to the Ram 1500 site and used the build one feature. You said you want loaded and 4x4 so I selected the top of the line model and added a couple more options that were not standard on the premium model. MSRP was about $48k already with a hemi engine. I think it is safe to estimate the price with the turbo-diesel option will exceed $50k, perhaps reach $55k.



The dealers willl probably try to hold the price as close to MSRP or even higher as they can depending on supply and demand, at least during the early months of having them available.

I'll try that thing tonight and see what I get for a total. I was relying on the window stickers that I looked at this past summer on various 1/2 ton trucks scattered around the lots in Maine.





Mike.

 

[jgillott]

I'll try that thing tonight and see what I get for a total. I was relying on the window stickers that I looked at this past summer on various 1/2 ton trucks scattered around the lots in Maine.


Mike.

Just for reference, my 2010's window sticker was $36,850 for Crew cab 4x4 ST with the interior and exterior option packages, protection group, trailer tow group, 32 gal fuel tank, 3. 92 limited slip rear, etc. I think I paid $28K and some change for it out the door. A loaded 1500 will easily be in the $50's with the diesel I would guess.

 

[Switz]

My 2012 2500HD Big Horn CCSB Cummins 6 speed auto had a sticker price of $54,375 with every option I would have ordered. As an end of model year purchase, there was a discount of over $7,000.



IMO, the 1500 diesel will have to come in the show room with a sticker in the low to mid $40,000s and have a net payload with driver and full fuel around 1,900 pounds to be viable in the RV market. If the list price is too close to that of the 2500 series diesel, then it becomes a no brainer to go with the larger capacity vehicle.



YMMV