The 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, First of Its Kind Light-Duty Diesel Pickup

February 14, 2013 | by | 18 Comments
The 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, First-of-Its-Kind Light-Duty Diesel Pickup

We know you work hard. We work hard, too, bringing to market the kind of trucks you want and need.

With best-in-class 25 mpg highway, the 2013 Ram 1500 changed the light-duty pickup truck game. In 2014, the game is set to change once again—Ram Trucks is pleased to announce that it will soon become the first brand to offer a small-displacement diesel engine for its half-ton line of trucks.

Rolling off the assembly line in late 2013, the 2014 Ram 1500 will offer a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, mated with an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. All signs indicate a powertrain delivering an outstanding combination of fuel efficiency and torque (both best in class), as well as impressive capability.

“Truck owners have been asking for it, and Ram will be the first to offer a diesel powertrain in the half-ton segment with the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel,” said Fred Diaz, president and CEO, Ram Truck brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. “The half-ton truck market is incredibly competitive. Although we’re honored that the 2013 Ram 1500 has received more prestigious awards this year than any other automaker, the road doesn’t end here.”

The 2013 Ram 1500 won Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, North American Truck of the Year, and Truck of Texas—a rare trifecta in the pickup segment. Building on the award-winning truck, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will extend its best-in-class fuel economy title lead and continue to raise the bar in one of the automotive industry’s most customer-loyal segments.

“The Ram 1500 with 3.0-liter V-6 turbo EcoDiesel and TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission deliver on the demands of truckers by providing best-in-class torque, fuel economy, and range. There’s no doubt that being first to market with game-changing technology will provide Ram with a competitive advantage.”

The new 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel is among today’s most advanced diesel engines. Its emissions are 60 percent lower than those produced by diesel powertrains 25 years ago. The impressive combination of torque and fuel economy marks a new level of performance for small V-6 engines.

Ram’s newest turbo diesel engine is manufactured by VM Motori, a Chrysler Group diesel engine supplier since 1992.

Stay up to date on the latest Ram 1500 EcoDiesel news—sign up to receive newsletter updates by visiting RamTrucks.com.

  • capsfloyd@sbcglobal.net

    Great, will be looking into this for towing travel trailer

  • Jon

    Been waiting for this…

  • 250hp/450lb-ft…nice little stump puller!

  • rstore

    Now if they can just keep them affordable, I might be interested! But if it’s in the $60,000, well then my tires still haven’t fallen off!

    • jan

      should be under 30,since 35 gives you a 2500 already

  • jan

    great if i can get him with a stickshift ,damn automatic

    • AMEN, we finally got ram to listen about the diesel half ton, now it looks like they are gonna release a half assed version with the an auto. I guarantee they will hit this out of the park if they release a manual option along side the auto.

  • towhaul man

    wait for the Nissan with the Cummins in it.

    • You are gonna be waiting a while, last I read that project was all but scrapped.

  • Don’t get too worked up. Chrysler used the VM diesel in the Jeep line for 2005 and 2006. Failed because they did not have service support nor parts support. Parts needed to be ordered from European VM dealers since Chrysler does not have complete parts availability. Ordering and prepaying for 10 parts when Chrysler only comes up with 5 parts is not good.

  • Will

    I just ’bout asked every dang half ton truck manufactor to build us one of these and it goes out as a dodge. I hope they put a five speed on it. If it comes out as an outdoorsman, they got themselves a customer.

  • Ram, don’t screw this up, keep it affordable and offer 4×4 (note how the fuel saving “25 mpg” only available 4×2). Golden opportunity to gain ground on Ford F150

  • hemipower

    Would love to know why they aren’t dropping in a Cummins. Heard they had a V8 ready to go right before backruptcy. Putting in a diesel is an advantage but if they were marketing both the 1500 and 2500 with Cummins they would be ahead of the game that much more.

    • opnip

      The six inline cummins too heavy for the 1500 front suspension. Cummins has already a v 6 diesel {300 lbs. lighter than inline} and v8 available. I suspect Chrysler wont pay the price for these.

  • Francis Verniere

    Automatic is the only way to go, modern class A, B, C, and D tractor/truck down to 1 ton use Automatic transmissions. This should sell well and if it were a Cummins, it would be a I-4. The Cummins I-6 is a 1/2 ton medium duty and bullet proof beast(Owned a 1997 5.9 Cummins 12 valve I-6 Dodge Ram SLT). The 4 speed automatic was the weak link because the I-6 put out nearly 500 lb ft @1,400 rpm. 0pnip you are correct about the weight, a complete engine is more than 1,000 lbs, very nose heavy on my 3/4 ton and it ate 10 ply rear tires. The new V-6 diesel should be about 600 lbs lighter than the Farm equipment cast iron boat anchor 5.9 Cummins. I can’t wait for the new Italian V-6 diesel Ram 1500!

  • vespadoctor1

    A far cry from the Diesel VW Pickup I drove in the 80’s. 50 miles per gallon. Auto companies are still trying to pull the wool over the eyes of a new generation.

  • Jason Martin

    Guys, someone help me out here. I see the torque and HP rating, but how much acceleration do you think this thing will have? I had the 5.9 years ago and loved it. Bulletproof monster!

  • Well, I am very late to reply to this, but I used this and had great performance – I must say.
    Cummins Engines for Sale And Fleetguard