Diesel, Diesel, Diesel… it seems to be the word all Ram enthusiasts are talking about this week. With Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) agreeing on a settlement for the EPA violation of its 4th generation Ram 1500 EcoDiesel trucks, the Ram brand debuting the 1,000 lb.-ft of torque in the new 2019 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty with the new 6.7-liter Cummins H.O. Turbo Diesel or the article we posted last week that our spy photographers caught a Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel prototype on the streets of Metro Detroit. Diesel is definitely at the top of the list of discussion this week when it comes to Ram products.
Now, 5thGenRams has received some interesting pictures from one of our sources of the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel. Yes, for the very first time we are getting a look at the new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 under the hood of one of the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 (DT) trucks. We are told that these photos were taken roughly a year ago and the black painted wheels and remnants of vinyl camouflage on the grille mean this particular truck was probably navigating the streets of Michigan long before the 2019 Ram 1500 reveal.
Yes, Ram Trucks are going forward with the next generation of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 for the 2019 model year. Former CEO of the Ram Brand (now FCA CEO) Mike Manley, announced the EcoDiesel would return in 2019 to the Ram 1500 pickup at last year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. While he didn’t release power numbers, he said that powertrain would “reclaim all the claims the current diesel had.”
Since the debut of the EcoDiesel V6, both Ford and General Motors (GM) have decided to put small diesels in their half-ton trucks as well. Ford came to market with a diesel offering in 2018, with its 3.0-liter Powerstroke V6. The Powerstroke is rated at 250 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in a 4×2 configuration, which is currently best-in-class.
While GM has yet to release an official statement about its upcoming diesel which is making its debut this year, they have mentioned the displacement. Like the Ram and Ford offerings, the new Duramax diesel will be 3.0-liters in displacement. The Duramax differs from the EcoDiesel and Powerstroke in that it is an inline six as opposed to being a V6. GM dealer material was leaked online, with some numbers for the engine, according to the leaked document the Duramax is rated at 282 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. The documents also estimate the engine to get 28 mpg with a 4×2 configuration. Both offerings from Ford and GM will use 10-speed automatic transmissions.
When FCA launched the 2018 Jeep Wrangler at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show, they released some numbers on the Wrangler’s version of the EcoDiesel offering which will debut around the same time the 2019 Ram 1500 (DT) EcoDiesel will. Those numbers were rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. While it could match the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel numbers, we aren’t confirming this just yet.
FCA has released some tidbits about the upcoming 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 for 2019. We do know that engine will feature Engine Stop-Start (ESS) on all 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engines for the 2019 Ram 1500. The trucks will be paired with an updated version of the 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic sourced by ZF. The 8-speed automatic will be the lone transmission choice for EcoDiesel buyers.
Starting in 2019, the EcoDiesel V6 engine implements new turbocharger technology with a low-friction bearing designed for low-end and transient performance. The upgraded EcoDiesel V6 engine now also features low-friction pistons to improve fuel economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide an enhanced combustion system – new injector nozzle, piston bowl, and glow plug with an integrated combustion pressure sensor to optimize combustion.
So to reclaim its best-in-class rating, a 2019 Ram 1500 4×2 with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 would have to achieve 31 mpg on the highway from the EPA.
5thGenRams has learned that the Ram brand does plan to re-introduce an HFE trim model for the 2019 Ram 1500 with the EcoDiesel. For those who are not familiar, HFE stands for “Highest Fuel Economy.” On the 4th generation Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, the HFE consisted of a unique trim package on the popular Ram 1500 Tradesman Quad Cab four-door body, with a 6-ft. 4-in. bed and 20-inch wheels. The Ram EcoDiesel HFE was available with a body-colored fascia adopted from the Ram Express model, which gave the Ram EcoDiesel HFE a sporty exterior appearance not offered on other EcoDiesel-powered Ram 1500s. Class-exclusive wheel-to-wheel side steps and a tri-fold tonneau cover offered owners a double-bonus: greater functionality and best-in-class aerodynamics contributing to better fuel efficiency at the time.
While FCA and the Ram brand have yet to announce the 2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel production launch date just yet, we are told that it will be in the second quarter of this year. Pricing has not yet been announced either, although we expect it to be a similar cost to the 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pricing which is right around $4,500 US for the optional powertrain.
Stay tuned to 5thGenRams.com, for the latest news, rumors and spy photos of everything 2019 Ram 1500 (DT) related.
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