Originally scheduled for use in the SRT and Ram Heavy Duty pickups, a newly developed 6.4-liter V8 gasoline engine is now only headed for high-performance car duty. According to Joe Veltri, Chrysler’s VP of product development, the new engine is designed for high performance and not the sort of physical labor that a truck requires. While no specifics have been provided on the engine, it is believed that the 6.4-liter Hemi (which is set to replace the 6.1-liter Hemi) will get Fiat’s Multiair variable valve timing technology as well as cylinder deactivation to significantly improve fuel economy.

Instead, Chrysler appears to be looking at ways to improve the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 currently available to give it added capability. While Veltri sees a need for continued availability of a gasoline engine in the HD trucks, Chrysler is also currently in talks with Cummins to produce a smaller diesel engine that could be used in both the standard Ram 1500 models and as an alternative base engine in the heavy duty trucks.

Being that Chrysler is now owned by Fiat and the importance European automakers place on diesel technology, we expect to see more diesels pop up in the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep range in the future. A while it’s still not likely that diesel cars will catch on in North America, more diesel engines on the truck side could help Chrysler to become a more competitive player with the other big-two.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Chrysler is moving ahead with plans to deliver its light-duty Ram pickups with a diesel option, sourced from none-other than the automaker’s long-time heady duty diesel partner, Cummins.

Joe Veltri, VP of product planning at Chrysler told PickupTrucks.com that they are currently in discussions with Cummins, commenting that, “There’s no contract [with Cummins], but [a light-duty diesel] is in our plan.”

Chrysler had planed to introduce a diesel for the Ram 1500 already, but any existing contracts were voided when Chrysler filed for bankruptcy over the summer. The rumored new engine is said to be a 5.0-liter V8 that Veltri says could also be used in the heavy duty pickups as well, something that would certainly give Dodge (or the new Ram brand we should say) a unique offering in the light-duty truck segment.

With talks ongoing, there’s still no word on when a light-duty diesel Ram could make it to market.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

The all-new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup has just been awarded Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year award for 2010.

“To have our all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty named Truck of the Year by the editors of Motor Trend really defines how great this new Ram Heavy Duty pickup is,” said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck Brand CEO. “The Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award is like a standing ovation for the Chrysler Group designers, engineers and planners who developed this incredible Ram Heavy Duty Truck.”

Editor-in-Chief Angus McKenzie said that, “The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty absolutely nailed the award in terms of our criteria, from the attractive exterior styling, to the plush and quiet cabins, to the tough and capable powertrains, especially the impressive Cummins diesel, which meets 50-state emissions standards without needing expensive after-treatment technology. It delivers the capability heavy duty truck users demand, with style and refinement they perhaps did not expect.”

Ram HD models range in price from $28,165 all the way up to $51,095. The Power Wagon also returns for 2010 at a price of $45,780. It comes exclusively as a 2500 4×4 Crew Cab with a 6-foot 4-inch box and includes electric locking differentials (front and rear), an electronic disconnecting sway bar, 32-inch BFGoodrich tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, a Warn 12,000-pound winch and a 4.56 axle ratio for serious off-roading.

In total the 2010 Ram HD gets three cab styles (regular, crew-cab and Mega Cab) and two cargo box sizes (6-foot, 4-inches and 8-foot), as well as single and dual rear wheels and five trim level s (ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie). 2010 is the first year Dodge is offering the Ram HD with a crew cab.

The base engine is a 383-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 400 ft-lbs of torque, while the real big dogs get a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel with 350-hp and 650 lb-ft of torque available at just 1500 rppm.

The Ram 3500 with the Cummins diesel offers a towing capacity of 18,500 lbs with a max payload of 5,110 lbs. Auto-box dually models with the 4.10 rear end get an increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 24,5000 lbs – up 500 lbs. The 4×2 3500 models increase from 23,000 lbs to 24,000 lbs. Both 4×4s and 4×2s get increased Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) due in part to larger front axle U-joints. Diesel 4×4s now have a rating of 5,500 lbs (up from 5,200 lbs) and diesel 4×2s get a 5,000 lb rating (up from 4,700 lbs.) The 2500 4×4 crew cab diesel trucks get an increase GCWR of 9,600 lbs – up from 9,000 lbs.

To help with towing, Dodge has equipped its new Heavy-Duty trucks with a towing mode as well as an Electronic Range Select, which lets drivers manually limit the highest available gear, and perform manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine rpm.

Outside, the new Heavy-Duty Ram models come with unique styling cues for 2010 and yet maintain the new Ram look. One particular change is in the size of the grille, with a larger front opening and taller hood to accommodate (and feed air to) the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel. Heavy-Duty models also get a unique bumper design to allow better access to the tow hooks and winch on Power Wagon Models.

Inside, the Heavy-Duty models get heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel, memory seats, navigation, adjustable pedals and numerous audio/video options including a 10-speaker sound system and SIRIUS Backseat TV with three channels.

Heavy-Duty Mega Cab models also boast best in class interior room with the largest and longest cab (143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches long); the most interior  volume (72.2 cubic feet); the most cargo volume behind rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); the largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); the most second-row leg room (44.2 inches); the largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); the largest rear-door open angle (85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

Motor Trend Truck of the Year competitors are evaluated based on six criteria: design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value.

See AutoGuide’s 2010 Ram HD First Drive article here:

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty: First Drive

GALLERY: 2010 Dodge Ram HD models

For more on the new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 HD models, see the official release after the jump:

With the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty models revealed almost a year ago, the new work trucks are finally set to go on sale, with pricing ranging from $28,165 all the way up to $51,095. The Power Wagon also returns for 2010 at a price of $45,780. It comes exclusively as a 2500 4×4 Crew Cab with a 6-foot 4-inch box and includes electric locking differentials (front and rear), an electronic disconnecting sway bar, 32-inch BFGoodrich tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, a Warn 12,000-pound winch and a 4.56 axle ratio for serious off-roading.

In total the 2010 Ram HD gets three cab styles (regular, crew-cab and Mega Cab) and two cargo box sizes (6-foot, 4-inches and 8-foot), as well as single and dual rear wheels and five trim level s (ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie). 2010 is the first year Dodge is offering the Ram HD with a crew cab.

The base engine is a 383-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 400 ft-lbs of torque, while the real big dogs get a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel with 350 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque available at just 1500 rppm.

Across the board the Dodge says it has added more standard features while droping the price and increasing the truck’s towing capacity.

The Ram 3500 with the Cummins diesel offers a towing capacity of 18,500 lbs with a max payload of 5,110 lbs. Auto-box dually models with the 4.10 rear end get an increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 24,5000 lbs – up 500 lbs. The 4×2 3500 models increase from 23,000 lbs to 24,000 lbs. Both 4×4s and 4×2s get increased Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) due in part to larger front axle U-joints. Diesel 4×4s now have a rating of 5,500 lbs (up from 5,200 lbs) and diesel 4×2s get a 5,000 lb rating (up from 4,700 lbs.) The 2500 4×4 crew cab diesel trucks get an increase GCWR of 9,600 lbs – up from 9,000 lbs.

To help with towing, Dodge has equipped its new Heavy-Duty trucks with a towing mode as well as an Electronic Range Select, which lets drivers manually limit the highest available gear, and perform manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine rpm.

3500 models now come standard with 7×11-inch tow mirrors with larger convex glass surfaces. Instead of using separate mirrors for seeing around a large trailer, these mirrors fold out and up to do double-duty.

Outside, the new Heavy-Duty Ram models come with unique styling cues for 2010 and yet maintain the new Ram look. One particular change is in the size of the grille, with a larger front opening and taller hood to accommodate (and feed air to) the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel. Heavy-Duty models also get a unique bumper design to allow better access to the tow hooks and winch on Power Wagon Models.

Inside, the Heavy-Duty models get heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel, memory seats, navigation, adjustable pedals and numerous audio/video options including a 10-speaker sound system and SIRIUS Backseat TV with three channels.

Heavy-Duty Mega Cab models also boast best in class interior room with the largest and longest cab (143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches long); the most interior  volume (72.2 cubic feet); the most cargo volume behind rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); the largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); the most second-row leg room (44.2 inches); the largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); the largest rear-door open angle (85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

The Ram Heav Duty models will officially go on sale later in 2009.

GALLERY: 2010 Dodge Ram Heav Duty and Power Wagon

GALLERY: 2010 Rodge Ram 2500 and 3500

More information and pricing available after the jump:

It may look a little extreme, but the Nissan NV2500 Concept will see production in some form or another as Nissan has announced it will enter the commercial truck business in North America in 2010. Unveiled at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the NV2500 is designed to be not only a way to transport materials but also a comprehensive work station.

“The Nissan NV2500 is a rolling idea lab – bringing a new perspective to the Commercial Vehicle segment,” said Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design for Nissan Design America, Inc., which developed the NV2500 Concept.  “We see the NV2500 Concept as an ongoing exploration of ways to make these vehicles more than just a box on four wheels. Our goal is to enhance utility through creative design solutions, providing a platform for a wide variety of specific professional applications.”

The NV2500 is based on the Titan fully-boxed ladder frame chassis and while Nissan isn’t providing any information on engine choices the company has said it is in talks with Cummins. The trucks will also get automatic transmissions and a solid rear axle. On the concept vehicle were a set of 20-inch wheels.

To make the NV2500 a usable work-space, Nissan has included a long list of innovations. Inside the truck is a computer workstation, a built-in laser blue[printer, numerous 110/22W power outlets, vacuum hose outlets, a fold-down conference table, several storage compartments, cargo and tool tie-down racks and an awning-style panel that opens the entire side of the truck,  creating an outside workshop table. And in order to make all that interior work-space livable, Nissan has made the ceiling almost 6-feet high.

Outside, the NV2500 is enormous with a 147.6 (12.3-foot) wheelbase and an overall length of 234-inches (19.5 feet).  It is 8 feet tall and 6.6-feet wide. Interior room is enormous and objects as large as 10.5-feet long can be transported.

Nissan will begin production of three North American-specific vehicles based on the NV2500 Concept in 2009, to be built at Nissan’s Canton, Miss., plant. Of the three vehicles, the top-line models will receive a class 5 gross vehicle rating, meaning they will weight between 16.001 and 19,500 lbs.

Nissan NV2500 Concept:

Official release after the jump: