What's in a Name?

Usually the engine found inside a vehicle receives a name based on some sort of manufacturer specific numbering and lettering convention. However, every once in a while a manufacturer will feel a little fiery and give that new hunk of metal an actual, proper name.

These names, more often than not, conjure up images of power and hairy-chested strength. Names like Rocket 350, BOSS and Fireball. Or, sometimes the name will refer to the design of the engine itself like Hemi (referring to hemispherical combustion chambers) or Quad-4, which is a dumb name in itself, but at least referred to four valves on four cylinders.

But now and then a manufacturer will reveal their latest and greatest engineer marvel and slap on a name that leaves us scratching our heads in disbelief, or is just so pretentious our eyes can’t stop rolling. Remember the have-your-cake-and-eat-it-to named Ford inline-6 called the ‘Thriftpower’? Well, that didn’t even make this list.

In the continued battle for dominance in the heavy duty truck segment, Chrysler’s Ram brand has set a new benchmark that won’t be easy for its rivals to match.

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It wasn’t so long ago that diesel engines conjured images of black smoke belching trucks with exhaust stacks sticking out the sides.

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The existing Cummins ISBe engine can be found in heavy vehicles such as city buses, but the newest motor from the engine firm is going to be in a whole other class, producing the same power as the ISBe in just one of its sixteen cylinders.

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The world’s economy stinks, gas is expensive and we’re all watching our wallets closely.

You might assume that would also indicate less car parts being sold, but not for diesel engine manufacturer Cummins. “Several of the economies where Cummins operates are clearly weakening,” COO Tom Linebarger told analysts last month. “We really don’t know how deep it will go. We are confident in the long-term profitable growth of the company.”

The Columbus, Ind. based manufacturer builds natural gas and diesel engines and despite the worlds money woes is projecting a sharp rise in diesel fuel demand. Last month Cummins told analysts they forecast to grow by more than 60 per cent and reach $30 billion in 2015.

Over the next five years the company also plans to hire 7000 new engineers to compensate for increased demand. They hope doing so will allow them to develop new engines to meet increasingly stringent efficiency standards.

They owe their expansion in large part to overseas demand in emerging economies like China and South America and India where there is still high demand for construction equipment, but it isn’t the only reason.

The company is also expanding its production for consumer vehicles. Nissan is currently working on putting a 2.8-liter direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder from Cummins into its 2015 Titan pickup. Once available, the new generation Titan will be one of the most efficient full-size pickups on the market.

Cummins also supplies diesel engines to Chrysler Group in the U.S. light vehicle market and to Dodge for its line of Ram pickup trucks.

[Source: autonews.com]

Back in September, the US Department of Energy, in conjunction with Nissan Motor Co, green lighted a proposal to test a Cummins four-cylinder turbo-diesel in the full-size Titan pickup.

The program was largely conceived to help big trucks like the Titan achieve better fuel economy, in lieu of the 35.5 miles per gallon CAFE requirements (that now also include light trucks), scheduled to be phased in in 2015.

The test engine, a 2.8-liter unit cranks out 350 lb/ft of torque at 1800 rpm making it comparable with the Titan’s existing 5.6-liter V-8. However substantial gains in fuel economy have already been achieved, the diesel is said to currently allow a 2WD Titan to achieve around 28 miles per gallon, a sizeable improvement on the V-8 truck’s 13/18 mpg (city/highway).

Cummins says this new diesel can be built in either 2.8 and 3.5-liter forms and thanks to the use of high strength steel pistons, is not only a sturdy engine but also rather compact by diesel standards, not that compactness is of real concern when installing one in a Titan.

The test program is scheduled to run through September this year and it will be interesting to see what further results develop when it comes to capability and fuel economy. However, regulators are now proposing even tougher fuel economy standards for 2025, as much as 62 mpg. With such shifting targets, in such a short period time, the ability of any pickup truck manufacturer to meet them is going to prove challenging at best.

[Source: Automotive News]

A $30 million federal- government grant, half funded by the Department of Energy is development of a high efficiency Cummins four-cylinder diesel engine to be used in the Nissan Titan.

This engine will allow the Titan to shed its guzzler status and become one of the most fuel-efficient full size pickup trucks on the market. This 2.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder will likely boast over 30 mpg on the highway and promises to deliver as much torque as small-displacement gasoline V-8s. The Cummins ISF engine is offered in 2.8 and 3.8-liter displacements is capable of 168-hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. This engine is being developed for use in the next generation 2015 Nissan Titan.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

According to a well-known Mopar source, entries in Chrysler’s new car dealer ‘Star’ network show codes for impending diesel engine and hybrid-electric transmission options in Ram 1/2 ton pickups.

The diesel is rumored to be a Cummins 5.0-liter V8 turbocharged engine, which despite having two more cylinders than the straight-six (shown) which powers Ram Heavy-Duty models, is designed for less extreme applications, making it an ideal fit for the 1/2 ton Ram.

Meanwhile the ‘hybrid’ refers to the AHS-T gearbox that was found in the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrids, which is listed, along with three other transmission options – a six-speed Getrag manual, plus the 42RE and 545RFE four and five-speed automatics.

However, there’s been no announcements of an impending diesel Ram and based on the fact that both Ford and GM have postponed their light-duty diesel trucks, the new rig may not actually materialize at all. Even if it does, it might take some time, along with steadily increasing fuel prices before Chrysler considers the diesel Ram and hybrid transmission a seriously feasible option (mid 2011 or early 2012 likely being the earliest date).

[Source: Allpar]

Chrysler has announced that it is recalling a total of 186,099 Heavy-Duty Dodge Ram trucks. All of the vehicles in question are 2007-09 models and all are powered by the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel. The recall is actually related to the engine itself – specifically revolving around tuning and emissions. A trouble code in the EMS system can trigger a check engine light, which can cause the fuel mixture to be enriched, resulting in black soot from the exhaust system and potential damage to the turbocharger and Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve.

To fix the problem, Chrysler will re-flash the engine computer, though customers who own one of the trucks in California, will have to submit proof of the repairs to the Department of Motor Vehicles before they can renew their registrations – a result of the Golden State’s strict emissions laws. Owners with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

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:

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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:

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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:

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