fuel economy of RAM V6 with 8 speed trans

[haven]

Pickuptrucks.com found an unloaded RAM 1500 with gas V6, 8 speed automatic transmission, 3.21 gears and rear wheel drive returned about a 23 mpg average during highway driving.

A second truck, fitted with a lower 3.55 gear set in the differential, towed a 5500 lb trailer (about maximum for the 1500's combined weight rating). Fuel economy fell to about 11 mpg.

It will be interesting to learn to what degree the 3.0L diesel improves these figures. It may be that the diesel won't make economic sense if your truck is lightly loaded most of the time. Heavily loaded, the diesel will probably be the right choice.

source:
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/03/rampage-the-test-at-davis-dam.html

For comparison: Pickuptrucks.com tested a Ford F150 with EcoBoost turbo V6 over a similar route in 2011. With a 3.71 gearset, and towing a 9000 lb trailer (again, max combined weight rating), the F150 averaged about 8 mpg. Running without the trailer gave mpg in the 18 to 21 range.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/0...d-f-150-fx2-35-liter-ecoboost-v-6-part-1.html

Ford fuel economy chart
http://blogs.cars.com/files/mileage-chart.pdf

 

[Saiyan66]

Too bad they weren't running Nevada fuel for the whole test, the mileage numbers would have been even better. I am really interested to see how the Hemi/8spd combination works out.

 

[gun45boat]

SO STOKED ABOUT THIS DODGE 1500 DIESEL!!!! I cant wait to see how this truck holds up to testing/long term. I would def. consider buying a 1/2 ton diesel. I wish Ford made the decision to make the f150 with the diesel option, they were so close.....

 

[blue dog]

What happened to the talk of a smaller cummins engine for the 1500 ram ?

 

[haven]

Cummins developed V6 and V8 diesels, with the hope they would be used by Dodge. But no longer. RAM will use the Iveco 3.0L four cylinder diesel in the ProMaster van, and the VM Motori 3.0L V6 (same as the diesel Grand Cherokee) in the 1500 pickup.

Now Cummins is reported to be working on a 2.8L four cylinder for Nissan. Here's one page that claims to know all about the project.
http://www.dieselhub.com/news/cummins-nissan-half-ton-diesel.html

 

[Outback]

Its about time! First the Grand Cherokee now there beautiful 1500 series of 1/2 ton trucks. All we need now is for them to do it with the Rubicon!

 

[ripperj]

I think the idea of the Ram 1500 deisel is cool , but I wonder who the market will really be? It appears that the majority of people buying diesel trucks either want a lot of tow capacity or just want a big deisel truck,neither of this things will be provided by the 1500. There are probably some people who need to carry a smallish cargo a long way, in which case the 1500 would work.
Just my thoughts

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kaisen]

Not Impressive

New technology, same mileage since the 50's....... Let me know when a 1/2 ton truck gets mileage in the 30's

Remembering that trucks are more a few times more powerful, more capable, larger, more comfortable, and have significantly lower emissions than they did in the fifties, I'd still call that a win. Wouldn't you?

 

[Kaisen]

Yes, 400hp fuel injected V8s, automatic transmissions, power steering, power disc brakes, seatbelts, airbags, head curtains, four wheel drive, extended/crew cabs.....all of those things are overrated.

.....just give me a 150hp flathead (that might start if I choke it just right and pump the pedal the correct number of times), and a three on the tree with a 100# clutch to drive through traffic with non-assisted drum brakes and I'll yearn for the "good ol' days".

 

[toylandcruiser]

Older is better dang nabbit. Spit. Ping.


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