2014
Ram 1500 w/EcoDiesel
Ram 1500 Eco Diesel front view
Ram
upended the truck market in 2014 when the company began offering a turbo diesel
engine in the ½-ton Ram pickup. Instantly, diesel fans had a way to get what
they wanted without having to buy a ¾- or 1-ton truck. Made by longtime
Chrysler Group engine supplier VM Motori, the 3.0L V-6 Eco Diesel includes 24
valves; a 16.5:1 compression ratio; Multi Jet II common-rail fuel injection;
and a variable geometry, water-cooled turbocharger. The engine is mated to a
state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic transmission. During testing, we found
the engine to be more than ample for the Ram pickup and it provided good power
for towing trailers, too. As a bonus, the engine was very fuel efficient, and
we found that it returned almost 30 mpg on the highway. There’s no question
that the truck-buying public has been asking for a diesel-powered ½-ton truck.
Ram came through with one first in a modern, mass-produced ½-ton truck, and
that will go down in pickup truck history.
2011
Ford F-150 w/EcoBoost
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Rated at 16 MPG City, 22 Highway
Turbochargers
are nothing new to diesel fans, and those of us older in years can remember the
early ’80s when turbochargers were all the rage and manufacturers were putting
them in all kinds of gasoline-powered cars. Turbochargers on gasoline-powered
production trucks are quite rare, however. Well, until 2011, when Ford began
offering the turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 in the F-150. Instantly, buyers could
have the fuel economy of a V-6 with the power of a V-8. The all-aluminum,
direct-injected, 3.5L V-6 sported a pair of fixed-geometry, water- and
air-cooled BorgWarner turbochargers that had a maximum boost of 13½ psi. We
tested the 365hp EcoBoost extensively and there was no question as to its power
output. One staffer said, “We think this is a performance engine that just
happens to get good mileage.” Another said, “The EcoBoost is like a two-stage rocket
once the turbos spool up!” The EcoBoost is still available as an optional
engine in the F-150 for the 2014 model year.
