2013 vs 2014 Dodge Ram

[kpc01]

Does anyone who keeps up with these know when the body style change will be and if the '14 will have much over the '13. Time to order a new company truck and I have the option of my 13 now or can wait for the '14. If its the same truck I don't see the benefit to wait...but if its a new body style or a lot of good changes I'll hold off. I've looked online but can't find any hard info.

[BlackGT]

Ram to Build Industry’s Only Light-duty Diesel Pickup3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel to deliver best-in-class fuel economy, a title already owned by the 2013 Ram 1500
Clean diesel features low CO2 emissions and impressive V-6 capability
Diesel engines praised for outstanding range and torque
Ram first to market with game-changing technologies
February 14, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Beginning in third-quarter 2013, Ram will become the only brand to offer a small-displacement diesel for its half-ton line of trucks.

The 2014 Ram 1500 will offer a new, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, mated with the eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The powertrain is expected to deliver an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency, best-in-class torque and impressive capability.

“Truck owners have been emphatically asking for it, and Ram will be the only manufacturer to offer a diesel powertrain in the half-ton segment with the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC. “The half-ton truck market is incredibly competitive, and although we’re honored the Ram 1500 has received a number of prestigious awards, we cannot rest on what we have accomplished, we must keep pushing.”

The 2013 Ram 1500 won Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, The North American Truck of the Year and Truck of Texas -- a rare trifecta in the pickup segment. Building on the award-winning truck, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will further stretch its best-in-class fuel economy title lead and continue to raise the innovation bar in one of the automotive industry’s most customer-loyal segments.

“The Ram 1500 with 3.0-liter V-6 turbo EcoDiesel and TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission deliver on the demands of truckers by providing best-in-class torque, fuel economy and range. There’s no doubt that being the only truck manufacturer to offer this game changing technology will provide Ram with a competitive advantage,” added Diaz.

The new 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel is among today's most advanced diesel engines. Its emissions are 60 percent less than those produced by diesel powertrains 25 years ago. The impressive combination of torque and fuel economy marks new levels of performance for small V-6 engines.

Ram’s newest turbo diesel engine is manufactured by VM Motori, a Chrysler Group diesel engine supplier since 1992.

Over the past 10 months, the Ram Truck brand has set an aggressive product cadence. Ram’s big push began in April 2012 with the introduction of the Ram 1500 with class-leading 25 mpg fuel efficiency and innovative features such as Active Level four-corner air suspension.

[lowfast]

I am very excited about the 2014 with the 3.0 EcoDiesel. Chrysler still has yet to release the final numbers and the cost fo the option but if things work out I see a 2014 Ram replacing my aging '03 F150 early next year. The current estimates are 28-30mpg highway for this set-up.

As for body or interior redesign, I don't think there will be any major changes, the current Ram interiors trump the current F150 IMHO. I am also interested to see what plans Ford has for the next F150.

[kpc01]

I would love to get the new ecodiesel but bet the higher cost of this engine will put me out of the game. Since its a company car we have a limit then have to pay out of our pockets...I'm betting the diesel will be a 5k+ add on. As long as the exterior/interior will be the same I might just go ahead and get a '13 laramie

[quikag]

What's the word in the industry on the Motori diesel regarding durability, reliability, etc.? This is definitely a promising development. I've wanted a half-ton diesel for a long time. If Ram is successful with this, you can bet Ford and GM will have their own introduced very shortly thereafter.

[lowfast]

If you do not need or want to pay for the Diesel, then yes you can go with a '13. I think they have closed ordering for '13 at this point, but not sure. Your best bet is to find one on a lot. BTW, the current speculation is that the Diesel will be around a 2K to 2.5K option over the Hemi. I to am on the fence, I want to see how the Diesel performs and what the up-charge will be prior to jumping in. I wish Ford would have stepped up with the 4.4 oil burner they were originally developing.

[kpc01]

If you do not need or want to pay for the Diesel, then yes you can go with a '13. I think they have closed ordering for '13 at this point, but not sure. Your best bet is to find one on a lot. BTW, the current speculation is that the Diesel will be around a 2K to 2.5K option over the Hemi. I to am on the fence, I want to see how the Diesel performs and what the up-charge will be prior to jumping in. I wish Ford would have stepped up with the 4.4 oil burner they were originally developing.

thanks for the info. I have until Monday to get my order in.....for my company we have to have them built so don't get to go the lot route. For 2k it might be worth the diesel but still not sure they would go for it. Not really any reason for me to need a diesel for work anyways and not sure I want to shell out the cash myself

[lowfast]

How many miles does your company put on the rigs before trading in? By my cacls you break even around 80-100K miles so anything beyond that is saving money based on the better fuel economy.

[Sean88gt]

How many miles does your company put on the rigs before trading in? By my cacls you break even around 80-100K miles so anything beyond that is saving money based on the better fuel economy.

That's assuming he pays cash for the truck and keeps it that long.

[Sean88gt]

What's the word in the industry on the Motori diesel regarding durability, reliability, etc.? This is definitely a promising development. I've wanted a half-ton diesel for a long time. If Ram is successful with this, you can bet Ford and GM will have their own introduced very shortly thereafter.

Same unit that was used in the CRD Jeeps over here.

[lowfast]

Cash vs finance on the 2K is relatively trivial in the grand scheme, but yes you are correct.

The big reason to choose Diesel is either A, you tow allot, or B you really plan to pile on the miles, or I guess C you are like me and think fuel prices will continue to climb in excess of inflation and you own the vehicle 10+ years so you know you will better off with a vehicle that gets 24mpg average vs 16-17mpg average.

I think it will be a cool deal, and Banks already uses these engines to build up to 600hp monsters so it should be very tunable and have big mod potential, plus it is rev happy for a diesel so it reportedly drives more like a gasser just with mucho lowend torque.

[kpc01]

How many miles does your company put on the rigs before trading in? By my cacls you break even around 80-100K miles so anything beyond that is saving money based on the better fuel economy.

We turn them in/sell them at 70k. which is anywhere from a year to two years. We dont need to tow anything so in reality I don't "need" a diesel even though that would be my preference.

[Sean88gt]

There are far better choices than Banks. Banks is to diesels, what Bose is to speakers, a great marketing company with a shiny mediocre product.

I think to hit their market, they need to keep the price under $3000 as an option.

[lowfast]

Same unit that was used in the CRD Jeeps over here.

Not exactly, only the 2014 GC, it is not the same engine as uses in previous Diesel jeeps, at least that is my understanding.

[Sean88gt]

Not exactly, only the 2014 GC, it is not the same engine as uses in previous Diesel jeeps, at least that is my understanding.

I meant manufacturer, the engine itself is completely different.