2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn on 2040-cars

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2014 Ram 1500 Diesel

Remember when Mahindra & Mahindra was close to offering a compact diesel pickup here? A million voices from the truck-and-bed-loving tribes of the Internet cried out at once in anticipation, only to be silenced in disappointment when it didn't happen. And this was for a jitney with a bed that didn't exactly look robust in its press photos. The message these fans had was clear: light-duty truck + a diesel engine = a prayer answered for a significant contingent of truck buyers.
Ram tells us a fullsize diesel half-ton has been the number-one demand from customers, and it will be the first manufacturer to grand the wish when the 2014 Ram 1500 goes on sale early next year - "late availability" in Q1 of 2014 is the official word - with a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel provided by VM Motori. If you're wondering about the engine source, VM Motori has been a Chrysler supplier since 1992. DaimlerChrysler bought VM Motori in 2000, and after a few ownership-stake changes since then, it is presently a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and Fiat. That will change shortly, however, with Fiat recently announcing it will buy GM's share and take full control of the company.
Driving Notes

Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is coming soon, but a midsize Ram, not right now

NEW YORK — At this year's New York Auto Show, we had the opportunity to talk with the head of Ram Trucks, Jim Morrison, and he had a few interesting tidbits about what's coming and what isn't for the brand. The first big news is that the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel is finally coming to the all-new Ram 1500 later this year. Up until now, the engine was only available in the previous-generation Ram 1500 and current Ram 1500 Classic. The new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel won't have the same engine, though. It will be a redesigned 3.0-liter turbodiesel that will also appear in the Jeep Gladiator in 2020. That means it should also make 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, unless the Ram gets unique tuning that changes the output. Morrison wouldn't elaborate on any other details, though, including whether it would utilize the eTorque mild-hybrid assist of its gas powered cousins. The other news concerns things we probably won't see from Ram anytime soon — and one of them is a midsize pickup truck. Morrison said there are no plans for one yet, though the company is always considering options. In the meantime, the current strategy is to offer the Ram 1500 Classic as an option to potential midsize buyers. The thinking, of course, is that the Ram 1500 Classic is cheaper than the redesigned Ram 1500, and it's a bigger truck than midsizers. We can't help but wonder if the Gladiator might also make a midsize Ram a tougher sell at the moment. Finally, Morrison still had nothing to say about a regular cab offering for the redesigned Ram 1500. The only full-size Ram 1500 offering with a regular cab is the Classic model, leaving four-door models only on the normal 1500. We know that regular cabs don't sell well, so it's understandable that there isn't an offering yet, but it seems the company will have to offer one eventually when the Classic runs its course. Odds are that a future Ram 1500 regular cab will look something like the Ram 2500 and 3500 regular cab models, but with a more subdued grille.

Ram Trucks celebrates 10 years as a standalone brand

In late September 2009, when Fiat still owned just 20 percent of Chrysler, Automotive News reported that Chrysler would turn Dodge Ram pickup trucks into the standalone Ram Trucks brand. On Oct. 5, 2009, the deed became official, so now it's time to celebrate the 10th anniversary — the tin or aluminum anniversary — of when the tagline "Grab Life" became "Guts. Glory. Ram." The truckmaker will let the world know about the milestone with a multimedia marketing campaign under the banner "Power of Innovation" that will run on broadcast and digital channels. The first 60-second spot is called "Power of Innovation" and debuted at the recent Texas State Fair; the Ram Trucks YouTube channel already counts a playlist showing off some of its goodies, with the hashtag #RamDoesThat. Two more 30-second marquee spots called "Bed" and "Hemi" will follow, as well as a series talking to Ram owners about their rigs. Ram Truck Celebrates 10-year Anniversary of Becoming Stand-alone Brand ‘Power of InnovationÂ’ Marketing Campaign multimedia campaign campaign includes three new broadcast videos all-new digital content viewed on RamÂ’s digital and social media channels new content featured on Ram brandÂ’s social series #RamDoesThat Launching with one-minute video called “Power of Innovation,” made debut September at State Fair of Texas spot speaks to how Ram Truck reinvent itself as stand-alone brand “Power of Innovation” 60-second spot will air broadcast this Saturday along with two new 30-second spots, “Bed” and “HEMI” digital content highlights real life Ram truck owners showcasing how features on their Ram truck enable capabilities and experiences in their everyday lives. “Power of Innovation” was created in partnership with the Ram Truck brand the Dallas-based agency The Richards Group. “Bed” and “HEMI” were created in partnership with the Ram Truck brand and the Doner Agency. trucks, ProMaster and ProMaster City vans Tradesman, Express, Big Horn/Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie Longhorn and Limited emerging as standalone brand October 2009 reclining rear seats, multi-link coil spring rear suspension, active-level four-corner air suspension, active air dam, mild-hybrid eTorque engine options, thermal axle technology, RamBox cargo management system and multifunction tailgate 2009 RamBox cargo management system.