Chevy, Ford, and Dodge to put mini diesels in their 1/2 ton models

they've been using the mini diesels in europe for a while ... or similar. i think that there is an issue with them being actually manufactured in europe, and with the big slide in the dollar in recent years and the fact that the engines aren't assembled by slave labor ... it makes them too expensive for americans.

great idea, and it would be nice to see the minis installed in trucks and cars as well. some of the vws with diesel engines get outstanding mileage - but due to the cost they aren't marketed in the u.s.

The challenge with diesel is emissions. The cost premium shouldn't be as much as with their large block diesels. Each of those diesels was an evolution from an old architecture adapted to make them 50-state legal. The additional emissions controls and particulate cycles added lots of weight, complexity and cost. The mileage of these engines is not nearly as good as they were just one year ago either in real-world use.

The new engines being developed are generally ground up designs from an emissions perspective. They are all based on existing lines, but it was more than just a hack job to tune it for emissions standards. GM's is based on their existing Duramax except it was engineered from the start with the 2009 and 2011 diesel standards in mind. The Ford 4.4 is based on their Lion V8 diesel sold in Europe. Meeting emissions standards from this engine is MUCH easier than from from Navistar's old 4.5 V6 line. I'm not sure where Dodge's diesels is originating, but I assume it is from the same engine line from Cummins as their larger I6 diesel. Not sure about its emissions.

I would expect a Chevy Silverado or Ford F-150 with these new diesels to *average* 18-19 mpg. That's about 20-25% better than the current engines in real-world use. They will likely be rated around 17/22 or so. However, they will probably be more capable than Ford's 5.4, maybe the upcoming Boss, Chevy's 5.3 and maybe Chevy's 6.0.

It will be a good step as the diesels will likely be more efficient, but it will only be a small step. The real test will be to see if they launch even smaller diesels - the Lion 3.6 from Europe in the Ford, for example, would be an excellent engine that would rate in around 19/25 probably and have more torque than any V8 in a light-duty truck. I am also intrigued by Ford's new EcoBoost technology coming to their F-150 in 2009 for the 2010MY supposedly (I actually believe early 2010). The engine is reported to average over 20 mpgs in testing because it doesn't require such extensive emissions cleaning, yet with the torque curve of a diesel because of its twin turbos - same as a diesel.

Well, the OP is obviously not familiar with the metric system. I cannot imagine how a big truck can weigh only 1/2 ton (500kgs, or about 1150 lbs). Not even superlight aluminium sport vehicles weigh that little. My guess is around 2.5 tons (2500kgs).

As for the question- the future is in diesel engines. They had become as powerfull as gas engines, have higher torque at lower RPM and are much more economical. With a good filter for solid particles, you can squeeze out 200000miles + out of it without any problems. Why in the world do you need 6L engine? You can drive as good with 2.5L at much lower cost and with same performance (that you could possibly ever use).

You are correct with the Dodge, it's the Cummin in-line 6 turbo diesel.

I've had diesel trucks for about 15 years now. Both Dodge and Ford. Always averaged about 19 mpg. The good thing is the engines last forever. The bad thing is right now diesel fuel is $3.75/gal.

The 1/2 ton category was apptly. named that way decades ago when pickups of a certain size could only tow about 1/2 ton behind them (this was in the 50's I believe). Anyways, the name carried because people liked it and older consumers could connect with what the category stood for, being able to tow a decent amount but not too much either. Or so this is what I have been told.

1/2 ton refers to the payload capacity, not the weight of the vehicle itself.

I'm hoping Dodge comes out with a diesel powered Dakota. I understand that Toyota offers diesel powered Tacomas in Europe and Asia.