RAM 1500 V6 8-speed test.

[Dmace]

Pretty neat review of the new RAM 1500 with the base Pentastar V6 and new ZF 8 speed transmission.

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

I'm impressed with the fuel mileage numbers for a crew cab 4x2 short bed both empty and trailering 5,500lbs. 23-26 mpg empty and 10.6-11.7 mpg towing 5,500 lbs.

Their praise for the new transmission sounds very promising too!
They compare the numbers up the Davis Dam to the recently tested F150 Ecoboost. Considering the much more powerful Ford had a 9,000 lb trailer vs the 5,500 lb trailer on the base V6 RAM, I'm surprised how close they were. Even empty both trucks were nearly identical in 0-60 and 1/4 mile time and speed. Impressive for a little NA V6 engine.

This 8 speed in the HEMI and V6 diesel is gonna be a real winner!

 

[Diamondpilot]

The tranny is going to be built just up the road from me about 40 miles. Its been big news here and the plant expansion that goes with it.

Comparing the Dodge V6 to the Eco Boost is like comparing a gas V8 to a diesel. Not in the same class.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Comparing the Dodge V6 to the Eco Boost is like comparing a gas V8 to a diesel. Not in the same class.

Obviously, they only show how it compares since they recently tested the Ecoboost in the same way. Not a direct comparison just the only comparison they have right now.

Since most people think of a base V6 truck engine as weak and slow, seeing the base plain and simple normally aspirated RAM V6 closely keeping up with Ford's "hot rod" Ecoboost engine in acceleration test is impressive. Even a die hard Ford fan can't deny that.

RAM 1500 crew cab (4 full doors) V6 Pentastar- 16.09 @ 88.39 mph 1/4 mile

F-150 ext cab EcoBoost -- 15.37 sec. @ 93.32 mph 1/4 mile

Considering the power difference, 0.7 seconds and 5 mph is not much for similar sized vehicles.

Towing up the Davis Dam:
RAM 1500 V6 towing 5,500 lbs 1/4 mile - 24.35 @ 55.5 mph

Ford F150 Ecoboost towing 9,000 lbs 1/4 mile 24.56 @ 58.47 mph

Not a direct comparison but the I bet the Ford and GM base V6 engines won't be even close to these numbers.

 

[Bob77064]

That eight speed transmission is nice, I wish I had that in my truck.

 

[Dmace]

That eight speed transmission is nice, I wish I had that in my truck.

I haven't driven one yet but it sounds good, especially for towing.

 

[Dan Hunter]

The tranny is going to be built just up the riad from me about 40 miles. Its been big news here and the plant expansion that goes with it.

Comparing the Dodge V6 to the Eco Boost is like comparing a gas V8 to a diesel. Not in the same class.

Chris

What's a riad? Could you explain the transitive logic in your post?

 

[aczlan]

What's a riad? Could you explain the transitive logic in your post?

Its probbaly a typo and he meant road, the I and the O being next to each other on standard QWERTY keyboards and road making sense on that sentence.

Aaron Z

 

[94BULLITT]

Considering the power difference, 0.7 seconds and 5 mph is not much for similar sized vehicles.

Actually it is. Ask anyone who drag races what it takes to gain 5 MPH .7 seconds.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Actually it is. Ask anyone who drag races what it takes to gain 5 MPH .7 seconds.

I've hung around a few. In the neighborhood of 75HP at those speeds in a boxy truck to make that much difference.

 

[GGB]

The older I get, the more amazed I am at the continuing improvements in performance from technology from all the manufacturers.

It would be better yet if the engineers actually had to work on what they design, and if the bean counters had to work on what they are approving so they'd be less likely to try to save pennies which end up costing big money to repair down the road. But I'm not an optimist regarding this.......