6.7L Cummins Meets 2010 Emissions
DaimlerChrysler, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Cummins revealed plans in Washington, D.C., to offer clean-diesel technology on Dodge heavy-duty trucks beginning in 2007. The new 305hp 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engine meets the stringent '10 federal truck-emissions standards in all 50 states. Dodge Ram heavy-duty trucks equipped with this engine will also receive the Bluetec designation. Bluetec-equipped '07 Dodge Ram heavy-duty trucks hit dealerships back in March, starting at $33,650.
'08 Dodge Rams
All-new Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs have been unveiled, entering the Ram into the Class 4-5 segment. The heavy-duty trucks have the 305hp 6.7L Cummins high-output diesel as standard equipment, cranking out 610 lb-ft of torque; it's also B5 biodiesel compatible. The six-speed automatic (Aisin AS68RC) and manual (G56) transmissions have PTO capability; an exhaust brake is standard equipment, and an electronic-shift transfer case (NV273) is optional. You can order one as a two- or four-wheel drive, quad cab and regular cab, or dualie.
Underneath the Ram is a suspension that's been beefified for entry into the commercial market, including a one-piece C-channel rear framerail with 50,000-psi steel. The axles are solid. The rear is a Dana S110, while the frontend features a New Magna axle with a 10 1/2-inch ring gear. The rear also uses two-stage leaf springs, while the front is a five-link, coil-spring setup. Three axle ratios are available: 4.10, 4.44, or 4.88. The GVWR for 4500s is 16,500 pounds; it's 19,500 pounds for the 5500s.
What the Diesel Grand Will Cost
The numbers are in. Interested in a Grand Cherokee with the 3.0L V-6 CRD? The Limited and Overland will be the models that can be stuffed with the engine, and the MSRPs are as follows: a two-by Limited will be $38,475, the 4x4 will set you back $41,715. Stepping up to the Overland will be $41,960 and $45,395, respectively. The Jeeps will be filled with B5 biodiesel at the assembly plant.
Dodge's New Diesel Van
The '07 Sprinter will finally see the light of day, and it has been completely redesigned. It's equipped with the new 154hp 3.0L CRD V-6 diesel (or the V-6 gas engine), and it got wider (by 2 inches), taller (13 inches), and longer (30 inches), plus, its towing capacity increased by 2,500 pounds. There are two wheelbases-144 or 170 inches-and three available lengths: 233, 273, and 289 inches. The GVWR options are up to 11,030 pounds.
Scented Tires...No, Seriously
We suppose it was bound to happen. Kumho has created the "aroma tire." Yup, it's fragranced rubber. In limited supply will be the ECSTA DX, flavored in lavender, orange, and jasmine (sometime down the road). It's a passenger-car tire for now-in sizes 205/60R16, 215/60R16, and 235/60R16-and the folks at Kumho say the scent replaces the "black rubber" smell via heat-resistant oils. They'll be sold through www.tirerack.com.
Ford Suing Navistar Over Power Stroke
Pricing and a contract dispute-that's the basis of a new lawsuit Ford filed against Navistar International. According to the Associated Press, Navistar is being accused of "not complying with the warranty cost-sharing agreement and 'unjustifiably' raising prices on a diesel engine used in the F-series pickup truck line."