Hello, DTR members,
I must say that I am extremely happy with my truck! It has made me a believer in diesel. I am averaging 19.1 MPG hand calculated (mixed driving but, no city). The truck does an amazing job for its size. Better overall average MPG then my 4.7L V8 Tundra or 3.4L V6 Tacoma.

I think this "Power War" of torque and HP between Dodge GM and Ford is starting to show critical battlefield/economic losses. With the higher power, new EPA regs causing reduced MPG this means higher operating costs passed on to us.

I know many have a need for the pulling power but, from what I can tell, many of us have a hard time using the engine to its full potential might be well served by a smaller more efficient diesel motor.

I would love to see smaller light duty engines that maintain drive-ability with specs that are on par with smaller v8 engines 4.7l and 5.0l If the could produce around 200HP and 350 ft/lbs torque. This could be deployed in a 1/2 ton chassis.

I heard that the new Cummins engines are still higher displacement which to me means lower efficiency. Has there been any update on the motors specs.

I noticed in the article linked below that GM is looking at a 4.5L diesel motor.
Any one know if this motor is being built for efficiency? What are the specs?
http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/new...big-sting.html


Regards,

 

I'm with you on this one.

Fact is, for most of my driving, a 160hp 5-speed Accord is more than enough. I'd like a little more torque than it displaces, but that's a minor point.

I would really love to see 4-cylinder Tacoma's and small V-6 minivan's offered with clean, quiet diesel engines. Sadly, all the talk is in "hybrids" as we're a buzzword society, not a substance society. Honestly the power sturggle between the big three with diesel truck engines is hurting the public perception of anything diesel - that they are always loud, driven carelssly, and emit tons of pollutants. Hopefully cars such as the '09 BMW 335d will begine to change that percpetion...