Fuel Economy: New 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

FCA Canada

The 2020 Ram 1500 powered by the new 3.0-litre V-6 EcoDiesel engine recently had EnerGuide fuel economy ratings released.

Ram’s half-ton EcoDiesel will be rated at 7.3 L/100 km (39 mpg) highway, 10.5 L/100 km (27 mpg) city for 4x2 models; 8.0 L/100 km (35 mpg) highway, 11.1 L/100 km (25 mpg) city for 4x4 models.

Ram 1500’s unsurpassed 8.0 L/100 km (35 mpg) highway fuel economy rating for 4x4 models is significant in that 4x4 models represent more than 95 percent of the Canadian fullsize truck mix.

The Ram 1500’s all-new 3.0-litre V-6 EcoDiesel leads the half-ton pickup truck segment in torque with 480 lb.-ft. and diesel towing capability of 5,697 kg (12,560 lbs.).

The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel also leads all trucks in fuel range. Paired with an available 125-litre fuel tank, Ram’s driving range exceeds 1,600 kilometres.

“The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel offers the best torque and towing among all half-ton diesel trucks,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand. “Now with a 10-year track record, the Ram brand has emerged as a truck powertrain technology leader. The all-new EcoDiesel engine and Ram 1500 eTorque mild-hybrid powertrains deliver outstanding fuel efficiency alternatives for our Ram 1500 customers.”

The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is available across all models and configurations, including a first-time offering in the Ram Rebel.

The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $49,395 for the Tradesman Quad Cab 2WD, plus $1,895 destination. The EcoDiesel is a $5,800 option over the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar VVT V-6 eTorque engine on Tradesman and Big Horn and a $3,900 over the standard 5.7-litre HEMI® V-8 (Sport, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, Limited). 

All-new EcoDiesel engine

The third generation of the turbocharged EcoDiesel V-6 delivers increased torque and horsepower, along with superb fuel economy and minimal levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) to meet the needs of Ram 1500 owners. In the 2020 Ram 1500, the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6 is rated at a best-in-class 480 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm, a 14 percent increase from the previous-generation EcoDiesel V-6, that peaks 400 rpm earlier. Horsepower increases 8 percent to 260 hp at 3,600 rpm.

Several significant changes contribute to the new EcoDiesel’s improved dynamic and fuel economy performance. 

  • A new-generation water-cooled turbocharger with variable geometry is more efficient and provides improved response as engine rpms rise and fall
  • Redesigned intake ports to improve engine performance and fuel economy
  • Introduction of a dual, high-pressure and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system, a first for a diesel engine in North America. The EcoDiesel’s existing high-pressure EGR, with cooling exhaust gases drawn from the exhaust manifold, is augmented with a low-pressure EGR system that draws exhaust gases after they exit the diesel particulate filter. The addition of cooler, low-pressure exhaust gas makes a significant contribution to improved fuel economy and lower oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
  • The compression ratio is changed to 16.0:1, from 16.5:1, which helps reduce exhaust emissions, particularly NOx
  • Redesigned high-pressure (29,000 psi/2,000 bar) direct-injection fuel injector nozzles
  • Combustion chamber geometry optimized to improve fuel economy
  • Redesigned aluminum-alloy pistons improve fuel economy. The redesigned pistons use thinner piston rings and coating on the side skits to reduce friction
  • The piston pin is offset 0.3 degrees from the centerline to reduce “piston slap” against the cylinder wall, minimizing NVH
  • The lower portion of the two-piece oil sump uses a sandwiched polymer/metal material to reduce NVH
  • The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system is 50 percent larger and incorporates a new-generation diesel oxidation catalyst with the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system to reduce NOx
  • New-generation brake system vacuum pump with low-friction blades contributes to improved fuel economy

The upgrades build on the EcoDiesel V-6’s attributes and performance that made it a winner of Wards 10 Best Engines award for three consecutive years. 

The 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6 uses dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) with four valves per cylinder and a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks. The block is cast with compacted graphite iron, which provides strength to dampen vibrations but weighs less than grey cast iron. A compacted graphite iron bedplate adds rigidity to the block. 

The EcoDiesel V-6 uses a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods for strength and durability. The aluminum alloy pistons are cooled on the underside via oil jets. Heat-treated aluminum cylinder heads use individual bearing caps to reduce friction and minimize NVH. The chain-driven overhead camshafts employ roller-finger followers. 

The 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6 is produced at the FCA Cento facility in Ferrara, Italy. 

Ram 1500

The 2020 Ram 1500 is the no-compromise benchmark for durability, technology, efficiency and convenience with features never-before offered in a pickup. The Ram 1500 features up to 5,783 kg (12,750 lbs.) of towing capability (5.7-litre HEMI V-8) and 1,043 kg (2,300 lbs.) of payload. Ram’s eTorque mild hybrid system delivers improved fuel efficiency in both V-6 (standard) and V-8 configurations. As a segment disrupter, the new Uconnect 4C with a massive 12-inch touchscreen leads the pickup world in technology, featuring split-screen capability, 360-degree camera views and exclusive content from SiriusXM with 360L. Active safety and security systems include adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring and Ready Alert Braking. Class-leading ride and handling is accomplished via a class-exclusive link-coil rear suspension system with optional Active-level four-corner air suspension. The 2020 Ram 1500 also features twice the interior storage capacity versus the competition. 

Unsurpassed powertrain warranty – five years/100,000 kilometres

The 2020 Ram 1500 is backed with a five-year /100,000 kilometre Powertrain Limited Warranty. The powertrain-limited warranty covers the cost of all parts and labour needed to repair a covered powertrain component – engine, transmission and drive system.

The standard three-year / 60,000-Kilometre Basic Limited Warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage for the Ram 1500, from the body to the electrical system.