Note: I've been receiving tons of mail from readers wondering
how Mr. Zetsche's turnaround plan will affect various
future
products. He stated that there will be no reduction of
investment in future product development. However, both the
timing and direction of Chrysler's future product plans are
being tweaked. In the next few columns I'll be updating you
on those plans.
Last year Buzz Watch broke the story that Dodge is
developing a medium duty truck codenamed DC. Before I
fill you in on the latest Buzz regarding this new truck let
me
get you up to date on what's coming down the pike for the
all new Dodge Ram (DR).
One thing that does not come across in the studio shots of
the new Ram is just how big and brawny this truck is. The
picture above, from the Canadian International Auto Show,
gives a better idea of the scale of this big truck (that's
DC
Canada's CEO Ed Brust standing next to).
As previously reported, when the 2002 Ram debuts late this
summer it will only be offered as a half ton (1500). The
new
truck will only be available as a quad cab or regular cab
for
2002. In 2003 Dodge will launch the three quarter and one
ton versions of the truck (2500/3500), club cabs will also
become available throughout the line-up. While 4x4 Ram
1500's will have an independent front suspension, 4x4 Ram
2500 and 3500 trucks will have solid axles.
Diesel equipped Rams will also be added to the mix for
model year 2003 (in 2500/3500 models only). One of my Ace
Buzz Patrollers reports that Cummins indeed be providing
their next generation ISB for the truck. The Buzz is that
the
new Mercedes Benz turbo diesel will be available as an
option in 2004.
While an updated version of the NV5600 manual
transmission will be used, I've been getting conflicting
reports on which automatic will be used. There's been Buzz
that Cummins will supply an automatic as a package with
the ISB. I've also heard that Dodge is working on a new
transmission, called the 48RE, which will be built at
Kokomo. It's possible that the Cummins trans. will be used
with the ISB and the 48RE will be for use with the V10 and
possibly with the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 as well.
Speaking of HEMI's the 6.1 liter engine that was planned
for
the truck line has been dropped from the line-up. Know
internally as the 440 HEMI (though 6.1 does not equal
440cid), this engine was identical to the 5.7 (besides the
displacement). Apparently, the brass felt that the engine
was
unnecessary and went against the companies engine
reduction plans.
5.7 liter HEMI availability will be fairly tight for 2003.
One
of my Ace Buzz patrollers reports that only 10,000 of these
engines will be available for 2003. He adds that the
ancient
5.9 (360cid) liter V8 will continue to be used throughout
2003.
In 2004 Dodge will launch the "DC" chassis cab truck. The
medium truck will be offered as a 3500/4500/5500. The big
truck (which has been developed in cooperation with
Freightliner) will be offered as both a standard cab and as
a
quad cab. It styling will be almost identical to the DR
(just
bigger).
While Cummins has a contract for the life of the DR, they
where not awarded the contract for the DC. Last year Buzz
Watch broke the story that Mercedes Benz is developing an
all new compact turbo diesel for use in light and medium
truck applications. This will be the only diesel offered
when
the DC debuts for model year 2004.
More future product Buzz tomorrow
--------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
Test Engineer
Test Branch, GSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, USMC
(Work) 760-725-2506 (DSN: 365)
(Work) mailto:stlaurents@mctssa.usmc.mil
(Home) mailto:saint1958@home.com
"In fact, my work has already proven
itself to be correct. People such
as you just haven't gotten it yet.
(unknown author)
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