Tag: pound

Official: 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel gets 9,200-pound tow rating

Filed under: Truck, Diesel, Ram

The current-generation Ram 1500 is entering its fifth year on the market, but Ram’s half-ton truck is not showing its age whatsoever. While we continue to wait for the fuel economy figures for the all-new EcoDiesel V6, Ram has released towing figures for trucks equipped with this new engine, as well as models fitted with the upgraded gasoline-powered V6.

The EcoDiesel – a $2,850 option – will help the Ram compete with V8-powered trucks with its max towing capacity of 9,200 pounds, which is just 50 pounds shy of the 2013 Ram 1500 with the 5.7-liter V8. The true benefit here is that the diesel should return impressive fuel economy in the process, and even though official estimates have yet to be released, Chrysler has promised that it will achieve more than 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

But even with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6, upgrades to the eight-speed automatic transmission have resulted in an increase in towing capacity, now up to 7,450 pounds. This number is expected to be best in class for base-engine trucks.

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2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel gets 9,200-pound tow rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford targeting up to 700-pound weight loss across lineup

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Ford

2011 Ford Super Duty

With stricter 2012-2016 fuel economy standards quickly creeping up on automakers, research and development departments industry-wide are looking for innovative technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions. But while hybrids and electric vehicles provide the largest wow factor, most powertrains in the near term will be of the internal combustion variety, so Ford is looking to shed pounds as well.

TheDetroitBureau.com reports that Ford is looking to trim between 250 and 700 pounds from each of its vehicles by 2017 or 2018. That’s an impressive total given the fact that added safety measures and more technology have contributed to the bloated scale-breakers we have today, and an aluminum hood or high strength steel can only make up some of that distance. Engineering Chief Derrick Kuzak tells TDB that “weight reduction starts with new platforms.” That means aluminum and carbon fiber chassis components and lighter frames.

With the cost of aluminum far exceeding that of steel, using the lightweight material could be a costly endeavor. Kuzak believes the answer could be carbon fiber, but to use the strong, light material, Ford must “improve manufacturability and reduce costs.”

Cutting several hundred pounds from a vehicle will no-doubt cut fuel consumption and substantially improve performance, and the efficiency gains can be two-fold. Kuzak points out that lighter vehicles can be fitted with smaller, more efficient engines, giving the vehicles a second bump in fuel economy. Lighter vehicles could also lead to improved EVs as well, as less battery power would be needed to propel a vehicle, which leads to more miles per charge.

We’re all for lighter and more efficient vehicles, and we’re wondering whether it’s too early to put in an order for a 2,600-pound Mustang GT. Okay, so the largest weight loss is likely for the trucks and SUVs, but we can dream, right?

[Source: TheDetroitBureau.com]

Report: Ford targeting up to 700-pound weight loss across lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Cadillac, GM, Honda, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota, Volvo, Design/Style

Nissan iV concept – Click above for high-res image gallery of all 2010 LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants

The LA Auto Show is once again knocking at the door, and with it comes the annual Design Challenge competition. This year the competition has extended invitations to Japanese and German design studios, in addition to all of the manufacturer-supported studios in Southern California, making it a much more global contest.

The theme for this year’s Design Challenge forces designers to envision vehicles that are at once both kind to the environment yet stylish and exciting to drive at the same time. The catch? Each vehicle concept must weigh no more than 1,000 pounds, seat four adults, be efficient and safe and provide a rewarding driving experience. Sustainable materials, highly exotic designs and a vision of the future are expected from the entrants, and they all certainly delivered.

Nine automakers in total have answered the competition’s call. General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota and Volvo have all stepped up to the plate, and the results are visually stunning. At the same time, each is though provoking because the designers have each given insight into what technology they believe will possible in the future.

Take a look at the Design Challenge entries, which we have lined up for you after the jump and in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 LA Auto Show Design Challenge Entries

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[Source: LA Auto Show]

Continue reading LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts

LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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