| PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2007 -- New 2007 Dodge
Ram 2500 and 3500 with Cummins 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine is first
Chrysler Group BLUETEC vehicle and first to meet stringent 2010 truck
emissions standards in all 50 states.
- 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine
achieves 2010 NOx emission standards three years early, making it
the cleanest and best-performing heavy-duty pickup truck in the
market
- BLUETEC-equipped 2007 Dodge Ram
Heavy Duty available in March, starting at $33,650 (includes
destination)
- 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty is the
first Chrysler Group BLUETEC vehicle
- Breakthrough emissions technology
along with the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) enables
"systems approach" to improve air quality
- Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions
reduced by as much as 90 percent; particulate emissions virtually
eliminated
- Diesel engines provide up to 30
percent better fuel economy when compared to equivalent gasoline
engines
Today at the Washington (D.C.) Auto Show,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), together with the
Department of Energy (DOE), Chrysler Group and Cummins, recognized the
new 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty as the cleanest mass-production
diesel-engine pickup truck on the market.
Available in dealerships in March, the
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty's 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine is the first
to meet 2010 truck emissions standards in all 50 states, and will be
significantly cleaner than other pickup trucks. It is the first BLUETEC
vehicle from the Chrysler Group.
"This new technology is a significant
validation of industry's ability to meet EPA's 2010 clean diesel
standards. These innovations help power our economy and drive our
environmental successes," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's Acting Assistant
Administrator for Air and Radiation.
The new 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty engine
uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to virtually eliminate
particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides
of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent.
"The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck
with the new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine is the cleanest diesel
truck available on the market," said Tom LaSorda, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Chrysler Group. "Working together with Cummins, Dodge
is the only manufacturer to meet stringent 2010 emissions standards --
today. That's great news for our Heavy Duty customers -- 80 percent of
whom choose the diesel option."
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks'
long-standing relationship with Cummins was established in 1988 and
continues to thrive with new, more powerful, more efficient and cleaner
turbodiesel engines. In Indiana late last year, Cummins produced the
1.5-millionth diesel engine for the Dodge Ram.
"Partnerships like the one we have
enjoyed with the DOE and the leadership shown by the EPA on ULSD have
provided the right environment for this technological breakthrough,"
said Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and CEO. "We continue to research and
invest in technologies that ensure Dodge Ram heavy- duty trucks equipped
with the Cummins turbodiesel engine are as clean as they are powerful."
Improved Emissions and Durability
In addition to the NOx adsorber and the
DPF, the 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine includes other technologies to
improve fuel efficiency and reduce unburned hydrocarbons.
- A cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system combines with a uniquely designed piston combustion bowl and
a high-flow, electronically-controlled Variable Geometry
Turbocharger (VGT(TM)), matching boost pressure with the engine's
performance needs to reduce emissions and improve drivability
- Within the exhaust system, a
self-cleaning DPF and an oxidation catalyst reduces particulate
matter by a factor of 10. The emissions system is designed for a
government-certified 120,000 miles
- A new closed crankcase ventilation
system eliminates crankcase fumes and oil carry-over, a common
problem with past diesels
As durable as it is powerful, the
6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel has life- to-major overhaul intervals of
350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000- mile advantage over the
competition.
Nearly 40 percent of the new engine's
parts are carryover, with modifications geared to surpass emissions
standards and increase horsepower and torque, while maintaining the
durability associated with Dodge and Cummins.
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty models equipped with
the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine will begin appearing in
dealerships in March, starting at $33,650 including destination.
Chrysler Group Diesel-powered Models
In the United States, current Chrysler
Group diesel-powered models include the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, powered by
the new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; the all-new Dodge Ram 3500
Chassis Cab, with a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; the Dodge
Sprinter, with a 2.7-liter Common-rail Direct Injection (CDI)
turbodiesel; and the Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee, featuring a new 3.0-liter
V-6 turbodiesel engine (which hits the market early this year).
In Europe, diesel-powered models account
for more than half of Chrysler Group sales. Diesel versions of numerous
Chrysler Group vehicles continue to be popular, including the Chrysler
300C, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Compass, as well
as the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber and 2007 Jeep Wrangler.
Advanced diesel technology is part of the
Chrysler Group's advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which also
includes efficient gasoline engines, hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles and
biodiesel capability. |
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