Oil-Burning Rebel

First drive of the 2020 Ram Rebel EcoDiesel 3.0L

- Bruce W. Smith

CLIMBING A SHORT, STEEP SECTION OF TRAIL IN THE IRON RANGE OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE STATE Recreation Area just outside of Gilbert, Minnesota, was remarkably easy behind the wheel of the EcoDiesel-powered ’20 Ram 1500 Rebel we were driving. With the lowend torque of the newest V-6 turbodiesel from VM Motori under the hood and the ZF 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric locker in the rear differential, the ascent was nothing more than a casual idle to the top. And we weren’t even in low range.

The new third-gen EcoDiesel purrs like a kitten, with just the barest of an audible diesel heartbeat. Its 480 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm outshines the Hemi 5.7L and bests its 1 ⁄2-ton diesel competitors. The new EcoDiesel doesn’t disappoint—and it’s available across all models and trim levels of the ’20 Ram 1500.

New Building Block

Lift the hood and the new engine looks nearly identical to the previous turbocharged 3.0L EcoDiesel. But strip away the plastic coverings and underneath is a new compacted graphite iron (CGI) block topped with equally new aluminum heads. The new block weighs 15 pounds less than the CGI block of the previous generation.

The crankshaft and connecting rods are 4140 forged steel, and the redesigned aluminum alloy pistons have thinner rings along with a flat deck surrounding a newly designed fire bowl. The pistons also feature a connecting pin offset by 0.3 mm to reduce noise from piston slap. The quieter, smoother running of this EcoDiesel distinguishes it from the 2019-and-earlier models.