Ram shows off 1500 High Fuel Efficiency (HFE) in Detroit

11145 Views 24 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Katoom250SX, Jan 28, 2015

Panther Dash

Discussion Starter · Jan 14, 2015

Ram has unveiled a brand new version of the Diesel Ram 1500 at the Detroit Auto Show. This Ram 1500 HFE (high Fuel Efficiency) is an even more fuel efficiet version of the truck that we have all come to love, and it will arrive in showrooms in the first quarter of 2015.

So what is the big difference between the current model and the HFE? The current model is rated at 29 mpg highway. The HFE brings that up to 29 mpg using the same 3-liter V6 turbo diesel engine that is standard in the Ecodiesel. That is just 1 mpg of increased fuel efficiency, but that makes a big difference over time.

Ram Trucks chief exec officer Bob Hegbloom added: “Fuel efficiency is at the top of truck buyers’ priorities and Ram is the recognized benchmark for the industry. Twenty-nine miles per gallon cuts through the clutter. Ram invested in powertrain technologies and those are paying real dividends in the wallets of our customers.”

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zoomie

· #2 · Jan 14, 2015

Panther Dash said:
The HFE brings that up to 29 mpg using the same 3-liter V6 turbo diesel engine that is standard in the Ecodiesel. That is just 1 mpg of increased fuel efficiency, but that makes a big difference over time.

This trumps all the talk about Truck of the Year, Aluminum body's, etc.

GDE

· #3 · Jan 14, 2015

zoomie said:
This trumps all the talk about Truck of the Year, Aluminum body's, etc.

Ford and GM are both taking notes on the Ram eco diesel. Ford has a 3.0l in Europe that could be reworked for the F-150...2017 would be feasible. The Ram is the current leader in a segment that will be growing fast in the coming 3-4 years.

10%More

· #4 · Jan 14, 2015

Studied that thing out. It's all about aerodynamics.

Ever see "big trucks" with angled plates under the trailer? This new Ram Ecodiesel uses a rather lare nerf bar or floorboard to help with under-truck aeodynamics.

Now over the bed they install a covr to help with aerodynamics there. Just like big trucks with spoilers coming from the top and sides of the trailer end, they are cutting down the vacuum profile to lessen drag.

Couple that with a lower 2-wheel drive and maybe higher (lower numerically) rear-end ration and you got it.

"It" is only 1 mpg over normal models. I really do get 27 mpg and more without towing with my 4 x 4 on the open highway running 70 mph.

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Hershey

· #5 · Jan 14, 2015

I'll believe it when I see the cold hard facts. Right now, Ram can't even figure out why some ED models are getting better than the EPA mileage ratings, while others are way below the EPA ratings. This sounds like a marketing fishing expedition...

Accused

· #6 · Jan 15, 2015

Thats right, pure marketing. Can anyone tell me the dollar value of one MPG? Exactly...

If you're fretting over one MPG you're probably having trouble affording the payments as well...

If Ford really wanted to fight fire they should consider dropping that I5 diesel in the Transit into the F150...

zoomie

· #7 · Jan 15, 2015

Accused said:
Thats right, pure marketing. Can anyone tell me the dollar value of one MPG? Exactly...

The value of having the best MPG, even if it's by 1, is being able to bombard us with ads that scream "best fuel economy in a full size truck".

The vast majority of automotive buyers react to ads like that. I'm not suggesting the good members of this forum do, but there are lots of folks out there that do.

Hershey

· #8 · Jan 16, 2015

Accused said:
Thats right, pure marketing. Can anyone tell me the dollar value of one MPG? Exactly...

If you're fretting over one MPG you're probably having trouble affording the payments as well...

If Ford really wanted to fight fire they should consider dropping that I5 diesel in the Transit into the F150...

I just want my truck to get what they advertised so much about. I'm not even close at 18-20 highway! This truck was pushed out WAY too soon so they could advertise "best in class" B*LL SH*T. In my humble opinion, there wasn't enough testing done on many of the components for durability & that is why some folks are having exhaust leaks, electrical issues & failure to start issues. The engine is rock solid & I would imagine the tranny is also. No one is complaining about their doors falling off or tailgate jamming - that stuff was fixed long ago. That's just my two cents...

v8deuce

· #9 · Jan 16, 2015

Hershey said:
I just want my truck to get what they advertised so much about. I'm not even close at 18-20 highway! This truck was pushed out WAY too soon so they could advertise "best in class" B*LL SH*T. In my humble opinion, there wasn't enough testing done on many of the components for durability & that is why some folks are having exhaust leaks, electrical issues & failure to start issues. The engine is rock solid & I would imagine the tranny is also. No one is complaining about their doors falling off or tailgate jamming - that stuff was fixed long ago. That's just my two cents...

Yes I'm with you Hersey I still really like my truck but getting less than half the advertised mpg I feel used and stupid for falling for it.How many times we all have been told that "if it's to good to be true it probily is". I still haven't saw any posts saying "I'm getting 37 mpg and down to 32 pulling a trailer" let alone the promise of 40 mpg:|

Randy

Accused

· #10 · Jan 16, 2015

zoomie said:
The value of having the best MPG, even if it's by 1, is being able to bombard us with ads that scream "best fuel economy in a full size truck".

The vast majority of automotive buyers react to ads like that. I'm not suggesting the good members of this forum do, but there are lots of folks out there that do.

Oh I know matey

I was just being a bit facetious/dry, forget that it doesn't always come through in text. I'm in marketeering and it makes me sick...

At times I feel like the marketing message is what drives product planning instead of product driving the marketing.

I was listening to Hegebloom on Autoline last week and one of the things he said was that they aimed squarely at fuel economy for the ED.

Granted much of the motivation came from consumers saying we care about econ (but I think that has to do more with the adoption of H/T's as bonafide family vehicles/pseudo luxury products, but I digress) but even so, consumers said they wanted X, so RAM built a product that allowed them to say we have X.

The RAM is a less egregious example then the majority of lifestyle products however, as the 1500 was already a capable product before hand, it was simply adopted to fit a secondary message...

Diesel Washington

· #11 · Jan 17, 2015

I mean they are playing to the customers. They do surveys and fuel economy is number one on people's minds so that is what they focus on.

zoomie

· #12 · Jan 18, 2015

Accused said:
Oh I know matey I was just being a bit facetious/dry, forget that it doesn't always come through in text. I'm in marketeering and it makes me sick...

At times I feel like the marketing message is what drives product planning instead of product driving the marketing.

I was listening to Hegebloom on Autoline last week and one of the things he said was that they aimed squarely at fuel economy for the ED.

Granted much of the motivation came from consumers saying we care about econ (but I think that has to do more with the adoption of H/T's as bonafide family vehicles/pseudo luxury products, but I digress) but even so, consumers said they wanted X, so RAM built a product that allowed them to say we have X.

The RAM is a less egregious example then the majority of lifestyle products however, as the 1500 was already a capable product before hand, it was simply adopted to fit a secondary message...

Got cha!

At least they are talking about real numbers, even if it's only 1mpg which will not make any difference to that average driver.

I quoted a GM ad a while ago that said "We have a new engine with better fuel economy and towing capacity" . Really, better than what? this is the kind of ad that gets me.

Katoom250SX

· #13 · Jan 18, 2015 (Edited)

v8deuce said:
Yes I'm with you Hersey I still really like my truck but getting less than half the advertised mpg I feel used and stupid for falling for it.How many times we all have been told that "if it's to good to be true it probily is". I still haven't saw any posts saying "I'm getting 37 mpg and down to 32 pulling a trailer" let alone the promise of 40 mpg:|

Randy

Whoa!!! Who ever told you this truck gets 37 mpg , 32mpg pulling, and 40 mpg promise blew you serious smoke. If I recall my 4x4 laramie crew with 6'4" bed is rated at 27 hwy. I have and will continue to hand calculate every tank. The absolute best i have gotten was just shy of 29 mpg on an all highway trip about 3 and a half hours away.

It sounds like you and Hershey have some problems with your trucks if your mileage isn't good. But reading your post, you may actually be really close on your average. You say less than half the advertised mpg. If you are 19 mpg average that's close to half of what you were told and since winter has settled in that's really close to what I'm averaging. My last tank hand calculated at 20.881 mpg. That was mixed hwy and city with sufficient warm up time.

Katoom250SX

· #14 · Jan 18, 2015

v8deuce said:
Yes I'm with you Hersey I still really like my truck but getting less than half the advertised mpg I feel used and stupid for falling for it.How many times we all have been told that "if it's to good to be true it probily is". I still haven't saw any posts saying "I'm getting 37 mpg and down to 32 pulling a trailer" let alone the promise of 40 mpg:|

Randy

Randy,
I now see you are from canada. Do you use the same units of measure when it comes to fuel usage?

JM29

· #15 · Jan 19, 2015

Hello , I just pick up my Larmie eco truck dec 15 ,2014 and have had for one month but does not have HFE on tail gate

DieselDawg

· #16 · Jan 22, 2015

FORD already has a 3.2L Powerstroke Diesel in the 2015 Transits. It has been in Europe under another name for years. EcoBoost, EcoDiesel, ect. are all marketing tools to gain buyers. All the major makers have diesels in their arsenals...it is just a matter of when they want to introduce them to the market. When it comes down to it...that is good for the consumer.

Hershey

· #17 · Jan 23, 2015

Panther Dash said:
Ram has unveiled a brand new version of the Diesel Ram 1500 at the Detroit Auto Show. This Ram 1500 HFE (high Fuel Efficiency) is an even more fuel efficiet version of the truck that we have all come to love, and it will arrive in showrooms in the first quarter of 2015.

So what is the big difference between the current model and the HFE? The current model is rated at 29 mpg highway. The HFE brings that up to 29 mpg using the same 3-liter V6 turbo diesel engine that is standard in the Ecodiesel. That is just 1 mpg of increased fuel efficiency, but that makes a big difference over time.

Quote:
Ram Trucks chief exec officer Bob Hegbloom added: “Fuel efficiency is at the top of truck buyers’ priorities and Ram is the recognized benchmark for the industry. Twenty-nine miles per gallon cuts through the clutter. Ram invested in powertrain technologies and those are paying real dividends in the wallets of our customers.”

I'll get right to the point. I want Mr. Hegbloom to personally call me and guarantee that my truck will get fixed so that there are no more fumes of any kind and that it will get the mileage that they keep advertising! This is a truck from h*ll!

To all you potential buyers: "Caveat emptor " - (Let the buyer beware!) This truck has serious issues:
1- Serious exhaust leaks that are not being addressed & fixed properly
2- Horrible dealer support (lack of trained techs and/or lack of customer service)
3- Nonexistent parts! Dealers don't even have the engine oil or filters to do routine maintenance, nor do they have the replacement parts needed to fix the most problematic issues nationwide!
4- I'm tired of hearing about "winter diesel" causing lower mileage. I'm not advocating the Ecoboost, but it does not have a factor such as "winter diesel fuel"! If they are going to advertise 'Best in Class" fuel mileage in everyday driving, then it better freak'n get that!
5- When we've complained to dealers & to Chrysler about how low our fuel mileage has been from day one, we've been told "we can't guarantee that mileage"...Well, I say: DON'T BUY THIS TRUCK BECAUSE RAM CAN'T BACK UP THEIR FACTS IN THEIR ADVERTISING, NOR DO THEY CARE!

We're pissed! Every day I wish we had never purchased this pile of crap. I'm not holding back any more, because the newbies & potential buyers need to know what they are facing. I wouldn't be saying this for any other reasons other than we've been ripped off & a corporate giant doesn't care! Their philosophy is take the money & run. Well Mr. Hegbloom, if you truly want to "cut(s) through the clutter" & "pay(ing) real dividends in the wallets of our customers”, you would be making sure your product lived up to your claims & assuring your dealer network was equipped to handle problems & instilling confidence that the problems would be solved & customers are made happy about their purchase of a $50,000 automobile. But, you're not! Instead you're out advertising yet another pipe-dream that will never live up to the hype.

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Diesel Washington

· #18 · Jan 23, 2015

Hershey said:
Quote:
Ram Trucks chief exec officer Bob Hegbloom added: “Fuel efficiency is at the top of truck buyers’ priorities and Ram is the recognized benchmark for the industry. Twenty-nine miles per gallon cuts through the clutter. Ram invested in powertrain technologies and those are paying real dividends in the wallets of our customers.”

I'll get right to the point. I want Mr. Hegbloom to personally call me and guarantee that my truck will get fixed so that there are no more fumes of any kind and that it will get the mileage that they keep advertising! This is a truck from h*ll!

To all you potential buyers: "Caveat emptor " - (Let the buyer beware!) This truck has serious issues:
1- Serious exhaust leaks that are not being addressed & fixed properly
2- Horrible dealer support (lack of trained techs and/or lack of customer service)
3- Nonexistent parts! Dealers don't even have the engine oil or filters to do routine maintenance, nor do they have the replacement parts needed to fix the most problematic issues nationwide!
4- I'm tired of hearing about "winter diesel" causing lower mileage. I'm not advocating the Ecoboost, but it does not have a factor such as "winter diesel fuel"! If they are going to advertise 'Best in Class" fuel mileage in everyday driving, then it better freak'n get that!
5- When we've complained to dealers & to Chrysler about how low our fuel mileage has been from day one, we've been told "we can't guarantee that mileage"...Well, I say: DON'T BUY THIS TRUCK BECAUSE RAM CAN'T BACK UP THEIR FACTS IN THEIR ADVERTISING, NOR DO THEY CARE!

We're pissed! Every day I wish we had never purchased this pile of crap. I'm not holding back any more, because the newbies & potential buyers need to know what they are facing. I wouldn't be saying this for any other reasons other than we've been ripped off & a corporate giant doesn't care! Their philosophy is take the money & run. Well Mr. Hegbloom, if you truly want to "cut(s) through the clutter" & "pay(ing) real dividends in the wallets of our customers”, you would be making sure your product lived up to your claims & assuring your dealer network was equipped to handle problems & instilling confidence that the problems would be solved & customers are made happy about their purchase of a $50,000 automobile. But, you're not! Instead you're out advertising yet another pipe-dream that will never live up to the hype.

Are you talking about the HFE version of the Ram EcoDiesel or just the regular version?

Hershey

· #19 · Jan 23, 2015

I have the standard version Ecodiesel & my mileage keeps dropping along with a host of other weird & inexcusable issues. My point is Ram keeps advertising the **** out of their "mileage claims", yet they can't tell me I have NEVER come close to the advertised mileage. Now they have the new HFE version that gets one more mpg - they need to focus on getting all the regular EDs at their claimed mileage.

Kancho

· #20 · Jan 24, 2015

I can testify that driving habits play a huge role in fuel mileage.

I have been consistently getting 34-35 miles per Imperial gallon on the highway at speeds of 110-115 kilometers per hour(68-71mph). (An Imperial gallon = 1.2 U.S. gallons) Multiplying mileage that I get per Imperial gallon by .83 will give the mileage in U.S. gallons) When converting the mileage, it equals out to approximately 29 miles per U.S. gallon.
With my driving habits, it doesn't make much of a difference between two wheel and four wheel drive. I also have a heavy foot off the line and when merging into traffic.

I filled up the truck before my wife took the truck on a 500 mile round trip last month and I filled it up when she returned. I calculated it out by hand and it worked out to 40.1 miles per Imperial gallon with her driving at an average of 95-100 kilometers per hour(59-62mph) in two wheel drive.(40.1 miles per Imperial gallon equates to 33.28 miles per U.S. gallon)

All these figures have been attained with an average ambient outside temperature of -15C or 0 degrees Fahrenheit for our U.S. friends.

I haven't had anything to complain about with this truck yet. I only have 15,000 km (9300 mi) on it. I haven't plugged the block heater in yet and we have reached temperatures of -30C(-20F) a couple of times this year, once dipping down to -40C/F with the wind chill factor.

I feel for anyone that is having problems with their trucks, but I am thankful for the experience I am having with this truck. I intend to keep this truck as my last vehicle purchase. If I can get 15-20 years out of it, I will have succeeded. I always did like to gamble.

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