2014 Ram 1500 diesel in the works

Chrysler has announced that a diesel-powered Ram 1500 pickup is in the works. It's expected to hit dealer lots -- and presumably, America's family farms -- in the third quarter of 2013.

Set to be released as a 2014 model year vehicle, the oil-burning 1500 will get a 3.0-liter V6 wearing Chrysler's new EcoDiesel branding. It will be paired with same rotary dial eight-speed automatic transmission found on current 1500 pickups.

The diesel V6 will join a trio of gasoline engines currently found in the 1500: A 4.7-liter V8, a 5.7-liter V8 and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.

A Chrysler release emphasized the diesel's projected low emissions and high efficiency, but the automaker has not yet released any performance or mileage figures. The diesel-equipped 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee we saw at the Chicago Auto Show may provide some hints, however: In that application, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 will produce 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque while returning 30 mpg highway.

By Graham Kozak