Ward's and Fleet Owner Announce First Heavy-Duty Diesel Shootout Winner

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor Company's new Super Duty diesel-powered pickup proves victorious in the first Heavy-Duty Diesel Shootout held by WardsAuto and Fleet Owner.

With three new heavy-duty pickup trucks released by General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler Group LLC in a relatively short period, editors from WardsAuto and Fleet Owner decided to pit them against each other, with a keen eye on engine performance.

"The arrival of these trucks represents an absolute bonanza for anyone buying a heavy-duty pickup," said Ward's AutoWorld Executive Editor Tom Murphy.  "In this segment, towing means everything, and these big diesels take a beating."

Included in the Diesel Shootout were Chrysler Group LLC's Ram HD, which launched in late 2009, Ford Motor Co.'s Super Duty, released in spring 2010, and General Motors Co.'s GMC Sierra HD, which debuted in summer 2010.

Editors tested each truck at the Robert Bosch LLC proving grounds in Flat Rock, MI, in July.  In addition to time on public roads, the journalists drove the vehicles up and down 20% grades and ran 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration tests while towing 10,000-lb. (4,536-kg) trailers.

The editors reported that all three diesel entries performed admirably, from the "deliciously throaty" Cummins 6.7L I-6 in the Ram Laramie 2500 HD to the "torque-rich" Duramax 6.6L V-8 in the GMC Sierra Denali HD to the "amazingly quiet" Power Stroke 6.7L V-8 in the Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat.

Ultimately, the judges picked Ford's Power Stroke V-8 for its lightweight construction, innovative materials, sophisticated aftertreatment, clever packaging and even its ability to squeal the tires while hauling 10,000 lbs. Ford will receive its Diesel Shootout award at the Ward's 10 Best Engines banquet in January 2011.  

In trailering evaluations, each truck got roughly the same fuel economy (11.6 mpg) and each scampered up and down a 20% grade with relative ease.  And all three engines produce amazingly clean exhaust streams, whether at cold start or after an entire day of flogging in intense heat. Further, the editors noted that like Michigan restaurants and bars, today's new diesel pickups are smoke-free.

"This is a really tough assignment for a diesel," said Jim Mele, editor-in-chief for Fleet Owner. "It has to satisfy the expectation of consumers, who use these trucks as personal vehicles, but still be able to meet the demands of commercial users, who use these trucks as tools in their businesses."

Visit WardsAuto.com and FleetOwner.com to read the full package about the Diesel Shootout and to view photos and video. A sound gallery of the event also is available.

WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 80 years. Its magazine, Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals, and the website WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis WardsAuto compiles. Fleet Owner has served the commercial trucking market for more than 80 years, offering news, analysis and best practice information for managers of for-hire and private truck fleets throughout the United States and beyond, via its magazine and website, FleetOwner.com.  Ward's and Fleet Owner are each divisions of Penton Media, Inc.

SOURCE WardsAuto