HEADLINES: A VP44 Cummins In The 9’s
A 9-second VP44 Cummins, the ODSS travels to Florida (and PA), and we remember the time VW produced a 500hp V-12 TDI.
Ten years ago, the prospect of getting a VP44-fueled Cummins into the 9’s would’ve gotten you laughed out of town. Today, it’s a reality that Drew Carter is living—and it’s well-deserved. Not only did his second-gen Dodge recently earn a 9-second timeslip, but it was achieved on fuel alone. The quarter-mile milestone came on the heels of Drew also running a recent personal best, 6.42-second E.T. at Diesel Truck Wars—a time he beat with a 6.35-second interval in route to his 9.98-second quarter-mile. If the 2023 diesel drag racing season has shown us anything, it’s that barriers are going to be broken with regularity going forward.
Drag Racing
2024 ODSS Schedule
The Outlaw Diesel Super Series is expanding its racing schedule for 2024. Two fresh venues with iconic drag strips will play host to ODSS action, and it kicks off at Orlando Speed World the first weekend of April. Mainstay tracks remain on the schedule, including Rockingham Dragway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Beech Bend Raceway Park, Crossville Dragway and Wagler Motorsports Park. Then, for the first time, the season will conclude at New Alexandria, Pennsylvania’s Keystone Raceway Park. The ODSS drag race circuit gave us the quickest eighth-mile passes ever made by diesels in 2023—we can only imagine what’s in store for next year.
OEM
What Can We Expect On The Next Ram 2500 and 3500’s?
Last Tuesday, Ram Trucks released its ’25 model year 1500 models, which can only mean one thing to us: the new 2500 and 3500 versions will look very similar. The new, contemporary exterior design is intended to be instantly recognizable yet more aerodynamic, and a redesigned, forward-leaning grille is available in eight different variations depending on specific model. Other changes include new, premium LED headlamps (including twin bi-functional projector headlamps coming standard beginning with Limited trim), a power tailgate, and the availability of an ultra-premium Tungsten package, which brings high-end comfort, durability, and appearance to the all-new Ram’s interior.
Remember VW’s 500 HP V-12 TDI?
Never knew Volkswagen produced a V-12 TDI? Yep, they sure did. The 6.0L displacement power plant was twin-turbo’d, made use of 4-valve cylinder heads, and sported common-rail injection with fast-firing piezoelectric injectors. The potent package turned out an effortless 368 kW (493 hp) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque right off the assembly line. And despite the fact that it was supposedly capable of producing 1,500 Nm to 2,000 Nm, the big TDI was detuned in order to save the transmission that would be parked behind it. It was only available in the Audi Q7. Boy do we miss the days when OEM’s were all-in on diesel.
The Next Gen X15: Coming 2026
Further emissions regulations are on the horizon, and that can only mean one thing: Cummins is ready to meet (and beat) them. The global engine supplier’s latest generation of the X15 will feature the company’s most advanced internal combustion technology to date. Beyond that, the new X15 will feature a belt-driven, 48-volt alternator and aftertreatment heater solution specifically developed for the looming emissions standards. Powertrain integration, overall drivability, fuel economy and ease of maintenance are also said to be improved with the next generation X15. Cummins’ latest legendary inline-six will be available with power ratings as high as 605 hp and 2,050 lb-ft of torque.
