Who else is ready for the next WRC winner to be driving a WRX STi Turbo Diesel? Subaru Europe President Hiroyuki Ikeda shocked the Paris autoshow yesterday when he announced that Subaru was almost complete with their development of a horizontally opposed turbo diesel. From the pictures it looks like it will be a common-rail design which is kind of surprising when you realize how far away the injectors are from each other.

The benefits of a horizontally opposed design are great. The rotational balance the engine creates mean that it should be very low on vibrations, and very strong. Because the engine is wide instead of tall it gives it a lower center of gravity.

Subaru hopes to have the engine ready for next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

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Engine available in January on new 2007 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 models

* Increased output with 350 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque * New, fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission features best-in-class gear-ratio spread; standard Electronic Range Select (ERS) * First-ever integrated exhaust brake available direct from the factory * 50-percent quieter engine; 3 Dba reduction in cabin sound levels * Life-to-major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000-mile advantage over the competition

DALLAS, Sept. 28 — The war among America’s diesel- powered pickup trucks rumbles into a new round with Dodge announcing more horsepower, torque, refinement and a host of advanced towing features.

Today at the State Fair of Texas, Dodge will reveal more details about the 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty’s new 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel engine, which replaces the current 5.9-liter engine. Producing 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm, the 6.7-liter engine features an all-new six-speed automatic transmission that delivers improved fuel economy and performance.

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I was pretty dissappointed as far as diesels go. Of course I saw the Dodge, Ford, and GM trucks but that was it. The Dodge was nice, and the only one I could get in. The Ford’s doors were locked and the GM’s were behind ropes. With hundreds of people there it was also impossible to get a decent picture of anything.

The silver Dodge MegaCab dually was very nice with wood trim and the Infinity sound system, and if you can afford the almost $52,000 msrp then go for it. I don’t think you’ll find a bigger truck unless you can somehow steal the Ford Super Chief. The interior was very spacious and well laid out, but I’m sure most of you know that since the only big change for this model year was the new 6.7L Cummins (available Jan ‘07).

The GM’s both looked great. i was a bit worried from the pictures, but seeing them in person they look pretty tough. The GMC, in pictures, kinda resembled the Ford with their new front ends but when I saw them in person any resemblence I thought I saw was gone. The front ends are huge and will look pretty intimidating I ever see one come up fast from behind while drivng my Jetta. I’m sure alot of bugs will be losing their life to the new front end also. From what I could see the interiors looked well laid out. The doors were open on one of them but like I said they were behind ropes.

The ‘08 Ford Super Duty looked like it just had a minor facelift. I actually prefer the previous front-end though. However, I do really like the “Super Duty” across the top of the grille. The tailgate retractable step and pole to help you climb up was a nice addition. The best idea I thought they had was the fold-away bed extender. When you need you just unfold it and latch it together. If other manufacturers haven’t already copied that, they should.

I was hoping to see the Cherokee diesel, but of course it wasn’t there. No sign of VW’s at all. Did I just miss them completely? Two cars I thought were prime candidates for something like a 2.0L diesel were the Ford Fusion and the Chevy Impala. Of course there was no unveiling of any of the future light duty diesels. No diesel Camaro. No diesel Honda.

Anyone else go see the new trucks? Let me know what you thought. I’ll be uploading the pictures I got later after I get a new card reader.