The Fastest Diesel Trucks
The topic usually comes up in conversations around towing capacity and off-roading. But here are the fastest diesel trucks worth mentioning.
Written by Kerry Gibson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
When it comes down to hauling, pickup trucks have long ruled the road. Their hidden talent is
torque
, which allows them to tow so much. But this also enables some pretty quick starts, too. The fastest diesel trucks are true multitaskers.Diesel engines are capable of better fuel efficiency than their gasoline counterparts, like getting 30 mpg on the highway. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not require fuel economy data for
trucks
larger than a half-ton.The fastest diesel trucks on the track
A three-second diesel truck is a rarity, but the Firepunk Diesel team achieved this feat in 2021. It’s a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 powered by a Cummins motor. Driver Larson Miller ran the one-eighth mile at the South Georgia Motorsports Park in exactly 3.998 seconds at 182.67 mph. The truck has a fiberglass body and radial tires so it competes in the RVW (Radial Versus World) class.
MotorTrend
believes this paves the way for future clean-running diesel drag trucks.Meanwhile,
Car and Driver
claims that the 2020 Ford F-250 is the fastest diesel truck they ever tested. It was a SuperCrew Lariat with four-wheel drive and 35-inch tires. It weighs 8,120 lbs with a 6.8 ft. box.The 10-speed automatic transmission is paired to a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 engine. It traveled from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, thanks to 1,050 lb-ft of torque and 475 hp. The truck’s governed top speed is 95 mph. It hit 94 mph on the quarter-mile.
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The fastest ones you can buy
Of course, Ford has a few other models in the running for the fastest diesel trucks. The 2018 Ford Super Duty F-450 Limited shares the same turbo engine as the aforementioned F-250. It has 450 hp, 925 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing capacity of 21,000 lbs. The same engine option was made available for the 2019 F-150, so there’s potential for that model to become the fastest diesel truck in the future.
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado may not be as powerful, but it is capable of tackling most tasks with a four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that makes 181 hp. The ZR2 model has an advanced suspension system, four-wheel drive, and locking differentials in the front and rear.
Its nearly identical sister model, the GMC Canyon, is not as aggressive while off-roading. But it does boast superior fuel mileage at 30 mpg, as per
Autobytel
.Those looking for a heavy-duty option with dual-rear-wheels will be satisfied with the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. The 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine produces 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a six-speed automatic Allison transmission and conventional towing capacity of 20,000 lbs.
The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 is a three-quarter ton truck outfitted with the same powertrain. If you want a fast diesel truck with a touch of luxury, opt for the Denali trim.
The 2018 Nissan Titan XD has a larger towing capacity than the Chevy Colorado at 12,310 lbs. Its 5.0-liter V8 Cummins motor makes an impressive 310 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. The five-year or 100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is an added bonus.
Dodge was the originator of the modern turbo diesel engine back in 2014. The 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel was the only diesel truck option in its class that year. It has a 3.0-liter V6 paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. You’ll appreciate the 240 hp and 27 mpg on the highway.
The Ram 2500 of the same year sports the long-lasting Cummins high-output diesel engine. It’s capable of 370 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is available, in addition to the automatic version. Tow up to 17,980 lbs.
The 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel in the 2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn makes 385 hp and 930 lb-ft of torque. Pair your fast diesel truck to the transmission of your choice and enjoy auto-level rear air suspension with a western-themed leather-upholstered cabin.
MORE: 11 Cool Truck Accessories You'll Want to Have
Insuring your truck
Being such versatile vehicles, it’s no wonder pickup trucks are so popular among car buyers. Not only can they transport a family of six, they can tow everyone’s toys, and get to the desired destination quickly.
Jerry
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