2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Dodge Ram
Published Jan 11, 2008
0 Ratings
DETROIT — Dodge and Ford are about to duke it out in the full-size-pickup arena, with redesigned trucks from each brand scheduled to roll into showrooms this fall. The big Dodge Ram remains the underdog in terms of marketing clout and sales volume — but the extensive changes incorporated into the 2009 model should give the contender some serious clout.
The '09 Ram sports all-new skin from nose to tail, and its distinctive profile takes on a few new wrinkles and contours. There's no other way to describe the prow other than "grille forward," and the power bulge in the hood is pretty hard to miss. Twenty-inch wheels and tires give the truck an aggressive stance.
Under the sheet metal, Dodge has beefed up the frame and revamped the suspension, fitting a multilink coil spring rear end to improve ride and handling. The solid rear axle still provides ample towing (up to 9,100 pounds) and payload capacity (up to 1,850 pounds).
The engine lineup includes a 215-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and a 310-hp 4.7-liter V8. But the jewel is a reworked 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that delivers 380 hp and 404 pound-feet of torque. Dodge says the new 5.7 in the Ram R/T 4x2 regular cab and short bed will rock from zero to 60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds — pretty amazing stuff for a full-size pickup.
Dodge says a new light-duty diesel won't arrive until "after 2009" but promises a new two-mode hybrid gas-electric drivetrain in the 2010 model year.
In the meantime, Ram buyers this fall can choose from four- and five-speed automatic transmissions, as well as part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Body styles include regular cab, quad cab and crew cab, with a choice of short, standard and long beds. Five trim levels are offered: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport and Laramie.
The safety hardware is impressive, with standard antilock brakes, electronic stability control and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Also available are adjustable pedals, rear park assist and a rear back-up camera.
We're impressed by such new features as the RamBox cargo management system, which bundles a bed divider/extender and an adjustable bed-rail system with a pair of illuminated storage compartments built into the fenders that are lockable, drainable and weatherproof. The Ram 1500 Crew Cab also can be ordered with new "store in the floor" bins with removable liners.
Dodge has pulled out all the stops in the Ram's cabin, with a staggering array of luxury-car-like options, including heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, surround-sound audio and new Sirius Backseat TV. Add such nice little touches as two-tone upholstery and a soft-touch instrument panel with contrasting stitching, and you begin to wonder why Daimler was so quick to part ways with Chrysler.
What this means to you: With this latest makeover, the Dodge Ram continues to be the most distinctive-looking full-size pickup on the market. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
The '09 Ram sports all-new skin from nose to tail, and its distinctive profile takes on a few new wrinkles and contours. There's no other way to describe the prow other than "grille forward," and the power bulge in the hood is pretty hard to miss. Twenty-inch wheels and tires give the truck an aggressive stance.
Under the sheet metal, Dodge has beefed up the frame and revamped the suspension, fitting a multilink coil spring rear end to improve ride and handling. The solid rear axle still provides ample towing (up to 9,100 pounds) and payload capacity (up to 1,850 pounds).
The engine lineup includes a 215-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and a 310-hp 4.7-liter V8. But the jewel is a reworked 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that delivers 380 hp and 404 pound-feet of torque. Dodge says the new 5.7 in the Ram R/T 4x2 regular cab and short bed will rock from zero to 60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds — pretty amazing stuff for a full-size pickup.
Dodge says a new light-duty diesel won't arrive until "after 2009" but promises a new two-mode hybrid gas-electric drivetrain in the 2010 model year.
In the meantime, Ram buyers this fall can choose from four- and five-speed automatic transmissions, as well as part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Body styles include regular cab, quad cab and crew cab, with a choice of short, standard and long beds. Five trim levels are offered: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport and Laramie.
The safety hardware is impressive, with standard antilock brakes, electronic stability control and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Also available are adjustable pedals, rear park assist and a rear back-up camera.
We're impressed by such new features as the RamBox cargo management system, which bundles a bed divider/extender and an adjustable bed-rail system with a pair of illuminated storage compartments built into the fenders that are lockable, drainable and weatherproof. The Ram 1500 Crew Cab also can be ordered with new "store in the floor" bins with removable liners.
Dodge has pulled out all the stops in the Ram's cabin, with a staggering array of luxury-car-like options, including heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, surround-sound audio and new Sirius Backseat TV. Add such nice little touches as two-tone upholstery and a soft-touch instrument panel with contrasting stitching, and you begin to wonder why Daimler was so quick to part ways with Chrysler.
What this means to you: With this latest makeover, the Dodge Ram continues to be the most distinctive-looking full-size pickup on the market. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent