The Purpose Driven Dodge Ram 1500

All New Dodge Ram Laramie

Truck utility meets family sedan comfort in the all new Dodge Ram.

Ever since Chrysler redesigned its Dodge Ram pickup in 1994 to give it a big rig truck expression, the vehicle has been the standard bearer for the automaker, the best selling model year after year. Chrysler’s reliance on its line of full-sized trucks has helped propel the automaker to profits in good years, but nearly sunk the company in 2008 when buyers fled this segment in face of record fuel prices.

Retreating gas prices combined with the release of the fourth generation Dodge Ram 1500 for the 2009 model year has eased the stress for Chrysler somewhat, bringing forth an all new model that now includes its very first crew cab version. With rear coil springs, unique RamBox storage system, and comfortable interior, the newest Ram offers the utility of a truck along with comfort found in a car, a special blend of vehicle designed to appeal to families and work crews alike.

Middle of the Road

Dodge has always trailed the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the sales leaders in the big truck segment, while managing to hold off new models such as the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan for third place. Though some of its competitors regularly duke it out for towing capacity supremacy, Dodge has been content with finding its own niche, choosing to emphasize details not stressed by its competitors.

It is these details which helps distinguish the Dodge Ram from the pack: a powerful, optional Hemi engine brings out the muscle car from underneath the hood, while the suspension system gives the truck a ride that is smooth, steering that is crisp and provides sedan-like handling. Tight, quick corners are easy to navigate and acceleration is a snap. Dodge says that the short bed two wheel drive R/T will hit sixty miles per hour in under six seconds, embodying the spirit of the flashy Dodge Challenger in pickup truck form.

Three Cab Choices

The Dodge Ram 1500 is available in three configurations: regular, quad and crew cab with three to five trim levels available for each arrangement. Top towing capacity of 9100 lbs is realized with the regular cab, which comes equipped with a standard 6′ 4” bed or optional 8′ bed. Payload is rated at 1910 lbs., with both the quad and crew cabs offering slightly lower limits for towing and payload.

All Dodge Ram 1500 models are equipped with four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and hill start assist, with trailer sway control standard for the quad and crew cab models. Front and side curtain airbags are standard while every model offers tilt steering, automatic headlamps and for the person too intimidated to back up the burly beast: an available rear back up camera system. All right, not a feature die-hard truck enthusiasts would want, but it is something Chrysler felt would be desirable for a certain group of drivers.

Gasoline engine choices include a standard 3.7L V6, available 4.7L V8 or a 5.7L HEMI V8. Each of the V8 engines is paired with a five speed automatic transmission, while a four speed automatic is standard with the V6. The highly regarded 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine is available exclusively on heavy duty 2500 and 3500 models, but Dodge promises to roll out a light duty diesel and, yes, a gas-electric hybrid over the next few years. Both the V6 and 4.7L V8 return 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway; fuel economy numbers are lower for the other models.

Lavish Interior

The interior of the Ram is comfortable and roomy with class leading rear legroom in the crew cab. That same model also offers in-floor storage compartments, just the right touch for this workhorse. There is plenty of room to store tools when out on a job without sacrificing space for a crew of six workers.

Wide use of leading edge technology is evident inside of the Ram’s cab, with an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display that offers temperature gauge, miles to empty, trip elapsed timing, and various personal settings and warnings. Available internet access through the truck’s uConnect system turns the Ram into an office, optional SIRIUS satellite radio with Alpine surround sound speakers provide exemplary sound performance, while rear seat television viewing – a class exclusive – is available for crew and quad cabs. MP3 connectivity is standard across the entire truck line.

Optimum Storage

The most intriguing option on the 2009 model is, unfortunately, not available across the Ram’s entire line. RamBox, a unique locking cargo management system built into both rear wheel well areas, provides a smart way to store tools, carry groceries, handle sporting equipment, even house cans of soda with drain plug included. Alas, only the crew cab is outfitted with this option, something Dodge may want to extend across its model line in the future.

An integrated bed divider/extender is another feature that sets the Dodge Ram apart from the competition. Easily adjustable, the divider can be grabbed, dragged and set into different sections of the bed, even folding out when the tailgate is down to extend the length of the bed by an additional two feet. Just the right option to turn a standard bed truck into a full size one.

Priced Right

Clearly, the 2009 Dodge Ram demonstrates that a full sized pick up truck can perform admirably in dual roles, confidently filling its role as a workhorse while also providing the best car like ride of any big truck. For families having to decide between purchasing a truck or a sedan, the Ram ends that debate as it blends attributes from both.

Prices for the base Ram start at $22,170 and can easily be doubled when certain cab, trim levels and options are included. However, aggressive discounting can lower your final price; check with your Dodge dealer for current incentives and financing options.

Chrysler Separates Dodge Car, Ram Truck Brands

It will either go down as a bold marketing move or it will be considered one of the dumbest moves made by an automaker since, well, 2008.

What am I talking about? That would be Chrysler Group LLC’s decision to separate its Dodge cars and trucks into two divisions – Ram trucks and Dodge cars. The former will be made up of trucks and sport/utility vehicles, the latter everything else. True, when it comes to Dodge most vehicles sold are trucks. And, each of those sport the ram logo.

Internal Change Initially

The change is likely to be mostly internal because all affected vehicles will continue sport Dodge branding. The difference is that Dodge Ram will represent the burly side of the house while Dodge Car will hold up the passenger vehicle side including the Challenger and the iconic Viper. Consumers won’t notice any difference at first, though that might change if Chrysler decides to award Dodge Ram only or Dodge Car only franchises eventually.

Come to think of it, this move might work in areas of the country where Dodge car sales are negligible while Dodge Ram sales are strong. Dealers wouldn’t be obligated to carry the Stratus, Caliber or other unrelated vehicle, choosing to outfit their showrooms with the many variations of the current Ram 1500 as well as the Dakota, Durango and whatever else Dodge plans to sell down the line. And for city showrooms where a Dodge truck might be out of place, stocking it with Challengers, Vipers, Chargers, Stratus models and the like could bolster those sales too.

New Executive Appointments

Related to these changes, Chrysler announced a number of executive appointments including making Chrysler 300C lead designer the head of Dodge Car operations. Fred Diaz, Jr. is now in charge of the Dodge Ram brand while Olivier Francois is head of the Chrysler brand.

Michael Manley remains in his position as head of the Jeep brand while Joseph Veltri will head up product planning. A pair of Chrysler executives have also left the company in pursue of other interests.

If the Dodge Ram, Dodge Car separation plan works, it could end up being just the juice the beleaguered automaker needs. With really no new products for 2010 and Fiat development still two years out, Chrysler needs to prop up what works in hopes of buying its some time. The Ram line is solid, one of the few bright lights in the Chrysler arsenal.

Dodge Rolls Out Heavy Duty Crew Cabs

“This is the continuation of the reinvention of our Dodge Ram lineup,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep Brands. “Over the past five years, Dodge has gained market share in the heavy-duty pickup segment, and to stay on that track, Dodge keeps innovating. Our new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups will continue to build on our momentum.”

If you’re in Chicago this week and have a chance to stop in at the Chicago Auto Show, then check out Dodge’s new fleet of crew sized heavy duty pickup trucks. For the first time ever, Dodge is offering a line of ultimate duty pickup trucks for crews, six passenger vehicles which can haul people while carrying a lot of stuff in its bed.

“Our new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups continue to build on Dodge Ram’s leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Jeep®/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “Our Ram Heavy-Duty pickups reinforce Dodge Ram’s bold and powerful reputation, and provide improved capability in critical areas of the segment.”

The new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 are designed to deliver a total package:

• Increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on 2500 4×4 crew cab diesel models to 9,600 lbs. from 9,000 lbs.
• Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on 3500 dually models with diesel, auto transmission and 4.10 rear axle to 25,400 lbs. from 24,000 lbs.
• Increased Gross Combined Weight Ratings (GCWR) on 3500 4×2 models to 24,000 lbs. from 23,000 lbs.
• Increased front Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) on several models:
  • To 5,500 lbs. from 5,200 lbs. on diesel 4×4 pickups
  • To 5,000 lbs. from 4,700 lbs. on diesel 4×2 pickups

Suspension upgrades and larger front axle U-joints, combined with increased front GAWR, result in increased front-weight carrying capability – a must for larger snowplows.

“We brought some of the best design cues from our Dodge Ram 1500 to the new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, yet we set the 2500 and 3500 pickups apart from our light-duty trucks,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design. “The ‘big-rig’ styling is even more pronounced, with the classic Dodge look that conveys bold, powerful and capable.”

Following are more than 25 safety and security features available on new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy-Duty pickups:

• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Senses and prevents wheel lockup, offering improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions
• Advanced multi-stage air bags: Uses either an Occupant Classification System or a Low-risk Deployment Air Bag for the front passenger
• BeltAlert: Periodically activates a chime and illuminates an icon in the instrument cluster to remind the driver and front passenger to buckle up if a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted
• Brake/Park interlock: Prevents an automatic transmission or transaxle from being shifted out of Park unless the brake pedal is applied
• Child-protection rear door locks: Disables the rear doors’ inside-release handle via a small lever on the door-shut face
• Constant-Force Retractors (CFR): Distribute force or load exerted on a seat belt, and then gradually releases the seat-belt webbing in a controlled manner
• Crumple zones: Designed to compress during an accident in order to absorb energy from an impact, decreasing transfer of that energy to occupants
• Electronic brake force distribution: Adjusts braking pressure front to rear, based on weight distribution of passengers and cargo, to minimize brake dive during hard braking
• Energy-absorbing steering column: The manual-adjust steering column utilizes two hydro-formed coaxial tubes that move relative to each other in order to allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash. The power-adjust steering column employs a calibrated bending element that deforms during column stroke for optimal energy management
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS): Makes it easier for emergency personnel to see and reach occupants in the event of an accident by turning on the interior lighting and unlocking doors after air bag deployment. Also shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine
• Height-adjustable seat belts: Allows occupants to raise and lower the shoulder belt. Encourages seat-belt usage by offering a more comfortable fit
• HomeLink universal home security system transceiver: Stores three separate transmitter radio-frequency codes to operate garage-door openers, security gates, security lighting or other radio-controlled devices
• Interior head-impact protection: Interior pillars above the beltline and instrument panel, including areas around windshield and rear window headers, roof and side-rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops specifically designed to limit head-impact force
• Knee bolsters: The lower instrument panel and the glove box door are designed to properly position the occupant, enabling air bags to work effectively
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) Child Seat Anchor System: Designed to ease installation of compatible aftermarket child seats
• Low-risk deployment air bag: Front-passenger air bag that uses unique shape, venting, folding patterns, advanced inflators or a combination of these four technologies to position and inflate the restraint properly for a belted passenger, while also meeting federal safety requirements for out-of-position, small occupants and rear-facing infant seats. Occupants are advised to always sit properly in their seats with the seat belt fastened. Children 12 years old and younger should always be seated in the back seat correctly using an infant or child restraint system, or have the seat belt positioned correctly for their age and weight
• Parksense® Rear Park Assist System: Assists at low speeds in Reverse to detect stationary objects. Consists of visible (interior lights seen with rearview mirror) and audible warnings for the driver
• Power-adjustable pedals: Allows brake, accelerator and clutch (if equipped) pedals to move toward or away from the driver in order to achieve a safe and comfortable seating position for improved vehicle control
• Remote Keyless Entry: Locks and unlocks doors, and turns on interior lamps. If the vehicle is equipped with a vehicle-theft security alarm, the remote also arms and disarms that system
• Seat-belt pretensioners: During a collision, the impact sensors initiate front seat-belt pretensioners to immediately remove slack, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupants’ heads and torsos
• Sentry Key® engine immobilizer: Utilizes an engine key that has an embedded transponder with a pre-programmed security code to discourage vehicle theft. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the controller sends a random number to the transponder and the engine is allowed to start. If an incorrect key is used, the engine will shut off after a few seconds
• Standard side-curtain air bags: Extends protection to all outboard front- and rear-seat passengers. Each side air bag has its own impact sensor in order to autonomously trigger the air bag on the side where an impact occurs
• Supplemental side air bags: Provide enhanced protection to the driver and front outboard passenger in certain impacts. Each side air bag has its own impact sensor which autonomously triggers the air bag on the side where the impact occurs. Supplemental side air bags are housed within the outboard side of each front seat
• Three-point seat belts: Front outboard seating positions and all rear seating positions in the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy-Duty pickups have lap and shoulder belts
• Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM): Informs driver when tire pressure is too low. SLT and Laramie systems display actual tire pressure at each wheel. Pressure-sensor modules within the valve stems of all four road wheels send continuous radio-frequency signals to a receiver and the system (2500 only)
• uconnect phone: Uses Bluetooth technology to provide voice-controlled wireless communication between the occupants’ compatible mobile phone and the vehicle’s onboard receiver. The hands-free option promotes safety, freedom, value and flexibility

Source: Chrysler LLC