Dodge Ram Claims Mileage Edge

Makers of full-sized pick up trucks have been taking it on the chin for many months now. Gas priced at $3 per gallon wasn’t so bad, but when it topped $4 recently, sales were already tanking.

Ford has responded with big discounts, cut rate financing, and a two month delay of its next generation F-150. GM is slashing prices and promises to delay the next generation Sierra and Silverado by a year or two. Nissan will build the next generation of its Titan truck on a Dodge Ram chassis, while Toyota has slashed production of its all-new Tundra.

Like Ford, Dodge is bringing out an all-new model for 2009, but unlike Ford they aren’t pushing back the release date.

Dodge may have an edge over the new F-150 as it will offer a V6 engine, while Ford does away with its I6, relying exclusively on V8 power. This move is curious in light of cheaper gasoline, but ludicrous with gas topping $4 per gallon. Moreover, Dodge will have the edge when its I6 turbo diesel comes out for the 2010 model year, a Cummins engine which will be 50 state legal.

Dodge Ram Engine Line Up

For 2009, the following engines will power the Dodge Ram:

5.7L V8 HEMI — the biggest and thirstiest of Dodge’s engines will see a boost in fuel economy of 4%, horsepower jump by 13%, and a 8% boost in torque. Dodge will employ technology to shut down half of the cylinders when not needed, hence the gain.

4.7L V8 — generating 310 horses and 330 lbs.-sq ft of torque, the 4.7L will carry a flex fuel designation allowing motorists to fill up with either gas or ethanol.

3.7L V6 — this engine will give the Dodge Ram an edge over the Ford F-150 which no longer offers a six-cylinder powerplant, at least for 2009. The truck produces a horsepower and torque rating of 215 and 235 respectively.

6.7L Turbo Diesel V8 — Until the smaller, V6 diesel arrives the following model year, the big diesel will have to do. No power numbers have been offered by Chrysler LLC yet for this truck.

In 2010 a hybrid Dodge Ram will be added to the line up, completing Dodge’s offerings. We don’t know what the exact EPA fuel numbers of any 2009 Dodge Ram model will be, so we’ll reserve comment for now.

(Source: Chrysler LLC)

Chrysler Announces Hybrid Prices For SUVs

Late to the hybrid game, Chrysler announced earlier this week prices for its 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid models. Both SUVs are the biggest in Chrysler’s arsenal, whose gas models whose sales have dropped through the floor with the most recent run up in fuel prices.

Chrysler is pricing the Dodge Durango at $45,340, including $800 for destination and the Chrysler Aspen at $45,570, including $800 for destination. The automaker is making a big deal about the price as both vehicles are priced approximately $8000 less than competing models such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Chrysler expects that the vehicles will also garner an $1800 federal tax credit for buyers.

The hybrid models will net drivers a 40% gain in fuel economy for city driving and a 25% overall net improvement in overall fuel economy. Like GM, the Chrysler hybrids feature a two-mode system, and have a trailer capacity of 6000 lbs. Chrysler also uses technology to shut down half the cylinders when not needed, a step which maximizes fuel economy. EPA fuel numbers haven’t been released yet, but are expected to be at least 20 mpg compared with 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway for the 2008 gasoline models.

If you need a big beast to pull a boat, the new hybrids from MOPAR might be worth a look.

(Source: Chrysler Media)