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2009 Dodge Ram 1500
In
1994 Dodge launched a renaissance in light duty pickup truck design with the
Ram 1500. The 94 Ram reached back into the golden age of pickup truck styling
and brought back features like pronounced rear quarter panel bulges, a mammoth
front grill and, most noticeably, pronounced front fenders.
While the exterior looked back the well executed interior was a quantum leap
forward. With features such as a gigantic center console that doubled as the
center seat back, comfortable seats and luxurious appointments including leather
seats the 94 Ram
brought pickup truck design out of the dark ages and into the mainstream.
Ford soon followed suit releasing the slick 1997 F150 and GM was not far behind
with a revised bit still rather traditional Silverado/Sierra in 1999.
Nearly 15 years have passed since Dodge turned the industry on its ear and
in that time a lot has changed in the industry. Gas prices have nearly tripled,
the Nissan and Toyota have entered the full size truck market with two credible
contenders and once again, the state of the art in car comfort and convenience
has pulled ahead of the truck market.
The folks at Dodge aim to address these issues with the 2009 Ram; a truck that
is so packed with new features that it may take two articles to describe them
all. Until we get to drive one, this brief rundown of the high points will have
to do.
Underpinnings
- Rear multilink/coil spring suspension – Dodge is
the first to release a coil sprung rear suspension on a pickup. Dodge promises
a better ride, greater suspension travel and improved handling.
- More power – Less fuel – The multi-displacement
system equipped now belts out a healthy 380 hp and a rather manly 404 lb-ft
of torque. We would probably all agree that mo power is mo bettah but when
that increase in power comes with a 4% improvement in fuel economy well –
that is like hooking up with a hot girl a bar then waking up the next morning
and finding out she can cook too!
- Light Duty Diesel – A light duty diesel engine will
arrive later in the model year.
- Hybrid – A hybrid model is expected in 2010.
- Safety – Dodge has given the Ram Traction Control,
Stability Control and Trailer Sway Control. Combine this with Cruise Control
and the truck should darn near drive itself!
Exterior
- New grill – Taking a queue from the very toight,
very sexy Dodge Charger, the new Ram’s massive crosshair grill is canted
forward at the top which gives it a decidedly more aggressive stance than
the previous version.
- RamBox Cargo Storage – One of my favorite features
of the new Ram is the new RamBox storage system. This system converts the
previously wasted space in the side bed rails to usable storage with lockable
and water resistant lids. These cargo holds are drainable and illuminated.
Can you say – Tailgate Party!
- Texas Pipes – I was wondering which auto maker was
going to be the first to incorporate dual exhaust exiting out the back of
the vehicle. Well – Dodge wins. Some folks think they are cool and some
think they are a bit juvenile but by incorporating small bumper cutouts Dodge
has managed to make Texas pipes look grown up.
Interior
- Store in the Floor – The folks at Dodge are masters
at ferreting out wasted space in vehicles and converting it into something
useful. Minivans are far from sexy but Dodge’s Sto-and-Go seating is
a marvel of modern engineering that gives you huge storage space and a place
to put your seats when you aren’t using them. You can’t put seats
in the Ram’s interior, floor mounted storage hold, dubbed Store-in-the-Floor,
but you can store up to 10 cans of soda and ice. Not since
the secret storage compartments on the Millennium Falcon has someone found
a better use for floor storage space.
- Entertainment – OK, I admit it, I am a sucker for
electronic gadgets. I love audio equipment. Not those gigantic bass machines
that shake your fillings out from 3 cars away but a well executed audio system
in a vehicle is something that I will use nearly every time I start the car.
Dodge does not disappoint here by being the first company to offer a 5.1 channel
surround sound system in a pickup truck. Add to that a Sirius Backseat TV
system and you have the most entertaining truck interior this side of a Pimp
My Ride episode.
- Seat Heaters – Seat heaters have been available
in trucks for a long time. Dodge takes this to the next level by adding
ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering
wheel. No more frosty fingers!
We will reserve judgment on how well all of these new features
come together when we get to drive the new Ram but one thing is for sure, Dodge
has once again raised the bar in the hotly contested pickup truck market.
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