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Dodge Unleashes
Game-changer Into Truck Market
All-new 2009 Dodge Ram Breaks From the Herd —
Literally
-
 First-in-segment coil-spring, multilink rear suspension
fitted to a solid rear axle provides ride and handling
capabilities unexpected in a pickup truck
- All-new, bold, powerful, “get-out-of-the-way” Dodge Ram
design
- New, aggressive “grille-forward” design
- First-in-segment chrome-tipped dual exhaust styled
dramatically into the rear bumper
- Best-in-class aerodynamics – an estimated .419 Cd
- Dodge Ram’s first-ever crew-size cab, giving Dodge an entry
into the largest and fastest-growing part of the market.
Crew-size cab accounts for nearly 50 percent of market
- New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 provides more horsepower (380 hp)
and torque (404 lb.-ft.), with increased fuel economy (an
estimated 4 percent)
- Shockingly fast performance: 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds
- New interiors with premium seating, soft-touch materials,
redesigned controls, floor console with shifter, and nearly
double the storage options
- More than 35 new or improved features
- Industry-first RamBox cargo management system (crew-size
cab) includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and
drainable storage bins built into bed rails (a total of 8.6
cubic feet of space); pickup bed divider/2-foot bed extender;
and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats
- RamBox bins hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages,
or other gear for work or leisure
- First-in-segment “store in the floor” storage bins with
removable liners, big enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice
- First-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats also available
- Heated steering wheel a first for any Chrysler LLC
vehicle
- First-in-segment live SIRIUS Backseat TV™
- First-in-segment surround-sound audio system
- More than 30 safety features, including standard four-wheel
Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Stability Program with
Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control
- All-new 2009 Dodge Ram to arrive this fall
- Light-duty diesel to arrive after 2009; two-mode hybrid
powertrain to be offered in 2010 model year
 Detroit - Emerging
from a herd of 120 long horn cattle driven by 10 cowboys on
horseback down Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit today, the
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram made its debut at the 2008 North American
International Auto Show.
"Since the dawn of the 'big rig' look, Dodge Ram has always been
a game-changer," said Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President,
Chrysler LLC. "And this is our all-new game-changer -- the
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram, which is packed with full-size pickup
firsts and best-in-class features."
In 1994, Dodge introduced a revolutionary Ram in the light-duty
pickup market, with its “big rig” styling and iconic crosshair
grille.
“We put a truck on the market that tripled our market share,”
said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Jeep®/Truck Design Studio,
Chrysler LLC. “Our design was polarizing — people loved it or hated
it. But the people who loved it, bought it. They still do, because
Dodge Ram continues to stand out from the herd of ‘me-too’ trucks.”
For the redesign of its all-new, next-generation Ram, Dodge
pulled out all the stops.
“Our mandate was to make a quantum leap and add even more voltage
to Ram,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Body-on-Frame
Product Team. “Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is a game-changer in terms
of capability, convenience, craftsmanship and safety.”
Capability
In addition to the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI which
produces 380 hp (283 kW) and 404 lb.-ft. (548 N•m) of torque, the
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram offers a 4.7-liter V-8 providing 310
horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N•m) of torque, and a
3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft.
(319 N•m) of torque; four- and five-speed automatic transmissions;
part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases; and 3.21,
3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 axle ratios.
Equipped with the new HEMI, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram R/T
regular-cab 4x2 model with a short bed and 4:10 gears blasts from
0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is offered in regular cab, Quad Cab®
and crew-size cab, with three box lengths: 8-foot (regular cab),
6-foot-4-inches (regular cab and Quad Cab), and a new-for-2009 box
length of 5-foot-7-inches (Ram crew 1500). Five trim levels are
available, each with a unique appearance: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport, and
the top-of-the-line Laramie.
An improved frame design incorporating high-strength steel
supports an all-new, first-in-segment, multi-link coil spring rear
suspension that improves ride and handling characteristics without
sacrificing payload (up to an estimated 1,850 pounds) and towing
capability (up to an estimated 9,100 pounds).
Convenience
 The
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram Crew 1500 features an available
first-in-segment RamBox cargo management system that provides
weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage
compartments integrated into both fender sides for effortless access
and convenience. Each box holds up to 4.3 cubic feet of whatever —
such as five cases (120 cans) of 12-ounce beverages.
 The
RamBox system includes a bed divider/2-foot bed extender for
oversize loads and a rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats for
infinitely adjustable tie-down capability. The 2009 Dodge Ram’s
tailgate features a standard assist feature that reduces the effort
needed to raise and close the tailgate.
 Another new segment-first innovation for the 2009 Dodge Ram Crew
1500 is a pair of “store in the floor” bins with removable liners
that offer even more versatile storage — large enough for ten
12-ounce beverages and ice.
There are many other convenient storage locations throughout the
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram including a large upper glove box, map
pockets in door panels and a configurable center console. All in
all, there are nearly twice as many storage locations (38) in the
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram than were in the previous model.
 Technically
sophisticated, yet simple-to-navigate electronic and infotainment
choices include MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with
30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD
entertainment system available in the Quad Cab and crew cab. Also
available is first-in-segment live SIRIUS Backseat TV™ and
segment-first surround-sound audio.
Other premium amenities include first-in-segment heated and
ventilated front seats, available heated rear seats, first-for-Dodge
heated steering wheel, one-touch up/down driver and passenger
windows, automatic-on headlamps and dual-zone automatic temperature
control — a first for Dodge Ram.
Craftsmanship
In addition to the exterior, the all-new interior of the 2009 Dodge
Ram stands out with a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in
premium interior appointments including six-ring instrumentation,
redesigned controls, chrome accents, premium seating with improved
bolsters and two-tone upholstery. An automatic-transmission floor
shifter, incorporated into a configurable center console, is
available for the first time in a Dodge Ram. All 2009 Dodge Ram
interiors are significantly upgraded with “soft-touch” materials
that feature industry-first two-tone technology and premium fit and
finish. Full-width contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch
instrument panels for Sport and Laramie models.
On the exterior, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram features a redesigned
aluminum hood with a large power bulge and a forward-canted grille,
imparting a “head down, ready to charge” attitude, while front and
rear bumpers wrap around each body side. The rear bumper on
HEMI-equipped models is radiused over chromed dual exhaust tips – a
first in light-duty pickups. Attractive 20-inch wheels are available
in three styles. Sills are pulled down to cover frame rails for a
premium appearance. Badges are three-dimensional, rather than
decals, and are designed to stand out. The sculpted Ram’s-head badge
on the tailgate is 250 percent larger than the previous badge.
Safety
On the safety and security front, the all-new 2009 Dodge
Ram offers more than 30 active and passive safety features,
including standard front and rear side-curtain air bags with
Enhanced Accident Response System, knee bolsters, seat-belt pre-tensioners,
Anti-lock Brake System, BeltAlert® System, and Electronic Stability
Control; and available
adjustable pedals, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist and ParkView® Rear
Back-up Camera.
Manufacturing
The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram will be built in two locations:
Quad Cab and Ram Crew 1500 models will be built at the Warren
(Mich.) Assembly Plant, and regular cab and Ram Crew 1500 models
will be built at the St. Louis North Assembly Plan in Fenton, Mo.
Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler
LLC’s best-selling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S.
automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million
vehicles in the global market. In the highly competitive truck
market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Last year, Dodge
introduced the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan with 35 new or
improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ‘n Go™
seating system. Dodge is entering key European volume segments with
Nitro, Caliber and Avenger. The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey will
debut this year, and will be available outside North America in both
left- and right-hand drive in mid-2008. Later this year, Dodge will
introduce its modern muscle car, the all-new Dodge Challenger. For
the 2010 model year, Dodge will offer the all-new Dodge Ram with an
advanced two-mode hybrid system. |
