| When the word "pickup" is mentioned, the Ford | | | | the Ram will also be offering three engine |
| F-150 is expected to cross one's mind. The | | | | choices. Engine options include a 3.7-liter |
| legendary F-150 has been the best-selling | | | | V6, a 4.7-liter V8 and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 |
| pickup for 31 years now. But F-150 is now | | | | for the high-end model. The HEMI engine |
| facing a serious competition in the 2009 | | | | generates 35 more horsepower than the |
| Dodge Ram. | | | | previous model with 380. What's more, fuel |
| | | | efficiency of the new pickup was increased to |
| The new Ram pickup was launched at this | | | | produce a more captivating version. |
| year's North American International Auto Show | | | | |
| during the first day of press days. But it | | | | "This is an all-new truck. It's all-new |
| was not launched in the usual way. With a | | | | design. New features. All kinds of new |
| throng of American cowboys riding on their | | | | storage," said Dan Bodene, Chrysler's |
| horses alongside a herd of cattle, the Ram | | | | body-on-frame specialist. "We significantly |
| was flaunted outside the front door of the | | | | upgraded the interior. One of the other new |
| Cobo Center in Detroit. | | | | features for the '09 is the coil spring rear |
| | | | suspension, which is a first in the pickup |
| The 2009 Ram boasts of a higher fuel | | | | segment." |
| efficiency and more horsepower. Additionally, | | | | |
| the new pickup is equipped with loads of | | | | "Depending on how you option the vehicle, you |
| features that other rivals failed to offer. | | | | can get everything from a AM/FM radio with CD |
| The features include storage bins, dubbed the | | | | player to Sirius backseat satellite TV," |
| Ram Box, built into the sides of its bed | | | | Bodene said. "There's DVD available. MyGIG |
| area. | | | | entertainment system is available. You can |
| | | | have almost anything you want in it. We've |
| "The 2009 Dodge Ram. Boldly styled. Tough as | | | | got our signature Ram design. Compared to |
| nails," said Chrysler Chief Executive Officer | | | | previous trucks, we think it's a little more |
| Bob Nardelli at the Automotive News World | | | | aggressive this time around. A lot of |
| Congress. "First heated seats. New cargo | | | | features built into the design have helped |
| management style - the Ram Box." | | | | the aerodynamics. We've got best in class |
| | | | aerodynamics on this truck. It's a .419 |
| Other auto features include heated and cooled | | | | coefficient of drag. Our previous truck was |
| front seats, heated rear seats, ventilated | | | | .463 in comparison." |
| front seats, memory seats with power lumbar, | | | | |
| dual-zone climate control, steering wheel, | | | | The 2009 Ram, which will be manufactured in |
| and a 10-speaker surround sound audio system. | | | | Warren, Mich. and St. Louis North plants, |
| | | | will hit showrooms this fall. |
| Aside from the enhanced Dodge truck parts, | | | | |