Click image for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram unveiling
Poor Chrysler can't buy a break. On the day of the official unveiling of the 2009 Dodge Ram, the Sunday Freep's front page is dominated by Ford's new F-150, while the Ram is relegated to a small, cropped grille shot in the upper right corner of the front page. Newspaper readers who want to have a gander at Dodge's new pickup need to make tracks to the business section. It's okay, though, because Chrysler's official Ram reveal is pretty much a lock to take page one in tomorrow's paper.
After the assembled media was herded onto temporary bleachers set up outside the COBO Center, Chrysler let loose a herd of its own, and a more traditional one at that. 115 head of cattle and several cowboys accompanied the Ram to its formal unveiling. Presiding over the event were honorary urban cowpokes Jim Press, Bob Nardelli, and Tom LaSorda. All on hand were given the usual enthusiastic rundown of the '09 Ram and its features, during which it was also announced that a hybrid version would be "coming soon." A few laughs were had as a few of the assembled steer got a little too friendly with each other when they arrived at Chrysler's presentation area. Journalists in attendance walked away with some free beef jerky, but we don't think anyone told the cattle about that. Video of the introduction's coming up in a bit. Until then, we've got high-res shots of the '09 Ram's debut in the attached gallery.
All Photos ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Quattrofan @ Jan 13th 2008 11:56AM
Unveiling? Its a just a mid-cycle facelift.
Hike15 @ Jan 13th 2008 12:01PM
It may note look completely different on the outside, but the interior and powertrains have been updated and there are a lot of new features
Jimbo @ Jan 13th 2008 12:35PM
This is an all-new truck: frame, powertrain, cab, beds, and suspension. That's much more of an upgrade than the F-150, which gets a beefier frame and new front and rear ends.
Carter @ Jan 13th 2008 12:03PM
I like this Dodge much better than the new Ford.
I see they have tightend up the exterior panel gaps and the design looks more like it came from one piece.
The interior is now the best they've got truck or car in about 5 years.
This is much more than a mid-cycle facelift...
C.W. @ Jan 14th 2008 8:15AM
the interior looks like the F150!!! why does no one see the styling cues they have taken from Ford's Super Duty lineup!!??? (which is the inspiration for the 150's interior). There is only 1 true truck in the market, and a ton of copy-cats that make a sub-par product. Hat's off to the new 150.
TriShield @ Jan 13th 2008 12:05PM
Whether it's truly "all-new" or not the Ram looks much better inside and out than the "new" F-150 makeover.
Ford's truck went from painfully vanilla to painfully overwrought inside and out. And it's now ugly, and it's still underpowered.
The 4x4 Dodge Charger look works well on the Ram and it looks clean and aggressive. The interior styling is more handsome and simple too. I also like that someone finally integrated exhausts into the bumper and bothered to paint exterior trim like the mirrors.
If Ford continues to be the best selling truck I don't think it will be because they offer a superior product, it's because they have plenty of sheep.
Nissan, Toyota, GMC, and Dodge make the best trucks on the market IMO.
The F-150 and Silverado are exercises in mainstream ugly blandness.
C.W. @ Jan 14th 2008 8:10AM
uneducated opinions are a dime a dozen. the FACT is, the F150 really is the most capable and dependable truck in this segment that is available in the market. in terms of power, towing capability, the structure of the vehicle, and of course styling, the F150 is second to none. You should see what happens to the RAM, the Silverado and Tundra on the mother of all test tracks in Arizona. They are destoyed. they are shaken to bits, they twist around and are useless when "truck" capability is really needed.
basically it comes down to your OPINION on the style. Myself, and countless others feel this new Dodge looks exactly the same as every other sub-par Chrysler truck that has made it's way to market. the interior is bland, and if you want to compare it to the F150 you will soon learn that it comes no-where near the 150's power and towing capability. Get ready for the laundry list of "best in class" features on the 150 in a few months. it is staggering.
Kyle @ Jan 16th 2008 9:54AM
The F150 is the most underpowered truck in class. It baffles me that it leads in sales year after year. Dodge has a much more powerful truck.
desi @ Jan 21st 2008 9:13PM
amen
Brent @ Jan 13th 2008 12:06PM
A Hybrid?
J.Crew @ Jan 13th 2008 12:15PM
Yeah, it is the same system GM is using in the Tahoe and Silverado. GM was the lead on the project while DamilerChrysler, and BMW were contributing as well. They will all have versions of this great new technology on their heavy vehicles.
J.Crew @ Jan 13th 2008 12:16PM
This is a great looking truck. I can't wait to see it next week at the show.
MemphisNET @ Jan 13th 2008 12:27PM
Although I prefer my trucks plasticy on the inside (mine would be wrecked in a week out here in oil-country) I'm very excited to hear/read what independants have to say about the interior.
As pointed out above, its more than a simple restyle. The entire rear-end including frame has changed, new powertrains, new construction such as the fenders no longer add strength/support to the cab - there may be 03-07 elements in it, but this is a new truck everywhere that matters.
MrMorix @ Jan 13th 2008 12:35PM
LOL, we haven't seen either of these trucks in person. I hardly think hordes of F-150 owners will abandon them to go out and get a Ram. Different people have different tastes. Ford is that company that people love to hate. I think they are working smart to rebuild. Cut away the cancer and slowly jump in there. F-150 hands down.
Ed @ Jan 13th 2008 12:42PM
I agree with the sentiment above, Dodge nailed the interior. Looks perfect. I especially like the new steering wheel layout. I hope it, along with other design cues, make it into the next Dakota (if there is going to be another, that is...)
2easy @ Jan 13th 2008 12:52PM
It is just a grille in the front. that's all. The rest of the truck is bland, dull, from a side view perspective, and generic in the rear. This being a total new design, the engineers and designers did not push the envelope very far. It seems that they went backwards. The interior is a total rip-off, copy from the old F-150.
Punkcrisis @ Jan 13th 2008 1:04PM
Now thats a nicer looking front-end then ever before! It looks a lot nicer then it did.
bob cobb @ Jan 13th 2008 4:15PM
Dodge needs to learn that chrome doesnt make a truck look any better, it looks worse. The pics i've seen of the new ram with all body color grille and bumpers looks SO much better.
rick @ Jan 13th 2008 7:09PM
Thank God they brought those smooth taillights lenses back.
Overall, I like the 09, but I'd still need to be "sold" on it since my 02 Ram is still my favorite, has very low miles and is paid for. Maybe the Lifetime Warranty is just the thing...
Don @ Jan 13th 2008 8:00PM
Gay Spokescows? Wait till the AFA hears about this!