2009 Dodge Ram up to 20% more fuel efficient than before
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram
Dodge announced today that its redesigned 2009 Ram 1500 will be 20% more fuel efficient than the 2008 model it replaces. The new Ram's reduced appetite for fossil fuels can largely be attributed to the truck's new, more aerodynamic styling and a diet that results in 80 lbs. less of truck to haul around. More important, however, is the newly revised 5.7L HEMI V8, which gets a big boost in power from 345 hp to 380 hp and 375 ft-lbs. of torque to 404. Despite the strength training, Dodge engineers still expect up to a 20% gain in highway fuel economy. For instance, the 2008 Ram Quad Cab Laramie with the old 5.7L gets 15 city / 19 highway, while the 2009 model will get 23 mpg on the interstate, so says Dodge. We should point out that these gains will only be achieved while highway cruising, so we expect the 2009 model to remain in the mid-teens around the city where aerodynamics are largely irrelevant and stop-and-go driving leads to low miles per gallon. Still, what gains in fuel economy there are to be had are still impressive considering the HEMI's big bump, which was needed in power to keep the Ram competitive with its Detroit rivals and the Toyota Tundra. With sales of profitable full-size trucks falling fast on account of high gas prices, we bet every truck manufacturer will be touting their own fuel economy improvements, however small, in the coming year.
Gallery: 2009 Dodge Ram
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
LMBVette 4:02PM (5/29/2008)
It's amazing what a little change in engine mapping can do for gas mileage. They probably enabled a "lean cruise" mode.
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Chris 4:05PM (5/29/2008)
I highly doubt it, if you have any idea how lean engine operation affects emissions. The hemi is already not exactly the cleanest engine produced. Also, let us not forget that EPA fuel economy is calculated directly from the emissions of the vehicle.
MikeW 4:48PM (5/29/2008)
No.
Cerberus-Chrysler put VCT on the Hemi (and a dual length intake manifold, higher compression ratio, and maybe premium fuel calibration? instead of mid-grade)
Also they don't say how ridiculously tall the gearing on 4x2 model they used is. (3.21 axle ratio?)
Derek 5:10PM (5/29/2008)
Chris is right, lean cruise is very difficult to get past the EPA. GM used to have lean cruise in the 80's until the EPA said "no".
Aero and axle ratio can easily net a 20% gain on the highway without changing the engine one bit.
I wonder if the truck market will accept things like a smooth undertray, rear wheel skirts and reduced wheel gaps up front? Lots to be gained on the highway there.
Guenther 6:43PM (5/29/2008)
Chris- while the fuel econ is calculated from the emissions, the only factor that actually matters in this calculation is the CO2. This wont go up because of a lean condition.
Chris 9:11PM (5/29/2008)
Yes Guenther, I worded it poorly. I was trying to say that the EPA tests both emissions and fuel economy at the same time so it's not as if Chrysler snuck a lean fuel curve past them.
FrankTheCrank 4:05PM (5/29/2008)
Manufacturers are going to have to innovate as with this Dodge Ram to get more MPG's out of every gallon of gas.
The stars are seriously lining up for Chevrolet, if they can get the Volt out and it does what they promise, it's going to be a perfect storm for GM.
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The Luigiian 1:17AM (5/30/2008)
Too bad Toyota will have a Prius that'll get almost 100 mpg. At that point the cost of gas will be negated to the point that Toyota will be able to offset it with a much lower base price ($20,000 for a Prius vs. $40,000 for a Volt).
Then there's the reliability. Does anybody trust GM with reliability? It could have good quality like a Malibu or horrible quality like a Colorado. With Chevy rushing this Volt out to market as fast as it can, I would defer to the latter.
In short, the vast majority of buyers, stuck between a Volt and a Prius, will still go with the Prius.
elam110 11:41AM (5/31/2008)
I respect your opinion on the Volt Vs. the Prius, and I am by no means an American/GM car fan, but a few of your comments are completely unsubstantiated.
#1 There is currently NO information regarding the next generation Prius's gas mileage that indicates it will get near 100MPG. The only information that gets close is the "90MPG" Toyota Japan was talking about, and that is using a completely different scale than American car makers.
#2 GM is shooting for a $35,000 price point which will be offset by a tax credit of at LEAST $3,000 (the current highest credit for hybrid vehicles), a credit the Prius is no longer eligible for.
#3 When Toyota embraces Plug-In technology, (most likely close to the Volt release in 2010) those Lithium Ion packs will inevitably push the Prius price point up closer to the Volt's
#4 I have never been able to find a Prius for under $25,000 New, not really a fact I know, but experience.
Just my thoughts!
Yar 4:30PM (5/29/2008)
Sweet.
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Dan 4:35PM (5/29/2008)
I suspect this is the result of tweaking the cylinder deactivation parameters to match the 2008+ treadmill test. Instead of the 1985 test the last iteration had been set up to game.
The chin air dam on the GMT900s costs one mpg or so on the highway when it's removed, so the one they added here will probably give about the same. The stronger engine that can run in 4 cylinder mode more of the time might be worth another.
The other two are test artifacts that won't show up in the real world.
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jim 4:45PM (5/29/2008)
Not to mention the likelihood that the final drive ratio of the base vehicle will be so long that the engine will be barely off idle at the test speed. First gear as a granny gear in the slushbox to keep a decent tow rating.
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Dan 5:00PM (5/29/2008)
Axle ratios are already released.
Same 5 speed gearbox as before (final OD 0.67), and same rear end choices.
pmiddle5 6:19PM (5/29/2008)
So it wont be slower and gets better gas mileage! wooee! and dear god, an aerodynamic truck? Is that allowed or will it now be dubbed un manly and no one will buy it. Cant wait for that 6 speed auto as well.
dan spalinger 4:50PM (5/29/2008)
Makes no difference...its still a dog in a world full of people looking for cats...The only way it will get buyers beyond the commercial user is if it had fuel efficiency EQUALING that of a sedan...
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Derek 5:10PM (5/29/2008)
It's not like truck sales have dropped to zero. The fact that Cadillac set a sales record basically every year during the gas crisis in the 70's despite their huge engines says that the right product and the right sales pitch can still get sales despite high ownership cost.
Some people just don't care about fuel costs even today. Evidence: the speeds in the left lanes on the interstates in the Detroit area haven't changed. I can still be passed by SUV's while driving 85.
TKOsoccer03 6:43PM (5/29/2008)
I wouldn't say that it's impossible, but I wouldn't hold my breath for it.. not something coming from Chrysler. 21 wouldn't surprise me, but 23 will. GM can get 26 mpg from a 7.0L small block, so it's definitely possible.
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pmiddle5 7:03PM (5/29/2008)
Well it doessss weigh roughly a ton less and have much better aerodynamics and all. When the f are they going to introduce direct injection and lean burn? Direct injection with lean burn DOES work as well since it has much better emissions exiting the cylinder
Gregg 5:04PM (5/29/2008)
I still want to know how little Dodge can afford to give the Ram a completely new body right down to the last detail, but Ford has to recycle the 04 doors, windows and basic shape on their 09?
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Justin 5:12PM (5/29/2008)
Despite being a fan of GM's trucks and v8's, this is impressive. And it looks pretty mean as well.
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