Meet the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 R/T
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram R/T
While our guys were out autocrossing the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 and Viper ACR last week, Mike Levine (Yes, the same Mike Levine who tried to stuff himself into a RamBox) was doing his pickup thing over in another area of Chrysler's proving grounds in Chelsea, MI. On hand was the new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 R/T, which we haven't had a chance to see until now. The '09 Ram R/T will pull up to the line with a 5.7L HEMI V8 tuned to 390 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque and a 5-speed AutoStick transmission, as well as a host of exterior upgrades including a new front bumper, blacked out grille, dual exhaust, chrome 5-spoke wheels and body-color everything. The amazing thing is that the engine will scoot this short-box, two-wheel drive truck to 60 mph in less than six seconds, according to Chrysler. If that sounds a little too good to be true for a pickup with less than 400 horsepower, credit should go to the "loose" torque converter that allows less slip compared to a normal automatic. The shifts are more aggressive than in a normal Ram and the unique torque converter does degrade fuel economy a bit, but that should be none of your concern by nature of the fact that you're interested in a sport truck to begin with. Check out source link for a more detailed explanation of the "loose" torque converter from Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com, and view all the visual upgrades worn by the 2009 Ram R/T in our gallery below.
Gallery: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 R/T
[Source: Pickuptrucks.com, photos courtesy of Ian Merritt, Cars.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TriShield 4:47PM (6/30/2008)
I read this on pt.com the other day. It sounds very very good. There will always be a market for trucks and you can bet Toyota isn't going to give up on fullsizes now that they are neck-deep in the game.
At least Chrysler isn't knee-jerk neutering the new Ram in response to fuel prices. For those still in the market it looks like an excellent new choice. Chrysler has it up on www.dodge.com right now.
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boneheadotto 5:29PM (6/30/2008)
you give dodge too much credit. A "knee jerk" reaction is a quick one and dodge/chrysler is not capable of making those. BTW where is that dodge hornet economy car.... oh yeah they couldnt make it fast enough so nissan is making it for them.
MikeW 11:24PM (6/30/2008)
How is the 3.7 V6 & 4 speed automatic configuration not neutered?
Hemi V6 + 7 speed double clutch, like immediately.
Menice 4:50PM (6/30/2008)
nice job Dodge, put some more money behind this while you're announcing truck and van closures the hour before.....they say your bankrupt the next hour..... then go begging the govt for a hand out to be green...
Die Dodge Die
minivan story:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/30/news/companies/chrysler_cuts.ap/index.htm
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$0.03 5:45PM (6/30/2008)
die menice die
Menice 4:53PM (6/30/2008)
(that is a bad ass looking truck though)
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Torrent 4:54PM (6/30/2008)
Wow. Now this would have some real competition if Chevy Made the Silverado 427:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fa1XdSuBUCU
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G-Meister 7:11PM (6/30/2008)
I take it that's an LS7? Even the LS2 hooked to a T56 or 6L80 could go toe to toe. As it stands, the only close out-of-the-box competition is the Tundra.
Frank 4:58PM (6/30/2008)
Very nice effort. The interior looks top notch by the photos. How did it look in person? Nissan should do well by this truck.
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Dude 4:59PM (6/30/2008)
That actually doesn't look half bad. Make it the size of a Ford Ranger and it might actually sell.
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Thedevil 5:02PM (6/30/2008)
And rightfully so this thing is DOA.
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azzo45 7:30PM (6/30/2008)
Nice re-design of the RAM...
...too bad we have $4.25 gas here in SE MI. Tradesman & other workers might buy, but the days of Rams selling 400,000 units is gone.
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nataku83 5:21PM (6/30/2008)
Actually, the "loose" torque converter allows more slip compared to a standard torque converter. This additional slip allows the engine to get to and stay at (for a little whlie longer) the sweet spot of the torque curve, almost like a CVT.
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MikeW 11:32PM (6/30/2008)
It makes no sense. They should put a lower stall speed torque converter, doesn't this one have a shorter axle ratio? Yes.
Really there shouldn't be any change in mileage.
See torque converter lockup, and continuous slip function. Full lockup should be available in 3rd, 4th, and 5th, partial lockup should even be available in 2nd & 2nd prime.
carlbolt 5:23PM (6/30/2008)
Wrong truck, wrong time.
by the way, why Chrysler is always labeling its engine with "HEMI"? That's like still putting an ABS or Electronic Injection label on a car.
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Kristovar 5:46PM (6/30/2008)
I'd say it's the right truck at the wrong time. Back in the Lightning boom of the late 90's/early 00's, it would have been a great competitor. It might have even made sense as a little brother to the departed Ram SRT-10-- especially if it was equipped with a 6 speed.
HEMI is still pretty unique to the Chrysler Corp., unlike ABS or Fuel Injection-- so I can see why they like to point out how they still are unique (not to mention that the HEMI is still closely tied to Chrysler's history).
When Honda starts using hemicylindrical engines and badging it as unique, then it'll be time to ditch the HEMI badge. Until then, Chrysler is like an elderly person; you play along with them on how nifty they are for figuring out how to use the VCR. You know it's their last hurrah before they die, even if it is a little insignificant.
G-Meister 7:15PM (6/30/2008)
Kristovar- The Ram SRT10 was supposed to be replaced with Ram SRT8- all else the same, just the 425hp V8 and a huge (10-15k) price drop
Jared 5:44PM (6/30/2008)
I give Chryslerbus 18 months before they sell out (to a company from India or China) or declare bankruptcy.
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azzo45 5:48PM (6/30/2008)
18 months..... you must not live in a market with a Detroit based newspaper. Doom & Gloom in every section.
The new RAM is a very nice re-design... too bad gas is $4.25 in Auburn Hills. As others have said: Good truck-Wrong time
ML 5:50PM (6/30/2008)
Just today, I was looking at a new Chevy Silverado short-bed pickup truck. The Dodge (in this picture) is the same size truck as the Chevy, but looks decidedly more 'cartoonish'. Where the Silverado looks tight, the Ram looks plump. Why? To me, GM did a much better job designing the Chevy/GMC pickup than Dodge did designing the Ram, especially when the Ram doesn't look that much different from last years' truck.
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