Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty named <i>Motor Trend</i> Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/2010-dodge-ram-heavy-duty-named-motor-trend-truck-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/2010-dodge-ram-heavy-duty-named-motor-trend-truck-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/2010-dodge-ram-heavy-duty-named-motor-trend-truck-of-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motor Trend magazine's 2010 Truck of the Year competition was an odd one this year. Only four models met MT's criteria of being new or substantially changed from the previous model year. Of those, only two were actual work trucks: the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty and Toyota Tundra 4.6-liter work truck. The other two contenders, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and Transit Connect, likely won't ever do much of the work that we normally associate with trucks (hauling, towing, etc.). Perhaps that hindered their chances at winning the coveted Golden Calipers, because the truck that did win was the purest pickup of them all.

If you hadn't guessed yet, the Motor Trend 2010 Truck of the Year is the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, which was substantially redesigned for the 2010 model year. We'll let the MT editors explain why the Ram HD was their unanimous choice, but the gist is that it arrives to market a full year ahead of substantially new versions of Ford and General Motors' heavy-duty trucks. As such, it will be the reigning HD truck in nearly every category that matters to heavy-duty pickup buyers, at least for a model year or two.

Not to take away from the Dodge's victory, but we would've chosen the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor if it were our award to give. While the Ram HD no doubt beats it in every measure as a work truck, the Raptor is extra special if for no other reason than that it shows this industry of ours still has a little spark of life left. Ford deserves credit for not only driving out on a limb with the Raptor but also handing its development over to SVT, which guaranteed the final product offer legitimate high performance.

What about you? Did Motor Trend get it right or is there a more deserving Truck of the Year? Sound off in the comments. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD


[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty named Motor Trend Truck of the Year

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty named Motor Trend Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 dodge ram hd2010 dodge ram heavy duty2010 truck of the year2010DodgeRamHd2010DodgeRamHeavyDuty2010TruckOfTheYeardodgedodge ramdodge ram hddodge ram heavy dutyDodgeRamDodgeRamHdDodgeRamHeavyDutymotor trendmotor trend truck of the yearMotorTrendMotorTrendTruckOfTheYearramram hdram heavy dutyRamHdRamHeavyDutyThu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Ram brand may enter heavy-duty 18-wheeler market]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/ram-brand-may-enter-heavy-duty-18-wheeler-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/ram-brand-may-enter-heavy-duty-18-wheeler-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/ram-brand-may-enter-heavy-duty-18-wheeler-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2007 Dodge Ram BFT Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to the passing note about considering a unibody replacement for the slow-selling Dodge Dakota, Ram CEO Fred Diaz said (with conviction...!) that they are strongly considering entering the heavy-duty 18-wheeler market with the Ram brand.

Interesting, no? The consumer-grade pickup that popularized the big rig styling on a smaller scale might make the jump up the ranks and into the heavy-hauler market. In the past, Dodge has teamed up with both Sterling and Freightliner - both of which are big players in the large truck marketplace - and the Ram brand is sure to keep up its current partnership with heavy truck engine maker Cummins. In other words, it might not be as big a leap as you may at first think to see a Ram-badged 18-wheeler rolling down a highway near you within the next few years.


Gallery: SEMA 2007: Dodge Ram BFT

Ram brand may enter heavy-duty 18-wheeler market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Dodge Ram HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in 1993, truck drivers had no choice but to depend on domestic automakers for work-ready pickups, and only Ford and General Motors offered competitive haulers. That all changed a year later when Dodge set the pickup truck market on its leaf springs with the introduction of its all-new Ram. With a big-rig appearance thanks to an imposing front grille that looked ready to kick you in the Truck Nutz, Dodge's truck sales tripled inside of 12 months and gave load-hauling manly men a real alternative to Ford and Chevy. But while Dodge hit a home run with the 1994 Ram, the Penta-horned brand didn't have a heavy-duty option in its lineup until 2003, and an all-important diesel powerplant didn't come online until 2004. In 2008, Dodge filled out its pickup lineup with heavy-duty 4500 and 5500 variants, finally giving Chrysler's trucking arm the range of choices necessary to get plucky with the competition from Detroit and Dearborn.

Last year, Dodge introduced a new light-duty Ram, with sleek updated aesthetics and controversial coil springs that provide a superior ride at the expense of some towing and hauling capability. Fast-forward a year and the truckmakers at Chrysler are set to unleash a new heavy-duty Ram that's been redesigned to provide customers more capability, more options and a better ride while competing against offerings from its crosstown rivals with a lower cost of entry. We headed out to Ann Arbor, MI to drive, tow, brake, climb and traverse in the new Ram HD to see if Chrysler's truck team has succeeded. Follow along with us after the jump.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD comes strong with more models, configurations and classier duds

First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD comes strong with more models, configurations and classier duds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 dodge ram hd2010 ram heavy duty2010DodgeRamHd2010RamHeavyDutydodgedodge ramdodge ram hddodge ram heavy dutyDodgeRamDodgeRamHdDodgeRamHeavyDutyduallyfeaturedfirst drivefirst drive dodge ramFirstDriveFirstDriveDodgeRampower wagonPowerWagonramram hdRamHdThu, 29 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Next Dodge Ram HD to get 6.4-liter V8?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/rumormill-next-dodge-ram-hd-to-get-6-4-liter-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/rumormill-next-dodge-ram-hd-to-get-6-4-liter-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/rumormill-next-dodge-ram-hd-to-get-6-4-liter-v8/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Dodge Ram HD - Click above for a high-res gallery

If you think there's nothing wrong with Chrysler's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that an extra dollop of horsepower can't fix, we have some great news for you. Our friend and knower-of-all-things with a pickem-up-bed Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com is reporting that Dodge's next Heavy Duty Ram will be offered with a big 'ol 6.4-liter version of the OHV V8.

Based on the current 6.1-liter version of the HEMI, an engine that appears in any number of SRT-branded cars, the new engine would feature both a larger bore and a longer stroke, with resulting power figures estimated to fall somewhere between 450 and 500 galloping ponies.

An engine with that much power would need a beefy transmission bolted up to its crankshaft, something Dodge already offers with its diesel engines. Levine suggests ChryCo could use the latest six-speed gearbox from German specialist ZF.

Of course, all of this assumes that Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy with these projects intact. Bug assuming that, we're being told that in addition to its spot in the Ram HD lineup, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is also likely to make an appearance under the hood of Jeep's next Grand Cherokee SRT8. The next obvious question, then, is how much money will the powerplant add to the cost of the vehicle and what kind of fuel mileage will it be able to muster?


Gallery: 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty


[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Rumormill: Next Dodge Ram HD to get 6.4-liter V8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6.4 liter6.4 liter hemi6.4l6.4L hemi6.4lHemi6.4Liter6.4LiterHemiDodgedodge ramdodge ram hddodge ram heavy dutyDodgeRamDodgeRamHdDodgeRamHeavyDutyheavy duty trucksHeavyDutyTrucksMoparpickupSRTThu, 14 May 2009 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram HD goes for the Big Horn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-dodge-ram-hd-goes-for-the-big-horn/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-dodge-ram-hd-goes-for-the-big-horn/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-dodge-ram-hd-goes-for-the-big-horn/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram HD

The 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty was left to rumble on its own out back while the electric concepts took to the Chrysler stage at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. But the hulking oil-burner certainly deserves mention. Powerplants come in two flavors on the 2500 models: a 5.7-liter V8 with 355 hp and 395 lb-ft. of twist and twizzle, and the big daddy 6.7-liter Cummins with 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. The 6.7-liter diesel particulate filter reduces NOx emissions by 90%, meaning the car passes 2010 standards right now, and if you step up to the Ram 3500, you get the 6.7-liter standard - because obviously you go by the name Hoss.

Inside, the manual is no longer an option with the 5.7-liter, but Dodge wants to make that up to you with an available Infinity sound system, Internet connectivity with uConnect, and a power-sliding rear window. You'll want to make sure you choose your truck carefully, though - Dodge touts them as the longest lasting trucks out there: the 6.7-liter is expected to get you 350,000 miles before its first major overhaul. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about Dodge Rams after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram HD goes for the Big Horn

Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram HD goes for the Big Horn originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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