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All-new 2009 Dodge Ram breaks from the herd

13-01-2008

DETROIT, USA - Emerging from a herd of 120 long horn cattle driven by 10 cowboys

on horseback down Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit today, the allnew

2009 Dodge Ram made its debut at the 2008 North American International

Auto Show.

Main features:

• First-in-segment coil-spring, multilink rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle provides ride and handling capabilities unexpected in a pickup truck

• All-new, bold, powerful, “get-out-of-the-way” Dodge Ram design

  • New, aggressive “grille-forward” design

  • First-in-segment chrome-tipped dual exhaust styled dramatically into

  • the rear bumper

  • Best-in-class aerodynamics – an estimated .419 Cd

• Dodge Ram’s first-ever crew-size cab, giving Dodge an entry into the largest and fastest-growing part of the market. Crew-size cab accounts for nearly 50 percent of market

• New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 provides more horsepower (380 hp) and torque (404 lb.-ft.), with increased fuel economy (an estimated 4 percent)

  • Shockingly fast performance: 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds

• New interiors with premium seating, soft-touch materials, redesigned controls, floor console with shifter, and nearly double the storage options

• More than 35 new or improved features

• Industry-first RamBox cargo management system (crew-size cab) includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins built into bed rails (a total of 8.6 cubic feet of space); pickup bed divider/2-foot bed extender; and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats

  • RamBox bins hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages, or other gear for work or leisure

• First-in-segment “store in the floor” storage bins with removable liners, big enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice

• First-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats

  • Heated rear seats also available

  • Heated steering wheel a first for any Chrysler LLCvehicle

• First-in-segment live SIRIUS Backseat TV™

• First-in-segment surround-sound audio system

• More than 30 safety features, including standard four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Stability Program with Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control

• All-new 2009 Dodge Ram to arrive this fall

• Light-duty diesel to arrive after 2009; two-mode hybrid powertrain to be offered in 2010 model year

"Since the dawn of the 'big rig' look, Dodge Ram has always been a gamechanger,"

said Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC. "And

this is our all-new game-changer -- the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram, which is

packed with full-size pickup firsts and best-in-class features."

In 1994, Dodge introduced a revolutionary Ram in the light-duty pickup market,

with its “big rig” styling and iconic crosshair grille.

“We put a truck on the market that tripled our market share,” said Ralph

Gilles, Vice President – Jeep®/Truck Design Studio, Chrysler LLC. “Our

design was polarizing — people loved it or hated it. But the people who loved it,

bought it. They still do, because Dodge Ram continues to stand out from the

herd of ‘me-too’ trucks.”

For the redesign of its all-new, next-generation Ram, Dodge pulled out all the

stops.

“Our mandate was to make a quantum leap and add even more voltage to

Ram,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Body-on-Frame Product Team.

“Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is a game-changer in terms of capability,

convenience, craftsmanship and safety.”

Capability

In addition to the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI which produces 380 hp (283

kW) and 404 lb.-ft. (548 N•m) of torque, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram offers a

4.7-liter V-8 providing 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N•m) of

torque, and a 3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft.

(319 N•m) of torque; four- and five-speed automatic transmissions; part-time

and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases; and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10

axle ratios.

Equipped with the new HEMI, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram R/T regular-cab

4x2 model with a short bed and 4:10 gears blasts from 0-60 mph in 6.1

seconds.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is offered in regular cab, Quad Cab® and crewsize

cab, with three box lengths: 8-foot (regular cab), 6-foot-4-inches (regular

cab and Quad Cab), and a new-for-2009 box length of 5-foot-7-inches (Ram

crew 1500). Five trim levels are available, each with a unique appearance: ST,

SLT, TRX, Sport, and the top-of-the-line Laramie.

An improved frame design incorporating high-strength steel supports an allnew,

first-in-segment, multi-link coil spring rear suspension that improves ride

and handling characteristics without sacrificing payload (up to an estimated

1,850 pounds) and towing capability (up to an estimated 9,100 pounds).

Convenience

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram Crew 1500 features an available first-in-segment

RamBox cargo management system that provides weatherproof, lockable,

illuminated and drainable storage compartments integrated into both fender

sides for effortless access and convenience. Each box holds up to 4.3 cubic

feet of whatever — such as five cases (120 cans) of 12-ounce beverages.

The RamBox system includes a bed divider/2-foot bed extender for oversize

loads and a rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats for infinitely adjustable tiedown

capability. The 2009 Dodge Ram’s tailgate features a standard assist

feature that reduces the effort needed to raise and close the tailgate.

pair of “store in the floor” bins with removable liners that offer even more

versatile storage — large enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice.

There are many other convenient storage locations throughout the all-new

2009 Dodge Ram including a large upper glove box, map pockets in door

panels and a configurable center console. All in all, there are nearly twice as

many storage locations (38) in the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram than were in the

previous model.

Technically sophisticated, yet simple-to-navigate electronic and infotainment

choices include MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with 30-gigabyte hard

drive, navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system available

in the Quad Cab and crew cab. Also available is first-in-segment live SIRIUS

Backseat TV™ and segment-first surround-sound audio.

Other premium amenities include first-in-segment heated and ventilated front

seats, available heated rear seats, first-for-Dodge heated steering wheel, onetouch

up/down driver and passenger windows, automatic-on headlamps and

dual-zone automatic temperature control — a first for Dodge Ram.

Craftsmanship

In addition to the exterior, the all-new interior of the 2009 Dodge Ram stands

out with a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in premium interior

appointments including six-ring instrumentation, redesigned controls, chrome

accents, premium seating with improved bolsters and two-tone upholstery. An

automatic-transmission floor shifter, incorporated into a configurable center

console, is available for the first time in a Dodge Ram. All 2009 Dodge Ram

interiors are significantly upgraded with “soft-touch” materials that feature

industry-first two-tone technology and premium fit and finish. Full-width

contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch instrument panels for Sport and

Laramie models.

On the exterior, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram features a redesigned aluminum

hood with a large power bulge and a forward-canted grille, imparting a “head

down, ready to charge” attitude, while front and rear bumpers wrap around

each body side. The rear bumper on HEMI-equipped models is radiused over

chromed dual exhaust tips – a first in light-duty pickups. Attractive 20-inch

wheels are available in three styles. Sills are pulled down to cover frame rails

for a premium appearance. Badges are three-dimensional, rather than decals,

and are designed to stand out. The sculpted Ram’s-head badge on the

tailgate is 250 percent larger than the previous badge.

Safety

On the safety and security front, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram offers more than

30 active and passive safety features, including standard front and rear sidecurtain

air bags with Enhanced Accident Response System, knee bolsters,

seat-belt pre-tensioners, Anti-lock Brake System, BeltAlert® System, and

Electronic Stability Control; and available

adjustable pedals, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist and ParkView® Rear Backup

Camera.

Manufacturing

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram will be built in two locations: Quad Cab and Ram

Crew 1500 models will be built at the Warren (Mich.) Assembly Plant, and

regular cab and Ram Crew 1500 models will be built at the St. Louis North

Assembly Plan in Fenton, Mo.

Dodge Brand

With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC’s best-selling

brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2007,

Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. In the highly

competitive truck market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Last year,

improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ‘n Go™ seating

system. Dodge is entering key European volume segments with Nitro, Caliber

and Avenger. The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey will debut this year, and will be

available outside North America in both left- and right-hand drive in mid-2008.

Later this year, Dodge will introduce its modern muscle car, the all-new Dodge

Challenger. For the 2010 model year, Dodge will offer the all-new Dodge Ram

with an advanced two-mode hybrid system.

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