Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram is a car model ( pickup) of Chrysler, which is sold mainly in the United States and Canada. Under this name the vehicle first came on the market in 1981 and was part of the Dodge D Series.
Until the early 1990s Dodge pickups were even in the Midwest as boring and inconspicuous. With the series in 1994, this changed abruptly. Especially the now much larger and more remote grill was new trademark, which was maintained in the subsequent model series.
The car will be manufactured in different places: in the Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Mexico, the Saint Louis Assembly North in Missouri, and in the Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan.
Since 2010, Ram is an independent division of Chrysler Group LLC and only responsible for the pick-up production. This change also takes a change of brand logos by yourself. Ram now bears the ram's head with the corresponding RAM lettering. The Dodge division is now responsible only for car production.
The first generation: 1981-1993 (D / W trucks)
The first generation was introduced in 1981, the D model had a rear wheel drive, the * W model over a four-wheel drive. The car was available with a loading of 6 feet 5 inches ( 2 m ) or 8 feet (2.5 m). Externally similar to those of the previous generation Dodge D- Series, the body had been only slightly revised. Available versions were the 150 with a half, 250 with a ¾, and 350 with a ton of payload.
This was followed by improved versions in the years 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 ( fuel injection) and 1989 ( improved engines). In 1991, the design of the radiator grille has been revised from 1992 improved engines were again installed.
Although this generation was quite popular, the sales figures, compared with the Ford F-Series and the competitive model of General Motors were disappointing, as in most years of its production less than 100,000 units have been sold.
The second generation: 1994-2001 (BR / BE trucks)
In 1994, the car was completely redesigned and was an immediate success. In particular, the oversized grille, and the 8.0 -liter V10 engine were popular. Available versions were the 1500 with a half, 2500 with a ¾, and 3500 with a ton payload and dual wheels on the rear axle. As body shape, it was as Regular Cab (3- seater ) Extended Cab (5 or 6 - seater ) offered and double cab. When loading always the short or long box was available, with the short box turned out a little shorter in the double cab, as in the extended version. Furthermore, there was also in the extended version differences, such as the possibility of a Suicide door on the driver's side or the omission thereof.
As of 1995, a version with natural gas engine was offered.
The second generation was a great commercial success with sales of 100,000 (1993 ) 240,000 (1994 ) 280,000 (1995) and nearly 400,000 units in 1996. 1999 for the first time more than 400,000 units sold. When Ford and General Motors revised competing models brought out, who took over the design of the Dodge Ram in part, the sales of the Dodge Ram fell sharply, however, were able to increase again in 2001 to 350,000 units.
The Third Generation: 2002-2009 (DR trucks)
The third generation was introduced in 2002 and was again a complete revision of the previous version. The frame, suspension, drive and interior were completely overhauled. The grille was again enlarged, and the built Cummins ISB diesel engine was added to the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2004.
The third generation was economically with 400,000 copies sold in 2002 and nearly 450,000 in 2003 an even greater success than its predecessors.
There have been efforts to bring this generation with a hybrid drive on the market, but due to problems it never came to mass production of this variant.
- Quad cab type: double cab, 5 or 6 seats
- Mega Cab: Double Cab
Are offered a 160 kW (218 hp) 3.7-liter V6, a 4.7 liter Magnum V8 with 175-230 kW ( 238-313 hp), 425 Nm and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine with ( 246-254 kW, 510 Nm). The top model Dodge Ram SRT10, which is equipped with the 8.3 -liter V10 from the Dodge Viper (371 kW/505 hp, 730 Nm), even managed an entry in the Guinness Book as the fastest production pickup in the world. Also on offer was from 2002, a 5.9 - liter turbo diesel with R6 186-242 kW and 624-752 Nm. This was replaced in 2007 by a 6.7 liter R6 turbo diesel with 261 kW ( 355 hp ) and 880 Nm.
Facelift 2006 ( DR / DH)
The 2006 Dodge RAM is a revised version of the previous generation. In this version the first time, a counterpart to the Crew Cab models of Ford and GM was offered (Mega Cab). The Mega Cab was available from the factory with " Short Box ", but different companies also offer a conversion on Mega Cab with "long box" to. The headlights of the 2006 model have been redesigned to be more efficient. Also, the interior design has been changed slightly. At the same time HEMI V8 received a cylinder deactivation in the partial load range. An optional navigation system was offered.
The fourth generation: since 2008
The fourth generation Dodge Ram was first introduced at the North American International Auto Show 2008 in Detroit. Outwardly, it resembles the models of the third generation very, yet some things were changed. The grille was again enlarged and the design of the front and rear lights changed from the predecessor. The cab on the crew cab model is now slightly longer, especially the back seat passengers benefit. The interior has undergone slight changes.
Also in the 2009 model, there are again the two already known 4,7 - and 5,7- liter V8 engines and the smaller 3.7-liter V6 engine. However, the performance of both V8 engines has been significantly improved. The 5.7 - liter Hemi V8 now makes 283 kW ( 385 hp). At the same time Dodge indicates to have some reduced fuel consumption. The 4.7 -liter V8 has also been modified and now provides 231 kW ( 314 hp). The 3.7-liter V6 continues to produce 160 kW (218 hp). For the 2500/3500 models have a 6.7-liter six-cylinder diesel with 261 kW ( 355 hp ) and 880 Nm of torque is offered. Further features of the 2009 Ram 1500 a completely new rear suspension and steering, with screws, instead of leaf springs, which should increase the driving comfort and ease of handling this " full-size " pickups. With the 5.7 - liter Hemi V8 engine of the Dodge Ram, the sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) according to the manufacturer in seven seconds, so it is faster than the Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, or the Dodge Charger with V6 engine.
- Regular Cab: Two-door model with two or three seats, available with short or long cargo area
- Quad Cab: Four-door model with five or six seats, the rear doors are much shorter than the front
- Crew Cab: Four-door model with five or six seats, full rear doors
- Mega Cab: Four-door model with five or six seats, full rear doors and extended cab
- ST: entry-level model
- SLT: Middle Trim
- Sport: Sporty version with painted in body color grille and sporty rims
- TRX4 Offroad: off-road model
- Laramie: luxury version with two-tone body and leather interior as standard
- Power Wagon: off-road model with winch, differential locks on front and rear axle as well entkoppelbarem stabilizer at the front axle
Awards
The second generation of the car won the award in 1994, the third generation won it in 2003, the fourth generation won include:. .. 2011 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Automobile Magazine 2010 All -Star