2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Road Test

The Ram SRT-10 wasn't the most comfortable Chrysler Group product over rough pavement, which makes sense considering first of

The tasteful rear spoiler is removable, as is the aluminum tonneau, for practical purposes. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

all that it's a pickup truck, and secondly that it features the largest wheel and tire package available from any manufacturer as well as a tightly sprung chassis setup, but just the same I was surprised by how it soaked up the truly nasty stuff. Actually, its suspension was so compliant that I started to get worried that it wouldn't perform well enough when it came time to test it on the winding road course.

No concerns about this were necessary either, as the big truck hunkered down and took to the racing line like a sports car. It has a tendency to oversteer, but not as much as I previously had thought it would. In fact it's quite controllable, with the rear wheels giving way progressively, as long as the throttle is gently feathered rather than stomped on and the clutch let out slowly between each of the 6-speed manual shifter's intervals, especially those in the lower range.

I wound my way into turn one, a long right-hand sweeper which immediately opens up into a decently long straight. I gave it a full 500 horsepower shot of juice, which is a feeling every enthusiast should experience at least once in a lifetime, and while my adrenaline surged I reached the end of the straight in less than no time at all, keeping on the left side of the track to prepare for an extremely tight right, then an equally brief left and then another

Backed by a 500-hp 8.3-liter V10 with 525 lb-ft of torque, stomping on the throttle will eat up a straight stretch of pavement in no time at all. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

right again. The roadway straightens for only a moment before forcing a 90 degree left and then a long bending curve interrupted by a nasty little dogleg. I was able to get on full power at this point for a few seconds, but due to the truck's rapid acceleration it was over in less than a blur before having to get firmly back on the brakes in order to safely execute another steady right corner, which quickly reversed left before a final right onto a short straight towards turn one again. It's not a long track, but with the SRT-10's wealth of torque ready, willing and waiting to explode the truck forward as if hooked up to an F16's afterburners, it's a road course that commands respect.