It speaks volumes about the current situation in the full-size pickup truck market that DaimlerChrysler makes the most noise about a fuel-saving technology when it describes the changes it has made to the Dodge Ram for 2006.
This is a company, remember, that preferred in the past to tub-thump Ram's move-it-buddy styling and gluttonous power levels, and indeed Dodge still does like to make a noise about those features in the new model.
But the overall full-size pickup market is down 10 percent (about 7,000 units) for the first five months of the year in Canada (more than half of which loss was suffered by the Dodge Ram) and people everywhere frowning about fuel prices and how high they might go, the American arm of the German company wants consumers to know it put cylinder-deactivation in the upcoming version of the Ram.
According to Dodge, its Multi-Displacement System (MDS) can improve the fuel economy of the 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 by up to 20 percent.
Like any cylinder-deactivation system, MDS shuts off part of the engine if it isn't needed for the driving situation of the moment and turns it back on instantaneously when it is needed, so it's saving fuel in many situations. The highest fuel-saving occurs when the vehicle is doing a steady, moderate speed, and that generally means highway driving. That's when the Ram will have a chance to earn that 20 percent figure; around town, however, not so much.
Just to make sure that people don't think the Ram has gone soft, Chrysler Canada's vice-president of marketing, Tony Accavitti, proclaims that "With its best-in-class HEMI power, a bold new look and continued value pricing, Dodge Ram 1500 is the boldest and most powerful light-duty pickup on the market.''
Harkening back to the more attitude-oriented days of the Ram, Accavitti says the 2006 model will have an even "bolder" look, a more "luxurious and refined" interior, and "improved" ride and handling from an all-new frame and suspension when it arrives this fall.
The new ride builds on the previous Dodge Ram 1500's "superior ride quality," Accavitti says, with "an all-new hydroformed, fully-boxed frame and suspension that deliver a smooth, confident and highly capable driving experience."
He says that all 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 models will get monotube shock absorbers that deliver "a controlled, steady and predictable ride with superb handling." In addition, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 features retuned springs, jounce bumpers and suspension bushings.
A Hotchkiss-design rear suspension uses leaf springs that are designed to reduce wheel hop and improve durability, Accavitti explains, and spring rates have been selected to "provide a poised ride when unloaded, and stable, confident handling when fully loaded to its 3,084-kg Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Finally, he says, a rack-and-pinion steering system with new steering gears on both the two- and four-wheel-drive Dodge Ram 1500 models "provides a precise and firm steering feel."
On the inside of the Ram 1500, says Accavitti, "enhanced driver and passenger comfort and more feature content is abundant."
If nothing else, the new interior is 20 percent quieter than the previous model, thanks to laminated front-door glass and improved door seals.
All models get new seats (including some optional buckets and some upscale leather ones) that "provide substantial bolstering and generous support," Accavitti says, while adding a richer appearance.
This is a company, remember, that preferred in the past to tub-thump Ram's move-it-buddy styling and gluttonous power levels, and indeed Dodge still does like to make a noise about those features in the new model.
But the overall full-size pickup market is down 10 percent (about 7,000 units) for the first five months of the year in Canada (more than half of which loss was suffered by the Dodge Ram) and people everywhere frowning about fuel prices and how high they might go, the American arm of the German company wants consumers to know it put cylinder-deactivation in the upcoming version of the Ram.
According to Dodge, its Multi-Displacement System (MDS) can improve the fuel economy of the 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 by up to 20 percent.
Like any cylinder-deactivation system, MDS shuts off part of the engine if it isn't needed for the driving situation of the moment and turns it back on instantaneously when it is needed, so it's saving fuel in many situations. The highest fuel-saving occurs when the vehicle is doing a steady, moderate speed, and that generally means highway driving. That's when the Ram will have a chance to earn that 20 percent figure; around town, however, not so much.
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| 2006 Dodge Ram (photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Harkening back to the more attitude-oriented days of the Ram, Accavitti says the 2006 model will have an even "bolder" look, a more "luxurious and refined" interior, and "improved" ride and handling from an all-new frame and suspension when it arrives this fall.
The new ride builds on the previous Dodge Ram 1500's "superior ride quality," Accavitti says, with "an all-new hydroformed, fully-boxed frame and suspension that deliver a smooth, confident and highly capable driving experience."
He says that all 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 models will get monotube shock absorbers that deliver "a controlled, steady and predictable ride with superb handling." In addition, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 features retuned springs, jounce bumpers and suspension bushings.
A Hotchkiss-design rear suspension uses leaf springs that are designed to reduce wheel hop and improve durability, Accavitti explains, and spring rates have been selected to "provide a poised ride when unloaded, and stable, confident handling when fully loaded to its 3,084-kg Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Finally, he says, a rack-and-pinion steering system with new steering gears on both the two- and four-wheel-drive Dodge Ram 1500 models "provides a precise and firm steering feel."
On the inside of the Ram 1500, says Accavitti, "enhanced driver and passenger comfort and more feature content is abundant."
If nothing else, the new interior is 20 percent quieter than the previous model, thanks to laminated front-door glass and improved door seals.
All models get new seats (including some optional buckets and some upscale leather ones) that "provide substantial bolstering and generous support," Accavitti says, while adding a richer appearance.