What it Is

2009 Dodge Ram Pickup Preview – Detroit Auto Show: Dodge introduced its fourth generation of the Ram Pickup with a herd ambling around Cobo Hall. In addition to the assembled throng of media, Dodge also paraded a bunch of cows by the outdoor press conference. What exactly do cattle have to do with a truck named for a male sheep? We don’t know, and don’t care. The new Ram is something we care about, and the pickup was due for a new go-round. The automaker says this is the first Ram with a crew cab, but the truck has come with something akin to that for several years. Regular and Quad Cab models are also in the range, which goes on sale this fall.

Why it Matters

Dodge has about 15 percent of the U.S. truck market and clearly wants more of it. That won’t be easy because along with strong brand loyalty among Ford and Chevy owners, there’s growing competition from Nissan and Toyota. All of that in front of the backdrop of declining light truck sales because of gasoline prices and a slumping housing market.

What’s Under the Hood

Why, a Hemi of course. Dodge has a new 5.7-liter, multi-displacement, V-8 Hemi, which produces 380 horsepower and 404 lb.-ft. of torque, yet is supposed to get better mileage. A 4.7-liter V-8 and a 3.7-liter V-6 are also offered. Transmissions include a six-speed manual and four- and five-speed automatics. Four wheel drive models come with either part-time or on-demand transfer cases. There are also four rear-axle ratios available: 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10. If all that isn’t enough, a light-duty diesel is scheduled to arrive after 2009 and two-mode hybrid is slated for 2010 model year. The rear suspension is now a five-link setup.