2011 Dodge Ram Preview

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Summary

During a recent drive of the 2009 Ram 1500, we were able to gain some surprising insight into what Dodge has in store for the heavy-duty Rams for 2011. Synonymous with innovation and the heavy duty truck, Dodge is offering some refreshing refinement and design for their 2011 offerings. The large Rams will also make use of the same interior as the 2009 Ram 1500.

Full Preview 2011

It seems that with the financial toils that Chrysler LLC has been currently dealing with, the 2010 model may be delayed into 2011 allowing for some major design improvements.

With production of the 2009 Ram 1500 in progress, Chrysler engineers are already toiling away on the next series of heavy-duty or 2500 and 3500  Ram models. For the first time the larger trucks will sport a unique front fascia. The large Rams will also make use of the same interior as the 2009 Ram 1500.

Stylish and Redesigned Interior

In the past Dodge received a lot of complaints about its truck interiors, and that's an issue Ralph Gilles, vice president of Jeep, truck, and advanced interior design, took to heart. Scott Kunselman, vice president of truck product development, believes fuel economy is more important to truck buyers than the ability to pull the largest possible trailer up huge hills at 85 mph. Beefing up the chassis, transmission and other components to handle much more power would add weight and cost to the truck and only a handful of buyers would ever make use of it. Being mostly utilized in fleets, these heavy duty trucks are mostly geared towards the fleet managers who are interested in lowering costs rather than having outrageous power output.

Powertrain

Dodge will likely stick with the Ram HD's current absorber NOx catalyst system, for future 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty trucks instead of the urea treatment most diesel passenger cars use to meet EPA regulations. However, Dodge will use urea for its class 4 and 5 cab and chassis Rams because the emissions certification process is different for the larger trucks. Ram 1500's multi-link coil suspension makes a lot of sense for light-duty trucks; it doesn't in the heavy-duty segment. Dodge's current strategy gears the 2500/3500 trucks for maximum towing and hauling, so the traditional leaf springs will remain on these models.

Dodge will continue to play in the class 4 and 5 truck segment, an area where it performs well, but these trucks will strictly be cab-chassis vehicles for commercial users.

Hybrid Available for 2011

For 2011 Dodge has also begun production on a Hybrid model. The hybrid and diesel offerings for Dodge Ram are in addition to three gasoline powertrain options:

An all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, that delivers a 4 percent increase in fuel economy for 2009 while producing 380 horsepower and 404 lb.-ft. of torque .

A new for 2008 4.7-liter flex-fuel V-8, that resulted in an increase in fuel economy while producing 310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque.
A 3.7-liter V-6 that generates 215 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque.

The renowned HEMI power plant, now in hybrid form, will continue to feature Chrysler's Multi-displacement System (MDS), which allows the engine to seamlessly alternate between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. The two-mode hybrid system provides assistance from electric motors allowing the HEMI V-8 to remain in four- cylinder mode more often than without a hybrid powertrain, improving overall fuel economy.

Chrysler's advanced, state-of-the-art two-mode full hybrid system integrates proven automatic-transmission technology with a patented hybrid-electric drive system to deliver the world's first two-mode full hybrid.

In the first mode, at low speed and with light loads, the vehicle can operate in three ways: Electric power only, Engine power only, and any combination of engine and electric power.

2011 Dodge Ram Delays?

Just about a month ago, Chrysler's Frank Klegon confirmed that the light duty diesel engine for the Dodge Ram was moving towards production in 2011. Now, some reports are suggesting that the 5.0L V8 from Cummins may be delayed until 2011. With the current state of affairs in the auto industry and the recent announcement that Fiat and Chrysler were entering a strategic global alliance, we'd imagine that pretty much all of the Pentastar brand's plans have been shaken up a bit, including this one.

A little over a year ago, the future of smaller-displacement oil-burners for consumer-grade pickups was very bright, with Ford, GM and Dodge all announcing new diesel engines for their full-size trucks. Toyota and Nissan were also rumored to be matching their competitors. Since then, Ford has officially pulled the plug on its program and most of the others remain in doubt. Still, we are hoping that Dodge and GM pull through with their small diesels, which would make perfect complements to the hybrid drivetrains that are also forthcoming.

Delay Stopper?

The hope for the 2011 model year is in the hands of the new power plant that Dodge is prepping for the Light Duty Diesel. Last month, Chrysler established that the light duty diesel power plant for the Dodge Ram was moving toward its 2011 production schedule. However, recent reports have suggested that the 5.0-liter V8 by Cummins will have to wait until 2011.

One of the causes of this delay might be the upcoming global alliance between Fiat and Chrysler which has shaken a lot of the latter's plans, which could also include this one. Just over a year ago Ford, GM and Dodge all announced their intentions for new diesel powerplants for their full-sized trucks with Toyota and Nissan showing signs that they will match their rivals. Ford, however, has since cancelled its plans and the others are also in limbo concerning this program. Small diesels would really be an ideal complement to the hybrid drivetrains that are arriving in the near future.