New Dodge Truck Blasts Out of the Earth at "Groundbreaking"
Ceremony
New 500-horsepower Viper-powered Truck Joins Ram Party
Dodge Storms Truck Market with Introduction of Two New 2005
Trucks
Chrysler Group President and CEO Dieter Zetsche Unearths the Most Capable
Off-Road Pickup on the Planet — the New 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon — and the
Viper-powered 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab
CHELSEA, Mich., Jun 15, 2004 - First the earth moved. And then ... a blur.
Dodge unleashed two new, leading Dodge Ram pickups today, as the all-new
2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon burst from the ground here at the DaimlerChrysler
Chelsea Proving Grounds, followed immediately by the familiar rumble of
Viper V-10 power as the new 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab raced into
position as the newest member of the Ram and SRT families.
"Whether it's power, speed, torque or off-road prowess, Dodge Ram continues
to lead the competition in every category," said Dieter Zetsche, President
and CEO, Chrysler Group. "As the most capable off-road pickup on the planet,
the Dodge Ram Power Wagon goes places no other pickup can, while the Ram
SRT-10 Quad Cab hauls in more ways than one."
Before the ground shook, Dodge Ram was already the leading truck on the
market with a lineup long on superlatives:
Dodge Ram 1500 with legendary HEMI® power is the most powerful mass
production light-duty pickup on the market;
Dodge Ram SRT-10 is the Guinness Book of World Records fastest production
pickup ever; and
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins 600 is the strongest pickup on the market with
600 lb.-ft. of class-dominating torque.
With the return of the new 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon and the addition of
the new 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab to the Chrysler Group family of
performance vehicles, Dodge Ram adds to its impressive list of leadership
claims:
The new Dodge Ram Power Wagon is the most capable off-road production pickup
ever created
Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab is the fastest, most powerful four-door pickup,
offering enthusiasts ultimate performance coupled with extraordinary
convenience and utility
"The impressive list of Dodge Ram leadership claims continues to expand,"
said Darryl Jackson, Vice President — Dodge Marketing. "The Dodge Ram Power
Wagon absolutely demolishes the competition in off-road capability, while
the new Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab delivers convenience, capability and Viper
performance in one incredible package. The Dodge Ram family of trucks
continues to dominate the competition across the board."
New 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon
New for 2005, the big, bad Dodge Ram Power Wagon is back for the first time
in 25 years. The Dodge Ram Power Wagon returns to the Dodge lineup as a new
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty model, and debuts as the most capable off-road pickup
on the planet.
Built for the road less traveled, the Dodge Ram Power Wagon legend is reborn
with legendary HEMI power, class-exclusive electric locking front and rear
differentials, a class-exclusive electronic disconnecting front sway bar and
a custom-built Warn 12,000-lb. winch. The Dodge Ram Power Wagon leaves the
competition in its dust — on- and off-road — and follows a simple credo:
talk loudly and carry a big stick.
"The new 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon lives up to its name," said Mike
Donoughe, Vice President — Body-on-Frame Product Team. "Dodge Power Wagon
doesn't just beat the competition, it decimates them. There is simply no
other pickup on the market that can touch the Dodge Ram Power Wagon's
off-road prowess."
Based on the Dodge Ram 2500 and available in either Regular or Quad CabTM
body styles, the new 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon stands 80.6 inches tall and
is distinguished by custom matte finish wheel flares, a large Power Wagon
badge across the tailgate, custom 17 x 8-inch polished forged aluminum
wheels and 33-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires — the tallest standard
tires offered on a production pickup.
The 345-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 is the only available engine.
The 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon boasts best-in-class wheel articulation with
new suspension designs. The front suspension uses a solid front axle with
coil spring design, while the rear features a new single stage leaf design
and uses unique, softer spring settings.
For serious off-roading capability, the Dodge Ram Power Wagon features new
4.56 gearing and Bilstein monotube high-pressure gas shock absorbers.
"The Dodge Ram Power Wagon goes where other pickups cannot, but without
deteriorating the Ram Heavy Duty's ride or towing capability," said Donoughe.
"The Power Wagon was built by off-roaders for off-roaders. One look at it —
and especially at the standard custom 12,000-lb. Warn winch — lets you know
that Power Wagon means business."
New 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab
If a Dodge Ram pickup — complete with 500 horsepower courtesy of the Dodge
Viper SRT-10 engine — is good, a Viper-powered Ram with four doors is even
better.
Following on the success of the Dodge Ram SRT-10 regular cab pickup, Dodge
introduces the Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab, targeted directly at the truck
enthusiast who wants SRT performance in a pickup with room for the family
and towing capacity.
"We knew when we came out with the world's fastest production pickup that
there would be customers who would want that same ultimate performance, but
in a pickup that offered four-passenger seating and towing capability," said
Dan Knott, Director — Street and Racing Technology (SRT). "So, the question
was, 'Can we create a more usable truck for the person who wants to haul
more stuff, but is not willing to give up performance?' Our answer is the
Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab: a truck that is just as bad and bold in terms of
performance, but a little more capable and versatile in terms of hauling."
Beginning with a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab as a starting point, SRT engineers
worked their magic with the kind of goodies that have enthralled Dodge Ram
SRT-10 owners from day one: Viper V-10 power, a performance suspension,
world-class brakes, bold performance styling and a race-inspired interior.
The only logical choice to power the world's ultimate performance four-door
pickup: the 8.3-liter Dodge Viper V-10 engine, unleashing 500 horsepower and
525 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is backed up by a four-speed automatic
transmission — a 48RE gearbox, specially adapted from a diesel engine
application for its ability to handle monster amounts of torque. A
heavy-duty torque converter, custom transmission calibration and two-piece
drive shaft were also specifically chosen for overall powertrain integrity
and performance. Additionally, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab was fitted with
a 4.56 gear ratio to improve launch feel, low-end acceleration and towing
capability of up to 7,500 pounds.
While brute power and straight-line performance are high on the list of any
performance enthusiast, every SRT vehicle must also perform throughout a
dynamic range — from neighborhood grocery runs to blasts through twisting
and winding roads.
To give the Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab the right balance and poise through a
wide variety of driving scenarios, SRT engineers began with a fully
hydroformed frame as the basis for strength and rigidity. From there, the
Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab was fitted with fully-tuned front and rear strut and
spring assemblies. Up front, modified steering and independent front
suspension carry the load, while in the rear, axle snubbers,
performance-tuned springs and Bilstein monotube shocks keep things firmly
planted through the corners.
Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab's braking system was designed by SRT engineers,
utilizing heavy-duty Dodge Ram components and unique four-pot opposed-piston
calipers that are new for 2005. A three channel anti-lock braking system
(ABS) actuates new custom red brake calipers up front that grip 15-inch
rotors, and in the rear, modified heavy-duty red calipers grip 14-inch
rotors. Front brakes are cooled with air ducted from the front fascia to
reduce heat build-up.
Featuring cues reminiscent of Dodge's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ram —
such as the deep front fascia equipped with a wind splitter, signature
cross-hair grille and sculpted sides — the Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab
features a unique hood with a fully functional air intake that provides
added bay cooling. A body-color aluminum tonneau cover, outfitted with a
unique spoiler for aerodynamic balance, is standard.
Performance cues inside the Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab include the Viper-like
pushbutton starter, race-inspired, grippy and heavily bolstered seats, a
leather-wrapped carbon fiber-patterned steering wheel and brushed metal
accents on the instrument panel and door trim panels.
©1998-2004 DaimlerChrysler.
Text:
DaimlerChrysler
Fotos: DaimlerChrysler