Mack Massey Chrysler Jeep Dodge
I-10 @ Sunland Park exit 13 across from Sunland Park Mall El Paso, TX 79922Sales: (877) 558-9420
- Service: (915) 231-4191
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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee earns the 2010 IIHSs Top Safety Pick
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee earns the highest possible rating in the IIHS roof strength test for *midsize SUV's, withstanding forces on its roof of nearly 5 times the weight of the vehicle
These results show that Jeep has designed a roof for the 2011 Grand Cherokee that performs much better than current federal rollover standards require
"Vehicles that earn TOP SAFETY PICK meet the highest standards for crash test performance," said IIHS president Adrian Lund. "This award means that buyers of the new Grand Cherokee are getting state-of-the-art safety for the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and electronic stability control, which our research shows can help prevent crashes altogether."*Based on IIHS Midsize SUV Classification
Heavy-duty Rams make big new
Sales of large pickup trucks were hard hit as the U.S. economy slowed. Regardless, auto manufacturers are introducing new heavy-duty trucks this year with many improvements.
The first out are the 2010 heavy-duty Rams from Chrysler Group LLC, and for the first time, Ram 2500 and 3500 models are offered as crew cabs. With four regular doors and two rows of seats, crew cabs account for nearly half the truck market.
Interior room is generous in the new big Ram truck, suspension is retuned and revised for a better ride, and the interior is quieter and has better-quality materials than earlier heavy-duty Rams.
Most importantly, the new Rams offer more capability, even though the engines are carry-overs from last year.
And the diesel-powered 2010 Rams are the first in the segment with standard exhaust brakes that help prolong brake life and make traveling downhill with a heavy trailer a little less stressful.
No wonder the new Rams are gathering awards. They were named Truck of the Year by both Motor Trend magazine and the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association.
Also of note: The Ram starting prices are a bit lower this year than comparable models for 2009.
Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $30,385 for a 2010 2500 ST regular cab with two-wheel drive and Hemi V-8.
The lowest retail price for a 2010 heavy-duty Ram with four-wheel drive is $33,590 for a 2500 regular cab model.
The new heavy-duty Ram crew cabs carry a starting retail price of $31,415 for a 2010 2500 ST with two-wheel drive, a short pickup bed and Hemi V-8.
The lowest starting retail price for a four-wheel drive heavy-duty Ram crew cab is $34,810, while the highly prized heavy-duty Ram with Cummins turbo-diesel starts at $37,850 with two-wheel drive, a short bed and manual transmission. The starting retail price is $39,435 for the turbodiesel with automatic transmission in the crew cab model.
Competition is stiff in this work-truck market, and even with the price adjustments that Chrysler made for 2010, shoppers can find lower starting retail prices for some other new big trucks.
For example, the 2011 Ford F250 Super Duty regular cab truck has a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $28,995 with two-wheel drive and a V-8.
The lowest retail price for a 2011 F250 Super Duty with turbodiesel engine is $36,730.
Note that the Ram no longer carries the Dodge label. Chrysler officials decided that Ram can stand on its own as a brand. But the trucks are still sold at Dodge dealerships.
There's no doubt that in sheer size, stance and styling, the Ram heavy-duty trucks are impressive.
The test vehicle, a 2500 SLT Crew Cab 4X4, is 6.5 feet tall and 6.6 feet wide, and couldn't fit in my garage.
The front look is distinctively like that of a big semi-hauler, but for this year the grille and front bumper are bigger and the hood is restyled and sits higher.
Obviously, it's a big step to get inside the Ram heavy duty trucks, but the new interior makes it worthwhile. The dashboard and instrument panel layout in the test truck was nicely done, and the optional premium cloth seating material looked and felt good, not cheap.
The large storage console between front passengers still accommodates a laptop easily, and it could be moved up and back when I needed to carry six people. Even the middle person had a soft seat cushion.
The test truck's powerful, 6.7-liter diesel engine came to life loudly and could be heard during all my driving, whether it was idling at a stoplight or heading down the highway. I loved the way it got this big truck moving with spunk. And with a trailer hooked behind, the engine power got both truck and trailer moving without fuss.
This engine is a turbocharged, Cummins inline diesel six cylinder with awesome torque of 650 foot-pounds at just 1,500 rpm.
With six-speed automatic, I managed to get more than 13 miles per gallon with this powerplant.
Note the price to get this optional Cummins diesel is high - $7,615. It's another $405 to add the automatic transmission. But it's good to know the Cummins is available on all trim levels except the Power Wagon.
In addition, the Cummins already meets new, stricter diesel emissions standards, and does so without needing a urea injection system that other diesel vehicles are installing.
Horsepower from the Cummins diesel engine tops out at 350. The 5.7-liter, Chrysler Hemi V-8 that's standard in the Ram 2500 trucks generates 383 horses but only 400 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The ride in the heavy-duty Rams can be bouncy over road bumps and rough terrain.
But towing is a strong suit, with a diesel 3500 dually model now rated at 24,500 pounds in Gross Combined Weight Rating, which includes a trailer and whatever is stuffed inside the truck's bed and cabin.
The truck's sheer size and mass made it feel safe. Most other vehicles on the road, even Cadillac Escalades, suddenly seemed inconsequential.
And braking power, which can be enhanced by restricting the diesel's exhaust gases, was strong.
While curtain air bags and antilock brakes were standard, the rearview camera that helped me see behind the truck was an option.
Ram 1500 Named a 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Vehicle by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com
Auburn Hills, Mich. , May 25, 2010 -
Just in time for Memorial Day weekend and the kickoff of
the summer driving season, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com today named the Ram 1500
one of its 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Vehicles.
This year, Kelley Blue Book's
kbb.com editors added a new twist to their annual Top 10 list, choosing 10 road
trip-worthy summer 2010 events and pairing them with the best new cars and
trucks for those journeys. The 2010 Ram 1500 and the Iowa State Fair were called
a perfect road-trip match.
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com called the Ram
1500, with its coil-over rear suspension "a wise choice for long-haul road trip
comfort. The HEMI V8 engine delivers a healthy 390 horsepower along with
respectable highway fuel economy of 20 mpg, and the truck's boldly styled
sheetmetal might just turn a few heads when you roll into town."
As for
the Iowa State Fair, held Aug. 12-22, in Des Moines, the editors wrote: "You
have to love any event that bills itself as 'Non Stop Fun.'"
In addition
to choosing the fun events and corresponding interesting rides, the kbb.com
editors kept key road trip criteria in mind when choosing each Top 10 Road Trip
Car -- things like a comfortable cabin, good fuel economy, utter reliability and
superior over-the-road driving dynamics.
"We understand that truck owners
spend a lot of time in their vehicles; whether getting to the jobsite, hauling
livestock or towing their boat up to the cabin for the weekend." said Fred Diaz,
President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "That's why we designed
the Ram 1500 to be the new truck segment benchmark for comfort and refinement.
With the new Ram, we focused on the interior, designing thoughtful features and
loads of storage -- the sorts of things that make it a good road trip
companion."
For more information about the 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars
from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/RoadTripCars2010.
Back-to-back wins for Ram Trucks following last year?s victory for the Ram 1500
Denver, CO , Apr 7, 2010 -
The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press association (RMAP) today named the all-new Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup its 2010 Outstanding Truck. The award marks the second consecutive RMAP truck-of-the-year title for Ram following the 2009 win for the Ram 1500.
"I've spent a lot of time in the Rocky Mountain region, so I can tell you how much this means to the Ram Truck Brand," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand. "The Rocky Mountains are a geographically large and subsequently important market for Ram Trucks. With so many ranchers and recreational buyers, heavy-duty pickups are proportionately higher sellers here. The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press association's truck of the year award resonates with truck buyers and our dealers, and we're proud of the honor." Back-to-back wins for Ram Trucks following last year's victory for the Ram 1500
The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty brings increased capability and innovative new features to the heavy-duty segment with an uncompromising attitude that remains the standard for all full-size heavy-duty pickups.
"The Ram 3500 impressed the RMAP's members not only with its outstanding utility but also with interior amenities and functionality," said Michael Cotsworth, President of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. "We are pleased to award Ram with the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press association's Outstanding Truck for 2010."
The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press association is comprised of more than 30 automotive journalists, who provide expert reviews and content to publications and media outlets across Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
"RMAP is dedicated to helping our readers, listeners and viewers make better informed decisions for their transportation, work, luxury or leisure needs," added Cotsworth.
For 2010, the Ram Heavy Duty is available for the first time in a crew-size cab model, providing Ram with a formidable entry in the highest-volume part of the heavy-duty pickup segment (approximately 50 percent).
Ram Heavy Duty also delivers the performance and amenities customers demand. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickups feature a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame with advanced torsional rigidity and stiffness. A coil-spring suspension setup is used up front, while the multi-leaf spring design is maintained in the rear for heavy-duty capability. Front and rear shocks and springs are tuned for optimum ride quality and capability.
Improved suspension tuning and new C-pillar hydro mounts were added to the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty models to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake, which means an improved ride for the customer.
Powertrain choices include the legendary 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which produces 350 horsepower (261 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque (881 N?m) at only 1,500 rpm.
The most durable and reliable engine in its class, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel features standard oil-change intervals of 7,500 miles. It also has major-overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000-mile advantage versus the competition.
The Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine uses a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to virtually eliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent, in order to meet stringent 2010.5 diesel emissions requirements.
Ram Heavy Duty is the only ¾ and one-ton pickup truck to offer a lower cost, lower maintenance alternative to Diesel Emission Fluid (DEF) injection systems to be used by competitors. It's also the only truck in the segment to offer a manual transmission.
The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty comes standard with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engine, delivering 383 horsepower (286 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 N?m) at 4,000 rpm. The 5.7-liter HEMI was redesigned for 2009, with several new and improved technologies including Variable-valve Timing (VVT), increased compression ratio, active intake manifold with long runners for low-end torque and short runners for high-rpm power, improved cylinder head port flow efficiency and reduced-restriction exhaust and induction systems.
The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups offer the only standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel-equipped models only). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Large front (360 mm) and rear (358 mm) brakes with integrated Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) increase brake life and braking stability.
Customers in the heavy-duty segment have a range of needs, and most of them involve high levels of capability. The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 are designed to deliver a total package:
Increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on 2500 4x4 crew cab
diesel models to 9,600 pounds from 9,000 pounds
Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on 3500 dually models with diesel, auto transmission and 4.10 rear axle to 24,500 pounds from 24,000 pounds. With the Max Tow Package, GCWR increases to 25,400 pounds (late availability)
Increased GCWR on 3500 4x2 models to 24,000 pounds from 23,000 pounds
Increased front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on several models:
To 5,500 pounds from 5,200 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups
To 5,000 pounds from 4,700 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups
Other towing features include improved trailer-tow mirrors with
integrated turn signals, memory function and puddle lamps. The larger 7-in. x
11-in. trailer-tow mirrors offer improved visibility with larger convex glass
surfaces. The mirrors flip up and out in a vertical configuration for improved
visibility around wide trailers. Trailer-tow mirrors are now standard on 3500.
As an added convenience, a Class IV receiver is now standard on all Ram 2500
and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups.
Ram Heavy Duty towing, payload and axle capacity all have been increased for 2010. Suspension upgrades and larger front-axle U-joints, combined with increased front GAWR, result in increased front weight-carrying capability - a must for larger snowplows.
The Ram Power Wagon also returns for the 2010 model year, equipped with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a custom-built Warn® 12,000-pound winch that is accessible through the front bumper. The 2010 Ram Power Wagon features new exterior graphics and a lower two-tone paint scheme.
About the Ram Truck Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.
The Ram Truck brand will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of it all-new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. The new heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment.
Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities. The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision Inc.'s (SVI) 2009 Total Quality Index? (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.
The Ram Truck brand will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.
Follow Dodge and Chrysler Group LLC news and video on:
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chryslercom and
www.twitter.com/chrysler
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm
Ram Trucks: http://www.ramtrucks.com
Ram Zone blog: http://www.ramzone.com
AutoWeek Magazine Review 2010 Ram HD
Senior Web Reporter Greg Migliore was equally impressed with the 3500. "As far as big rigs go-what a truck. I had this for an extended stint and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's comfortable, smooth to control and powerful in every aspect of its being."
Migliore praised the use and craftsmanship of the interior, as well as their design. "The controls are intuitive, and you get a spectacular view of the road," he wrote. Driving was "a hoot," according to Migliore, and "there is something intrinsically fun about rolling around in a big truck, and the Ram 3500 HD lives up to its initials-it's trucking in high definition."
Even with the dual wheels and a wide appearance, the vehicle simply didn't drive like a big truck, Migliore said. The vehicle has an almost surreal presence and is "more imposing than the Ford and Chevrolet heavy-duty trucks," Migliore wrote.
"Give Chrysler some credit here," Migliore said. "There are not many companies that have the resources and expertise to make big trucks and do it well. With the Ram 3500, the Auburn Hills automaker really flexes its muscles."
For the full article, please follow this link:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100218/CARREVIEWS/100219904#ixzz0fuywAOS
Automobile Magazine Ranks Ram 1500
"2010 Automobile All-Star"
Dodge Ram 1500 | From meathead to egghead.
By Joe Lorio
The pickup market is among the most stagnant and resistant to change of any segment in the automotive arena. So when a new pickup has the fortitude to question established practices, it deserves to be recognized. The new half-ton Dodge Ram is that truck.
Cutting against the unquestioned trend of ever-more-ludicrous towing figures, towering "in-your-face" grilles, and absurdly jacked-up ride heights, Dodge engineers stepped back from the mindless braggadocio to create a vehicle that actually works smarter. Throwing out years of accepted wisdom, they scrapped the antediluvian leaf springs in favor of a well-located coil-sprung rear axle, dramatically improving the pickup's ride quality. They retreated from the cartoonish styling and instead shaped their truck in the wind tunnel, and consequently it uses less fuel. They also at long last addressed the issue of covered, secure cargo storage - which other makers of full-size trucks had consigned their buyers to add themselves or do without - and created the hugely innovative RamBox in-bedside storage compartments. Apparently also questioning the notion that a noisy truck is somehow acceptable where a noisy car is not, Dodge created a Ram that is astonishingly quiet to drive (although we are glad to still hear the Hemi V-8's distinct burble at start-up). In the suddenly competitive domain of interiors, the Ram sets the standard by living up to the radical idea that the cabin of a $40,000 truck should be as nice as that of a $40,000 car.
In all these changes, the Ram often had to go not just against its competitors, but also its own history. It surely was not easy. The Dodge Ram has gone from meathead to egghead, adding brains to its brawn. As a result, it surges to the front of the pack as the most livable yet still highly capable big pickup in the land.
Wrangler Rubicon named best 4×4 of decade
Four Wheeler magazine editors have named the Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon the Best 4×4 Vehicle of the Decade, while calling out the four-door Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon as the decade's most significant 4×4 vehicle.
"Jeep vehicles have earned many awards in the almost 70-year history of the iconic brand, but few have been as prestigious as these accolades from the editors at Four Wheeler magazine," Mike Manley, President and CEO-Jeep Brand, said. "Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is clearly the most capable production vehicle on the planet and, in four-door Unlimited form, families can enjoy the combination of capability, freedom, space and comfort that only Jeep can provide."
In recognizing the 2007-present Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon as the Best 4×4 of the Decade, Four Wheeler magazine editor Doug McColloch said, "The JK (current version) Wrangler represented a big step up in on-road ride and handling for Jeep's flagship ride, yet it's off-road capability wasn't compromised in the least. If anything, it was only enhanced. Considering how competent in the dirt the previous-generation TJ was, that was no small feat for Chrysler engineers to pull off. But somehow they managed to do it, creating the decade's best four-wheel drive in the process."
In calling the 2007-present Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon the Most Significant SUV of the Decade, editor Sean Holman said, " (The decision to produce a four-door Wrangler) will probably go down in history as one of the smartest product moves any automotive company has ever made. From a Jeep customer perspective, the four-door was pure genius, opening up the sport of 'Jeeping' to families. No longer would you have to choose your kids or your gear. It also made the Jeep brand accessible to people who have always loved the idea of a Wrangler, but never thought the vehicles were large enough or functional enough to fit their lifestyle and/or needs."
The full reports from the Four Wheeler editors can be viewed at www.fourwheeler.com or athttp://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6618471/editorials/the-decades-10-best-4×4s/index.html andhttp://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6592333/miscellaneous/we-pick-the-most-influential-4×4s-of-the-2000s/index.html.
The four-door Wrangler Unlimited model accounts for 59 percent of Wrangler sales.
Jeep brand boasts highest resale value among all domestic brands
Recognition from the editors at Four Wheeler magazine comes on the heels of Jeep being named the top domestic brand in Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com® 2010 Residual Value Study.
According to the study, the Jeep brand boasts the highest resale value among all domestic brands and its vehicles will maintain 35.7 percent of their original value after five years of ownership-more than 3 percent above the industry average.
The Jeep brand resale value improves for 2010 as the industry average declines.
"This achievement is a testament to the strength and heritage of the Jeep brand," James Bell, executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book, said. "The word 'Jeep' has long stood for strength, portraying the vision of what a Jeep is, and what it can do. The Wrangler has, and continues to be the backbone of this marque, drawing a strong and loyal following, helping to maintain its value."
"We are pleased that the Jeep brand has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book for earning the highest resale value among domestic brands, and that Jeep has improved significantly in a difficult year that has seen the industry decline," Manley said. "The Jeep brand's high resale value is a testament to a legendary, iconic brand that provides consumers an array of SUVs that deliver a unique blend of freedom and adventure, capability, best-in-class claims and value."
Jeep ranks No. 1 in resale value
Jeep Ranks #1 in resale value!
When it comes to keeping its value, Jeep is the top brand according to Kelley Blue Book. he iconic Jeep brand ranks as the top domestic brand in
According Kelley Blue Book's annual kbb.com 2010 Residual Value Study, new 2010 Jeep brand vehicles will bring 35.7 percent of their original value after five years. that's more than three percent above the industry average.
"This achievement is a testament to the strength and heritage of the Jeep brand," said James Bell, an executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "The word 'Jeep' has long stood for strength, portraying the vision of what a Jeep is, and what it can do. The Wrangler has, and continues to be the backbone of this marque, drawing a strong and loyal following, helping to maintain its value."
Though eight of the top ten brands in the study declined when compared to their 2009 values and the industry average dropped 1.6 percent. Jeep's resale value improved 2.8 percent for 2010.
"We are pleased that the Jeep brand has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book for earning the highest resale value among domestic brands, and that Jeep has improved significantly in a difficult year that has seen the industry decline," said Mike Manley, President and CEO of theJeep brand. "The Jeep brand's high resale value is a testament to a legendary, iconic brand that provides consumers an array of SUVs that deliver a unique blend of freedom and adventure, capability, best-in-class claims and value."
Four Wheeler names Ram Power Wagon as top truck
Four Wheeler names Ram Power Wagon as 'top truck'
Four Wheeler magazine has named the 2010 Ram Power Wagon as the winner of its Pickup Truck of the Year award for 2010.
The in-depth street-and-trail test has been held annually since 1989, and the win marks the Dodge Ram brand's seventh overall in the competition, the magazine editors wrote on their Web site.
This year's competitors included four new pickup trucks: the Ram Power Wagon, Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Cummins, Ford SVT F-150 Raptor and Toyota Tundra 4.6, the magazine said. To qualify for the competition, a vehicle had to be entirely new or sport substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year, the editors said.
"The new Power Wagon is quite nearly the best of all worlds," Four Wheeler Editor Douglas McColloch said in the story posted on their Web site. "Its tall stance and body-on-frame architecture don't get in the way of delivering a pleasant and relatively quiet highway ride. Its work-truck ethic is belied by its eight-lug axles and 10,000-pound tow rating. And once off the pavement, deep in the dirt, the Power Wagon can simply go places and do things that no other full-size truck on the planet can. Locking differentials, a disconnecting front sway bar and a 12,000-pound winch-delivered straight from the factory-will do that for you. All in all, the Power Wagon is a very worthy winner of our Pickup Truck of the Year competition."
The Ram handily won the Off-Road Ride and Drive category of the weeklong competition, which included mountain trails, desert sand dunes, stream crossings, Interstate highway and terrain varying in elevation from sea level to mountains in excess of 11,000 feet above sea level, the magazine reported. With a powerful 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI® engine and compliant coil-over suspension, locking front and rear differentials and electronic sway-bar disconnect, the Power Wagon excelled in virtually every sort of driving environment, the story said.
Now in its 48th year, Four Wheeler is published monthly by Source Interlink Media LLC and reaches more than 236,000 subscribers monthly. Complete test results and evaluations of all the competitors will be available in the March 2010 issue that goes on sale Jan. 22, the story said. (From FourWheeler.com)
Chrysler to develop new Fiat 500 Electric Vehicle for US
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Ram Ranked as Best Truck Ever
Ram Ranked as Best Truck Ever
The "best ever" - it's a trite phrase. But owners spoke up, and what they
said indicates that Chrysler Group LLC is headed in the right
direction.
The Dodge Ram scored the highest scored the highest Total
Quality score ever for a truck in the 15-year history of Strategic Vision Inc.'s
study. The Total Quality Index (TQI) surveys owners to rate all aspects of the
ownership experience from buying and owning to performance and
driving.
According to Strategic Vision; "Customers specifically noted
that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck
interior ever rated by customers. 'For truck buyers, the Dodge Ram has reclaimed
its perceived leadership in innovation, a corporate hallmark,' states Alexander
Edwards. 'We have tracked innovation as a critical dimension in success since
1979 and have shown that it has been the single most powerful factor in success
across categories, especially among automobiles'."
The strong show of
support put the Ram at the top of the pickup truck category in the annual
Strategic Vision study. The Ram also helped the Chrysler Group improve by 15
points in the study.
"Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is rated by owners as
the best truck ever built," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President - Quality,
Chrysler Group LLC. "It is a game-changing, class-leading truck that is second
to none. This award confirms that we are making significant changes and
improvements, which enhance the overall ownership experience and are being
recognized by our customers."
Thanks to all the owners out there who
participated in this study.
Ram named tow vehicle of the year!
Ram 1500 Named Trailer Boats Magazine 2010 Tow Vehicle of the Year
Editors cite Ram's powerful 5.7-liter HEMI engine, innovative storage ideas and the "unparalleled ride comfort" from Ram's coil-spring, multi-link rear suspension
Auburn Hills, Mich. , Mar 19, 2010 -
Trailer Boats magazine today announced that it has chosen the Ram 1500 as its 2010 Tow Vehicle of the Year.
The magazine's of-the-year honor, significant to a large pickup customer demographic segment, will add to the Ram's growing list of top automotive awards.
"We're honored," said Ram Truck Brand President and CEO Fred Diaz. "The bond between boaters and their pickup trucks is inseparable. We recognize trailer-boating places big demands on the capability of a truck, and our Ram Truck team has delivered the best truck for those customers.
"The Ram Truck Brand has put a great deal of emphasis on reaching out to outdoorsmen and women," added Diaz. "Boating, as well as hunting, camping and fishing enthusiasts will be getting many opportunities to take a close-up look at Ram Trucks this year as we criss-cross the nation in a 50-event Ram Master Sportsman's Tour."
The 28th annual tow vehicle competition included a trio of 2010 half-ton pickups with crew-size cabs and the largest available gasoline engines, all in four-wheel-drive configurations. Each was tested while towing the same Mako 234 Center Console boat and trailer weighing about 6,000 pounds.
"This
year the editors focused on light-duty pickups," said Jim Hendricks, publisher
and editorial director of Trailer Boats magazine. "This class has experienced
dramatic improvements in features and ride quality over the past few years,
with beefed-up tow ratings approaching those traditionally associated with
heavy-duty pickups.
"The Ram 1500 with the 5.7L Hemi not only reflects this trend, but its smooth
and powerful performance scored consistently high during our
examination," added Hendricks. "The ride, handling and braking of
the Ram 1500 - in both towing and non-towing situations - scored highest among
the competitors," said Hendricks. "After a full evaluation lasting more than
two weeks, the editors of Trailer Boats voted the Ram 1500 as the 2010 Tow
Vehicle of the Year."
The test results are detailed in the April 2010 issue of Trailer Boats
(on sale now), with coverage going live online at www.TrailerBoats.com beginning April 5.
The Ram Truck Brand continues to raise the bar with the most powerful and capable light-duty pickup truck in the segment with the 2010 Ram 1500.
With its bold exterior design, refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features, amenities and ride quality, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition.
The Ram 1500 ranks at the top of Strategic Vision 2009 Total Quality Index?(TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study.
In addition to winning Strategic Vision's TQI, the Ram 1500 has earned 20 key awards since its introduction. Other awards include:
American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award - 2010 Vehicle of the Year
Automobile magazine - 2010 All-Stars Ten Best
International Car of the Year (ICOTY) - 2009 International Truck of the Year
Texas Auto Writer's Association (TAWA) - 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas
MotorWeek - Driver's Choice Awards (2009 and 2010)
Maxim - Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
Edmunds' Inside Line - A 2009 Editor's Most Wanted
Edmunds' Inside Line - Best Full-size Pickup Truck
Consumer Guide - Large Pickup - Best Buy for 2009
Cars.com - Work Truck of the Year
Truckin' magazine - Truck of the Year
Autobytel.com - 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editors' Choice Awards - Truck of the
Year
Ward's AutoWorld - Interior of the Year
Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association - Truck of the Year
? New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) - Best-in-Class Pickup Award
Ward's AutoWorld - Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Ram 5.7-liter HEMI®
engine)
Automobile Journalists Association of Canada - Best New Pickup
AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award
Sobre Ruedas - Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for '08
For 2010, Ram 1500's towing capability has increased to 10,450 pounds. Combining Ram's legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine and the segment-exclusive multi-link coil spring rear suspension, Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) has increased to 15,500 pounds, from 14,000 pounds, with the 140.5-inch wheelbase, 5.7-liter engine and 3.92 rear axle. This increased GCWR equates to an increase in tow rating. This improved rating, along with Ram's industry-first features and impressive ride and handling capabilities, make Ram the most capable light-duty pickup on the market.
The 2010 Ram incorporates a first-in-segment, multi-link coil spring rear suspension that improves ride and handling without sacrificing payload (as much as 1,900 pounds) and towing capability (as much as an estimated 10,450 pounds).
New interior features include fuel-saver indicator on 3.7-liter models, a new premium Tire-pressure Monitoring (TPM) system and Park-Assist indicator in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display.
Other new features include an iPod® Control that connects most iPod-compatible devices using an iPod Control cable. The cable enables iPod devices to be controlled through Ram's media center radio or steering-wheel radio controls.
New exterior features include available folding trailer-tow mirrors, integrated trailer-brake controller, power trailer-tow mirrors, electro-chromic mirrors and new 22-inch tires and wheels included in R/T package.
Fuel economy enhancements for 2010 include interactive Decel Fuel Shut Off (iDFSO) on all engines. iDFSO turns off the flow of fuel during vehicle deceleration for improved real-world fuel economy without any noticeable changes in engine performance.
Standard on the 2010 Ram two-wheel-drive regular cab and Quad Cab® models is a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine, generating 210 horsepower (156 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N?m) of torque.
Other
available engines include the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with Multi
Displacement
System (MDS) that produces 390 horsepower (291 kW) and 407 lb.-ft. (548 N?m) of
torque and the Flex-fuel 4.7-liter V-8 that generates 310 horsepower (231 kW)
and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N?m) of torque.
The 2010 Ram Crew Cab 1500 features an available first-in-segment RamBox cargo management system that provides weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage compartments integrated into both cargo-box sides for effortless access and convenience. The RamBox system includes a bed divider/2-foot bed extender for oversize loads and a rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats for infinitely adjustable tie-down capability.
Ram 1500 is available in a regular cab, Quad Cab and crew-cab configuration and offers three box lengths: 8-foot (regular cab), 6-foot 4-inches (regular cab and Quad Cab), and 5-foot 7-inches (crew cab). For 2010, Ram 1500 is available in five distinct trim levels-ST, SLT, TRX, Sport and Laramie.
About Trailer Boats magazine
Now entering its 40th year, Trailer Boats has set itself apart - both in print and online at TrailerBoats.com - with the most refined tests and detailed information available to boaters today, serving as the essential resource for trailer boating enthusiasts of all levels. The award-winning publication is part of Affinity Boating Media, which also includes Boating Industry, Powerboat and Your Guide to Towing.
About the Ram Truck Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.The Ram Truck brand will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of it all-new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. The new heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment.
Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities. The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision Inc.'s (SVI) 2009 Total Quality Index? (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.
The Ram Truck brand will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.
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