Ram hauls in Truckin’s ‘Truck of the Year Award’

Posted Tuesday, Jan 6, 2009 at 10:41 am in Company News

The game-changing all-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues to win praise by consumers and media. The all-new Dodge Ram was named 2009 Truck of the Year in the current issue of Truckin’ magazine.

“It’s an honor to have Truckin’ magazine recognize our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with this significant award,” Scott Kunselman, Vice President—Jeep®/Truck Product Team, said. “This award speaks loudly about the design and capability of our Dodge Ram along with its benchmark interior and unmatched ride and handling.”

“Overall, the sleek design represented the most dramatic change in Ram design since the ‘94s love-it-or-leave-it big-rig look, and we think it’s a hit,” Bob Ryder, senior tech editor, Truckin’, said. “The Dodge Boys have really done their homework on this one. The quality of materials, including wood trim, chrome accents and leather is miles ahead of the previous generation and really makes the Dodge look luxurious.”

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes the first-in-segment RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins, pickup bed dividers, a 2-foot bed extender, and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats. The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring, five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle providing ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) and its best-in-class aerodynamics—.387 Cd—helps improve fuel economy and performance.

In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes first-in-segment, factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins with nearly twice as many bins (42) than the previous model (26) and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with segment-first surround-sound audio system and live Siriius Backseat TV round out the interior.

Recently, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab earned five-star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program.

In addition to winning Truckin’s magazine’s top honor, the all-new Dodge Ram has picked up several key awards since its introduction:

Ward’s AutoWorld: Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Dodge Ram 5.7 HEMI engine)

Texas Auto Writer’s Association (TAWA): 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas

Edmunds.com: Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009

Autobytel.com: 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editor’s Choice Awards—Truck of the Year

Maxim: Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)

Automotive Journalist Association of Canada: Best New Pickup

Sobre Ruedas: Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for ‘08