"The mileage gains are attributed to improved aerodynamics and by cutting 80 pounds from the truck's overall weight. The 2009 Ram is going to get 23 mpg"

Dropping a whopping 80lbs and a restyle is not going to make a 400hp 5.7L V8 truck get 23mpg on the freeway unless it's going 45mph in top gear. I've googled some reviews of the 2008 345hp 5.7L model and most people get 12-15mpg mixed.

Highway only, maybe. It's very feasible, and I'm sure they did more than drop some pounds and improve aerodynamics. Come on, this is the technology age, not 1970.

It's easily believable... just look at the Corvette for cryin' out loud..

Joan of Arc:

Highway only, maybe. It's very feasible, and I'm sure they did more than drop some pounds and improve aerodynamics. Come on, this is the technology age, not 1970.

It's easily believable... just look at the Corvette for cryin' out loud..

yeah but this is DODGE we are talking about, the same company that is offering a fixed 3 dollar gas for 3 years program, and why? because their lineup is so horribly fuel efficient that the only way they can get people to buy now is to offer this desperation program. and GM made the corvette pretty damn light, and its obviously a million times more aerdynamic than a dodge ram.

go for japs.

"This is the best truck Dodge has ever made," said Dodge's director Mike Accavitti. "In other words, we've made it half as good as the Japs".

im sorry but what japanese truck would you ever want to buy. The few times ive had to deal with my sisters tundra were when the crank snapped and ate the engine yah 62k miles ftw. Fit and finish is no diffrent then my friends work truck which is a ford f150. Ive ridden in a 07 hemi and its not bad not as good as the f150 or chevy 2500 fuel economy wasnt bad for a big truck 16 mpg but its no worse then the ford f250 5.4l. Fuel econmy is largely changed by driving style which is why a gti can rate as 32mpg but most people wont get over 22 on it. Plus the nissan titan gets a whopping 17 mpg hw and the toyota tundra gets a massive 17 mpg with a 4.7l engine or 18 for the bigger 5.7l. Ford dodge and chevy all can do that with bigger engines so I fail to see how its half as good as the japs.

"This is the best truck Dodge has ever made," said Dodge's director Mike Accavitti.
Aquavit? Isnt that 80% proof?
At least he wasnt smoking something.

@unknown:
im sorry but what japanese truck would you ever want to buy

I'd buy a Corolla truck: it has a trunk, it can seat 4-5 people. It brings me from A to B and it does 32mpg. It can outmanouver some of these dinosour trucks and i can park it in any spot over a Walmart. It cant haul my 150ft boat (because i dont have one), nor can it haul my horses (for the same reason). My friends like me, even if i cannot transport their fridges, beds or other stuff.

@lowest iq:

Apparently you have never taken your Corolla truck to the home improvement store. The "Japs" did one thing wrong, every dimension (caddy corner or other wise) is just under 6 feet. It's VERY VERY hard to fit something like 2x6 lumber without having the seats always folded down, and then it's very hard to do that with a 2x8.

If it was me (having an 04 Corolla), I'd go for a Matrix. Hatch back utility with almost as good as mileage as the Corolla.

@lowest iq:

Wow. That's cold. If someone wants a Japanese truck they might as well buy a Corolla?

I guess I'll stick with the American trucks now. Thanks for the tip.

@brian

thanks for the tip, brian.
I guess a 3 or 5 door is what i need.
Nevertheless, i dont buy a 2x6 every week, because Home Improvement stops after the home is improved.
Last time that happened Mickey, or Johnny or whoever brought all 2x6s to my home. Costed me $25. The rest of the year i dont have Home Improvement and i drive a normal car.

I still find it amusing that people who have no use for a truck like this, and indeed, have probably never needed one, would choose to say unfounded and even ignorant things about it. If you commute to work in a large city, or live on the coasts, or in the south, then yes, this truck is gas guzzling overkill. If you live in the northern states, like I do, where about three weeks ago (yes in May) much of our state got 2-3 feet(!) of snow. Overnight. Yes, they can clear most of the roads after several days, but when it gets down to brass tacks, sometimes vehicles like this are -exactly- the right fit. You can keep your Corolla. For the record, I don't drive my truck everyday, but I'm glad I have one.

@Jimb:

I live in Canada, and I am pretty sure we get more snow than you do, and I have never needed a truck to get around. But then again, I drive around the city.

What is interesting is the number of people who blow their transmissions because they think their trucks can get through anything...

For snow, there is only one good solution: snow tires!

I agree that if you live in a large metropolis, a full-size truck may not be the best vehicle for commuting. I live in a city of about 650K in the southwest. I commute 7 miles one-way to work each day. A tank of gas lasts me about 2.5 weeks. I own an F150 and am seriously considering a 2009 Dodge Ram. I use my truck for fourwheeling, camping, home improvement, towing, and the occasional winter blizzard. It's the ability to have a truck do all these aformentioned tasks that appeals to me. I also enjoy sitting at a height where I am able to see several vehicles ahead when I am in traffic. Don't bash trucks just because you live in SF or NYC.

@Mazda6 Guy:

I'll give you that, it is true that most vehicles can be made to make due. Indeed, I drove my CLK320 most of the winter this year and didn't really have any problems. My point was mainly that trucks can be useful to regular folks who need them too, not just construction workers.

If people don't want a truck, don't get one, but they aren't totally worthless just because they don't get 40 MPG; they have their purpose too. Besides, gas mileage doesn't matter to everyone.

I really feel bad for Chrysler when I drive past one of their car lots now days. Not one economy car in their whole line up. Management should be flogged and keel hauled.

@ lowest iq:
Im not arguing the fact that a corolla can do the job. I drive a yaris as a daily commuter and have of gotting 9 monitors and a copier in it. I dont need a truck for my job and personally dont like trucks but the comments being made about it being half as good a jap truck is wrong and thats what I was pointing out.

I wish Porsche would make a pickup truck for me.

Seriously, I think the new Ram is a good looking truck. They improved the mileage and everyone still criticizes them. Cheers to Chrysler.

Now super seriously, release a better small car that the Caliber. That thing is an abomination.

a 20% improvement in fuel economy, no matter how they got it is a good thing.

For those saying Chrysler is doing the gas deal because they have low MPG, get a clue. The Gas deal saves Chrysler tons of money on other incentives. You only end up saving $1k-$3K using their gas deal but can get upwards of $7k using other rebates they have, and you can only use one or the other. Most people are too dumb to do the math and just think "Ohh $2.99 per gallon, I'm there".

If American's can keep up the limited driving we've been doing for the past couple of years, hopefully the increase in gas prices will slow down a bunch. Americans have driven an estimated 11 Billion miles a year less since gas passed $2.75 / gallon. Blame the cost of gas increase on China who's annual fuel consumption has gone up ~20% in the last 4 months, Democrats not letting oil companies drill in the US, and not on people driving Trucks.

To Jimb-Thanks for a real world perspective. This truck may get low 20's with no problem. My 03 5.7QC has many times returned 19 mpg at 65mph. My 07 300c with the MDS has returned 30 mpg. It is how you drive. I have not had one problem with either of these American cars/trucks. My truck is in the mid eighties as far as mileage.
Some of us need this type vehichle for work and play. I you don't,they you obviously don't have to have one. As far as that Corolla comment-GROW UP.

Why try to sell this truck on fuel economy? People know that buying a big ass truck with a V8 is not going to get even close to the mileage of a 4cyl. The bumper cut outs for the dual exhaust is gay.

If it weren't for the ram's head on the steering wheel, I would think I was looking at a Ford interior. (That's not a compliment, Ford)

And 80lbs lighter? So, if you drive your Ford or Chevy and make your 12 year old kid walk, will you get the same mileage as this Ram?

Tundras are crap. I have heard about the crankshafts snapping, but I have heard even more about the tailgates snapping off. Garbage.

The one thing about the bumper cutouts is they help improve the departure angle.

I am not going to trash the new Dodge truck. As it is, it seems to be well designed, with some clever features, decent power/economy, and a general improvement over its earlier models. However, the fact that Dodge is tying to convince us on the fuel economy of this large vehicle is exactly why Dodge (Cerebus group) seems to be out of touch with current market conditions. Factor that with the dearth of quality compact cars in its lineup, is why Chrysler group is struggling.

p.s. The company I work for bought a boatload of Chrysler Aspens at a firesale price several weeks ago. Dodge/Chrysler will do anything to move these beasts right now.

Who cares about gas mileage? My truck gets about 10mpg city and 15-16 highway. Even if I wasn't towing a boat or using 4x4 quite a bit I would still buy a truck. Why? Because I like trucks, big loud, POLLUTING trucks (I have my cat cutout and dumping to the ground, eat me hybrid fans [and yes, I know where to get it inspected]).

I digress.

I like the design, doesn't seem as "muscular" as the old design, but I have always liked the look of dodges, even if they aren't as reliable as others (or so it seems). Not a fan of the two-tone paint or the bumper exhaust (obviously), but I give them props for the new suspension, gas mileage, and storage-- and the interior (Regardless of what some have said) is leaps and bounds over the previous years.

Tundras? Titans? Please.

@Rich

"Why try to sell this truck on fuel economy?"

Why does it have to be all or nothing? Just because fuel economy isn't someone's top priority, doesn't mean it can't be one at all. Once you've determined the class of vehicle you want/need, you can still care about fuel economy within that class. My neighbor runs a construction company, and I can tell you he would definitely care about a 20% change in the fuel usage across all his trucks. Even 10% would have an impact on his monthly bottom line.

"buy japs"

Let's talk about trucks from "Historically Japanese Manufacturers"

Ridgeline V6 Auto 15/20
Tundra V6 Stick 15/19
Tundra V8 Auto 14/18
Titan V8 Auto 12/17

Now, how about the "Detroit 3"

Silverado/Sierra V6 Auto 15/20
Silverado/Sierra V8 Auto 15/20
Ford F-150 V6 Auto 14/20
Dodge Ram 1500 V6 Stick 16/19

Hmmm, does that sound like there's dominance somewhere... not really but It looks like if you want a V8, you should buy a GM, if you want city mileage you should buy a Dodge. If you want good mileage in a 6 then you have your choice... GM/Ford or Honda. I know the numbers are barely different, but really 23 isn't so far from 19 and they all have to get there soon anyway, Dodge is just bragging because they've got a head start.

Plus, I bet I know the secret ingredient....

OVERDRIVE

All numbers per 2008 fueleconomy.gov

The higher mileage figure is probably for the 4.7 V8 and not the hemi, though I could be wrong.

The higher mileage figure is probably for the 4.7 V8 and not the hemi, though I could be wrong.

thanks for responses.

Fact is that the Canadians, Swedes, Norwegians, Russians all have more snow, less cities and no trucks.

It is a mindset issue, where the US still suffers from a 'frontier' mentality that has plagued them since independance and hence contniue to think that a bigger car makes a better man.
When the big 3 decend collectively to a level of incompetence where the only half-decent thing they can make is a truck, you have what you have today.

up until a few years ago trucks were the top sellers by a huge margin so why not devote their engery to what people are buying. Now with fuel costs going up there not wanted so there shifting their focus to the smaller cars. Honda and toyota mainly built only small cars so there was nothing for them to shift from. Russia and all of europe for the most part cannot afford trucks as fuel costs are about 2-3 times what they are here in a america as well as taxing on everything is twice as much making them less able to afford trucks.

Canadians have plenty of trucks, they just all have American names... Except in the french speaking sections, they only drive renault there.

Swedes, Norwegians and a dozen other northern European countries have roads that were designed for single-horse-drawn carriages.

The Russians haven't had income in the automotive age until the last 5 years.

Not saying my reasons are any more right than yours, but I bet it contributes

Most of the European countries have attempted to reduce their dependence on other countries (particularly in energy) because they have a collective memory of being invaded and otherwise cut-off from supply lines within the last 100 years. America (other than from Canada, Cuba and Mexico) hasn't had a real 'invasion' (attacks yes, serious invasion no, the Japanese 'invaded' Alaska early in WWII but it was really to divert us from destroying their Pacific fleet, it didn't work) in 200 years, and we have some (though not enough) resources here at home. That's a significant contributor to the reason why we haven't artificially inflated the cost of energy and why we have chosen to buy vehicles that consume more energy than necessary, because it hasn't consumed more of our income than comfortable.

Sorry, I know it requires reading and thinking, but it's probably more correct than either of our previous explanations.

Although I agree Americans (and Canadians) have a Frontier mindset, I wouldn't say we suffer from it any more than I would suggest someone who didn't have a frontier mindset suffered from a hermit mindset.

@lowestiq (fitting name)

So the only reason you see for a truck, really isn't a good reason at all. Snow and ice aren't the main reasons for trucks, hauling stuff, pulling stuff, having excellent ground clearence, etc are reasons for having a truck. Snow and ice may ncessitate AWD but there are tons of options aside from trucks that have AWD. Believe it or not, there is still new construction being done in America so until the building, ground keeping, tailgating, etc stops, trucks will sell well in America.

ohnotagain makes some good points.

As a Canadian, I can tell you that outside major downtown city centers trucks are common place. If you head to a small town that doesn't have an army of snow plows or well kept roads, people have pick ups.

Of course most people own smaller cars along side their pickups. With the increasing price of gas and decreased purchasing power of middle-class Americans I can see how trucks have lost their appeal. Now people can't afford to fuel their trucks or even purchase a truck to use on the side.

I'll be impressed if Doge can pull 23 Hwy MPG. I'm sure of course that 23MPG can only be achieve if cylinder deactivation was incorporated with possibly a 6 speed transmission with wide gears. Also the frame would have to be lightened and less rugged.

"Best truck Dodge has ever made" ????? My 2003 2500 diesel gets 27mpg on the highway at 60mph with the a/c on, and it could probably play tug of war with 2 of those "best trucks" at the same time, and beat them.

Most folks I've talked with that have the Hemi says it has them at the pump... 12-15mpg. Guess if you equate that to fuel prices, then gas for a Hemi would be $8/gal (haha).

@Gary

There is less snow and no contruction going on in those countries, hence no trucks. Now i get it. Thanks buddy.

Look, in civilised societies you drive a car, bike or bus to work, and you drive a van, truck for your work.

@ Crutch

"I also enjoy sitting at a height where I am able to see several vehicles ahead when I am in traffic."

This is one reason why I hate trucks. Sure, you can see a ways ahead, but how about when I'm stuck behind your redneck ass in my Porsche Boxster and can't even see the next set of fucking street lights?

@lowest IQ

LOL, just like you wear plain leather shoes to the office, broques in the week-end, and sneakers when you paint your walls.

@lowestiq:

There are also these cool places called lakes in civilized societies. At those cool places you can bring these things called boats, some of which weigh more than what any car is capable of pulling.

Also in civilized societies there's places called camp grounds where you can take these really big things called campers, or RV's, or mobile homes. These big things also wiegh more than any car is capable of pulling.

Perhaps if you thought outside of you little bubble you would realizse your name is very fitting, more so than you probably realize.

Suddenly Chrysler got technology and now they know how to make a fuel efficient truck! It is funny how technology strikes at just the right time in America.

As their eyes glazed over.....

Nice Gary that you have a lake in your neighborhood. Maybe you even own a boat.
But you take it out once a year, to clean/paint it. The rest of the year it is there.

The american mindset is that you buy your car based on a 'maxed-out' use case, eg, you buy a car that fits a situation that could happen 1 in a millionth time, eg your inlaws come over AND they want to go to the lake AND it is snowing 6" AND you need to move your horses AND you need to buy 100 2*6 for your home improvement project all at the same time, in the same vehicle...

Well this will never happen, but you anyway buy the truck that is 1999 out of 2000 days to big and not needed.

@LowestIQ:

Again your name doesn't fail... I don't own a truck, mobile home, or boat. I drive an Acura Integra. One of my friends has an F150 that he uses to take his jet ski's out to the lake at least 2-3 times a month, another friend does the same with his boat and Toyota Tacoma. Remember, it's not cold and snowy everywhere. In Texas we have about 6 solid months of 85-100 degree wether. So once again I must say, look outside your little yuppie bubble. Another friends uses his truck at least once a month to go camping with, and where he goes most cars without AWD and good ground clearence would not be albe to make it. Perhaps you need to get outdoors more and stop sitting in front of the computer so much.

wow gary,

so now you need a truck because it is hot and because you go camping once a month.
Well in parts of the rest of the world is hot too, and i guess you can only go camping with a truck.
Odd though, because we always go camping and we dont have a truck. Odd, but we have a little trailer for our yet ski's and boats respectively.

Yet, you need to have a brain to hitch the trailer on and off.
And would you have a brain strong enough, you might discover that going into nature with a 4x4 destroys that very nature more then when you go on foot of by bike.

But maybe that is too much effort for the little brain, for it rathers sits in a airconditioned servo-powered cabin eating an upsized extra value meal..

@Lowestiq

I like how you point out the lowest use item and ignore the others. Having a brain I also realize that the average jetski weighs about 600lbs, put two of those together, add a trailer and you've just exceeded the average towing capacity of most midsized sedans, and well exceeded the capacity of any compact car. Also considering the boat another friend has weighs well over 1500lbs not many if any cars would be able to tow it. Towing over the rated capacity is dangerous to not only yourself, but to others on the road. Not to mention how much strain you're putting on the car.

Also taking trucks to camp grounds is hardly a reason to complain. It's not like my friend is ripping up hills in preserved land, yes a car could go where he goes but you'd be scrapping up the exhaust and underside of the car pretty badly.

You're obvoiulsy a person who think's they're always right, and even when proved wrong completely ignores the fact and finds something else to complain about. Say as you wish, this is my last post to you as you're not a person who can have an intelligent converstaion.

You're obvoiulsy a person who think's they're always right, and even when proved wrong completely ignores the fact and finds something else to complain about. Say as you wish, this is my last post to you as you're not a person who can have an intelligent converstaion.

Read it again. You know yourself well.