Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram

Although there could be no possible worse time to be debuting a new pickup truck than this year, Dodge's Ram truck is due for its cyclical major redesign, and it's still coming. A few years ago, news of the Hemi's return from the ashes was the biggest news around, and this year, the crew from Chrysler was able to eke some more power from the legendary design. In fact, the horsepower increases from 345 to 390, while torque goes up from 375 pound-feet to 407 - very impressive numbers and partially due to variable valve timing.

Being AutoblogGreen and all, it's the efficiency numbers we are most concerned with, and we're sorry to report that the big increases are yet to come. Though Dodge reports a fuel mileage improvement of some sort across the range, the most miserly model available at launch will be powered by the lowly 3.7 liter six cylinder engine and will have but two doors and a short bed. Reported fuel economy for this setup is still a dismal 14 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway. We'll be waiting for the hybrid and new smaller Cummins diesel engine for real improvements, though we're happy to report that the truck's Hemi still features cylinder deactivation and the smaller 4.7 liter V8 is still flex-fuel capable.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com via Autoblog]

click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE and R/T

Dodge and its Ram badge has long been associated with power, and the marque is considered to be Chrysler's performance brand. In these days of record high fuel prices, though, being associated with horsepower could also mean an association with the guzzling of gasoline. Believe it or not, Dodge does not want this image, so it may be tweaking its marketing strategy a bit in a bid to change with the times.

"We can't be all about the monster Hemi and smoking tires, and we realize that," says Dodge brand director Mike Accavitti. "Nobody wants to be the gas guzzler brand. There's not a real secure future in that type of marketing strategy." This new, kinder, gentler image could even be adopted by the new Dodge Challenger, which was just recently released with a large and very powerful 6.1 liter Hemi V8 as its lone engine option. Soon, though, Dodge will release lower power models of the iconic pony car, equipped with both a smaller Hemi engine with cylinder deactivation technology and a 3.5 liter V6, though the six cylinder will be paired only with a four speed automatic transmission.

Dodge has managed to eke more mileage from its full-size Ram pickup truck, which is a good first step. The move from a "power" brand to a brand associated with "strength," though, will take much more than one product cycle refresh before consumers forget the line, "That thing got a Hemi?"

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Click above for more high-res shots of the 2009 Dodge Ram

Despite getting an impressive boost in power from 345 hp to 380 hp and from 375 ft-lbs. of torque to 404 ft-lbs., the engineers at Dodge have found a way to increase the fuel efficiency of the full-size Ram pickup a welcome twenty percent. What magic secrets were required to achieve this efficiency improvement? A weight decrease and more favorable aerodynamics are said to play a large role in the achievement. In fact, the engine itself is only directly responsible for five percent of the twenty percent gain.

The 2008 edition of the Ram pickup was EPA rated at 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway when equipped with the last-generation 5.7 liter Hemi V8. For '09, expect the highway mileage to shoot up to 23 miles per gallon, which should be very competitive when judged against its peers, which struggle to break 20 miles per gallon based on last year's ratings. Still, the Ram will have a tough time in the full-size segment as it competes against a brand-new F-150 as well, which we also suspect will post improved fuel economy.

[Source: The Detroit News]

The merits of a website aptly named "Pickuptruck.com" testing a vehicle such as the Smart Fortwo are, shall we say, debatable. What's not, however, is how cool it is that said website drudged up the good ol' Bambi vs. Godzilla cartoons for their title of the "comparison test". Do you remember going to see a movie in the 80's and watching Bambi get stomped? Good times, good times...

I am not going to write anything bad about the Cummins Diesel engine. I think it is a fine engine, and well worth it for the people who need it's amazing towing and hauling abilities. However, to have that truck as your primary, or worse, only transportation option is probably not a good choice. I thought that some of their math was interesting, including the emissions per pound and mileage per pound, but I'm not sure we have an apples to apples comparison there, either. I would argue that the weight of the safety equipment versus overall vehicle weight would skew the results in the Ram's favor in that type of test. To put that another way, how much mass (steel, aluminum etc) is required to make the Smart safe in an accident versus a vehicle such as the Ram?

Bottom line time: Both vehicles have their purposes, and both are fine choices for their intended roles. Taken for what it is, this comparison is a fun read, if you've got a few minutes to spare.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

In time for Earth Day, DaimlerChrysler released a press release hyping all the green automobile advances they’ve done in the last few years and mentioning what’s around the corner for the company. The top three items: 1.5 million Flexible Fuel Vehicles sold, the Jeep Liberty CRD can use B5 biodiesel and the 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty diesel fleet trucks will be able to B20.
DaimlerChrysler also mentions its vehicles capable of running on E85: select models of the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring, the Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan and the Dodge Durango and the Dodge Ram 1500. Perhaps most hopeful, the release says DaimlerChrysler will make half a million E85 FFVs each year, starting with the 2008 model year. The company says it is promoting ethanol and biodiesel to reduce emissions, support U.S. agriculture and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
One item not mentioned: all the old Mercedes cars being converted to biodiesel by clever individuals across the world.
Here’s the link, but it’s behind a media registration wall. If you’re unsure what some of these acronyms mean, check out this post.