Dodge, First Drives, Trucks

Preview: 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

March 17, 2009

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. Click image to enlarge

Power for the 2500-series and up will be supplied by either the veteran 5.7-litre Hemi V8 (383 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque) or the 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel (350 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque). The Hemi comes with a five-speed automatic transmission while the turbo diesel is coupled to either a six-speed automatic (with electronic range select feature) or six-speed standard (with ultra-low first-gear ratio) tranny. This new diesel engine is also compliant with all new North American emission requirements and it includes a segment-exclusive standard exhaust brake. This is a unique feature to the Cummins, one I’ve used. It slows the truck nicely on grades or while under load in traffic. In addition to saving the vehicle brakes the sound is neither loud nor rude.

Other braking advances on this new generation of HD Rams includes new large front (360-mm ) and rear (358-mm) brakes with integrated ABS and electronic brake force distribution that adjusts braking pressure front to rear, based on weight distribution of passengers and cargo. This minimizes body dive during hard braking.

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. Click image to enlarge

Also part of this new overall braking package is the integrated trailer brake controller that is now a standard part of the towing package. Other new features and options include manual and electric shift-on-the-fly 4×4 transfer cases: ParkView – a back-up camera for easy hook-ups; a larger grille opening for better cooling and a Vehicle Information Center that features gauge/graphics such as coolant temperature, oil temperature, oil pressure, transmission temperature, engine hours and diesel filter status.

As I said, the interior improvements to the Ram are just short of spectacular (maybe it just seems that way because the old interior was so bad) and along with overall improvements, the list of available features is longer and more decadent. For instance: premium front seating with heat and ventilation; heated rear-seats, heated steering wheel; automatic temperature control; two-tone upholstery; memory seats, radio and mirrors; navigation; adjustable pedals; Sirius Backseat TV with three channels of programming, u-connect tunes with a 30-gigabyte hard drive and an available first-in-segment 10-speaker surround-sound system.

So, what does all this add up to in terms of capability? Well the 2010 HD Ram can tow up to 8,391 kg (18,500 lb) and carry 2,318 kg (5110 lb) of payload. On all 3500 models with dual rear wheels GCWR is increased to 11,521 kg (25,400 lb) with the 6.7L turbo diesel. Coupled to the automatic transmission and a 4.10 axle ratio an additional 635 kg (1400 lb) can be added.

For those who also plough with their trucks, a higher front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of 2,495 kg (5,500 lb) has been added to all 4×4 models.

These trucks will start to arrive on dealer lots this fall – but Dodge will be happy to let you order one now, though pricing has not yet been released.

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