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The 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is only 18 days away, and today the Mopar camp offered their first teasers of what to expect in their display.  Not surprisingly, the first four announced vehicles for the SEMA Show include a Dodge Ram and a Dodge Challenger, along with a pair of wild Jeep concepts.

The two Jeeps to be featured at the Mopar SEMA Show display, the Jeep Wrangler Overland and Jeep Lower Forty are both based on the popular Wrangler.  The Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco is based on a production Dodge Ram 1500 Sport, and the Mopar Dodge Challenger 1320 (the first of many Challengers I expect to see at SEMA) is actually based on the Dodge Challenger Track Pak rather than a production model.

The Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco is the most practical vehicle of this first batch of teasers, and this concept began its life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport quad cab powered by a 5.7L Hemi.  The goal of the Mopar designers was to emphasize luxury and high class, shown by the included artist's rendering.  A hard tonneau cover, Mopar body kit, Mopar fender flares, and Mopar 22-inch wheels help this Arctic Ice pearl Ram stand out in a crowd, and a Mopar cold air intake and dual exhaust system give the Ram a little more bark and bite.  Inside, the luxury feel is obvious with white and black Kaztkin leather seats and a matching color theme is echoed throughout the interior.  This vehicle doesn't offer any ridiculous modifications to prevent it from seeing production, and this could make for a great competitor to Ford's F150 Platinum.  I can't wait to get a good look at this Ram at SEMA...and while there is only this one drawing right now, expect plenty of pictures of this cool new Ram concept.

Stay tuned to the Detroit Autos Examiner for complete 2009 SEMA Show coverage, including high resolution images of this awesome concept the day that it is introduced to the world!  Subscribe now to the Detroit Autos Examiner column and don't miss any of the coverage from the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas! 

 

Click here for a look at the other Mopar news on the 2009 SEMA Show!

 

From the Chrysler Group LLC statement:

Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Image Vehicle: A Stylish, Luxury Pickup Truck
The Dodge Ram Bianco started life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The Dodge Ram is modified to reflect an upscale feel and appearance with the aid of Mopar performance parts and accessories. Colors, textures and accessories are combined in a manner that showcases the sophisticated side of the Dodge Ram 1500.
Exterior modifications include a Mopar hard tonneau that adds a classic, sporty appearance. The inside of the truck bed features Mopar's bed rug--a plush, yet washable carpet. For the exterior, a Mopar body kit and modified Mopar fender flares give a unique, sophisticated look. The stance is aided by a Ground Force lowering kit that not only lowers the vehicle, but also provides excellent ride and handling. The Dodge Ram Bianco is layered in several coats of Arctic Ice pearl paint that give it a rich appearance. Holding true to the upscale theme, Mopar's 22-inch wheels are painted in a matching, high-contrast design. Performance upgrades include a Mopar cold-air intake and a throaty Mopar dual exhaust with just enough growl to let you know there is something powerful under the hood.
The exterior theme continues through the interior. White and black Katzkin seats with matching door trim set the stage for a high-class ride. Piano Black and Arctic Ice accents add to the luxurious theme. For sound, Mopar contributed a Kicker audio system consisting of an audio amplifier, a powerful subwoofer and upgraded speakers.

Amidst the 2009 Detroit North American International Auto Show, the Chrysler area featured a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 cut apart showing the 63 innovations and alterations of the new Dodge Ram.  The Dodge engineers worked to truly make this an all-new Ram 1500, and there have been changes from front to back.  Here is a full rundown of the 2009 Dodge Ram changes from the 2009 NAIAS.

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 has received a complete facelift, but more importantly, the mighty 5.7L Hemi has received an increase to 390 horsepower, making it the most powerful standard engine offering in the half-ton truck class.  Dodge spends so much time promoting the legendary Hemi that their other two engine options are overshadowed, but the 2009 Ram also offers a 3.7L V6 and a 4.7L V8.  These smaller engines offer less initial cost, and in the past you would assume that these less powerful engines would also provide better fuel mileage.  Thanks to the Multiple Displacement System (MDS), the Hemi offers fuel economy numbers of 14 city and 20 highway, equal to the economy numbers from the 3.7L V6 and better than the 4.7L V8.

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 received a major facelift, as well as a more powerful engine lineup, and Dodge has claimed their spot atop the half ton truck in the market.  Their key foreign competitor in the market is the 2008 Toyota Tundra, last year's Motor Trend Truck of the Year.  We tested the 2008 Toyota because they had not released their 2009 model in time for testing.  However, it has been stated that there will be only minor aesthetic changes to last year's champion.


Powertrain
The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2008 Toyota Tundra offer the most powerful standard engine lineups  in the standard full-size truck class lineups, along with both offering a six cylinder option.   The 2009 Ram has a revamped engine lineup, beginning with a 3.7L V6 making 210 horsepower, followed by a 310 horsepower 4.7L V8, and the premium engine is the 390 horsepower Hemi.    The 2008 Toyota Tundra begins with a 235 horsepower 4.0L V6, followed by a 276 horsepower 4.7L V8, and their premium engine is the 5.7L i-Force V8 making 381 horsepower.  

This year brought about a complete redesign for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, and Dodge has staked their claim as the top half ton truck in the market.  One key competitor in that market is the 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500.  There is little change from the 2008 model, but where Dodge has taken an approach of being the most powerful trucks on the road, General Motors has keyed the Silverado in on being the most efficient truck in the class.

Powertrain
The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 offer the most powerful engine lineups in the full-size truck class, along with offering a base model V6.  The 2009 Ram has an improved engine lineup, beginning with a 3.7L V6 making 210 horsepower, followed by a 310 horsepower 4.7L V8, and the premium engine is the 390 horsepower Hemi.    The 2009 Silverado returns the VORTEC engine lineup from the 2008 model year, starting with a 4.3L V6 making 195, followed by a pair of V8s; one measuring 4.8L and making 295 horsepower, the other being a 5.3L offering 315 horsepower.  Chevy also offers two premium engine choices, although they do not come standard in any of the trimlines.  The first is a 6.0L making 367 horsepower, and the top option is the 403 horsepower 6.2L V8.

This year brought about complete redesigns for both the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and the 2009 Ford F150.  The Dodge Ram and the Ford F150 were improved in almost every way, and they each staked their claim as the best new truck on the market thanks to positive reviews.  We traveled to the Ford Proving Grounds to put the new Dodge Ram and Ford F150 head to head to see which is truly the best truck of 2009.

Powertrain
The 2009 Dodge Ram and 2009 Ford F150 both have improved engine lineups, but even with the changes to the F150, the Ram still has a definite advantage in power.  The Dodge Ram options begin with a 3.7L V6 making 210 horsepower, followed by a 310 horsepower 4.7L V8, and the premium engine is the 390 horsepower Hemi.  The 2009 F150 boasts an entry level 4.6L V8 engine that offers 248 horsepower but still gets over 20mpg, and the next level is another 4.6L V8, this one making 292 horsepower.  The Ford F150's premium engine option is their Triton 5.4L. While the 310 horsepower is an increase over the previous models, it falls short of the Hemi.  

The 2009 Dodge Ram has integrated 35 new and/or redesigned features and is available in a standard cab, four-door Quad Cab with more spaciousness than its predecessors. The 2009 Dodge Ram offers three bed lengths to choose from. It is being touted for having exceptionally quiet and relaxed-riding comfort.

    The Dodge Ram single-handedly changed the face of the full-size truck market in 1994,
introducing big rig styling and  general good looks to an otherwise humdrum selection of vehicles. Now in its 4^th generation, the Ram keeps its big rig theme and adds a more aggressive-looking front grille and sleeker headlights. The exterior dimensions of the 2009 Ram are roughly the same as the previous
generation, but the big news is the new crew cab model, which replaces the outgoing Mega Cab body style.

    Being the first crew cab Ram offered by Dodge, it's clear they wanted to make it a good one. With the new RamBox storage system, which allows for 4.3 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof, drainable and illuminated storage space in each bed rail, the new crew cab Ram has plenty of places to put your extra odds and ends. RamBox also includes a bed extender and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats.

The Dodge Ram has typically emphasized sportiness in a truck, a trend which began with the introduction of the second generation Ram in 1994.  The 360 powered Ram Sport laid the foundation, with trimlines like the SS/T, and when the SRT-10 Ram was introduced, it put a whole new meaning to the term "sport truck".  Since the demise of this V10 monster, Dodge lovers have pled for a new sporty truck, and the new Dodge Ram R/T Concept is exactly what many are hoping for with the redesigned Ram.




The heart of the Ram R/T Concept is the 5.7L Hemi, now offering 390 horsepower in normal (non-concept use) form.  To the stock engine, a Mopar performance cat-back exhaust system have been added, adding some power (no modified numbers have been given) and a nice throaty rumble. Ive also seen some sources make mention of a Mopar cold air intake kit, and while the hood was never open, at one point I took the liberty of opening the hood myself and it was just a basic 5.7L Hemi with the stock intake system.

...And not just on the open road.  This week I attended a media event held by the good people at Ford Motor Company, to test their new F150.  While that may not be of much interest to the DF members, Ford also provided us with a new Ram to take through the same tests as we did with the Ford.  We were also provided with a new Silverado and new Tundra, for comparisons, although those two trucks were light years behind the Dodge and Ford in every category.

 

The three categories where we tested were the durability course (Ford's Silver creek 2), the autocross course, and the towing course.  Check the full article for a complete rundown!