Better Fuel Economy For The Hemi Ram In 2006
Responding to national fuel prices that have risen to record levels with no end in sight, Dodge revamped the '06 Ram to improve fuel efficiency. Dodge engineers perfected several areas of the Dodge Ram 1500, from powertrain to aerodynamics, to create a more fuel-efficient light-duty, fullsize pickup truck.
With the 5.7L Hemi V-8 engine, the Dodge Ram 1500 is the most powerful light-duty truck in the market. Without compromising its venerable power, the new '06 Dodge Ram 1500's Hemi V-8 engine features the first-ever fully functioning cylinder deactivation system-Multi-displacement System (MDS)-on a pickup. Customers receive the powerful benefit of the Hemi V-8 engine with the fuel economy that they-until now-could only expect from a smaller, less powerful engine.
"MDS was an integral part of the 5.7L Hemi's design," said Mike Donoughe, Vice President, Body-on-Frame Product Team, Chrysler Group. "The result is a cylinder-deactivation system that is simple and seamlessly integrated into the engine. The fuel-efficiency benefits of this engine can now be realized by fullsize truck buyers without sacrificing power and torque."
The Hemi V-8 engine can transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds). Improved fuel economy is realized without any change in customer experience, as drivers receive the benefit of MDS without changing their driving habits. Customers will experience fuel economy gains of as much as 20 percent under various driving conditions.
A new Variable Line Pressure (VLP) transmission for the '06 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 3.7L V-6 engine improves fuel economy and provides smoother shifts between gears.
Adding to the fuel-efficiency formula, the '06 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 model is equipped with a front-axle-disconnect system, designed to disengage the front-axle driveshaft when operating in two-wheel drive. This minimizes the front-drive system's energy consumption and improves fuel economy.
The '06 Dodge Ram 1500 also features new reduce-drag brake calipers and a rear spoiler to improve vehicle aerodynamics. The spoiler is positioned on the rear liftgate.
"New" Isuzu For You
GM and Isuzu have once again collaborated on a minitruck, in the same way they did with the Chevy S-10/Isuzu Hombre platform. This time around, the Colorado shares lineage with the i-280/i-350 Isuzu pickups. The i-280 is a 2WD extended cab truck powered by a 2.8L 175hp I-4. From this baseline, the i-280 will be offered in four trim levels, which range from basic workhorse to comfortably equipped with all the basic power niceties. The i-350 is a 4WD crew cab pickup with a 3.5L 220hp I-5 and automatic transmission. This model features a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system, larger tires, and an off-road suspension. A Limited Package can outfit the i-350 with such amenities as a six-disc changer, leather trim, and a moonroof.
Comp Cams' Summer of Performance Giveaway Is Here
If you like free stuff, Comp Cams has just want you want to make summer more fun than ever with its Summer of Performance Giveaway. In the months of June, July, and August, one lucky participant will win a $100 product certificate good for any Comp Cams product. In addition, five other entrants will win Comp Cams T-shirt and hat packages. The Grand Prize drawing September 1, 2005, will award a $500 product certificate to the winner, drawn at random. At that time, a drawing for two additional prizes, a $250 certificate and a Comp Cams jacket, will also take place.
Cracked Crystal Ball
Our friends at GraphicDisorder.com sent these cool renderings of a few upcoming truck builders, as well as two concept drawings of Chevy's Colorado and Toyota's Tundra pickups. Jason Pringle's '97 Chevy S-10 flexes some serious body mods, including a one-off '69 Camaro-style front end. The truck will also be body-dropped, feature suicide doors, shaved handles, mirrors, antenna, taillights, tailgate, and full custom sheetmetal bed innards. A four-link with four-corner air suspension will lay this bad boy out over 20-inch wheels, and an LT1 small-block V-8 provides the motorvation. Inside the cab, plans call for a reworked '55 Chevy Bel Air dash, with custom door panels, center console, and a custom-made center column. Rust to Rods of Salt Lake City, Utah, is slated to bring this thing to life. For more information, contact: (866) 946-8763.
This '05 Chevy Colorado concept features custom minitruck-inspired styling cues, such as a big body drop, shaved everything, forged Intro Vista wheels, and plenty of billet accessories. The front end features an SS grille, headlights, and bumper, with billet inserts covering the holes, and even the foglights, while the back of the truck received a standard bed. Somebody should build this thing because we'd love to feature it in the pages of Sport Truck.
Chris Decato's Frontier will be 'bagged with Firestone 2500 springs and Barnyard Customs tubular control arms up front, and the rear end will be located via an FBI four-link with 2600 'bags. A 10-switch box, 7-gallon reserve air tank and twin Thomas compressors provide the suspension action. A 3-1/4-inch stock floor body-drop will complete the hammered stance by setting the rockers flat on the pavement. The inside of the cargo area will be revamped with a smoothed sheetmetal floor, which will cover up the rear suspension and make a nice bird bath. Memphis Audio has stepped up to the plate with audio equipment, which Vanworks Car Audio will stuff into a custom fiberglass interior. The custom bodywork includes shaving all the usual stuff, and the truck tucks 20x8-inch Boyd Coddington turbine wheels and low-pro tires.