2009 Dodge Ram Gets More Power But Consumes Less Fuel.

Dodge has announced its new 2009 Dodge Ram with improved fuel economy even though power gets boosted to 390 hp with a 407 lb-ft of torque. For comparison sake, the Ram's all-new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with fuel-saving Multiple Displacement System (MDS) technology offers 4 percent improved fuel economy, 13 percent more horsepower, 8 percent more torque over 2008 engine.

Engines available in all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 models include the 390-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8, flex-fuel 4.7-liter and 3.7-liter gasoline engines. The 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty models (with current 2008 design) are available with either the 5.7-liter HEMI or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine, which acording to Dodoge achieves 2010 NOx emission standards, making it the cleanest and best-performing heavy-duty pickup truck in the market.

The 4.7-liter V-8 delivers 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) of torque and shares some of the HEMI engine's combustion technology with its twin spark plugs per cylinder. Dodge will also continue to offer customers a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) of torque. It will come standard on all-new 2009 Dodge Ram two-wheel-drive regular cab and Quad Cab® models.

Dodge had confirmed that it will introduce an all-new Cummins turbodiesel engine in its light-duty pickup trucks after 2009. The new engine is said to provide a dramatic increase in low-end torque, up to a 25-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 20-percent reduction in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions when compared to an equivalent gasoline engine.

The Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid, available after 2009, will be the latest addition to Chrysler LLC's fuel-efficient lineup, joining clean diesel, HEMI and flex-fuel vehicles. The two-mode hybrid system is currently being introduced in the company's 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid. It uses electric motors to allow the HEMI V-8 to remain in four-cylinder mode more often, improving fuel economy.

With gas prices moving up faster than ever and new stricter emission norms just few years away, it's does not seem to be a great time to debut an all-new full-size pickup truck. But still truck manufacturers are trying to salvage their falling sales with new fuel efficient powertrains and a promise of partial hybrid versions in upcoming models. Hope this works for Dodge Ram.

Photos: NCP
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Photo Gallery: New 2009 Model Dodge Ram High-Res Pictures.