2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman Hemi / 2011 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty Diesel - Auto Shows - Car and Driver
Dodge's R/T lineup and Charger SRT8 announcements at the 2011 Chicago auto show ought to brighten any car nut's day. But the Pentastar people have news for truck fans, too, and it comes in the form of a new entry-level model and an upgrade to 800 lb-ft of torque for diesel Ram HDs. Yeah, Yeah, S’Got a Hemi. The new Ram Tradesman will serve as the company's entry-level truck, and is aimed squarely at the V-6–powered competition from Chevy and Ford. But Ram buyers will come to the battle packing two more cylinders, because every Tradesman has a Hemi V-8 with 390 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. Major decisions buyers will face include the choice of a six-foot, four-inch bed or an eight-footer, and whether they want to upgrade to four-wheel drive from the standard RWD setup. Don't want power windows, power locks, or remote entry. The Tradesman starts at $22,780 including destination, making it the cheapest Hemi-powered vehicle from any Chrysler brand by thousands. The suits are positioning the Tradesman as an entry-level truck, but the price, power, and options availability should also be a hit with those looking for a kick-ass blank slate for customization. At the other end of the Ram spectrum, Dodge also announced a revised version of its Cummins turbo-diesel for the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500. This engine has received a new powertrain control module, and. Source: www.caranddriver.com
