2009 Dodge Ram with Hemi V8 could top segment in fuel economy Dodge Ram
Dodge may be having trouble moving the ‘08 Rams off dealers’ lots, but the all-new 2009 model will likely grab more pickup truck buyers’ attention thanks to a significant bump in fuel economy. The 2009 model will net as much as a 20 percent fuel economy improvement over the outgoing model.
The fuel economy gains have been made through improvements to the truck itself, as well as improvements to Dodge’s 5.7L Hemi V8.
Dodge engineers worked diligently to make the 2009 Ram more aerodynamic, and even managed to shave 80 pounds off the truck’s curb-weight. Despite the Ram’s more powerful 5.7L V8 engine — now producing 380 horsepower and 404 lb-ft or torque — the engine is about 5 percent more efficient than the one found in the 2008 model.
These factors combined will improve the 2009 Ram’s highway fuel economy by as much as 20 percent. “We expect to see a 10 to 20 percent gain in highway efficiency,” Mike Cairns, the Ram’s chief engineer, told The Detroit Free press.
A two-wheel drive 2008 Ram equipped with a Hemi V8 returns about 19 mpg on the highway, meaning the new model could potentially achieve 23 mpg on the highway — a figure that would be tops in the segment.
Dodge sold just under 360,000 Ram pickups in the U.S. last year — taking the number three overall spot — and is hoping the new model will help boost this year’s sales. Through April, Ram sales were down 24 percent.
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