Dodge aims new Ram at rivals from Japan

DETROIT — DaimlerChrysler introduced the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup recently, taking aim at Japanese brands that have grabbed a considerable share of the pickup market in recent years.

The Ram is the first pickup to come standard with Chrysler Group's cylinder-displacement technology, which the company says will improve fuel economy by up to 20 percent. The vehicle's 5.7-liter, V-8 HEMI engine, which boasts 345 horsepower, saves gas by switching from eight cylinders to four when the vehicle needs less power. The transition takes 40 milliseconds — less than the blink of an eye, Chrysler said.

The 2005 Dodge Ram gets up to 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, similar to other vehicles of its size. Chrysler said it will offer the displacement technology on seven of its vehicles by the end of this year, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

The 2006 Ram has a new frame and suspension for a smoother ride and an interior that's 20 percent quieter than the previous Dodge Ram because of enhanced door seals, the company said. The instrument panel also has been redesigned to reduce glare.

The Dodge Ram was last redesigned in 2002. Since then, Japanese competitors have stolen the spotlight with new or redesigned pickups such as the Toyota Tundra, Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Titan.

Ram sales were off 11 percent in the first five months of this year, while Tundra sales were up 30 percent, according to figures from both companies. In all, Chrysler's truck sales, including sport utility vehicles, were up 4.1 percent through May, while Nissan's comparable sales were up 27.6 percent and Honda's were up 14 percent, according to Autodata.

The new Dodge Ram will be in showrooms starting in September, Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer said. Chrysler hasn't said how much it will cost. The 2005 Ram starts at $20,555, with fully equipped models running closer to $34,000.

The 2006 Ram 1500 will be available in regular-cab and four-door body styles, in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and with six-foot or eight-foot beds. It will be built in Warren, Mich., and St. Louis.