Synonymous with innovation and the heavy duty truck, Dodge is offering some refreshing refinement and design for their 2010 offerings. With production of the 2009 Ram 1500 already in progress, Chrysler engineers are already toiling away on the next series of heavy-duty - or 2500 and 3500 - Ram models. For the first time the larger trucks will sport a unique front fascia. The large Rams will also make use of the same interior as the 2009 Ram 1500.

Fuel Economy

With focus on fuel economy, expect to see a slight drop in power from the signature Cummins diesel engines. Scott Kunselman, vice president of truck product development, believes fuel economy is more important to truck buyers than the ability to pull the largest possible trailer up huge hills at 85 mph. Beefing up the chassis, transmission and other components to handle much more power would add weight and cost to the truck and only a handful of buyers would ever make use of it. Being mostly utilized in fleets, these heavy duty trucks are mostly geared towards the fleet managers who are interested in lowering costs rather than having outrageous power output.

Powertrain

The V-8 is the only available engine in the 2500-series Ram and is coupled exclusively to a five-speed automatic. Also familiar is the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six. Producing the same 350 hp and 650 lb-ft as in the outgoing truck, the Cummins can be paired with either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. To slow such massive loads, 14.2-inch front and 14.1-inch rear brakes are standard, while an integrated trailer-brake controller is optional. Also, Dodgeï¿½s flip-up trailer mirrors are standard on the 3500, measuring a Samsung-like 7 by 11 inches. With the G56 manual transmission, the Cummins puts out 350 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque; with the chassis cabs, 305 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque.

Power-wise, the Cummins engine has the same ratings as the Ford Super Duty diesel (though peak torque comes in earlier), while the Silveradoï¿½s Isuzu-boosted Duramax diesel has 15 more horsepower and 10 lb-ft more torque.

In chassis-cab service, the engine now meets 2010.5 emissions standards in 50 states, thanks to diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection based on urea injection Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology. The standard diesel has a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, the best in its class. Ram Chassis Cabs come with a proven six-speed Aisin automatic transmission (with 3-year/180,000-mile warranty) or a six-speed manual transmission. The commercial-grade six-speed automatic is electronically controlled, with excellent shift quality (using advanced electro-hydraulic clutch-to-clutch control) and close gear ratios with both static and mobile PTO capability. With more control, the six-speed manual transmission achieves a high-ratio sixth gear for longer highway cruising.

The 545RFE five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the Hemi; it too has Electronic Range Select.

For lower maintenance and better stopping power, the Ram 4500/5500 has the largest front brake rotors (390 mm) and calipers (66 mm), and a standard diesel exhaust brake. The standard diesel 24,000 lb. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and optional 26,000 lb. GCWR package are both best-in-class on 3500.

Mirrors are equipped with turn-signal indicators, memory function, puddle lamps and adjustable convex mirrors. Depending on trim level, mirrors are finished in black, or black and chrome. The larger 7-in. x 11-in. mirror for trailer towing is standard on 3500 models and available on 2500 pickups. Front fenders and headlamps of the new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 are shared with light-duty pickup models.

The new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty grille includes a chromed surround with either black center bullets (ST, SLT and Power Wagon models) or chromed center billets (Laramie, Big Horn and Lone Star models). Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 TRX models feature a body-color surround with black center billets. The grille is body-mounted, while the bumper is frame-mounted.

To accommodate cooling requirements of the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine (with a take-rate of 90 percent), the new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty grille opening is larger than the light-duty grille. Access to the front winch (on Power Wagon models) and tow hooks led to the unique front-bumper design.

A Focus On The Interior

For past seasons Dodge has noted many complaints about their truck interiors, and that's a subject Ralph Gilles, vice president of Jeep, truck, and advanced interior design, took to heart. The first product of Chryslerï¿½s new interior design, the redesigned interior is exponentially superior to that of the outgoing Ram.

The interior was naturally upgraded, with optional heated/ventilated front seats; heated rear-seats and steering wheel; automatic temperature control; two-tone upholstery; memory seats, radio and mirrors; navigation; adjustable pedals and numerous infotainment options including Backseat TV(tm) with three channels of programming, uconnect tunes with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, and a first-in-segment 10-speaker surround-sound system. Numerous storage options include in-floor storage.

The new 2010 Dodge 2500 and 3500 Mega Cab models retain their title of best-in-class interior room in the segment ï¿½ including the largest, longest cab (143.2 cubic feet,111.1 inches long); largest interior cargo volume (72.2 cubic feet); largest cargo volume behind rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); largest second-row leg room (44.2 inches); largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); largest rear-door open angle 85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

Suspension

Engineered to deliver precise feel and response for better handling, the new 2010 Dodge Ram Chassis Cabï¿½s steering and suspension system boast superb strength with a focus on improved load capacity, increased durability and refined handling. Two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models feature a recirculating ball system that provides precise response and an on-center steering feel through lower internal friction. Featuring solid front and rear axles, and a five-link, coil-spring front suspension with solid axle, a front and rear link-type sway bar and heavy-duty tubular shock absorbers are standard.