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The Chrysler Ram 1500 was named North American Truck of the Year at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Since its early beginnings as the Dodge lightweight pick-up, the Ram has been going from strength to strength for more than 30 years, culminating in a sleek new design and unparalleled power on the road.
Though Dodge has been producing multi-purpose utilities since the war years, the Dodge Ram pickup truck was conceived in 1981, carving out a reputation for high engineering, durable performance and - in later years, - n iconic aesthetic. This change of look coincided with the Ram's first win in this category in 1994, when Philip Payne's muscular frontal design gave the world the extended crosshair grille, raised hood and flared fenders that are instantly recognisable today.
Though Chrysler has been through its fair share of trouble in the past few years, the company survived the financial uncertainty of 2009 and has revived the Ram brand as a fuel-efficient, technology-laden super-truck. Its toughened steel chassis and frame comes with the option of air springs on Crew Cab and Quad models for both adjustable height and a smooth ride.
A Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine boasts 305hp and an eight-speed transmission, making vast improvements on previous models of 215hp and a limited four-speed gearbox. Raising the bar still further with 0-62mph in just over seven seconds, the Ram 1500 also handles loads of up to 6,500 pounds.
This is the third truck award for the Dodge-Ram line, though since 2008 the new Ram has shaken off the Dodge tag and made a name on its own by successfully competing against the likes of the Ford F-series and Chevrolet's Silverado. With the pick-up market on the road to recovery once more, 2013 is already pointing towards better times for Chrysler.
Guest post - 21 Jan 2013
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