Press Release
New 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Features Up to 20 Percent Fuel Economy
First Cylinder Deactivation System Offered in a Pickup Truck
- Multi-displacement System (MDS) — Improved fuel economy from Ram 1500’s MDS-equipped HEMI® engine is realized without any change in customer experience
- Enhanced Driving Dynamics — All-new frame, suspension and body mounts improve ride and handling, and quietness
- New Interior — Redesigned instrument panel, center console, seats, and new radios and entertainment features provide comfort and car-like amenities
- Bolder Design — New exterior fascia, grille, headlamps, fenders and wheels further amplify Ram’s unique and bold identity
- Best-in-Class Power — With the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, Dodge Ram 1500 delivers a best-in-class 345 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque
The new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 — the most powerful mass production light-duty pickup truck in the market — revered for its bold styling and uncompromised capability, takes its best-in-class formula to new levels of sophistication, refinement and technology.
Featuring available HEMI power with Multi- displacement System (MDS), a new hydroformed and fully boxed frame and the most distinguished pickup truck styling on the market, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 further distances itself from the competition in efficiency, refinement, safety, stability, comfort, composure and design.
“Widely viewed as the boldest and most powerful light-duty pickup in the market, the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 just got even better,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President—Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. “In addition to all of the attributes that have long made the Dodge Ram 1500 a success in the marketplace, Dodge adds more technology and content to make the Ram even more capable and refined. Packed with power, refinement and a new bold appearance, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 continues to lead the competition.”
The new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 also features a standard electronic transfer case and front-axle-disconnect system on four-wheel-drive models, and new larger headlamps, power sliding rear window, bucket seats, full-screen navigation radio and a DVD entertainment system.
NEW LEVELS OF EFFICIENCY
The new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 leaps to new heights in performance and efficiency in the full-size pickup segment, providing the most state-of-the-art technology available to meet the needs of today’s pickup truck buyers. Dodge engineers perfected several areas of the Dodge Ram 1500 — from powertrain to aerodynamics — to create a more fuel-efficient light-duty, full-size pickup truck.
With the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, the Dodge Ram 1500 is the most powerful light-duty pickup truck in the market. Without compromising its venerable power, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500’s HEMI V-8 engine features the first-ever fully functioning cylinder deactivation system — Multi-displacement System (MDS) — on a pickup truck. Customers receive the powerful benefit of the HEMI V-8 engine with the fuel economy that they — until now — could only expect from a smaller, less powerful engine.
“MDS was an integral part of the 5.7-liter HEMI’s design,” said Mike Donoughe, Vice President – Body-on-Frame Product Team, Chrysler Group. “The result is a cylinder-deactivation system that is simple and seamlessly integrated into the engine. The fuel-efficiency benefits of this engine can now be realized by full-size pickup truck buyers without sacrificing power and torque.”
The HEMI V-8 engine can transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds). Improved fuel economy is realized without any change in customer experience as drivers receive the benefit of MDS without changing their driving habits. Customers will experience fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent under various driving conditions.
A new Variable Line Pressure (VLP) transmission for the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine improves fuel economy and provides smoother shifts between gears.
Adding to the fuel-efficiency formula, the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 model is equipped with a front-axle-disconnect system, designed to disengage the front-axle driveshaft when operating in two-wheel drive. This minimizes the front-drive system’s energy consumption and improves fuel economy.
The 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 also features new reduce-drag brake calipers and a rear spoiler to improve vehicle aerodynamics. The spoiler is positioned on the rear liftgate.
IMPROVED RIDE AND HANDLING
Building on the previous Dodge Ram 1500’s superior ride quality, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 again raises the bar with a new frame and suspension that deliver a smooth, confident and highly capable driving experience.
“Keeping in mind that more and more truck buyers use their vehicles for both work and personal use, we designed the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 to strike a perfect balance of comfort and refinement with exceptional capability,” Donoughe said. “The ride is refined while controlled, the steering is taut and the cab is quiet—all of which adds up to the most poised and capable Dodge Ram 1500 ever created.”
When the previous Dodge Ram 1500 was introduced in 2002, the foundation was a new frame that featured the highest use of hydroforming on any full-size pickup truck at that time. The new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 again utilizes a new hydroformed frame achieving even greater stiffness.
Adding to the smooth ride of the Dodge Ram 1500 is a new suspension system that quickly reacts and absorbs bumps, yet stays firmly planted to the road. The Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 model utilizes a new coil-over-shock absorber and double wishbone front suspension. Mounting the shock absorber inside the coil spring enables four-wheel-drive models to benefit from the coil spring’s added tuning characteristics. The Dodge Ram 1500 4x2 model retains its coil spring, double wishbone independent front suspension.
All 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 models feature monotube shock absorbers that deliver a controlled, steady and predictable ride with superb handling. In addition, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 features retuned springs, jounce bumpers and suspension bushings — subtle details that perfect the vehicle’s driving dynamics.
The new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500’s Hotchkiss-design rear suspension utilizes leaf springs that are designed to reduce wheel hop and improve durability. Spring rates have been selected to provide a poised ride when unloaded, and stable, confident handling when fully loaded to its 6,800 lb. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
A rack and pinion steering system with new steering gears on both the two- and four-wheel drive Dodge Ram 1500 models provides a precise and firm steering feel.
A QUIETER CABIN
“A key component to a vehicle’s overall ride and comfort is how quiet the cabin environment is during various driving situations,” said Donoughe. “With the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500, we tackled multiple areas where road and wind noise can enter the cabin, and took an approach that influenced design, materials selection, manufacturing processes and, above all, significant attention to detail. The result is an environment with a sound level five decibels lower than the previous Dodge Ram 1500, creating a more relaxing atmosphere during long road trips or on the daily commute.”
New body mounts on the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 serve to isolate the passenger compartment from vibrations that reach the frame. Mounts are built with a “shear” design, consisting of two concentric tubes: one bolted to the frame, the other bolted to the body structure, with internal steel reinforcements and rubber bonded in between. The design provides direction-specific response, as well as a quiet cabin and extremely comfortable ride.
Further refinement was achieved in the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 by employing laminated front-door glass and improved door seals. In addition, extensive use of Polymer Constraint Layer (PCL) reduces road noise and resonance between the engine and cabin.
