If you've driven pickups much over the last thirty years, when you're behind the wheel of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, the notion might occur that pickups shouldn't be so quiet, ride so smoothly, carve corners so competently, accelerate so quickly, or have so many features. These were our prevailing thoughts as we drove a Laramie 4x4 through the Tennessee countryside, enjoying a driving experience so good that it provides a compelling argument to drive a full-size truck if you can figure out how to rationalize it.

And if you dont require frequent hauling for work or hobby, rationalizing driving the Ram 1500 is going to be tough with fuel prices where they are. Fuel economy of 13 miles-per-gallon city and 19 mpg highway for Hemi-powered two-wheel drive models (13/18 for four-wheel drive) will... // NextAutos.com

Gone are the traditional leaf springs that have been a staple of the pickup truck since its invention. Now we find a pair of coil springs and five links connecting the live rear axle to the frame. This may be sacrilege to die-hard truckers, but the friction reduction associated with coil springs makes a heck of a lot of sense in a half-ton vehicle. Driving an empty truck no longer punishes your body, and the loaded ride is just as controlled and confident as the competitors' leaf-sprung trucks. The coils don't give up any towing ability, either (up to 9100 pounds). Dodge now has the most comfortable half-ton on the market, and there's absolutely no... // Automobile Magazine

About - News & Issues (Enlarge photo)

The Challenger R/T is the new mid-level Challenger; it fits neatly between the 250 horsepower Challenger SE and the 425 hp Challenger SRT8 . Outside, the R/T is distinguished by its lack of hood stripes (though this neat looking R/T tape-stripe logo is a $200 option) and a body-color trunk spoiler . Under the hood is Chrysler's familiar 5.7 liter HEMI V8, tuned for 372 hp and 401 lb-ft with the 5-speed automatic transmission and 376 hp and... // About - News & Issues

The SE features a 3.5-litre V6 and 250 horses. Standard are 17-inch aluminum wheels; tilt/telescoping steering column; four-speed automatic; remote keyless entry; AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with four speakers; power windows and assorted other goodies. It starts at $24,995, a pittance more than a base Mustang.

Step up to the SXT for $26,995, and substitute 18-inch wheels, add traction control, ESP, brake assist, ABS, fog lamps, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, fancy floor mats, security alarm and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Then it gets really good. The R/T, which starts at $34,995, features a 5.7-litre VVT Hemi V8 with MDS and a five-speed AutoStick (Chrysler’s sequential shift automatic), a nifty chrome fuel door, dual rectangular exhaust — and 372 horses (an optional sexy... // SLAM! Sports

TheCarConnection.com (Enlarge photo)

As we predicted a few weeks back, some dead-tree magazine has broken the embargo on driving impressions of the 2009 Dodge Ram--so it's time we dropped the skinny on the new full-size pickup truck from Chrysler .

When everybody's wrong about something, it's common to hear the idiom, "Hindsight is 20/20." When Dodge began its much-needed redesign of the Ram 1500 , the company still expected trucks to be popular with all kinds of drivers, not just those who truly needed the heavy-duty capabilities of a full-size truck. Perhaps Dodge could have seen the seismic shift away from trucks coming, but regardless of their market forecasting, Chrysler LLC has delivered one heck of a truck.

Styling-wise, the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is clearly derivative of the outgoing model. Design taste fairies at... // TheCarConnection.com

Jalopnik (Enlarge photo)

We haven't had a chance in the saddle of the new 2009 Dodge Ram yet, but PickupTrucks.com guru Mike Levine had a chance to review and test drive pretty much every single version of the new hauler from the Ram-headed brand. Mike's put together a pretty exhaustive look at the whole lineup of all new Ram pickups, and what's his verdict?

"After driving several Ram models in a variety of scenarios, we're still as enthusiastic about the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 as we were when it was first reveled at the Detroit auto show. Most half-ton... // Jalopnik

- All-new 2009 Dodge Ram priced at $25,995 for regular cab,

- All-new bold, powerful Ram design - inside and out
- All-new interiors with significantly upgraded materials,

and finish and nearly double the storage options (42)
- Dodge Ram's first crew-sized cab model Ram Crew 1500 is the

Value Crew Cab in Canada with the most equipment for the

- Segment-first features: coil spring, multi-link rear

versatile cargo management system including unique

weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage

in-the-floor bins with removable liners; factory-installed

dual exhaust; surround-sound audio system
- New 5.7-litre HEMI(R) engine provides Best-in-Class 390

and Best-in-Class 407 lb-ft of torque (when properly

four percent improved fuel economy
- More than 35 safety... // CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse)

- All-new 2009 Dodge Ram priced at $25,995 for regular cab,

- All-new bold, powerful Ram design - inside and out
- All-new interiors with significantly upgraded materials,

and finish and nearly double the storage options (42)
- Dodge Ram's first crew-sized cab model Ram Crew 1500 is the

Value Crew Cab in Canada with the most equipment for the

- Segment-first features: coil spring, multi-link rear

versatile cargo management system including unique

weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage

in-the-floor bins with removable liners; factory-installed

dual exhaust; surround-sound audio system
- New 5.7-litre HEMI(R) engine provides Best-in-Class 390

and Best-in-Class 407 lb-ft of torque (when properly

four percent improved fuel economy
- More than 35 safety... // Canada NewsWire