25/07/2008 08:44. Dodge addressed the performance demands of today's fuel-crunched, full-size-pickup buyer in a recent announcement at its Chelsea, Mich., proving grounds.

Bob Lee, vice president of Chrysler's power train product engineering team, said the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 powering the new-design 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 provides "best-in-class" output, improved fuel economy and better idle quality.

The new-generation Ram's 5.7-liter with Multiple Displacement System eclipses its 2008 Hemi counterpart with 13 percent more horsepower, an 8 percent torque boost and a 4 percent fuel economy increase.

An output of 390 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque trumps the 2008 version's 345 horses and 375 pound-feet of torque. Dodge reports this is enough punch to launch an R/T regular-cab 2WD model from 0 to 60... // San Francisco Chronicle