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The 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is only 18 days away, and today the Mopar camp offered their first teasers of what to expect in their display.  Not surprisingly, the first four announced vehicles for the SEMA Show include a Dodge Ram and a Dodge Challenger, along with a pair of wild Jeep concepts.

The two Jeeps to be featured at the Mopar SEMA Show display, the Jeep Wrangler Overland and Jeep Lower Forty are both based on the popular Wrangler.  The Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco is based on a production Dodge Ram 1500 Sport, and the Mopar Dodge Challenger 1320 (the first of many Challengers I expect to see at SEMA) is actually based on the Dodge Challenger Track Pak rather than a production model.

The Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco is the most practical vehicle of this first batch of teasers, and this concept began its life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport quad cab powered by a 5.7L Hemi.  The goal of the Mopar designers was to emphasize luxury and high class, shown by the included artist's rendering.  A hard tonneau cover, Mopar body kit, Mopar fender flares, and Mopar 22-inch wheels help this Arctic Ice pearl Ram stand out in a crowd, and a Mopar cold air intake and dual exhaust system give the Ram a little more bark and bite.  Inside, the luxury feel is obvious with white and black Kaztkin leather seats and a matching color theme is echoed throughout the interior.  This vehicle doesn't offer any ridiculous modifications to prevent it from seeing production, and this could make for a great competitor to Ford's F150 Platinum.  I can't wait to get a good look at this Ram at SEMA...and while there is only this one drawing right now, expect plenty of pictures of this cool new Ram concept.

Stay tuned to the Detroit Autos Examiner for complete 2009 SEMA Show coverage, including high resolution images of this awesome concept the day that it is introduced to the world!  Subscribe now to the Detroit Autos Examiner column and don't miss any of the coverage from the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas! 

 

Click here for a look at the other Mopar news on the 2009 SEMA Show!

 

From the Chrysler Group LLC statement:

Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Image Vehicle: A Stylish, Luxury Pickup Truck
The Dodge Ram Bianco started life as a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The Dodge Ram is modified to reflect an upscale feel and appearance with the aid of Mopar performance parts and accessories. Colors, textures and accessories are combined in a manner that showcases the sophisticated side of the Dodge Ram 1500.
Exterior modifications include a Mopar hard tonneau that adds a classic, sporty appearance. The inside of the truck bed features Mopar's bed rug--a plush, yet washable carpet. For the exterior, a Mopar body kit and modified Mopar fender flares give a unique, sophisticated look. The stance is aided by a Ground Force lowering kit that not only lowers the vehicle, but also provides excellent ride and handling. The Dodge Ram Bianco is layered in several coats of Arctic Ice pearl paint that give it a rich appearance. Holding true to the upscale theme, Mopar's 22-inch wheels are painted in a matching, high-contrast design. Performance upgrades include a Mopar cold-air intake and a throaty Mopar dual exhaust with just enough growl to let you know there is something powerful under the hood.
The exterior theme continues through the interior. White and black Katzkin seats with matching door trim set the stage for a high-class ride. Piano Black and Arctic Ice accents add to the luxurious theme. For sound, Mopar contributed a Kicker audio system consisting of an audio amplifier, a powerful subwoofer and upgraded speakers.

Amidst the 2009 Detroit North American International Auto Show, the Chrysler area featured a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 cut apart showing the 63 innovations and alterations of the new Dodge Ram.  The Dodge engineers worked to truly make this an all-new Ram 1500, and there have been changes from front to back.  Here is a full rundown of the 2009 Dodge Ram changes from the 2009 NAIAS.

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 has received a complete facelift, but more importantly, the mighty 5.7L Hemi has received an increase to 390 horsepower, making it the most powerful standard engine offering in the half-ton truck class.  Dodge spends so much time promoting the legendary Hemi that their other two engine options are overshadowed, but the 2009 Ram also offers a 3.7L V6 and a 4.7L V8.  These smaller engines offer less initial cost, and in the past you would assume that these less powerful engines would also provide better fuel mileage.  Thanks to the Multiple Displacement System (MDS), the Hemi offers fuel economy numbers of 14 city and 20 highway, equal to the economy numbers from the 3.7L V6 and better than the 4.7L V8.

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 received a major facelift, as well as a more powerful engine lineup, and Dodge has claimed their spot atop the half ton truck in the market.  Their key foreign competitor in the market is the 2008 Toyota Tundra, last year's Motor Trend Truck of the Year.  We tested the 2008 Toyota because they had not released their 2009 model in time for testing.  However, it has been stated that there will be only minor aesthetic changes to last year's champion.


Powertrain
The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2008 Toyota Tundra offer the most powerful standard engine lineups  in the standard full-size truck class lineups, along with both offering a six cylinder option.   The 2009 Ram has a revamped engine lineup, beginning with a 3.7L V6 making 210 horsepower, followed by a 310 horsepower 4.7L V8, and the premium engine is the 390 horsepower Hemi.    The 2008 Toyota Tundra begins with a 235 horsepower 4.0L V6, followed by a 276 horsepower 4.7L V8, and their premium engine is the 5.7L i-Force V8 making 381 horsepower.