Dodge rams full speed into commercial market
CHICAGO — Dodge is expanding its commercial truck presence with the launch of the all-new, “big rig styled” 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs, revealed yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show.
“We built the all-new 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs for heavy-duty chassis cab buyers who want a powerful, capable and versatile commercial- quality vehicle,” said George Murphy, senior vice-president -of Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group.
Targeted at tradesmen, fleet customers, and traditional chassis cab users, the new Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs feature the largest standard fuel tank (52 gallons), largest brake rotors (390 mm), largest caliper pistons (66 mm) and best-in-class first-gear launch for optimum acceleration on vehicle take-off in its class, says Dodge.
track in class 4 and 5 commercial markets
Showcasing what the company terms as “an unrivaled upfit-friendly design that reduces costs for body-builders and customers,” all chassis components are below the frame surface assuring easy adaptability and versatility for virtually any upfit application. The trucks are offered in dual-rear-wheel models, four cab-axle lengths (60, 84, 108 and 120 inches) are available.
The standard 6.7-liter Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel is loaded with 305 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 610 lb.-ft. of torque.
The company says the two chassis cabs “charge into the Class 4 and 5 chassis cab segments — between 14,000 to 19,500 lbs GVW — creating a greater commercial presence for the Dodge brand.”
“The commercial vehicle market is essentially white space for the Dodge brand,” said Murphy.
Overall industry forecasts for this range of vehicles were 140,000 units in 2006 with growth expectations to 156,000 units by 2012. The Class 4-5 chassis cab segment is expecting further growth to 18 percent by 2015, according to the company.
Green Friendly Powertrain:
Providing superior trailer towing, acceleration, throttle response and drivability, the 6.7-liter Cummins is not only more powerful, it’s also cleaner with B5 biodiesel compatibility and a reduction in particulates and nitrogen oxide (NOx) that comply with 2007 EPA heavy-duty emission standards. As durable as it is powerful, the engine also has life-to-major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles.
The 4500 and 5500 offer a six-speed automatic transmission with Power Take Off (PTO) capability or a six-speed manual transmission with PTO capability. An available electronic-shift transfer case is offered and a factory-installed exhaust brake contributes to both safety and superior brake life.
Go to the company’s website for even more specifications.
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