In addition to being the first pickup truck to offer Chrysler Group’s MDS technology, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 – the most powerful light-duty pickup truck on the market – boasts an all-new frame and suspension, an all-new interior, and an even bolder new Dodge Ram exterior.

The new truck arrives in Dodge dealerships this fall.

“The boldest and most powerful light-duty pickup on the market just got better,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President – Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group.  “Packed with refinement, technology, best-in-class HEMI power and a new bold appearance, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 continues to lead the competition.  And in true Dodge fashion, we will offer our new Ram at an incredible value.”

The new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 is the first pickup truck and latest Chrysler Group vehicle to feature standard MDS with the 5.7-liter HEMI.  Without compromising its best-in-class 345 horsepower, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500’s HEMI V-8 engine seamlessly alternates between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand.

“Chrysler Group was the first to offer a modern cylinder-deactivation system, the first to offer MDS in an SUV and now the first to offer MDS in a pickup truck,” said Mike Donoughe, Vice President – Body-on-frame Product Team.  “By offering MDS as a standard feature on the HEMI-powered Dodge Ram 1500, customers will experience the most powerful and capable V-8 engine in the pickup truck market, with an improvement in fuel economy of up to 20 percent.”