Dodge updates off-road offerings with freshened Power Wagon

[kscarbel2]

Automotive News / February 11, 2016

Dodge Trucks is updating back-country, heavy-duty offerings for 2017 with a freshened Power Wagon trim and expanded off-road packages across its three-quarter-ton pickup lineup.

The new off-road packages will be available across the Ram 2500 lineup and include a number of options to improve the pickup’s performance in rough terrain, such as hill-descent control, which allows the driver to automatically and safely descend steep terrain without using the brake. The feature had been available only on the heavy-duty’s traditional off-roader, the Power Wagon.

“We’ve had customers ask us for an off-road truck in our heavy-duty series, but we’re not going to limit it. We’re going to have it available with every single cab, with every single powertrain, in all the trims and with all the colors,” said Dodge brand head Bob Hegbloom.

The off-road packages, available beginning in the third quarter, will feature all-terrain tires and larger fender flares, underbody protection devices, limited-slip differentials, improved shock absorbers and special badging. Pricing was not announced.

Power Wagon

The freshened Power Wagon features an updated grille that trades the current model’s chrome and crosshairs for a blacked-out version similar to that used on the Ram Rebel 1500.

Also making the leap from the Rebel 1500 is badging that trades the traditional ram’s head logo for the brand’s name in bold block lettering on the grille and tailgate. New Power Wagon graphics on the rear quarter panels complete the look and evoke an image of the off-road pickup’s 1979 version.

The Dodge Power Wagon was the first mass-produced 4x4 civilian pickup in 1945 and was a favorite workhorse for soldiers returning to the farm after World War II. It was reintroduced into the brand’s pickup lineup in 2005.

For the 2017 model, designers freshened the exterior and interior of the Power Wagon, with a new hood featuring a large gloss-black graphic.

For the first time, the Power Wagon will have an interior that is unavailable in other Dodge pickups. Inside the cabin, designers picked up cues from the Rebel, including embossing the pickup’s off-road tire pattern into the seat backs.

The Power Wagon will offer an optional backup camera in its tailgate, along with a second optional camera high on the center-mounted stoplight that allows the driver to monitor the pickup’s bed from its 8.4-inch infotainment display.

The Power Wagon retains its 410-hp 6.4-liter V-8 and eight-speed transmission, which delivers 429 pounds-feet of torque. The 2017 Power Wagon is rated at up to 1,510 pounds of payload, with towing capacity of up to 10,030 pounds.

(A diesel-equipped Power Wagon remains unavailable)

The Power Wagon will continue to be manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico, and the 2017 version is expected in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter.

Photo gallery - http://www.autonews.com/article/20160211/OEM04/160209825

[kscarbel2]

Dodge 2500 HD pickup gets new 4x4 option

Fleet Owner / February 11, 2016

Will become available in the third quarter this year

Dodge Truck is rolling out a new off-road package for its Ram 2500 HD pickup at the Chicago Auto Show this week: an optional beefed up 4x4 suspension for short- and long-wheelbase Ram 2500 crew cab and mega cab models, powered by either gasoline or diesel engines.

Dodge added that the new Ram 2500 4x4 off-road package will be offered on all trim levels – including Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn/Lone Star, Outdoorsman, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Limited – and will become available in the third quarter this later.

“Truck customers require a wide range of off-road capability options,” noted Bob Hegbloom, head of FCA's Dodge Truck division.

“Anyone who spends most days on the outskirts of a job site or the weekend on the shore of a favorite fishing hole will benefit from the standard features on our new Ram 2500 4x4 off-road package.”

Those features include:

- Bilstein monotube shock absorbers to soak up the bumps at all four corners and distribute excessive heat that can be generated when driving rough sections for extended periods of time.

- Firestone LT 275/70R 18E OWL on/off-road tires for added traction, with some models spec’d with Firestone LT 285/60R 20E OWL on/off-road tires.

- Transfer case skid plate at the lowest mid-point of the truck to prevent underbody strike damage.

- Hill-decent control, to help drivers control speed down steep grades using the buttons on the column shifter and without the need to use the throttle or brake pedals.

- A rear anti-spin differential, which turns both rear wheels in tandem when increased torque is applied.

[Freightrain]

Big ugly nose on it, just like the Ford superduty. I always thought Ford copied the Dodge back when the new superduty came out in '98.

[mrsmackpaul]

Ditto.

New RAM nose...... butter-face. Late nights with tequila did not help the design team.

A real Power Wagon in my mind.

I reckon if they still made these with a late diesel motor they would sell them like hot cakes but what would I know

Theres some fella in the US that buys the old power wagons and fixes them up and up dates this and that and sells them for $150,000 or some such price and has already sold out 12 months ahead of time go figure make what people want and you can always seem to sell them today they are all keen on telling people what they want HMMMMMMMM wonder how well thats gunna work

I need to keep put some money aside http://www.legacypowerwagon.com/

Paul

[kscarbel2]

[kscarbel2]