Automotive News - January 14, 2008 - (Page 22) 22 • JANUARY 14, 2008 DETROIT AUTO SHOW ■ Kia Borrego Vehicle type: Mid-sized SUV Seats: 7 Base engine: 3.8-liter V-6 On sale: Summer 2009 Base price: Estimated $25,000 What’s cool: The Borrego offers Kia’s first 6-speed automatic transmission and first V-8 engine. ■ Mitsubishi Concept-RA Vehicle type: Sports coupe concept Engine: 2.2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel Who designed it: Gary Ragle What’s cool: Front end, similar to Lancer Evo X Will it be built: Yes. Next-generation Eclipse. Ram’s balancing act: Get civilized, but stay tough Bradford Wernle bwernle@crain.com DETROIT — Dodge designers set themselves a lofty target for the 2009 Ram pickup: Rev up the truck’s mainstream appeal by loading it with class-leading features, without compromising the signature aggressive design. Customers will decide whether Dodge has succeeded. As they make their shopping decisions, they’ll have a long list of features to contemplate. Pickups are all about power, and The 2009 Dodge Ram pickup features a “grille forward” look borrowed from the Dodge Charger sedan. the flagship version of the new Ram, to be displayed at the Detroit auto show, will bring more horses to the party with an optional 5.7-liter, 380hp Hemi engine. Dodge says the new engine will de- liver the extra kick while achieving an estimated 4 percent improvement in fuel economy. A 4.7-liter V-8 and 3.7liter V-6 also will be available. A light diesel offering will follow for the 2010 model year. The new Ram will offer some decidedly untrucklike features, including optional heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. Dodge claims those two items as segment firsts. The Ram crew cab will come with a flexible, 8.6-cubic-inch lockable storage area called RamBox. The Ram al- so gets underfloor storage bins similar to those offered in the Chrysler and Dodge minivans, although there will be no Stow ’n Go capability. The new Ram will showcase Chrysler’s efforts to improve its interiors, featuring new controls and soft-touch materials. Dodge also is touting the Ram’s exterior design, featuring a “grille forward” look borrowed from the Dodge Charger sedan. A chrome-tipped exhaust is designed into the rear bumper. The truck will arrive this fall. c The Ford Technical Career Entry Programs (TCEP) are your connection to the technicians you need today to provide quality service to Ford or Lincoln Mercury vehicles. We cover a wide range of certification levels to meet your needs. Because all our graduates receive Ford Service Technician Specialty Training, they have the right credentials to add to your service department’s success. “T h e ASSET Pro g ram is th e an swer t o f in d in g train ed , qu a lif ie d tech n ician s ” C o n n e cti n g Yo u r De a l e r sh i ps w i th W i n n i n g Te ch n i ci a n s Add Technical Career Entry Programs to “My Top Spots” on your FMCDealer home page today! “ F o r d F ACT t a k e s t r a i n i n g concepts and puts them a l l t o g e t h e r i n a wa y that makes sense.” Lowell Dudzinski Charles Gabus Ford Des Moines, IA Keith Starnes Finishline Ford Statesville, NC
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