2005 Chicago: 2006 Dodge Ram and 2007 Nitro Video

Check out the unveiling of Dodges awesome new Ram Megacab pickup and Nitro sport/utility vehicle .....

Transcript

00:00 Chrysler was a big presence at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show where they had a half mile indoor

00:23 test track around the perimeter of their display.

00:26 Now visitors to the show will be able to test ride Chrysler's, Jeeps and Dodges on the specially

00:32 designed course.

00:39 They also pulled out all the stops on both of their press conferences and since Dodge

00:44 is Chrysler Group's best selling brand, Dodge trucks and SUVs were on the agenda.

00:50 First up was this Dodge Ram Mega Cab pickup slated for showrooms this fall as a 2006 model.

00:57 This new Mega Cab model boasts the largest and longest pickup cab on the market with

01:02 comfortable seating for six adults along with significant interior storage too.

01:07 We think their demonstration of the Mega Cab's occupant capacities was probably just for

01:12 dramatic effect.

01:14 Dodge engineers started with a Ram 2500 Long Box model.

01:19 They shortened the box from eight feet to about six then added most of that difference

01:23 back into the length of the cab.

01:25 The result is over 145 cubic feet of interior space with reclining rear seats.

01:31 They're split 60/40, fold down and move forward to give a lot of different configurations

01:36 for maximum interior cargo capacity.

01:40 The rear doors open a full 85 degrees and boast a 34 and a half inch opening, the largest

01:45 rear door opening available according to Dodge.

01:48 Inside the instrument cluster and center stack have been restyled as well.

01:53 Two trim levels will be offered, SLT and up level Laramie.

01:57 The Dodge Ram Mega Cab will be offered on 1500, 2500 and 3500 platforms in two or four

02:04 wheel drive.

02:05 The 5.7 liter, 345 horse hemi is standard and a 5.9 liter Cummins turbo diesel with

02:11 over 600 pound feet of torque is available.

02:15 On the SUV side, the red hot Dodge Nitro was an over the top reveal.

02:21 The Nitro is a move toward giving Dodge dealers a lower priced midsize SUV to sell against

02:27 the likes of the Chevy Equinox and Ford Escape.

02:29 Now the Nitro is based on the Jeep Liberty and will likely see production in late 2006

02:35 as a 2007 model.

02:37 No mistaking the Dodge Ram heritage in the cross hair grill and the rest of the styling

02:42 is brawny as well.

02:44 Power is from a 210 horsepower, 3.7 liter V6 with a four speed automatic and full time

02:50 four wheel drive.

02:52 Neat concept features include a textured vinyl cargo floor that should be easy to clean.

02:57 Plus it slides out when the rear hatch is open to make loading and unloading cargo

03:02 easier.

03:03 That's it from the Daimler Chrysler display at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show.

03:07 For Motor Trend, this is John Mathias.

03:09 ATS.

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