Standing
out amongst a group of Dodge Vipers while undergoing hot weather testing
in the southern California desert, this pre-production 2004 Dodge Ram
SRT-10 provides more information about this all new muscle truck from
Chrysler's Performance Vehicle Operations team.
The slate-colored
skin seems to giveaway the previously unknown third body color, joining
red and black as paint options, while a standard mesh grille and chrome
surround has replaced the custom bars and painted surfaces in the nose.
The unique
wheel design builds upon the theme of the show truck's but reduces rim
and tire size from 24" to 22". The tires are high performance
Pirelli Scorpion Zeros.
Standard
rocker panels have replaced the curved surfaces present on the earlier
model.
Most surprising
of all, Dodge has brought back the Ram 500 moniker (seen just behind the
front wheel) indicating that the Ram will once again see duty as the official
truck of the Indianapolis 500. In 1996, when the Viper GTS was the official
Pace Car of the Indy 500, Dodge produced a limited number of Ram 500 trucks
based on the Ram 1500 SLT pickup. The Ram 500 will probably be an exclusive
version of the SRT-10.
Under the
surface, PUTC's sources are also reporting that Chrysler PVO has gone
to great lengths to reduce the truck's weight using high amounts of alloy
materials and special framing construction. The end result should be a
truck that weighs less than the Ford
SVT F-150 Lightning.
Other performance
enhancements include a modified differential to handle the torque factor
load, progressive coils and racing shocks, a large rear sway bar and new
driveshaft line.
