Autoblog has
been tipped that the picture of the 2009 Dodge Ram first appeared
on what looks to be a Chrysler owned website for Mopar
Accessories, mopar-accessories.com.
It looks
like cracks continue to expand in the 2009 Dodge Ram's information
dam. We recently reported on online speculation about what's going
on under
the truck. Here's a potential look at its exterior.
This photo
has been quickly circulating around discussion forums since last night
(it didn't come from us because we don't have access to the embargoed
press photos).
It
could be photoshopped, then again, this looks like the real deal -
probably a beauty shot for next month's introduction during the
2008 North American International Auto Show.
Overall,
it looks like next Dodge Ram has been influenced by the current Ford
F-150's exterior design. The Ram in the photo
still keeps its heritage 'big-rig' looks but it's chunkier than the
2008 Ram with F-150-ish proportions.
Other notable
changes are highlighted in the picture below.
Some
more reflecting on the shape of the 2009 Dodge Ram picture also makes
clear how much design influence Toyota was able to pull from the Ram's
(originally) revolutionary semi-tractor look for use in the current
Tundra.
Whether
or not this turns out to be the real deal, Dodge has little choice
but to make the aerodynamic profile of the next Ram more slippery than
the current truck, to help meet tougher CAFE regs. The same rules Toyota
knew it had to meet when it was designing the Tundra.
It looks
like Dodge is trying to reduce the Ram's frontal area by reducing the
distance between the top of the hoodline and dropped shoulders of the
headlights and fenders. There's still a clear distinction between those
exterior components, but with smoother integration and softer boundaries.
The designers
of the 1994 Dodge Ram should be applauded for creating
a lasting front-end signature that continues to drive the appearance
of other full size trucks today.
