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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.
03:10 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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