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Sure, it's not a great time to debut an all-new full-size pickup truck with sales falling fast courtesy of $4/gallon gas, but unlike Ford, which has delayed the release of its redesigned '09 F-150, the all-new 2009 Ram is coming despite fuel prices and market conditions. Pickuptrucks.com reports that the new Dodge pickup will actually be offering more power underhood than originally thought. The 5.7L HEMI V8 option will see its horsepower increase from 345 to a whopping 390, while torque goes up from 375 pound-feet to 407. It was originally thought the '09 Ram would offer 380 hp and 404 pound-feet of torque, so here we have a case of underpromising and overdelivering. The improvements in power come courtesy of variable cam timing, an active intake system, higher compression ratio, improved airflow and a reworked Multiple Displacement System.

And what of speculation that there would be a Ram model capable of achieving 23 mpg highway? Not in the cards says Dodge, who told Pickuptrucks.com that the most fuel efficient model would be a regular cab 4x2 with the 3.7L V6 and 3.55:1 rear axle good for around 14 city/20 highway mpg. All Ram models, however, will receive some boost in fuel economy, and there's also a new light-duty Cummins turbodiesel and Ram 1500 Hybrid coming after 2009. The fastest Ram model will also be significantly quicker than originally thought, with an R/T regular cab 4x2 sporting a 4.10 rear axle capable of hitting 60 mph in the 5-second range. With a new coil-spring rear suspension that should provide a more compliant ride without sacrificing too much towing prowess, we think the Ram may give Dodge an opportunity to pick up some market share in the full-size pickup segment, though the bad timing will almost certainly translate into lower sales overall for the truck despite its improvements.