I think for me....the 'stop & start' technology would...although a fuel saving benefit...annoy the hell out of me!
I saw a video simultion of how the 'air suspension' loading, displays on the driver information center, very entertaining!
I wonder if the 'factory tow package' will specify the 'air suspension' as a compulsory add on, when one goes on the Ram website to 'build your own' 2013 onwards Ram 1500, It causes me to wonder if the 2009 onwards Ram 1500 rear coils have to now been in-capable of dealing with serious TV use.
I like the idea of a 'rotory nob' placed in a center console to select drive.
I like the idea of an 8 speed, because of an 8 speed the rear axle may will be a more standard ratio rather the a 'tow' type ratio.
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ib516 wrote: "Another cool feature is a thermal management system that uses engine coolant to warm up the transmission as quickly as possible to help remove parasitic losses due to thick transmission fluid. This same setup also can be used to cool down the tranny fluid during hard towing or other extreme heat dangers."
My Tundra did that in '08...if Ram handles it the same way, the downside is that you don't get heat to the cab until both the engine and trans are warmed up. On a 30* morning, it would take about 4 miles to get heat (about the same as my Cummins, actually) where previous vehicles took about 1.5 miles. Never really a problem for me, but the kiddos didn't like it much when they were little!
fla-gypsy wrote: So this was the "big news" hyped earlier in the week? As always the reality never comes close to the media/marketing hype.
Ya, you're right. It only got a new frame, a new optional engine, an updated existing engine with best in class power, a new full air suspension, a new interior, a new 8 speed automatic transmission (first ever in a north American vehicle, let alone a truck), new active grill louvers (first ever in a truck), new infotainment system, new stop/start fuel saving system, a new body with best in class drag coefficient of 0.36, new AWD system, 20% more mpg, new cab and bed configurations, new electric power steering, new LED tail lamps, new projector beam headlamps, new rain sensing wipers, and on and on.... (dripping with sarcasm)
At least you're a consistent basher.
Now....where did I put my pom poms....
The current Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300 already have the 8 speed transmission.
Sorry to burst the Rammers bubble, but the additional 2" gained for off road does NOT increase the ground clearance. Body yes, ground clearance NO. Is the air level system air shocks or air bags?. On paper, the new ideas look good. Let's see how they work in the real world.
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ACZL wrote: Sorry to burst the Rammers bubble, but the additional 2" gained for off road does NOT increase the ground clearance. Body yes, ground clearance NO. Is the air level system air shocks or air bags?. On paper, the new ideas look good. Let's see how they work in the real world.
OK - I'll bite.
Do you really know anything about ground clearance and offroading?
The approach and departure clearance are just as important or more as minimum clearance. From the video it appears that lifting the front and rear will definately help.
The only real way to help out the minimal clearance is larger tires.
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Ya, you're right. It only got a new frame, a new optional engine, an updated existing engine with best in class power, a new full air suspension, a new interior, a new 8 speed automatic transmission (first ever in a north American vehicle, let alone a truck), new active grill louvers (first ever in a truck), new infotainment system, new stop/start fuel saving system, a new body with best in class drag coefficient of 0.36, new AWD system, 20% more mpg, new cab and bed configurations, new electric power steering, new LED tail lamps, new projector beam headlamps, new rain sensing wipers, and on and on.... (dripping with sarcasm) 
