http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Dodge-revamps-Ram-1500-pickup-4294913.phpsample quote
The V-6 and eight-speed make an impressive combination.
While cruising at
55 mph, that eighth gear lets the engine loaf at a drowsy
1,300 rpm.
There's virtually no pause when you punch the pedal, and under hard acceleration the transmission will hold a gear until the engine speed nears the red line, prompting an upshift.
The transmission was cleverly calibrated.
While climbing a hill, it will settle into a gear and hold it without second-guessing itself and shifting up or down.
The eight-speed can be shifted manually,
with small buttons on the steering wheel,
though paddles behind the wheel would be better.
The standard towing capacity
for my main test vehicle was
4,100 pounds;
buying a rear axle with a different ratio (3.51) raises the capacity to
5,800 pounds.
That compares with
6,550 pounds
(and 8,600 pounds with the 3.51 gear ratio)
for a comparably equipped truck with the
5.7 liter V-8 and the eight-speed.
