Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram

Although there could be no possible worse time to be debuting a new pickup truck than this year, Dodge's Ram truck is due for its cyclical major redesign, and it's still coming. A few years ago, news of the Hemi's return from the ashes was the biggest news around, and this year, the crew from Chrysler was able to eke some more power from the legendary design. In fact, the horsepower increases from 345 to 390, while torque goes up from 375 pound-feet to 407 - very impressive numbers and partially due to variable valve timing.

Being AutoblogGreen and all, it's the efficiency numbers we are most concerned with, and we're sorry to report that the big increases are yet to come. Though Dodge reports a fuel mileage improvement of some sort across the range, the most miserly model available at launch will be powered by the lowly 3.7 liter six cylinder engine and will have but two doors and a short bed. Reported fuel economy for this setup is still a dismal 14 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway. We'll be waiting for the hybrid and new smaller Cummins diesel engine for real improvements, though we're happy to report that the truck's Hemi still features cylinder deactivation and the smaller 4.7 liter V8 is still flex-fuel capable.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com via Autoblog]