New Ram bucks the trends

While the Ram isn't nearly as popular with American truck buyers as the top-selling F-150, a successful Dodge truck is still critical to the the success of parent company Chrysler LLC.

Designers didn't want to mess too much with the muscular big-hood look of the Dodge Ram pickup but, in this new version, the truck looks smoother and faster instead of just burly. Chrysler boasts of the truck's "best in class" aerodynamics.

Other big changes include a radically re-engineered rear suspension and a cab interior with much more attention to appearance than any Dodge product of recent years.

The redesigned Ram also features several of the clever convenience features for which Chrysler has come to be known.