The ongoing 2012 New York International Auto Show saw the launch of the new Ram 1500, one of the most popular pick-up truck in the US. Just like its predecessor, the new Ram is extremely versatile and can be used for commercial purposes, road use, off-road and so on, and is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine which is credited with an output of 305 hp and 364 Nm of peak torque. This unit is coupled to a 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission that replace the frankly obsolete 4-speed automatic gearbox of the outgoing generation.

A 395 hp 5.7-litre V8 Hemi engine coupled with the same transmission will also become available at a later time. One pretty interesting feature of the new gearbox is that it is controlled by a knob placed nearby the clima controls. The fuel consumption figures have improved as well thanks to such systems as the Aero Modem which lowers the body of the car while traveling on the motorway to the benefit of its aerodynamic penetration.

The new Ram 1500 comes with a completely adjustable pneumatic suspension and uses 5 different set-ups: Normal, Aero, Off-Road 1, Off-Road 2 and Park. The overall weight of the vehicle has also gone down thanks in most part to the large use of aluminum and high-resistance steel. Quite obviously, the aesthetics of the model have been slightly revised too, but the classic, imposing look of the Ram is definitely still there. The cabin is now more modern and comfortable and uses a cool Uconnect info-tainment system with an 8.4″ screen placed in the middle of the console. If you want to know more about the 2013 Dodge Ram 1500, check out the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading: 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 launched in New York

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The Mercedes CLC - the younger sister of the CLS model and first FWD offspring of the new Class A/Class B MFA platform - could make its debut in its final form next April at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. The news was spread by Inside Line and collected directly from some executive during the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car will then hit the showrooms in 2013, and will probably look a lot like the F800 Style concept car on display at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

The new 4.5meters long saloon-coupe will introduce a new niche in the market (to which competitors will have to relpy with similar models) and will allow the next Class C generation to gain even more visibility, bringing up new reference points in the Premium segment. The CLC will be followed by a GLC compact SUV and, probably, a CLC Shooting Brake. The new models will adopt the same range of engines as the Class B, with the addition of a 300hp 4WD AMG that will come up at a later time. This means that it will also become the new AMG entry level car, the first one featuring all-wheel drive (sports SUV aside).

Via | Inside Line

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