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2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Road Test

Let the Super Truck Wars Begin

What a rush! Ive been doing what I do for years now, but I still get that tingle of excitement when trying out something exotic. Thats how the anticipation felt while driving into Chrysler Groups Chelsea, Michigan Proving Grounds and eyeing a bright red Dodge Ram SRT-10 parked amid a sea of somewhat less intoxicating Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models.

I suppose a made-in-the-U.S.A. full-size pickup truck cant exactly be termed exotic, but what Dodge has stuffed under the hood puts it well into supercar territory. The truck boasts nothing less than the brands fully-tuned 8.3-liter V10, making exactly the same numbers as in North Americas most powerful sports car. That equals 500 horsepower and

The chance to test drive Dodges Ram SRT-10 definitely stirred up that old tingle of excitement. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

525 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels, easily enough to break traction on takeoff, despite the massive Pirelli Scorpion P305/40R22 BSW performance tires riding on equally impressive 22-inch diameter polished aluminum "Viper-style" 10-spoke rims.

I took the opportunity to test it out, of course, as would anyone with a pulse. Chryslers private proving area, which is celebrating its

The Ram SRT-10 is powered by the same 500-hp 8.3-liter V10 engine found in the Dodge Viper SRT-10. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

50th birthday this year by the way, is an impressive complex spanning hundreds of acres. The grounds include a massive oval roadway, that purposely includes badly worn pavement with punishing ruts, potholes and ridges, uneven and mixed road surfaces, plus a glossy-smooth high-speed oval running right next to it which we unfortunately couldnt get near, and best of all, a short albeit challenging road course.

The Ram SRT-10 wasnt the most comfortable

The tasteful rear spoiler is removable, as is the aluminum tonneau, for practical purposes. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Chrysler Group product over rough pavement, which makes sense considering first of all that its a pickup truck, and secondly that it features the largest wheel and tire package available from any manufacturer as well as a tightly sprung chassis setup, but just the same I was surprised by how it soaked up the truly nasty stuff. Actually, its suspension was so compliant that I started to get worried that it wouldnt perform well enough when it came time to test it on the winding road course.

No concerns about this were necessary either,

Backed by a 500-hp 8.3-liter V10 with 525 lb-ft of torque, stomping on the throttle will eat up a straight stretch of pavement in no time at all. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

as the big truck hunkered down and took to the racing line like a sports car. It has a tendency to oversteer, but not as much as I previously had thought it would. In fact its quite controllable, with the rear wheels giving way progressively, as long as the throttle is gently feathered rather than stomped on and the clutch let out slowly between each of the 6-speed manual shifters intervals, especially those in the lower range.

I wound my way into turn one, a long right-hand sweeper which immediately opens up into a decently long straight. I gave it a full 500 horsepower shot of juice, which is

The huge brakes bring the big red truck down to a halt much quicker than should be physically possible. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a feeling every enthusiast should experience at least once in a lifetime, and while my adrenaline surged I reached the end of the straight in less than no time at all, keeping on the left side of the track to prepare for an extremely tight right, then an equally brief left and then another right again. The roadway straightens for only a moment before forcing a 90 degree left and then a long bending curve interrupted by a nasty little dogleg. I was able to get on full power at this point for a few seconds, but due to the trucks rapid acceleration it was over in less than a blur before having to get firmly back on the brakes in order to safely execute another steady right corner, which quickly reversed left

The Viper-inspired seats are by far the best in the pickup truck class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

before a final right onto a short straight towards turn one again. Its not a long track, but with the SRT-10s wealth of torque ready, willing and waiting to explode the truck forward as if hooked up to an F16s afterburners, its a road course that commands respect.

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