Worlds Most Capable Factory 4x4 Pickup?

How can one pickup truck model be the worlds fastest on the racetrack and also the best off-road? Dodge has the former claim recorded in the books, the Guinness Book of World Records that is. The domestic brand proved its point unequivocally during a speed test at its Chelsea Proving Grounds in February, by registering a 155 mph top speed in a Ram SRT-10.

And what about the second claim? While no third party statistics organization was on hand to verify Chrysler Group CEO Dieter Zetsche when he named the new Ram Power Wagon as "the most capable off-road pickup ever built," a quick look at the 2005

Chrysler Group CEO Dieter Zetsche has dubbed the new Dodge Ram Power Wagon "the most capable off-road pickup ever built." (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Dusting off and buffing up a quarter century old badge once synonymous with off-road dominance, the domestic automakers new Power Wagon came charging out from "beneath" a makeshift pile of dirt, taking center stage with a shovel

The new Power Wagon came charging out from "beneath" a makeshift pile of dirt. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Like the trucks world debut, the brand that builds the Power Wagon never goes about anything halfheartedly, with Zetsche proclaiming this first entry of the day to be part of a "big, bad and incredibly powerful expansion of the Dodge Ram model lineup."

Behind the bold chromed crosshair grille is nothing less than the automakers class-leading

Dodges class-leading 345 horsepower HEMI V8 powers the resurrected Power Wagon. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Adding to Zetsches most capable 4x4 pickup truck claim are a few unique standard features that separate the Power Wagon from any competitor. First on the list is a 12,000 pound custom-built, factory-installed Warn winch fully integrated into the front bumper, a feature

An electronic disconnecting front sway bar is just one of the class-exclusive features included on the Power Wagon. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Next on the agenda are class-exclusive electric locking front and rear differentials supplied via a cooperative development program with American Axle, optimizing off-road capability. Such is followed closely by another class-exclusive 4x4 feature, an electronic disconnecting front sway bar. A what? Simply, the sway bar can separate near its mid-point to allow greater individual wheel travel, necessary for negotiating the really rough stuff. It automatically reengages at 18 mph, just in case the driver forgets to do so manually when leaving the trail - this is necessary as a front sway bar is important to maintain pickup truck stability at higher

With prominent badging, the Power Wagon lets everybody know this truck means business. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

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