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2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Test Drive
From Robert Bowden
It's not often that you'll find options costing more than a vehicle's base
price. But that's the case with the 2005 Dodge SRT-10. It starts life as a Dodge
Ram pickup, with a base price of $22,425. Not bad. But the options that create
the mighty SRT-10 tack on another $22,575, for a grand total of $45,795. For
that, you get what is currently the fastest truck on the planet. Prices: US
$22,425 base; as tested, $45,795. Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles total vehicle
and powertrain.
Heritage
Some of us have been down this road before. We remember Detroit's horsepower
races of the mid- and late-Sixties, a mine-is-faster-than-yours competition that
came to a screeching halt in 1972 when gasoline supplies dried up, insurance
companies collectively said enough is enough, and federal emission standards
reared their ugly head. That era was followed by more than a decade of
tip-toeing around horsepower. But that's not the American way, and soon
manufacturers were again offering ever-quicker chariots. Among trucks and
truck-based sport utilities, the second round of competition culminated in 1991
and 1992 when General Motors put a 280-hp engine in a truck and sport utility,
calling them the Syclone and Typhoon. They scooted zero to 60 in a hair under
six seconds, putting power to the pavement through all-wheel drive. The 2005
Dodge SRT-10 has a stunning 500-horsepower, 505 cubic-inch V-10 under its hood,
a six-speed manual transmission and wheels taller than the Munchkins in "The
Wizard of Oz." Oh yeah, it costs $45,000. Word is that Ford and General Motors
are not far behind with 500 or 500-plus horsepower models. Fun? You bet. Gas
guzzlers? Don't ask. Enjoy them while you can.
Coachwork
It's difficult for a truck to stand out from the competition these days. And,
frankly, they're all pretty good. Not a loser out there. That has resulted in
close competition between Ford and Chevrolet for top truck honors. And Dodge?
Well, the Ram trucks outsell all other Dodge models combined. That's how
important truck sales are. Outrageous styling can set a truck apart and Dodge
traveled that route with an extreme front end, an in-your-face
straight-up-and-down brick wall of a grille. But for the 2005 Dodge SRT-10, it
went even further. Just look at the 20-inch wheels on this truck. There's even a
20-inch spare. The air dam looks like it belongs on a NASCAR race truck; there's
a wing in the back and a fully functional hood scoop. The seats are high-quality
leather and there is no back seat area. Fold up a console storage compartment
large enough to contain a laptop computer and you can sit three across. Every
conceivable convenience item comes with the $22,575 option package. There's a
sliding rear window, climate control, cruise control (you'll need it!), an
awesome 505-watt stereo system, remote keyless entry, adjustable pedals.. you
name it. Best of all, it looks as good as it performs.
Summary
Honestly, I didn't expect to love this truck. I was even warned ahead of time
that I might not like it because it's a bit rough-riding. Hey, that's forgiven
when adjustable pedals put 500 horsepower at your toes. No one, in a car or
truck, bothered me. Men in top BMWs stopped me to ask about it. Kids gathered
everywhere I took a lunch break. Those in the know really know what the 2005
Dodge SRT-10 is. This is King Kong. This is the Top Truck. The hood would be
popped, greeting bystanders with that massive engine with VIPER on the red
covers. The gathered would count spark plug wires .. 1,2,3,4 .. 5 .. on each
side! And I'd crank it up and it would emit a snarl that stood hairs on end,
caused small dogs and children to flee, got furrowed brows from the elderly. How
many other trucks can do that? Zero. This is The Truck. This has, at least
temporarily, dethroned the Ford SVT Lightning. I like them both, but this one is
really, really special. Dodge can be proud of giving us a reasonably
comfortable, great handling, top-notch performance truck.
Like the Viper, however, it will sell in extremely limited numbers (2,500 a
year). The announced price usually dispersed gathered crowds in a hurry.
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