Performance Review: Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Ram Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Dodge Ram has a 5654cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Ram shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Ram's Rear Wheel Drive, Pickup combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2181 kgs (4808 lbs) this makes the Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Ram shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 5654cc 16V V8 engine produces 345 bhp (257 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 375 lb-ft (508.4 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Dodge Ram you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (183.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Ram.

The Dodge Ram has a Power to weight ratio of 158.1 bhp per ton and 171.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Ram competing with the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (183.0 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Jaguar XJ 8 4.2 V8 (183.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Dodge Ram generating around 171.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 (196.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo (196.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.0 secs, this made the Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi as fast as the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (6.80 secs). This Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi is also faster than the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ram and the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Ram on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.21 secs @ 89.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (15.14 secs), the 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (15.14 secs), and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive (15.14 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Ram equals the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi then how about the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph), the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (68 mph), or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (70 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Ram Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison