ÜberRam meets Lightning

Ford SVT chief John Coletti has been waiting for competition like this. Chrysler's Performance Vehicle Operations launches the '04 Dodge SRT-10 in December. It's a Ram pickup truck packing the Dodge Viper's 8.3-liter/505-horsepower, 525-lb-ft V-10 and six-speed Tremec gearbox--even a real Hurst shifter.

It'll do 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds--the same as our latest number for the '03 Ford SVT Lightning--and the quarter mile will take just 13.8 seconds, says Dodge. Top speed is 150 mph plus. Coletti believes such competition will help improve the breed that SVT created with the original F-150 Lightning pickup.

PVO chief Dan Knott will have King of the Hill (Heavyweight Division) bragging rights by default--for a little while, anyway. Why? Timing. With the new F-150 just out, it'll be late 2004 or early 2005 before we see the next-generation Lightning. Chevrolet promises a more serious Silverado SS some time in the future, but, for now, the $39,205 Chevy has a more modest 6.0-liter/340-horsepower, 380 lb-ft V-8. So it's not a player in the ultimate muscletruck category.

Ford's F-150 Lightning features mega rolling stock, hot-rod styling details, and a rock-'n'-roll-resistant suspension. Inside, the level of finish and materials matches that in a premium import sedan.

The Dodge SRT-10 is all about oversize numbers. The ÜberRam will ride on 22-inch aluminum "Viper-style" wheels and 305/40YR22 Pirelli Scorpions. There's a 508-watt sound system with a subwoofer between the custom bucket seats.

Dodge will build 2500 to 3000 of them per full production year--it's the truck's one small number--at an expected price in the $40,000-$45,000 range. That's more expensive than the current $33,000 Lightning, although we expect the next one to cost more, too. Dodge also has figured out how to make the SRT-10's rear spoiler detachable--with tools, so the pickup bed can actually haul things. Got to make a run to Home Depot before it closes in 10 minutes? No problem.