Quick Facts: "RamBox" storage system offers multiple storage bins and other cargo features. Heated rear seats are available. Heated steering wheel is first for any Chrysler vehicle. Zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds is impressive for a full-size truck. Hybrid version to be developed for 2010 model year.

Despite rising gasoline prices, full-size trucks are still some of the best-selling vehicles in the United States, and Dodge hopes to cash-in on some of that market with its all-new 2009 Ram 1500.

On the outside, the evolution of the trademark Dodge truck design of recent years is obvious. But below that skin are many changes designed to take the truck well into the future.

Inside the cab, there are nearly twice as many storage options as in the previous truck.

The bed of the crew-cab truck also makes use of clever storage options in a setup Dodge calls the "RamBox cargo management system." For example, there are weatherproof, lockable bins in the sides of the truck bed. There is also a 2-foot bed extender and sliding cargo rails.

Powering the big truck is a new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that churns out 380 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque. All that power is achieved while still improving fuel economy up about 4 percent.

Under hard acceleration, the Ram can go from zero to 60 mph in a zippy 6.1 seconds -- a statistic on par with many sporty cars.

The 2009 Ram will start showing up in dealer showrooms this fall. A light-duty diesel will arrive after 2009. And Dodge plans to introduce a two-mode hybrid Ram in the 2010 model year.