Dodge / Dodge Dakota RT

Move over the Dakota R/T approaching rapidly, and yes, it has a V8

The Dodge Dakota R/T was a mid-size pickup automobile manufactured by the Ram division of Chrysler. The first pickup came to life back in 1986, this was the time when Dodge seriously had to enter the mid-size pickup segment as it was the growing trend 27 years ago. The car was launched the same time as the refreshed Ram 50. The Dakota is the first pickup in the history of mid-size pickups to be powered by a V8 engine. Technically V8s have been the standard engine option of full-size trucks such as Dodge’s own Ram. The introduction of that block in a mid-size was a very bold statement made by the brand. The R/T was born in the year 1998, which of course was powered by a V8.

The Power train variations of the Dodge R/T that could surprise anyone
The 3rd or the last generations of the Dakotas were equipped with 2 engine types a 3.7 liter V6 and a 4.7 liter V8. The term ‘R/T’ was defined by the brand as Road and Track, came with a 5.9 liter also a V8 wedded with an electronic 4 speed automatic transmission. Each cylinder of the engine was fed with two electronic fuel injection system valves, for 16 valves. This block was able to generate 250 Horses and 345 Foot Pounds of Torque. It was also good enough to push the car from 0-60 Miles per hour in 7.6 seconds and had the ability to cross the quarter-mile spot with a speed of 88.11Miles per hour in a respectable time of 15.2 seconds.

With this powerful engine, the truck was surprisingly economical as well, it ran on unleaded fuel and was able to give 13.1 miles to the gallon on highways. So that means around 9 or 10 miles per gallon in urban conditions, give or take. This is a very decent figure for a car with a V8 under the hood.

Features? It’s a pickup truck
Now generally people don’t expect pickup trucks to have any features, because as the name says they're ‘pickup’ trucks, they haul cargo and was not designed to serve comfort purposes. But the R/T was different from others, although not that many, it did have a few features that were convenient such as, Air Conditioning, Power Steering, AM/FM stereo with 4 speakers, ABS, driver, co-driver and side impact airbags and bucket seats. A few additional features were also available, of course at extra cost like, seat coverings and an upgraded stereo system.

The Legacy still lives on
Dodge pulled the plug on production of the R/T in 2011, because the demand for mid-size pickups gradually died down. Although the car was decommissioned from production, the marvel of the pickup still lives on. There are literally thousands of people who still love their R/T, it has a V8, who could blame them? Apart from the huge ‘power’ fan base, the car was also loved for its practicality, it was able to carry 1,230 Pounds and was able to haul 2,000 Pounds. The R/T came in dual cab and club cab versions, it was powerful, practical, convenient, and economical, and that’s the reason why the car was alive for 13 years and still lives on as a mid-size favorite.