Fuel prices... What fuel prices?

Want the biggest, hardest pulling pick-up on the planet? One you can hook up over 7200kg to the back of and still take five of your mates with you? If that's the case go see Dodge!

Flying the face of record crude oil prices and fuel production capacity crippled by the two Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, DaimlerChrysler affliate Dodge has launched its biggest ever pick-up.

The Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500 Duallie is some ute! Boasting a 5.9-litre Cummins turbodiesel inline six-cylinder engine that makes 325hp and 610ft-lbs of torque, the Mega Cab boats a 7250kg towing capacity and a payload (in the full size tray) of over 1100kg.

Available in 4x2 and 4x4 versions in the USA, the Mega Cab provides seating for up to six in a four-door cab it claims is 400mm longer than conventional full size dual-cab pickups. The rear seats have legroom akin to a large executive saloon and recline. They also feature multifold functions that can create a further 'indoor' flat load area that would shame some wagons.

It boasts options including DVD entertainment packages, leather upholstery and wood trims.

Dodge launched the Ram Mega Cab 3500 Duallie last week at the Texas State Fair, in what it told US automotive website Edmunds.com was  a "salute to the largest pickup truck market in the world."

The mega-pickup will go on sale in the USA in January 2006. It's unlikely the Mega Cab will make it Down Under as an official Dodge model. A number of local companies currently convert and comply Rams in Australia. Despite this (or perhaps because of) local Chrylser-Jeep execs have made no secret that they would like to add selected Ram models to the company's official Australian range.