When I think about modifications to a product, I immediately
think of the automotive industry. It
seems like every couple of years car companies modify their existing products
to fulfill the customers’ needs and wants.
The modifications that I am referring to are: quality
modifications, functional modifications, and aesthetic modifications. Take for instance the Dodge Ram 2500 over the
past few years. The second generation
had the following engines:
Years
|
Engine
|
Power
|
Torque
|
1994–2001
|
175 hp (130 kW)[1]
|
||
1994–2001
|
220 hp (160 kW)[1]
|
295 lb·ft (400 N·m)[1]
|
|
1995–1997
|
5.2 L (318 cu in) Natural Gas V8
|
200 hp (150 kW)[1]
|
430 lb·ft (580 N·m)[1]
|
1994–1997
|
230 hp (170 kW)[1]
|
325 lb·ft (441 N·m)[1]
|
|
1998–2002
|
245 hp (183 kW)[1]
|
335 lb·ft (454 N·m)[1]
|
|
1994–2002
|
300 hp (220 kW) [1]
|
450 lb·ft (610 N·m)[1]
|
|
1994–1995
|
175 hp (130 kW) (manual), 160 hp
(120 kW) (auto)[1]
|
420 lb·ft (570 N·m) (manual), 400 lb·ft
(540 N·m) (auto)[1]
|
|
1996–1998
|
215 hp (160 kW) (manual), 180 hp
(130 kW) (auto)[1]
|
440 lb·ft (600 N·m) (manual), 420 lb·ft
(570 N·m) (auto) [1]
|
|
1998–2000
|
235 hp (175 kW) (manual), 215 hp
(160 kW) (auto)[1]
|
460 lb·ft (620 N·m) (manual), 420 lb·ft
(570 N·m) (auto)[1]
|
|
2001–2002
|
235 hp (175 kW) (5-speed manual or automatic)[1]
|
460 lb·ft (620 N·m) (5-speed manual or
automatic),[1]
|
|
2001–2002
|
245 hp (183 kW) (High Output)[1]
|
505 lb·ft (685 N·m) (High Output)[1]
|
While the third generation ram had the following engines:
Model
|
Years
|
Engine
|
Power
|
Torque
|
2500/3500
|
2003–2008
|
345 hp (257 kW)
|
375 lb·ft
(508 N·m)
|
|
2009
|
388 hp (289 kW)[1]
|
404 lb·ft
(548 N·m)
|
||
2003–2004 SO
|
250 hp (190 kW)
|
460 lb·ft
(620 N·m)
|
||
2003–2004 SO California
Emissions
|
235 hp (175 kW)
|
460 lb·ft
(620 N·m)
|
||
2003–2004 HO
|
305 hp (227 kW)
|
555 lb·ft
(752 N·m)
|
||
2004.5–2007
|
325 hp (242 kW)
|
610 lb·ft
(830 N·m)
|
||
2007.5–2009
|
350 hp (260 kW)
|
650 lb·ft
(880 N·m)
|
||
2003
|
310 hp (230 kW)
|
450 lb·ft
(610 N·m)
|
Now there is fourth generation which produces an average of
350hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. These characteristics
fall under the quality modifications. The
designers and technicians at Dodge have listened to the consumers and changed
the engines to better suit their needs. They
have changed the ram’s dependability and durability.
In addition they have changed the functional
modification. They have changed the ram’s
versatility and effectiveness of towing a massive payload.
The aesthetic modifications are quite easy to spot. Here a few pictures of the various medications:
Second Generation
Third Generation
Fourth Generation (Current Model)
As you can see the biggest difference over the years has been the styling of the front end. The progression of a straight vertical grill to a slightly more aggressive style, and now to a fully slanted grill, is a prime example of the aesthetics Dodge has modified.
Dodge has also developed a larger cab to meet the needs of the customer. Many of their largest 2500 come with what Dodge calls a Mega Cab. This cab provides a more leg room over the standard crew cab.
Sources:
