|
| | 
2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty: More Truck, More Tonka
 Automotive rendering specialist, Mark Stehrenberger, posted his version of the next generation 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty on Pickuptrucks.com. The 2011 platform is expecting a complete refresh from it's current 10 year old body styling, adding more truck and more "tonka" like features grabbed from Ford's F-350 Tonka concept back in 2002.
If the speculation behind this rendering is true, we can expect Super Duty owners to be slightly disappointed due to the consistent styling from the F-150 and the lack of a "Super" heavier duty truck. Exterior styling aside, the re-designed truck is expected to receive Ford's now 6.7 liter "Scorpion" V8 diesel motor which will replace the current 6.2 liter.
Source: Pickuptrucks
|
|
Nissan Launches NV2500 Light Commercial Van Concept, Hints at Heavy Duty Trucks
 The Nissan NV2500 Concept is, as its dimensions suggest, a multi-tasker of large order. One of the largest concept vehicles Nissan has ever produced, the NV2500 Concept, offers fresh design and fresh thinking – including a 3-Zone interior and flexible utility and storage solutions. Not only does the NV2500 Concept provide an original take on Commercial Vehicle (CV) design, it also provides a preview of Nissan's entry into the CV market in North America. With Nissan CVs already sold in 73 percent of the world's markets, including Japan, China, Mexico, Europe, South America, Australia and the Middle East among others, Nissan will enter the CV business in North America in 2010.Full Story... 
|
| |
Volkswagen to Debut New Pickup Truck in Germany
 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have announced a new pickup truck at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany. Called "Robust" or "Taro II" (the name is not yet confirmed), VW are rating the pickup truck as a one ton vehicle. The new pickup will be manufactured at Volkwagen's Pacheco, Argentina plant beginning Fall 2009 and is expected to be offered in a gasoline and diesel engine platform. Reported by Pickuptrucks.
|
|
Are You A Straight Shooter With Upper Management Written All Over Yourself?More in: Roundup, Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Jeep, Mobile Electronics, MOTORZ TV, Nissan, Performance, SEMA, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 151,105 Views
 Success in the work place can sometimes be hard to achieve, especially if you are not a straight shooter with your boss. Bob Slydell of "Office Space" tells us how you can become part of the "upper management" if you are like Peter Gibbons, "I'd like to move us right along to a Peter Gibbons. Now we had a chance to meet this young man, and boy that's just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him". So the question of the morning is, "are you a straight shooter with upper management written all over yourself"?
One thing is for sure, success in the work place can definitely be achieved by checking out our blogs from last week- I guarantee it. Oh by the way, did you get the memo that Truckblog.TV is now called MOTORZ?
• Truckblog.TV is Now Called MOTORZ
• Preview Of Ford's Sync 2.0 System with Sirius Travel Link
• MotorTrend Tests 2009 Nissan Frontier Pickup Truck
• SEMA 2008 Preview: Mopar's Dodge Ram R/T Concept
• Jeep J8 for the World Except USA
• Jeep Liberty Or Dodge Nitro Sport Utility Vehicles To Get Axe By 2012
• Toyota Adds Flex Fuel and TRD Models to Tundra Pickup Truck Lineup for 2009
• K&N High-Flow Intake System Available For Chevy & GMC 2500HD/3500 Duramax LMM
• Texas Armoring to Build Bulletproof Pickup Trucks for Professional Athletes
|
|
SEMA 2008 Preview: Mopar's Dodge Ram R/T Concept
 The 2008 SEMA show is almost here and you can bet that our crew at Truckblog will be covering the entire event all week long. We have some tricks up our sleeves to provide better coverage this year and will be announcing them in the near future, so hold tight!
Chrysler LLC's performance group, Mopar, have released their Dodge Ram R/T Concept for this years 2008 SEMA show. Packed with a 5.7 liter HEMI eight cylinder that achieves 390 horse power, the new Dodge Ram features a full bodykit conversion, forced induction hood, carbon fiber accent stripes, hard tonneau with spoiler for the bed, lowered suspension, 22 inch forged alloy wheels, 285/45R22 tires up front and a set of 305/40R22 tires in the rear. Check out the full size image inside.Full Story...
|
| | | | | | | | | | | Ford F-100 Stands As A Rumor, Possible Replacement For Ranger
 According to Pickuptrucks, Ford is working on a new F-100 series mid-size pickup truck that would share the new F-150 platform and possibly replace the Ford Ranger. The new pickup is expected to arrive by 2011 and it is believed that the truck will feature Ford's new EcoBoost twin turbo gasoline direct injection V6 engine, or possible 4.4 liter V8 diesel which is expected for the 2010 F-150. Either way, it's all just speculation, as no official word has come from Ford yet.
|
|
Twin Tail Pipes Revealed On 4.4 Liter Diesel Ford F-150 Pickup Truck
 Pickuptruck.com posted a picture yesterday morning of the 4.4-Liter V8 Diesel F-150 Mule, spied in the streets of Detroit (not Compton), revealing what appears to be a dual exhaust which is found on the Super Duty diesel pickup trucks. The claim in the photo is that the spotted F-150 is a diesel because of it's dual exhaust tips...what are your thoughts?
|
| | | | | |
What You Missed Last WeekMore in: Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Hybrid, Isuzu, New Products, Off-Road, Performance, Recall, Suspension, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 149,118 Views
Reflecting upon last week, we at Truckblog delivered news about Ford's new Work Solutions line-up, a new recall from them regarding 225k vehicles, and posted information about a new lift kit for the 2007 and 2008 Toyota Tundra. Then, Suzuki stepped up into the truck relm with their new concepts, we talked about a crazy Honda Civic tractor, another hybrid truck was announced, new information about a unibody truck from GMC was released, and finally, a slick LED lightstrip was installed on Project Truckblog. Whew, what a week! Below is a list of last weeks top stories:
• How-To Install A StreetGlow LED Light Bar
• GMC Denali XT Unibody Pickup Truck
• GMC Offers Sierra Hybrid Pickup In October
• Friday Beerblog: Honda Civic Tractor
• Suzuki Shows Off Equator Concept
• Fabtech Lift Kit Now For 2007 Toyota Tundra
• Ford Recalls 225k Vehicles, Again
• Ford Work Solutions For F-150, Super Duty And E-Series Vans
|
| | | |
Re-Cap Of Last Week: Biggest StoriesMore in: Roundup, Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Hummer, New Products, Off-Road, Safety, Suspension, Tires, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 163,104 Views
Every Monday morning we give you a re-cap of last weeks festivities, from automotive manufacturer announcements to the hottest (and sometimes worst) products available. Below is a list of last weeks top stories:
• Super Bowl XLII, The Commercials
• VOTE: Favorite Automotive Super Bowl Commercials
• Production Long Travel Suspension Ford F-150 Coming
• Roush Edition Chevrolet Silverado ''Roushcharged'' Found
• Toyota Tundra Diesel Dually Special Project Called CrewMaximus
• Ford Invests In Plants To Build Diesel Engines, For F150?
• 2009 Hummer H3T Pictures Revealed Early-Oopsies
• Video Of Pure Insanity: Extreme Sports Choreograph
• Tire Manufacturers Duke It Out With Feds Over Tire Monitor Systems
• Rize Industries Launches 2003 To 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 And 3500 Lift Kits
• 2009 Hummer H3T Video Exposed
|
| |
2009 Volkswagen Taro Truck Found
 Our friend, Mike Levine of Pickuptruck.com, got his hands on some photos of the 2009 Volkswagen Taro pickup truck and apparently spotted some of the "Volkswagens executives checking out the 2009 Ford F-150 during the 2008 Detroit Auto Show", which leads us to believe that they are developing their new truck as a competitor to the new 2009 F-150. Maybe we'll see this new pickup being tested this summer? It should be interesting.
|
|
Production Long Travel Suspension Ford F-150 ComingMore in: Diesel, Engine, Ford, Fuel, New Products, Off-Road, Performance, Racing, Suspension, SVT Raptor | Comments | Permalink | 142,077 Views
 Four Wheeler Magazine has uncovered some information regarding Ford Motor Company and their long travel suspension 2009 F-150. Being codenamed "Raptor" (any Jurassic Park fans?), the program is well into development and is roughly a year and a half to two years away from being in production.Full Story...
|
| | | | | | 3 Women Designed The Lincoln MKT Concept Interior
 Dubbed "Auto Chick Power", three young women took control of designing the Lincoln MKT Concepts interior, which is featured at the Detroit Auto Show this week. The designers were Joann Jung (31), Amy Kim (26) and Jennifer Hewlett (27) and they are calling themselves "Auto Chick Power". "It's overwhelming. It's very personal to me. It's like I'm opening my own room to the public. But I want to share it," designer Joann Jung said. Reported by The Detroit News.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exclusive Preview Of SEMA 2007 TrucksMore in: Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Jeep, Lincoln, Off-Road, Project Truckblog, SEMA, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 263,794 Views
 With the almighty SEMA show just days away, we at Truckblog have been frantically getting ready for the big show and have been preparing our own truck, Project Bank Shot. Owned by Brian Olhausen, one of Truckblog's photographers, Project Bank Shot is a 2006 Ford F-250 SuperDuty truck that has been built to conquer anything. You can find our project truck at the SEMA show outside, in front of the convention center for maximum exposure. Along with Project Bank Shot, we have collaborated 19 vehicles that will be featured at the 2007 SEMA show. Check them out inside.
Make sure you stay "logged to the blog" all week long, for full event coverage! Photos, Video and more!Full Story...
|
| | |
Friday Beerblog: The 2009 Lamborghini SUV
 I found this thing on The Car Connection website and man, is it ugly or what? It looks like a Porsche Cayenne that mated with a Lamborghini front end or a lifted Lambo on 26 inch rims. Looks aside, the engine for this sucker is rumored to be the V-10 from the Gallardo, but the Cayenne's 4.5 liter V-8 is also available. There's also a potential diesel version in the works, rumored to be a 5.9 liter Audi V-12 TDI. Even if Lamborghini decides to use a killer engine in their SUV, they should also consider re-designing the vehicle body since it's just plain ugly.
|
| | | |
Smart Car Vs. SUV: SUV Always Wins
 "At just 8.8 feet long and slightly wider and taller than 5 feet, it is already one of the smallest cars on any road in any country; it weighs around 1,700 pounds. Compare that to a Ford Explorer, a sport utility vehicle 6 feet high, more than 6 feet across and nearly 16 feet long, weighing 4,436 to 4,606 pounds, and it's not hard to see why safety might be a concern." MSNBC reports.
|
|
Scion xP Pickup Truck to Come in 2010
 That's right folks, a new urban-inspired pickup truck is going to hit the streets in 2010 from Scion. Famous for their retro style cars, Scion is stepping it up again with a low profile, aggressive stance pickup truck geared for the younger generation. Featuring a 161-hp/163 lb-ft 2.4-liter DOHC four cylinder engine, & 5 speed transmission, this small pickup comes with a punch. I don't think we'll ever see it crawling rocks or slamming through mud, but it would make for an awesome grocery getter and at just over a base price of $12,000, we'll see a lot of these trucks at the store in the future.
Source: Pickuptruck.com.
|
|
Super Duty: Tonka Tough
 "Remember the gigantic yellow Ford F-350 Tonka concept truck that cast a big shadow on the auto show circuit in 2002? Many laughed off the flashy pickup with the massive chrome grille as big as a factory gate, saying it was impractical and overwrought. Not Pat Schiavone, design director of Ford's trucks," AutoWeek reports.
Full Story...
|
|
Ford F-250 Super Chief Concept Test Drive
 Inside Line takes the Ford F-250 Super Chief concept vehicle for a test drive at Ford's proving grounds. "A conductor calling "All aboard" would have been completely appropriate as we took the huge step up into the Ford F-250 Super Chief concept truck, a design study created by a team headed by Ford North American Design Director Peter Horbury. Inspired by the Super Chief train first run by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1936, everything about Ford's version is massive, powerful, elegant and distinctively American." Article includes photos and a 2 minute video of the Super Chief.
Full Story...
|
| | | |
Ford F250 Super Chief Named Best Of America
 "After searching America for the best people, places, ideas and innovations, the editors of Reader’s Digest recognize the Ford F-250 Super Chief concept as one of the top innovations for 2006 in the magazine's third annual "America’s 100 Best" issue," BlueOvalNews reports.
Full Story...
|
| |
Mitsubishi Unveils Ralliart Raider Concept
 The Car Connection.com delivers a first look at Mitsubishi's Ralliart Raider Concept from the halls of SEMA. The concept got its base from their all-new raider pickup. Couple that with a feather-light carbon fiber body, a twin-turbo 4.7L V-8 and all wheel drive rolling on set of 22's and you have yourself one hell of a truck easily capable of awakening every single hair on your arm just from the thought of sliding behind the leather wrapped steering wheel.
Full Story...
|
| |
Ford Fairlane Concept Overview
 "It's been a lot of years since Ford first put the tag Fairlane on a vehicle. The term was borrowed from Henry Ford's Fair Lane Estate, a home built with fine craftsmanship, stately without being overly pretentious."
Full Story... [About.com] –
|
| |
Nitro Concept headed for Production?
 A recent article in the Detroit Free Press indicates that Dodge's Nitro concept sport-utility vehicle could be headed for production as early as 2006 for a '07 model year. The Nitro concept, shown at both the International Auto show in Detroit and the Chicago Auto Show "was inspired by another concept, the Dodge M80, " said Dave McKinnon, vice president of design for the Chrysler Group, which was shown on the 2002 auto show circuit.
Read The Article... –
|
| | | | | | | | | |
The Hummer H3?
 With the decline of H2 sales, Hummer has decided to follow the lead of so many large corporations nowadays and downsize the H2. This last January Hummer hinted at the fact they would be introducing the H2's smaller clone, which was thoughtfully dubbed the H3 (even though Jim and I will always refer to it as the H2's "mini me") by unveiling their new H3 concept.
We have heard through the grapevine (and a series of press-releases) that hummer will indeed be launching this tiny little version of the H2 and it should be available for all you people who are dying to have a hummer sitting on your driveway by mid 2005.
 Now, If you think this entire write up is dripping with sarcasm, good job because it's blatantly obvious. Not that we have anything against the H2 or it's Mini-Me, but they are both a far cry from the original truck. The H1 was and still is awesome. The H2 - well... it's a boxy suburban with a flip up hood at best. The H1 could be lifted by the rings protruding through the hood. Try that on your H2 and you'll end up with broken plastic pieces. I would also like to slap the Hummer marketing loosers who suggested that the luxury air-ride equipped H2 is possible of navigating anything rougher than a parking lot speed bump.
Anyway, enough on this rant. The new H3 line is projected to sell 100K units annually and should cost around $30,000-$35,000, depending on what color of bezel ring you would like around your A/C vents. (make sure it matches the leather). The reason the H3 is cheaper than it's bigger brother is because it is based on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-sized truck chassis, but it's still a SUV wrapped in "aggressive and macho hummer styling".
Even though Hummer is further straying from the original model (The Military HMMWV - Or "My Big Truck" in Arnold talk) they are finally bringing a sensible mid-sized SUV to market that will at least look like the H2 even is it doesn't fit a set of 26" wheels and have enough room for your whole posse - At least the hood will still flip up! –
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Ford Fairlane concept creates a new type of people-mover that explores a blend of upscale, modern design with Ford hallmarks of safety, interior spaciousness and functionality. Fairlane – a classic name that recalls the splendor of Henry Ford's estate – features a well-proportioned, purposeful stance that promotes Ford fundamentals – a spacious and flexible interior, safety leadership and confident driving character.
Yesterday, at New York's 2005 Autoshow, Ford unveiled the newest vehicle to be added to the SVT lineup for 2007 sales, The SVT Sport Trac Adrenalin.
Last year we hinted at the fact that Toyota was looking to make a huge impact in the truck market with their new 
It's not easy to get one by us here at Truckblog as we constantly scour the latest news and manufacturers media sites for snippets of truck related news, however DiamlerChrysler's Jeep division did just that. We knew they would be debuting the Gladiator at the Detroit auto show, but we had not even heard about the Jeep Hurricane.
Since the introduction and subsequent failure to sell the SSR, Chevrolet has been testing the retro waters with many concepts that have yet to make it to the actual production line. Most of the retro concepts vehicles have been cars such as the SS and now the replacement 
A couple of weeks ago we broke an 
Today Ford released photos of their new Explorer Sport Trac concept, and after 
Reminiscent of the old jeep military work horses of the world war II era, Jeep has introduced their new concept "Flexible Utility Truck", or FUT. The FUT offers an open air canvas top, an expandable truck bed and stow away rear seat cushions. This information is from a small press release so it doesn't tell us much about the new Jeep, only that it exists.
Chrysler's SkunkWerks team has been working around the clock for a while to have a significant pressence at the 2004 SEMA show and one of the many vehicles they produced was a the Dodge Durango "Dude" concept. What's interesting about this concept is that it's a truck, but they built it by chopping a Durango rather than attacking one of the new Dakotas.
