Pickuptrucks.com uncovered new information about the development of the new 6.7 liter eight cylinder diesel motor nicknamed "Scorpion" by Ford engineers. Set to replace the current Navistar 6.4 liter eight cylinder diesel motor, the new engine is expected to pack a hefty 390 horsepower and 720 foot pounds of torque, along with an improved fuel economy of three miles per gallon which is huge for such a heavy truck.
Mike Levine got the chance to talk to Ralph Gilles, vice president of Jeep and truck design, about the Jeep J8 military-grade concept. Powered by a VM Moturi's 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, the small J8 is capable of tackling any terrain you can throw at it. You can check out Mike's video inside.
Ford Motor Company broke new ground by delivering its first-ever flexible fuel capable plug-in hybrid SUV to the U.S. Department of Energy. The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, which runs on gasoline or E85, is part of a demonstration fleet Ford is developing in a partnership with Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute. Advanced testing on the vehicles is underway in California.
Torch Technologies are now selling their drive ByWire XGV (self-driving) Ford Escape hybrid SUV for just $89,000 to anyone who wants to expand it as a "research platform". The SUV, which won third place at the DARPA Urban Challenge, is loaded with vibration sensors, ports, cable harnesses, receiver modules and much more. Torch Technologies collaborated with Virginia Tech to research, design, and develop the self-driving SUV.
The Nissan Xterra, created as tough, essential gear designed to inspire and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts' activities wherever they go, receives a number of enhancements for the 2009 model year – including a redesigned front end appearance, new Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights (Off-Road only), new wheel designs, new seat materials and colors (with leather-appointed seats standard on SE models), new trim level content and standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
Motortrend has confirmed that Ford will be releasing two F-150 sub compact models, the F-100 pickup and Ranger replacement model. We first covered the story last month, and can now confirm that the F-100, nicknamed "P525", will not be featuring a V8 engine, but will have a four cylinder and six cylinder EcoBoost engine option.
GM Powertrain Europe’s comprehensive Tech Show provides answers about how cars will be propelled in the future. As part of the global GM Powertrain organization, GM Powertrain Europe has global responsibility for small diesel engines, diesel control systems, small gasoline engines and manual transmissions. Its footprint encompasses 15 facilities in 7 European countries, employing 9,000 people and producing on average more than 17,000 engines and transmissions per day.
Jalopnik has come across a new photo of what appears to be the 2009 Dodge Ram R/T pickup truck, or possibly the 2010 Dodge Ram SRT8. This new photo comes after the leakage of photos appeared on Dodge's website last week. The photo is definately of a mule truck version, what do you think? Larger photo inside.
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.
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?
Ford Motor Company is increasing its current F-150 production, to ensure there will be enough vehicles in supply if demand are to change in the next couple of months before the 2009 F-150 is released public ally. Selling nearly 414,000 F-150s in 2007 alone, Ford currently has roughly 200,000 F-Series pickups in inventory, which is a 96 day supply.
Pickuptruck posted information this morning about Kia Motors Corporation, and their recently announced plans to produce a mid-size unibody pickup truck by 2011. Similar to the Honda Ridgeline, the new Kia truck will utilize a front wheel drive platform, powered by a fuel efficient six cylinder engine.
Mike Levine of Pickuptruck.com has gotten his hands on some design concept sketches of the next generation F-150 in 2012. Utilizing three new engine platforms "a twin turbo 3.7-liter V6 EcoBoost gasoline direct injection (GDI) motor, a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated "BOSS" V8, and a 4.4-liter V8 diesel", the 2012 F-150 is looking to also be more aerodynamic for better stability, gas mileage and styling.
As an update to our previous Suzuki Equator blog, Suzuki has now posted videos on YouTube of their new Equator concept in action. Check them out inside.
Hummer will bring the HX Concept, a nimble, reconfigurable off-road concept vehicle, to the Geneva Motor Show next month. With unmistakable Hummer design cues and a compact, go-anywhere attitude, the HX is an entry-level, open-air vehicle that packs the off-road acumen for which Hummer has become legendary into an easily convertible body that acclimates to trail conditions, cargo needs or passenger whims.
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:
While walking around the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Mike Levine of Pickuptruck.com found the Toyota "Warrior", buried in the "back-40" of Toyota's booth at the Chicago Auto Show. Mike was able to speak with Toyota spokesman, Joe Tetherow, about the "Warrior" truck and its features.
To bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company's bold and adventurous brand identity and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500 Suzuki dealers nationwide, American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuts its all-new 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck at this year's Chicago Auto Show. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki's first entry into the midsize pickup truck market and expands the company's offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.
The 2008 Toyota 4Runner midsize SUV with an all-new Sport Edition Urban Runner Package will make its debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Adding a new dimension in style, value, and upscale luxury to the capable SUV, the Urban Runner Package delivers an extraordinary value with a manufacturer's suggested retail price.
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:
GM Holden’s global design capability was showcased today on the world stage when GMC took the covers off a stunning concept vehicle at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. The GMC Denali XT was designed and constructed at GM Holden’s design centre in Port Melbourne, Victoria. GMC drew upon General Motors’ global resources and expertise in Australia to produce the show stopper.
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.
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.
HUMMER is bringing its unmistakable style and unmatched capability to the truck market with the 2009 H3T. It is based on the architecture of the popular H3, but features a five-passenger crew cab and a separate five-foot-long (1.5 meters) bed. The H3T is bigger than a midsize truck and smaller than a full-size truck, creating its own niche in the market.
The all-new 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode, the first front-wheel-drive compact SUV in the world powered by General Motors’ two-mode hybrid technology, is designed for customers who want the outstanding fuel savings of an advanced hybrid and the full power and towing capability of an SUV. The Vue Green Line 2 Mode was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show.
The editors of AutoWeek have picked the 2009 Ford F-150 as the “Most Significant” vehicle of this year’s North American International Auto show at their annual Design Forum held last night in Detroit. Editors of the automotive magazine said that based on the ample number of significant Ford vehicles at the show, the decision to select just one was “tough.”
Following the success of the FJ Cruiser TRD limited edition, Toyota is pleased to introduce the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition. White roof and body with black trim pieces sets this FJ apart from the rest.
Gizmodo has uncovered information that the British automotive review hit show, Top Gear, will be making its way to the NBC line up. There is a catch, however...
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.
Land Rover unveils a vision of its future at the NAIAS (Detroit Show) in January 2008, with the world debut of the LRX concept - a bold evolution of Land Rover design that signals the brand's shift into new areas of the market, while remaining true to its core values. As the company prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary during 2008, the three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world.
As we previously posted, Chrysler debuted their re-designed 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck with a stampede of steers. If you missed the release of the 2009 Dodge Ram, click here. Check out this video of the introduction at the North American International Auto Show.
A prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot is being unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, American Honda Motor Company, Inc., announced today. The prototype conveys design features of the more boldly-styled 2009 Pilot, set to debut in spring 2008, which emphasizes authentic SUV styling, clever and more accommodating interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience.
With its unmistakable HUMMER design and a compact, go-anywhere driving ethic, the HUMMER HX concept challenges the hierarchy of the trail. HUMMER displayed the nimble, reconfigurable off-roader at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
The Ford Explorer America concept showcases a new kind of utility for the vehicle customers have known and loved for years: even better fuel efficiency. “Customers are smart. They value vehicles, the more efficient, the better,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president of Marketing and Communications. “Ford gets it."
Building on the success of SYNC, Ford Motor Company unveils the next generation of in-car communications at the International CES on Sunday. The company will announce what comes next for SYNC –developed in partnership with Microsoft – as well as introduce International CES attendees to Ford’s new SIRIUS Travel Link™ navigation system.
This little gem was discovered today in the North American International Auto Show Newsletter, showcasing the new 2009 F150 badges for the re-designed 2009 Ford F-150. If you're as excited as we are for the 09, check out these spy shots we found earlier this month. The new logo is definitely edgier, bolder, and is setting new boundaries. What do you think?
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., returns to its compact pickup truck roots with its latest concept vehicle A-BAT. The environmentally advanced A-BAT provides modern versatility, roominess and style in a compact pickup architecture. The A-BAT will make its debut in Detroit at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
For years, Red Bull USA energy drink has sponsored extreme athletes performing wild stunts and consistantly pushing the boundaries. Being dubbed "The Red Bull Experiment", on the strike of midnight on New Years Eve, famous Formula D driver, Rhys Millen, will attempt a first-ever backflip in an off-road racing truck, hoping to set a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records. Millen will actually jump twice, once at the strike of "12" on the East Coast, and once again for the West Coast.
After reporting about Ford opening their New-Model Quality Center for the 2009 F-150, we found exclusive pre-production photos of the 2009 F-150 in action. Propped in three stations, a single frame, frame with motor assembly, and body assembly, these photos give insight to the new re-designed 2009 F-150, being released next fall.
Scheduled for introduction at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, the HUMMER HX concept reflects the innovative minds of three new GM designers - David Rojas, Min Young Kang and Robert Jablonski - whose first assignment was to provide a vision for the future design of off-road vehicles. Fresh out of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich., the designers’ first test in GM was to design a fun, nimble and innovative HUMMER concept.
DodgeTalk posted an image of the 2009 Dodge Ram they discovered by accident on Dodge's accessory website, MoparAccessories.com. No details have been released about the truck, other than the announcement of their rear coil sprung rear end that we reported about. But with all of the excitement behind the 2009 Dodge Ram pickups, Dodge announced that they will halt production of the 2008 Dodge Ram for the entire month of January 2008.
All Cars, All the Time has reported that the 2009 Ford F-150 could debut with the Hydraulic Launch Assist technology that Ford debuted with the F-350 Tonka Concept, 5 years ago. The "HLA" system utilizes a hydraulic pump and motor in combination with a high pressure accumulator, that recaptures kinetic energy while braking which is then released when accelerating to assist the engine.
