Notables: A dual-range five-speed manual transmission, a minimum of 811/42 inches of ground clearance, Yokohama tires, power-retractable rear glass, a motorcycle-inspired gas-filler cap, a functional hoodscoop, four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel discs with ABS, and full-time all-wheel drive with a viscous-coupling center diff and a viscous limited-slip rear diff. It has a wheelbase of 104.3 inches and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.
Food for Thought: The goal of the ST-X? To "exceed current four-door pickups and appeal to sport-sedan drivers." Since this is pretty much a Legacy wagon, the ST-X seems very doable.Status: Concept.
AACMeet Its Maker: Volkswagen.What's So Good About It? The Advanced Activity Concept sure looks like perfection on paper-V-10, six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic (so you can actually row your own gears), four-wheel drive with two differential locks and low range, and... and... Oh, we think we just had one.
Notables: Independent wishbone suspension, and a twin-turbo diesel with charge-air intercoolers, a 13011/42-inch wheelbase, no B posts for a coupe look, three suspension settings, a navigation system with a color screen, 19-inch wheels with 285/55 tires, and 18-inch front and 17-inch rear disc brakes. In order to start the truck, you need the Communicator, a remote control that must be inserted into a special holder on the top of the dashboard. HAL, are you listening?
Food for Thought: Like the way this looks? Then you'll really like the SUV VW and Porsche are building. It'll be here in about two years.Status: Concept.
Hummer H2Meet Its Maker: General Motors.What's So Good About It? Remember when we told you a couple months back that GM now owns the Hummer brand name?
Notables: It's built on a GM fullsize-truck platform. There's an integrated winch up front, a one-piece windshield, high-intensity headlamps, thermostat-controlled articulating louvers in the hood for engine ventilation, and independent double-wishbone suspension (basically the two front halves of GM 1-ton truck frames welded together), as well as 19-inch wheels mated to 35-inch prototype Goodyear Wrangler all-terrains. A 6.0L high-output Vortec V-8 is hooked to a heavy-duty four-speed automatic trans and Autotrac four-wheel drive (with a lever rather than a push-button!). There's also a Central Information Center with a GPS, OnStar, a DVD player, Internet access, and a cell phone and laptop docking station. The H2 is narrower (by about 5 inches) and shorter (by 7 inches) than the Hummer H1 (the original AM General version). Ditto for the price tag.
Food for Thought: They say, "this is not a re-do of the Hummer. It's a call to more people to experience what Hummer is-the lifestyle, the philosophy, the confident attitude." So, it's like the toupee of trucks.Status: Concept.
XL6Meet Its Maker: SuzukiWhat's So Good About It? They say: "the latest, largest, and most luxurious Suzuki concept vehicle demonstrates an unsurpassed combination of versatility and style."
Notables: It's built on a lengthened Grand Vitara platform, has seating for six (via captain's chairs in the first two rows of seating and a bench seat at the rear), 18-inch wheels, air-conditioner vents for each passenger, loads of storage space, an integrated spare tire and roof rails, and a four-wheel-drive powertrain.
Food for Thought: The XL6 is said to closely resemble a production SUV coming from Suzuki by the end of this year.Status: Concept.
MonteroMeet Its Maker: MitsubishiWhat's So Good About It? It has been completely redesigned (finally!).