'04 Chevy Colorado/ GMC Canyon R.I.P., S-10 and Sonoma. The Colorado and Canyon will replace the long-in-the-tooth S-series trucks, and they're longer, wider, taller and more powerful than their predecessors. The size differences aren't huge, but 4 inches here and 2 inches there can make a big difference in ride quality and comfort, not to mention cargo-carrying capacity. Cargo volume in the 6-foot box is 43.9 cubic feet, compared to the S-10's 39.4. Three body styles-regular-, extended-, and crew-cab-will be available, as will two box lengths: 6-foot for the regular- and extended-cab trucks, 5-foot for the crew-cab.
GM created two new engines to power the pickups, both based on the Vortec 4200 inline-six from the TrailBlazer/ Envoy SUVs. The bigger of the two, the Vortec 3500, is an I-5 motor that puts out 220 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. While that stacks up pretty close to the old 4.3L V-6 (190 hp and 250 lb-ft in 4x4 applications), the I-5 will reportedly turn in fuel economy numbers more like a four-banger than the old V-6. The second new engine, the Vortec 2800 I-4, puts out 175 horses and 185 lb-ft of torque, which spanks the 120/140 numbers achieved by the old 2.2L four-cylinder.
Other technical highlights include the availability of a locking rear differential in 4x4 models, and Z71 (Chevy) and high-rider (GMC) off-road packages that include specially tuned suspensions and P265/75R15 tires on 15x7 alloy rims.
Jeep "Freedom" Models Instead of any technical innovations, Jeep decided to unveil a new line of Freedom appearance packages in Detroit for the '04 Grand Cherokee, Liberty, and Wrangler.
In the Grand's case, "freedom" means a silver front fascia accent, silver roof rack and siderails, chrome tow hooks, and graphite-colored 17-inch wheels. The Liberty receives graphite painted grille and fasciae, wheel flares, and graphite-finished 17-inch rims. (Do you see a pattern emerging here?) The Freedom Liberty also receives a graphite-painted front brushguard, side rock rails, and taillamp guards from Mopar Performance. The Wrangler is the only one of the three that doesn't get the graphite treatment. Instead, the Freedom Wrangler is outfitted with body-colored flares, a soft top with full metal doors, foglamps, tow hooks, and chrome 15-inch wheels.
'05 Chevy Equinox Chevy is getting into crossover territory with the Equinox, a compact SUV that will share the same platform as the Saturn Vue. Chevy calls it the largest in the segment, with a 112.5-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 187.3 inches and an overall width of 72.2 inches. By comparison, a Toyota RAV4 is 166.2 inches long, has a 98-inch wheelbase, and is 70.3 inches wide.
The engine in the Equinox will be a Vortec 3400 V-6 that produces 185 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque (which kicks butt over the Toyota's 2.0L I-4 and its 148 hp). It will be mated to a five-speed automatic transaxle, and FWD or AWD drivelines will be available. The unibody chassis will be sprung with MacPherson struts in front and a four-link independent rear with coil springs.
We keep saying "will be" because the Equinox won't go into production until early 2004 as a '05 model.
This Just In
*Ford '04 F-150 news: Automotive News reports that the regular-cab version of the new Ford pickup will have small, rear-hinged doors at the back of the cab to make it easier to reach and stow cargo behind the seats. Ford isn't calling them doors, though. They're "access panels."
*Dodge has launched a comprehensive towing guide on its Web site (www.dodge.com). The site includes some "towing basics" information as well as areas where prospective customers can match their towing needs with the right Dodge vehicle. Also new to the site is a vehicle configurator, called the Dodge Accessorizer, where you can customize a Ram pickup with virtual parts like running boards, a tonneau cover, and a grilleguard.