Trucks Of The Future?
Every year companies, automakers, and journalists hit Vegas for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) weeklong blowout. It's where concept vehicles and production models are revealed, and new products are unveiled. There were so many interesting and odd trucks this year that we had to give them their own shrine. Here's a sampling of what caused the biggest stir:
Chevy
S-10 Baja Crew Cab This 4x4 with four forward-opening doors is actually taller and wider than most S-10s, thanks in part to the ZR2 sport suspension, or Wide Stance Sport Performance. The bed is extendible via an Integrated Flexible Tailgate, and the rest of the truck features a new front stabilizer bar, Bilstein shocks, upgraded four-wheel discs with cross-drilled rotors, and 17-inch polished billet aluminum Budnik rims stuffed inside Goodyear Wranglers.
Baja graphics, body-colored door handles, a roof rack, and a custom rollbar are among the body notables, and other GM accessories rounding out the company plug are a tubular step bar, a soft tonneau cover, and a platform trailer hitch. A G.T. Styling fiberglass cowl-induction hood, Wabasto dual sunroofs, and a 4.3L V-6 hooked to a four-speed automatic tranny round out this show-only vehicle.
Tracker LT and ZR2 Both of these guys have new V-6 engines, but then the differences begin. The LT has an up-level trim that encompasses sports-side body cladding and side steps, and a unique Chevy Truck chrome grille that will actually see production. Leather seats also help define up-level. The ZR2, on the other hand, has an off-road package and GM bolt-ons: tubular brushguards, side steps, a rear-assist step, and off-road lights.
Blazer Xtreme Yes, this one has a lowered suspension, but we want you to have a well-rounded knowledge of all things Chevrolet. This Blazer is scheduled for production in the 2001 model year and has a custom grille, an Xtreme-style fascia, rocker-cladding, and fender flares. The front suspension has been snipped 211/42 inches, and the rear went down by 2. Also going under the knife were the factory roof rack and rear wiper, to help give viewers the illusion that this Chevy's really low. A Vortec V-6 resides beneath the sheetmetal.
Suburban Z71 Like last year's Tahoe, the new Suburban nabs a Z71 off-road package, including a body-colored grille center and surround, door handles, bumpers, and custom cladding. A skidplate is incorporated into the fascia, as are foglights and tow-hooks. The Sub also has a roof rack with rear-facing lights, wheel flares, and ground effects. Budnik 18x9 wheels and LT285/60R18 BFG Pronto T/As finalize the Z71 look.
Silverado Four-Door Extended Cab and Composite Box The big deal with this Bow Tie is the pickup box, which is a 611/42-foot fleetside, an option for Silverados in autumn 2000. The entire thing is made of composite materials. If you're into science, hold onto yourself: The box's fenders and outer tailgate panel are made of reinforced reaction injection-molded (RIM) materials, mainly polyurea with mica filler. That's the same stuff Corvettes have been made of for a long time, as well as Saturns and various parts of Camaros and Firebirds. The one-piece inner panel and the inside of the tailgate were made via a structural RIM and are a 50/50 mix of urethane and glass fiber. And the interiors of both the box and the tailgate were squirted with a splatter paint that provides UV protection and a pebbly surface.
Ford
Arctic Explorer Sport Trac This is meant for the extreme winter sports nut, which we'll break down for you. There's 18-inch, five-spoke Azev Type LS wheels, 285/60HR18 all-purpose tires, an all-composite cargo area, a lightweight aluminum tube roof rack with multifunctional, quick-release tie-down cleats, a step bar, running boards, and a 4.0L V-6. A first-aid kit is built in.