Speaking of the H3, there are rumors circulating that General Motors plans to solve one of the most common complaints about its newest Hummer-a lack of power-with a couple engine options, including a gas-burning V-8 and a diesel.
Industry trade paper Automotive News reports that a 5.3L V-8 and a diesel engine are on the drawing boards but are "another couple years out." No details were given about the diesel, though it would seem the General's current Duramax 6600 might just be a little overkill. While it would be fun to drive an H3 with nearly 100 more horsepower and double the torque of the stock Vortec 3500, the weight of that big oil-burner would definitely impact the little Hummer's handling. No, we'd guess GM will come up with a smaller, light-duty diesel for the H3.
We know, we know. You go 'wheeling to get away from the office. But for those who have to work out of their pickups, Ford, Stargate Mobile, and Microsoft have developed a new mobile office system that's lightweight, compact, and rugged. The slate-type, touch-screen unit uses the Microsoft XP operating system and offers full Microsoft Office capabilities. In addition, the computer has GPS navigation and broadband Internet access and can process orders and payments on-the-go. A printer, a digital camera, and a credit-card scanner are available options. Introduced at the SEMA Show, this computer system should soon be available as a dealer-installed accessory through Ford's Genuine Accessories program.
Someone needs to brush up on their history. Nissan's ad agency developed a TV commercial for the Titan pickup called "Pied Piper," in which a number of Brand-X fullsize pickups are seen following the truck. The problem? According to Automotive News, the background music for the ad was the "Colonel Bogey March" theme music from the 1957 World War II classic film The Bridge on the River Kwai. Which, of course, is the story of British prisoners of war being forced by their Japanese captors to build a bridge over the...well, you get the idea. Nissan yanked the spot and will retool it with new music.
We were going to run one of the more straightforward photos of the new dualie version of the Dodge Ram Mega Cab. But we couldn't resist the silliness of this picture, taken at the truck's unveiling at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. The new dualie is a 3500-series truck powered by the Cummins turbodiesel and available in 4x4 and 4x2 models. The hat, we hope, isn't standard equipment.
Looking for a way to use less gas but keep the utility of a pickup truck? Hybrid Silverado and Sierra pickups are now available nationwide, after last year's introduction in just a few markets. The mild hybrid system, a $1,500 option on the 1/2-ton, extended-cab pickups, consists of a 14 kW electric induction motor positioned between the 5.3L V-8 engine and automatic transmission. The motor replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator and allows the truck to shut off the engine at idle and restart it when the accelerator pedal is depressed.
The EPA rates the 4WD hybrid pickups at 17 mpg in the city, 19 on the highway, compared with 15 city, 18 highway for nonhybrid 4x4s with the 5.3. As an added benefit, the electricity generated by the induction motor may be stored in a 42-volt lead-acid battery pack for future use, support on-board electric accessories, or provide 20 amps of 120-volt household-like power through outlets in the cab and pickup bed.
If bling is your thing, check out the newest Escalade from Cadillac. Based on the same GMT900 architecture that underpins the '07 Tahoe and Yukon, the Caddy features an all-new, 6.2L aluminum V-8 that produces 403 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to GM's new 4L80 six-speed automatic transmission and an AWD driveline. We'd guess, though, that potential Escalade buyers will be more impressed with the 22-inch chrome rims and the Bose 5.1 Digital Surround Sound system that plays DVD audio, DVD video, CD audio, CD videos, MP3s, and XM Satellite Radio.