Jeep Compass
The Compass is Jeep's first FWD-based product, an SUV that'll drive more like a small car and, as such, attract a whole new type of buyer to Jeep. At least that's what DaimlerChrysler hopes. Purists will be glad to see that it still has an available 4WD system, though it's more suited for inclement-weather duty than off-roading. Power comes from Chrysler's new World Engine, a 2.4L, 172hp four-banger. A five-speed manual trans is standard; a continuously variable automatic is optional. The Compass goes on sale in summer 2006.
GMC PAD
Not your typical double-wide, the PAD is an "urban loft with mobility," say its designers. And no, the PAD won't go on sale next year; it's on paper only, a design study from GM's West Coast Advanced Design Studio and the winner of this year's Design Challenge at the L.A. Auto Show. Were it to come to fruition, the PAD would be equipped with a diesel/electric hybrid system that propels the vehicle when in DriveMode and serves as a power grid for LifeMode. It'll need the power: on board are Direct TV, On Star, XM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi Internet hookup, all constantly on. Why commute to work when you can already be there in the PAD?
Chevrolet Kodiak C4500
Watch out, International CXT. You've got some company in the megapickup world. Monroe Truck Equipment modified this medium-duty Kodiak for the Detroit auto show with a "super luxury exterior finish" in White Diamond Pearlcoat, a raft of stainless steel accessories, and a DVD/navigation system mated to some thumpin' speakers. Monroe figures the whole rig is worth some $120,000 and is fielding "serious inquiries only" for this show truck. But it will donate a portion of the selling price to the buyer's charity of choice.
Mercedes Benz GL-Class
Need to swaddle six of your closest friends in Teutonic luxury as you travel the outback? Then Mercedes' big GL-Class SUV is for you. The GL is a tad longer than a Chevy Tahoe, a bit shorter than a Ford Expedition, and not as tall or as wide as either, but close. Across the pond they'll be able to choose between two diesel and two petrol engines; here we'll probably just get the two gas V-8s. The GL rides on an Airmatic automatic leveling air suspension, disperses traction via a 4Matic fulltime 4WD system, and is available in an Off Road Pro options package that includes low-range transfer-case gearing, center and rear diff locks, modifications to the air suspension to give it more clearance, and "underguards," which we think are skidplates.
Gordon Takes on Dakar; Dakar Wins
Robby Gordon's effort to win the grueling Dakar Rally came to a premature end during the race's seventh stage, when he crashed his specially prepared Hummer H3 into a clump of camel grass hidden behind a huge sand dune in North Africa. Apparently grass over there is stouter stuff than here; the foliage, hard-packed with sand, pushed the Hummer's front bumper bar through the grille and nearly destroyed the radiator. Gordon and navigator Darren Skilton tried to fix the cooler, but heat generated when they tried to extricate the Hummer from its hole in the sand blew apart their repairs.
Until then Gordon had been running well, especially considering this was his first effort as a team owner, and that he was competing in a brand-new race truck. Despite some mechanical setbacks, there were times he was running in the top 10 and finished one stage in Fifth Place overall.
Last we heard, the team, sponsored by Hummer, Toyo Tires, and Jim Beam, was shipping the race truck back to the States so Gordon and his crew could perform repairs before he runs it in the Baja 500 in June.
Problems Plague Power Stroke
Industry trade journal Automotive News recently reported on a huge amount of trouble Ford's Power Stroke diesel engine has created for some owners of '03 and '04 F-Series trucks. Apparently the company has been sued nearly 60 times and has received in the order of 12,000 consumer complaints stemming from problems with the engine's fuel system, turbocharger, and other issues. Ford has issued 77 technical service bulletins to address the problems; by comparison, there have been eight TSBs issued for GM's Duramax over the same period, and none for the Cummins used in Dodge trucks.