May 2006 Drivelines - 4x4 News

Wild and wacky concept trucks were hard to find at the new year's auto shows. Only Ford brought a "what if" styling and engineering exercise to the party; every other truck debut was for a production model or one that was soon-to-be. That's not to say the auto show offerings weren't significant, but for those of us who like our show trucks a little more "out there," for the most part these weren't.

Ford F-250 Super Chief

Ford's concept 4WD pickup, named for the famous Super Chief trains, was a mind-blower. If the carved-from-solid-billet looks didn't grab you, the powertrain certainly would. Talk about flex fuel: The 6.8L supercharged V-10 can run on hydrogen, E85, or gasoline, though the 'charger only works when hydrogen is fueling the motor. Hydrogen's energy content is somewhat lower than gasoline, so in that mode the engine produces 280 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, compared to 310/425 when using gas or E85. Hydrogen is definitely the "greener" way to go, though; when burning hydrogen, the truck turns in 12 percent better fuel economy on an "energy-equivalent basis versus a non-supercharged gasoline V-10," says Ford, and produces 99 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions. In a way, the tri-fuel engine is a neat answer to the Catch-22 of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Until hydrogen filling stations become more plentiful, drivers can use gasoline or the E85 gas/ethanol blend to get around. About the Super Chief's styling, Ford says it "projects the next level of rugged elegance for fullsize pickups."

New GM SUVs

General Motors showed off its new-generation fullsize SUVs in both Los Angeles and Detroit, introducing the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, to two huge potential markets. All of the new SUVs are built on a brand-new platform that features a fully boxed frame, wider track widths than previous models, and coilover front suspensions. When they go on sale-the short-wheelbase versions in the first quarter of 2006, the longer ones (pictured here) in the second quarter-the SUVs will be powered by a new version of the Vortec 5.3L V-8 equipped with GM's Active Fuel Management displacement-on-demand technology. Initial fuel economy testing of a 4WD Tahoe with the new engine turned in a combined rating of 20.5 mpg, the best of any fullsize SUV, says Chevy. Later in the model year, a 6.0L V-8 with the cylinder deactivation feature will be available for Suburban and Yukon XL.

Jeep Wrangler

Yes, we know Editor Rick Pw gave you the full scoop in last month's issue. But we couldn't resist showing you this photo of the new Jeep "crashing" the party at the Detroit show. Scant seconds after its press conference unveiling, the Jeep drove off the stage with Tom LaSorda, the Chrysler Group's president and CEO, inside. It motored through Cobo Hall, blasted out a plate-glass window, and then scaled "Jeep Mountain," a man-made obstacle set up outside the convention hall. Oldtimers will probably recall that Jeep staged a similar window-crashing stunt for the original Grand Cherokee's debut.

Bluetec Jeep Grand Cherokee

Elsewhere in this issue we talk about the clean diesel fuel that'll hit the market in the fall. DaimlerChrysler chose the Detroit show to debut the first vehicle to take full advantage of clean diesel and the powertrain technology that comes with it. DC claimed its Bluetec Grand has the "cleanest diesel powertrain in its class" thanks to "completely modern, efficient diesel engines" (this Jeep had a European 3.0L diesel under the hood) plus particulate traps and NOx- scrubbing catalytic converters. Though the maker demonstrated the new diesel componentry on a Grand Cherokee, the same technology will be shared with other brands in the company.

'08 Chevrolet Tahoe Dual-Mode Hybrid

We told you about this truck in last month's article on hybrid technology; Chevrolet showed it to the public for the first time at the Detroit show. "Dual-mode" refers to two different operating parameters for the gas/electric hybrid-one for low speeds and stop-and-go traffic, another for highway cruising. When combined with GM's Active Fuel Management system, the truck should deliver a 25 percent fuel economy improvement. Chevrolet and GMC versions will go on sale in 2007 as '08 models.

Hummer H3X

Want to buy an H3 accessorized by the factory? Check out the special "x" model. Starting with an H3 upfitted with the Luxury package, Hummer adds chrome tube steps; a chrome appearance package; a body-color grille and spare tire cover; unique tires, wheels, and center cap; and a brushguard. Look for the x in late summer.