Revised Engines for H3, Compact GM Pickups
The inline four- and five-cylinder engines used in the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Hummer H3 will be revised in the '07 model year. The 2.8L I-4 grows to 2.9L and will produce 185 hp (a 6 percent improvement) and 190 lb-ft of peak torque (up 3 percent over the previous engine). Bigger gains are realized when the 3.5L I-5 grows to 3.7L, which will produce 242 hp (up 10 percent) and 242 lb-ft of torque (up 7.5 percent). Larger bore diameters are responsible for the displacement increases, but the enlarged holes can't take all the credit for the output gains. Both engines receive bigger intake and exhaust valves, revised camshaft profiles and cylinder-head porting to move more air through the bigger valves, and a new powertrain control module. Both engines also benefit from variable valve timing and coil-on-plug ignition. We don't know yet how the changes will affect fuel economy.
 |  | |
Grand Cherokee Gets a Diesel
Starting in the first quarter of 2007, customers will be able to order Grand Cherokees fitted with 3.0L common-rail turbodiesel (CRD) engines. Built by Mercedes-Benz, the CRD in the Jeep will produce 215 hp at 3,800 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque at between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm. Estimated fuel economy for the diesel Grand is 19 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway. The diesel will be available on Laredo, Limited, and Overland models. By comparison, the 5.7L Hemi in the Grand makes almost the same amount of peak torque-375 lb-ft-from nearly double the diesel's displacement. It easily beats the diesel in a horsepower war, but those 330 ponies take a toll at the fuel pump, as the Hemi's EPA rating is just 14 mpg city/21 highway. Another engine option for the new Grand is the same flex-fuel 4.7L V-8 we mentioned in the previous story on the '07 Durango. It will run on E85, gasoline, or any mixture of the two.
Durango Gets a Facelift
"Evolutionary" would probably be the best way to describe the styling changes made to the Dodge Durango for the new model year. The new look is pretty subtle; so subtle, in fact, that we figured putting the two trucks side by side was the only way to show you the differences. Next year the changes will run deeper: In '08, the Durango Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) will be the Chrysler Group's first full hybrid, mating Chrysler's new Two-Mode hybrid system with the 5.7L Hemi to achieve up to a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy. Fuel-conscious consumers who can't wait for the HEV can opt for the '07 4.7L V-8, which can run on E85 (the gas/ethanol blend), gasoline, or any combination of the two.
 |  | |
Liberty Loses its Diesel
New diesel emissions regulations coming in 2007 are creating some havoc among Detroit's truck makers. Ford and GM are scrambling to ensure their Power Stroke and Duramax diesels will meet the new laws (see story below), while Jeep has opted to drop the 2.8L diesel option that was available for the Liberty. By all accounts the diesel Lib was a success; more than 11,000-way beyond expectations-were sold. "The Liberty CRD was a test for us, and we're very happy with the way it sold," a source within Chrysler told us. Emissions is one reason the model is being discontinued, "but this has been in our product plan," he said. We, of course, had to ask if the diesel would be back in the Liberty once emissions issues were sorted out. He, of course, couldn't comment on future product, but said, "We have a full lineup of diesel products in Europe and will look for more opportunities to bring them to the U.S." That, and an Automotive News report that the Lib is due for a revamp in '08, leads us to believe the diesel will be back.
Ford, GM Diesels Reworked to Meet new Regs
We're learning through reports in several trade journals, including Automotive News, that Ford and GM are jumping through some pretty serious hoops to keep diesel pickups available for sale as new diesel emissions regulations take effect in 2007. Though Ford won't officially comment on upcoming products, reports say it will offer an all-new 6.4L Power Stroke diesel made by International and fitted with Piezo fuel injectors. These high-tech injectors help reduce combustion chamber temperatures, which in turn reduces NOx emissions. GM reportedly isn't going as far as ordering an all-new engine, but is instead making significant changes to the existing Duramax. A new, variable-geometry turbocharger and exhaust system modifications-a new catalytic converter and particulate filter-are among the alterations being made to meet the new smog laws. We've heard no word out of the Dodge camp as to what may be in store for the Cummins, but we'll keep you posted.
...But Not for U.S. Sale, Yet
Customer demand in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe has pushed Land Rover into making "significant upgrades" to the iconic Defender to keep it available for sale until at least the end of the decade. Though the maker withheld details on what those upgrades will be, we can only hope that they'll lend themselves to compliance with U.S. regulations so we can see some new Defenders in this country.
Spied! New Nitto Dune Grappler
In May we got close enough to snap a few shots of Nitto's competition Dune Grappler at the introduction of two Dune Grapplers. The competition version will at first be available only to racers, but maybe with enough push from the public we might see it in tire stores across America. It closely resembles another tire we've seen in off-road racing, and we suspect it will prove worthy as a race tire.
The second Dune Grappler will be available to the public by the time you read this. It has a totally different, flamed tread pattern, and will be available in sizes that fit 15- to 22-inch wheels. We'll get some of the street-legal versions as soon as they have a size for us to test, and we'll let you know how they perform.
-Jerrod Jones
 |  | |
Virtual Willys in New Video Game
Jeep and video-game-maker Electronic Arts (EA) have inked a deal to feature realistic World War II-era Jeeps in EA's latest Medal of Honor game. The new first-person-shooter, Medal of Honor Airborne, will for the first time have fully player-driveable vehicles, including Jeeps. When the player selects a Willys, it can be used as basic transportation or as a "mobile attack platform" laden with vehicle-mounted weapons. "Authentic to their use in WWII, the Willys Jeep will be able to access more areas than the other driveable vehicles featured in Medal of Honor Airborne, because of Jeep's superior four-wheel-drive off-road capabilities," said EA.
Icons in Production
Back in our Mar. '06 column, we told you about the Icon, a handbuilt Toyota FJ-40 replica from Southern California Land Cruiser specialists TLC. Recently we visited TLC's facility and saw no fewer than four Icons under construction. The neo-FJ is a hit, and TLC is selling 'em as quickly as they can make 'em. We also spotted a couple of FJ Cruiser prototypes around the compound, but we're not even supposed to mention they were there, let alone the stuff TLC is developing for them. Stay tuned.
Launched! New BFG Mud-Terrain T/A
BFGoodrich has launched a new competition version of its Mud-Terrain T/A. Called the Mud-Terrain T/AKR, it's available in one size-35x12/50R17-and "boasts an advanced tread design that is optimal for Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) competition," said BFG. It's no accident that the tire is made with the maximum tread width allowed (10.2 inches) in the CORR series.
The T/AKR's unique tread pattern "is designed to be easily customizable depending on temperature, terrain conditions, and each driver's needs," noted BFG. The tire can be used on either the front or rear of a CORR race truck.