Auctions To Support Land Use Issues
A John Deere Gator CX utility vehicle and a Warn PullzAll pulling tool are among more than 150 items being offered June 2-11 through special eBay charity auctions hosted by Tread Lightly! "Recreation access has come to a pivotal crossroads this year," said Lori McCullough, Tread Lightly! executive director. "Tread Lightly! needs to grow its resources immediately to implement several education, communications, and restoration initiatives designed to protect the outdoors and access." Many companies have donated 4WD, power sports, and outdoor equipment to the fundraising drive, including Bushwacker, Hi-Lift, MileMarker, and TeraFlex. Log on to www.treadlightly.org for more info.
Mahindra Bringing Trucks To U.S.
Mahindra, a major vehicle manufacturer in India, is poised to enter the U.S. market in 2009 with two midsize pickups (a two-door and a four-door) and a midsize SUV. If the maker's name rings a bell, it may be because Mahindra already exports tractors to the U.S. The company got its start in automotive manufacturing more than 50 years ago building Jeeps in India for Willys. A few years back there were rumors the Mahindra flatfender look-alike would be sold here, but that never came to pass.
What we will be getting about this time next year are three compact trucks powered by common-rail diesel engines. While the U.S.-spec powertrains are still under development, sources at Mahindra tell us they'll be based on the 2.2L I-4 mHawk diesel currently in the Indian trucks. Output is expected to be around 150 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, solid numbers for vehicles of this size. (The Scorpio SUV sits on a 105.5-inch wheelbase, about the same as a Ford Escape; the trucks, with 119.7-inch wheelbases, are about the same size as a regular-cab/longbed Ranger.) Down the road, Mahindra also has plans to market a hybrid diesel in the U.S. Though a launch date for that vehicle is still to be determined, Mahindra wants to be the first in the U.S. with such a powerplant.
The Mahindras will be sold through a national dealer network. Prices have not been established, but Mahindra estimates the pickups will start in the low $20,000 range, while the SUV will start in the mid $20,000s.
The photos shown here are the current versions of these vehicles, not the U.S. versions. Expect some styling and equipment differences when the U.S. models are introduced. Mahindra says the trucks are being developed "with U.S. consumers in mind," and will offer such features as third-row seating in the SUV and class-leading payload capacity in the two-door trucks.
Dakar Back On
Sort of. Organizers hope the Dakar Rally, cancelled this year due to terrorism concerns, will return to Africa someday. But for 2009, the Dakar (which may or may not be called that) will take place in South America in January. Starting and finishing in Buenos Aires, the event will be run over some 3,700 miles in Argentina and Chile. Though the exact route is still being mapped, organizers expect it to include stages in the Andes mountains and across the Atacama Desert.
Telluride Tours
The Telluride Rotary Club will host its annual guided 4x4 tours again this July. The family-friendly event covers some of the most scenic trails in southwestern Colorado, including Black Bear Pass (which is run backwards on this tour), Governor Basin, Poughkeepsie Gulch, and Imogene Pass. Tours are available for all 4x4 experience levels. For more information, contact Telluride Rotary Club, 888.605.25778, www.telluride4x4.com. You can also register online at www.tellurideticket.com. The event is limited to the first 65 vehicles to register.
Trent In Print
He may not be on Superlift TV anymore, but you can still get your fill of Trent McGee by picking up his latest work: CarTech's 4x4 Suspension Handbook. The book explains all the different suspension systems available on the most popular 4x4s, as well as modification techniques to personalize your own lift system. The $24.95 book is available directly from CarTech at www.cartechbooks.com.
Streeeeetch That Truck!
It takes cajones in these days of super-spendy gasoline to make a big truck even bigger, but that's just what the Stretch Truck Company is doing-adding two more doors and more seating capacity to four-door pickups and big SUVs. They may not fit on tight trails, but as people haulers they're certainly cooler than a minivan. Check out www.stretchtruck.com for more info.