The General says the new fuel-saving system, to be used on Vortec 5300 V-8-equipped Chevy TrailBlazer EXTs, GMC Envoy XLs, and Envoy XUVs, should boost fuel efficiency by some 8 percent.
How does the technology work? The engine's computer systems will close the intake and exhaust valves and turn off the injectors for half of the cylinders when engine loads are light, so that only half the engine's cylinders will be firing "during most normal driving conditions," says GM. The valves will reopen and theinjectors turn back on during acceleration or when hauling heavy loads.
The SUVs will be the first GM vehicles to use the technology, which will then spread to midsize passenger cars in 2006.
Those of us old enough to remember the disastrous V-8-6-4 engines used in Cadillacs during the fuel-starved '80s hope GM got the technology right this time.
Trailer Makers Join Forces
Two of the leading off-road trailer manufacturers have joined forces. Back Country U.S.A. and 4x4 Trailers Ltd. have teamed up to offer "the most complete line of off-road trailers," the companies announced.
Back Country has been making its fiberglass tub trailers for more than 10 years. Each one is built with a steel frame and rolls on a 1,000-pound Torflex axle, to which are fitted 33-inch tires. 4x4 Trailers makes "military-style" trailers built from zinc-coated and MIG-welded steel. They are fitted with 3,500-pound Dexter axles and 235/75R15 tires, though 31-inch tires are available as an option. Following the merger, both companies' trailers will be manufactured at 4x4 Trailer's Las Vegas facility.
To find out more detailed specs of the Back Country and 4x4 trailers, visit their Web sites: www.backcountrytrailers.com and www.4x4trailers.com.
Belgian Wins Land Rover G4 Challenge
Entrants from 23 nations spent four weeks spanning three continents and over 4,000 miles undertaking "adventure racing" during the course of the Land Rover G4 Challenge. In the end, Belgian fighter pilot Rudi Thoelen beat Chris Perry, an American representing Saudi Arabia, by mere seconds.
The Challenge, which will be the subject of two specials aired on the Outdoor Life Network this fall, included on- and off-road driving in a number of specially prepared Land Rovers, plus adventure sports challenges in the northeast U.S., South Africa, Australia, and the desert of the southwest U.S.
Nancy Olson of Arlington, Virginia, the entrant representing the U.S., finished 15th after "having encountered a number of setbacks over the course of the competition," said Land Rover. In the Challenge's finale, for example, she was pitched out of a kayak twice while trying to negotiate the Colorado River.
Thoelen was awarded a Range Rover for winning the inaugural G4 Challenge.
Next Harley-Davidson F-Series a Super Duty
Ford and Harley-Davidson released this sketch of the upcoming '04 Harley-Davidson F-Series pickup truck. No details about the truck were announced, other than that it would be based on a Super Duty platform.
A close look at the sketch reveals a "Power Stroke" badge on the right front door, which may provide a clue as to the truck's powertrain. Then again, the badge on the front fender says "F-150" next to the H-D logo, so maybe the artist was taking license with all the badging.
The actual truck was unveiled as part of Ford's 100th anniversary celebration in June, nearly a month after presstime for this issue. Watch this space for more info.
Dodge Will Give Away Ram with One-Millionth Cummins Engine
The one-millionth Cummins diesel engine built for a Dodge Ram pickup was shipped in May, and to commemorate the event, Dodge will give that truck away.