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Breaking with auto industry tradition, the 2010 Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup trucks are not just better than the outgoing 2009 models, but they are cheaper. The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 regular cab ST 4x2 with an 8-foot bed starts at $28,165 (including $950 destination) or $1,970 lower than 2009 model it replaces. The crew cab model is priced at $31,415, and the Mega Cab begins at $36,865. Five trims are offered for 2010: ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon, and Laramie. Beneath the sleeker sheetmetal for the new model year, the freshened Ram boasts a number of mechanical enhancements and more feature content, making it a stronger workhorse. Special attention was given to the towing capability, with the diesel versions benefiting from standard exhaust braking. An available integrated trailer brake control provides better driver control when towing. Trailer brake control information is conveniently displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) that is standard on diesel models and available on gas SLT, TRX, and Laramie models. Larger 7x11-inch trailer-tow mirrors have integrated turn signals, memory function, and puddle lamps. The base engine a 5.7-liter, 383-horsepower Hemi V-8. For...
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The mighty Ford F-Series Super Duty is significantly updated for 2011, with a meaner grille, more potent powertrains, and stronger work credentials. (Read our latest Ford Super Duty pickup review .) Behind that imposing grille is a choice of two new engines, a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine and 6.2-liter SOHC V-8 gasoline engine. The diesel is Ford-designed, engineered, and built. Both engines are teamed with an all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection. This transmission marks the first application of Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) in a Super Duty-class vehicle. When so equipped, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers, or dump trucks. The power is available any time the engine is running. Ford has not released output figures yet, but the automaker is pounding its chest and citing improved towing capacity and fuel economy. This pronouncement is key, as Dodge has taken off the kid gloves with its own claims. Previously, Dodge sandbagged the published...
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Not much in the way of new product. Remember, the company is rapidly reinventing itself, now that it has purged billions in so-called bad assets and almost 800 dealerships , leaving a leaner Chrysler Group to develop a revised product portfolio with its new corporate partner Fiat. (Read: " Like a Phoenix, New Chrysler Group LLC Rises .") For the imminent future, there simply isn’t much happening. The products are largely in a holding pattern for another model year. However, if you look closely, there are numerous refinements that should make the vehicles more satisfying to own than before, though not the kind of breakthrough changes that are likely to spark showroom traffic. Below are the highlights of the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep product updates for the 2010 model year. We have already blogged on the notable update to Dodge Caliber’s interior . Most other vehicles that receive any update for the new model year are given a light touch. The one exception is the 2010 Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickups to be offered for the first time in a true crew-cab configuration, complimenting the regular and mega cab. All heavy-duty trucks are distinguished from their light-duty brethren by...
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In a Twitter -scale press release today, General Motors announced the next casualty in its ongoing right-sizing effort since selling Hummer and Saturn : After four years of working with multiple potential buyers, General Motors has decided to wind-down its medium-duty truck operations. Production of the Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick medium duty trucks will cease by July 31, 2009. The shame is, GM had a tentative deal with Navistar International Corp. in 2007 that wasn’t finalized. CEO Fritz Henderson told media today that the medium-duty truck business hadn’t been profitable for years, making it a straightforward decision for a cash-strapped GM to purge. The employees will reportedly be reassign to other facilities or offered an attrition program, according to Automotive News . Last year, GM sold about 20,000 medium-duty trucks, down from 30,000 the year prior. Ultimately, the General may see many prospective customers turn to the heavy-duty pickup trucks , or even their full-sized hybrid trucks , as the commercial market looks to right-size its fleet, as well.
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The dirt-loving 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor will reportedly be priced about $3,000 above a comparably equipped F-150 FX4, according to pickuptruck.com . Starting at about $39,000, the Raptor features a distinctive, wide-stance exterior and hardware upgrades to tackle serious off-road challenges. (Full, official pricing has not yet been announced.) Noticeable differences between the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor first shown at SEMA and conventional F-150 include a distinctive grille that has the Ford name carved into it; front bumper, vented hood, front fascia and fenders, functional hood extractors, fender extractors with ‘SVT’ bored out, as well as visible FOX Racing Shox, the only internal bypass shocks available on a street truck. Side-to-side, the Raptor measure more than seven inches wider than the base F-150. The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is powered by 5.4-liter, 320-horsepower Triton V-8 three-valve engine. This proven powerplant will be joined by a larger, all-new 6.2-liter V-8 after launch. An impressive machine, with a long roster of enhancements, the Raptor pushes the boundaries for appearance and performance. Read our complete rundown on the 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor pickup. Read our 2009 Ford...
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True to form, the 2009 Chicago Auto Show saw several trucks unveiled. Where LA favors green and Detroit future cars, Chicago has been host to work machines. Toyota rolled out the Tundra Platinum Package, a Value model, and the recently announced Work Truck . The Platinum Package includes a new Limited grade billet-style grille with chrome bumpers, unique 20-inch alloy wheels and tires, daytime running lamps, door sill protectors with a Platinum logo, and Platinum badging. Inside, the top-of-the-line package adds a power memory function on the driver’s seat, outside power mirrors and puddle lamps, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. Also included in the Platinum Package is a power tilt and slide moonroof, navigation system, ventilated seats with a unique perforated leather seating surface, wood trimmed shift knob and door switch plates, auto up/down driver and front passenger windows, chrome accented HVAC vents and controls, and headrests with an embroidered Platinum logo. It will be available in four exterior colors that include Black, Silver, Slate, and Salsa Red. Aimed at commercial truck buyers, the Tundra Work Truck Package is a no-frills truck to be offered in several configurations...
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Pickup trucks are engineered to tackle serious work chores, but test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show that not all provide good, or even marginal, protection in side impacts. The IIHS recently tested crew-cab pickup trucks and found shortcomings with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, and Nissan Titan. (Learn about the IIHS and government crash tests .) “The size, weight, and height of these large pickups should help them ace the side tests just like the other large pickups we’ve tested. Not these three,” says Institute senior vice president David Zuby. “They perform worse than many cars we’ve evaluated.” The Silverado, Ram, and Titan should have an advantage in side crash tests over smaller vehicles, not just because of their size and weight but also because the dummies’ higher seating positions put their heads and shoulders above the striking barrier. Occupants of cars, for instance, are more vulnerable because their bodies are in line with the fronts of vehicles, especially tall ones, which might hit them in the side. “These large pickups don’t have to work as hard as smaller vehicles do to protect their occupants. Even with their characteristic...
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At the Chicago Auto Show, Ford will roll out its 14th truck collaboration with Harley-Davidson, a rich-looking F-150 . More attractive than several Harley editions through the years, the 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 features a dramatic front fascia and six-bar shaped billet-style grille, a deployable running board, brand badging, and massive 22-inch wheels. The most striking element is the available Lava paint, a deep maroon with three-color metal flake. It is also available in black. The interior design was inspired by a Harley-Davidson jacket, from the materials to the hand-tailored details. Zippers, snaps, and leather are used throughout, ensuring that biker will feel right at home in the well-appointed cabin. Pricing and other details will be released closer to the truck’s on-sale date. Read our 2009 Ford F-150 review , and research the F-150 in the 2009 new car buyer's guide .
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With those consumers who are buying new vehicles focused on smaller, more fuel-efficient models, it seems wise for Ford to continue to improve its Ranger pickup truck. The current generation was introduced over a decade ago, but it soldiers on with largely safety improvements for the 2010 model year. On sale this summer, the 2010 Ford Ranger adds standard side airbags designed for head and torso protection. In addition, the Ranger will also pack as standard equipment electronic stability control and “roll stability control” to help keep the truck on the road and shiny side up. An alternative to full-sized trucks, such as the redesigned Ford -150 , the Ranger is EPA rated for 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the 2.3-liter I-4 engine. Read our most-recent Ford Ranger review , and research the Ranger in the 2009 new car buyer’s guide .
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It’s cold outside Cobo Center, home of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, but Kia’s Soul’r Yellow open-air concept vehicle—Soul’ster—radiated a lot of excitement at its debut. Based on the upcoming, unconventionally designed Kia Soul crossover, the Soul’ster is a two-door, four-seat convertible with a funky, hip attitude and LED headlamps, dual chrome exhaust tips, 19-inch wheels, non-floor-mounted “cantilevered” seats that when viewed from the side look like they’re suspended in air, tons of storage and a choice of possibly up to four engines, including a turbodiesel. “Soul’ster delivers something new, intriguing and relevant to today’s buyers—a fun, affordable convertible for active people who like to share good times with friends,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, KMA.
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North America Car and Truck of the Year Awards for 2009 go to the all-new Hyundai Genesis and the completely reworked Ford F-150, it was announced today at the press introduction of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. To win the coveted honors, vehicles have to be completely new or substantially revised. A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists across the U.S. and Canada began the selection process by testing every new car and truck introduced this last year. Next they assigned a points-value to vehicles that, according to the rules of the judging, “set new benchmarks in the classes in which they compete. Jurors evaluate the vehicles on factors including value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction.” Finalists in the Car of the Year category included Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec, Dodge Ram, and Ford F-150 were finalists for Truck of the Year honors. The Genesis makes history as the first Korean-made automobile to receive the prestigious award. The Genesis is a rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan offered with a 3.6-liter V6 or Hyundai’s all-new and first-ever V8, a 4...
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As General Motors aggressively recasts its production plans, the Pontiac G8 ST Sport Truck was revealed to be the latest casualty. Billed as a 21st-century El Camino, the G8 sedan-based trucklet promised to be a fun, sporting variation on a nostalgic theme. But, as GM reportedly explained to dealers, the niche vehicle doesn’t fit with their vision for the Pontiac brand. Presumably, that vision includes profitability and launching a small volume, pricey model imported from Australian just doesn’t add up in today’s market. At least we still have the refined, high-horsepower G8 sedan. See our Pontiac G8 GT review . Research the Pontiac G8 in the new car buyer's guide.
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With the economy’s sharp left turn, automakers are looking to reorient their pickup trucks toward the core audience—commercial users—as suburbanites are turning away from such gas-guzzling behemoths as commuter vehicles. Toyota joins the movement with the debut of the Tundra Work Truck package at the recent 2009 San Diego Auto Show. (See our Tundra review .) Like similar packages from domestic brands, the Tundra Work Truck Package is a no-frills machine built for a hard life on the job. The new Work Truck Package will be available on Tundra 4x2 and 4x4 regular and four-door Double Cab models in standard and long bed configurations. It will be available with a V-6 and two V-8 engines including Tundra’s powerful 381 horsepower 5.7-liter i-Force V8, with a towing capability of up to 10,800 pounds. The proven formula is simple: Set up the work truck with only the features commercial truck buyers need to get the job done, enabling the truck to be sold at a lower price than a full-dressed model. Visually distinctive, the Work Truck Packages replaces the chrome bumpers and grille with simple black, and the power mirrors are replaced by manual outside rearview mirrors. Inside, the truck comes...
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Suzuki will soon expand its product line with its own version of the Nissan Frontier , called Equator. This American-made compact pickup truck will start at $17,995 for the 2WD extended cab model with a four-cylinder engine and climb to $28,095 for the 4WD crew cab version. The truck features a five-speed manual transmission for the Base and Comfort trim levels, combined with a 2.5-liter/152-horsepower four-cylinder. Stepping up to the Premium trim level brings a five-speed automatic, plus additional amenities. The Sport trim line adds a 4.0-liter/261-horsepower V-6 with five-speed automatic transmission. The crew cab is available in both short (5 foot) and long (6 foot) bed configurations, perfect for sizing to a Suzuki bed toy. All crew cab models also include a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and a five-channel tie-down system to hold an ATV or dirt bike in place. The maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds. All told, consider this a Nissan Frontier with a slightly different, arguably more attractive, grille. Not a bad thing at all. Research the Suzuki Equator in the 2009 new car buyer’s guide.Read our latest Nissan Frontier review .
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Toyota has announced the pricing for the 2009 Tundra as the pickup trucks are arriving at dealerships. The overall average increase is $109, or 0.4 percent on all Tundra models. The base MSRP will range from $22,490 for the Regular Cab 4x2 with a V-6 engine to $41,605 for the Limited Grade 4x4 CrewMax with a 5.7-liter V-8 engine. (See our Toyota Tundra review .) The 2009 Tundra will continue to offer a choice of 45 model variations in three wheelbases, three cab styles, three bed lengths, three engines, three trim levels, and with 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains. Tundra E85 flex-fuel capability is now standard on 5.7-liter 4x4 models in select regions, creating nine additional model configurations. Toyota is further expanding consumer choice for the 2009 Tundra with the addition of two new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) option packages. The TRD Sport Package is optimized for an aggressive street appearance, while the new TRD Rock Warrior Package is focused on off-road adventure. TRD Sport will be available on the Tundra grade 4x2 Regular Cab and Double Cab standard bed models with the 5.7-liter V-8. It features color-keyed front and rear bumpers and grille surround, color-keyed heated outside...
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