Autoblog

GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3

Michael Harley — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Trucks/Pickups, Chevrolet, GMC

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Pontiac G3

One day before the press converge on the LA Auto Show, General Motors has released pricing on its 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid and the 2009 Pontiac G3. The full-size hybrid pickup trucks each feature GM's patented two-mode hybrid drivetrain with a 6.0-liter V8 under the hood. Assisted by an electric motor, the trucks are rated to tow up to 6,100 pounds. Fuel economy is impressive for a pickup -- they are rated at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (2WD) when unladen. The base price for the Silverado is $38,995 (including a $975 destination charge). The Sierra barely undercuts it with a starting price of $39,365 (including $975 DFC). Production on the pickups starts in December, with delivery to dealers starting in early 2009. If trucks aren't your thing, pricing on the all-new Pontiac G3 hatchback will squeak in at $14,995 (including $660 DFC), making it the least expensive car in Pontiac showrooms. While you'll drive home in air-conditioned comfort sipping fuel at 32 mpg on the highway, don't expect much in the way of driving excitement.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Silverado Hybrid

Gallery: 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3

GM prices Silverado Hybrid, Sierra Hybrid, and Pontiac G3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha

John Neff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Trucks/Pickups, HUMMER

Click above for high-res gallery of thte 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha

The 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha arrived in the Autobog Garage on Election Day, and so it was my transportation to and from the local polling station to exercise my civic duty. I had the HUMMER in my thoughts when I went to cast my ballot, and looking at the paper before me was like seeing the fate of General Motors reflected in this year's presidential election.

Barack Obama was new, different and promised an uncharted path to better times, the physical manifestation for this country of what the Chevy Volt is to GM. John McCain was both fiery and familiar, a well-liked veteran returning once again with a vision for America that was the same but better, just like the new Camaro. If Obama is to the Volt as McCain is to the Camaro, then that would make our current president the HUMMER H3T. It's the lame duck truck.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha

In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout

John Neff — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups

When Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com sets his mind to something, it gets done in a big way. Witness last year's 2007 Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Shootout. This year he's back with a comparison test that bests his previous effort not only in size and scope, but also in relevance. For 2008 he has assembled every player in the half-ton truck segment, including brand new 2009 models of the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan and a 2008 Toyota Tundra. Despite the sagging economy, Americans still love us some trucks, and we've never encountered a more thorough comparison of their performance, towing abilities and fuel economy than what Mike has published at Pickuptrucks.com. Consider it the bible of half-ton pickup comparison shopping and have it pre-loaded on your iPhone when you start visiting dealerships.

We're not going to tell you which pickup won, but we will say that it was remarkable to learn how varied are the targets at which each of these trucks is aiming. Some were great for one task while failing miserably at another, and the winner was the one that performed well the most often. Click the source link below to check out the Pickuptrucks.com 2008 Half-Ton Shootout.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: SVT Raptor gettin' down and dirty

Drew Phillips — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

The recently-introduced Ford F-150 SVT Raptor seems to elicit emotional responses that range from "What's the point?" to "I need one NOW!" Opinions aside, the fact is that the SVT Raptor is one highly capable truck. We were able to get a ride in the passenger seat of one in the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas, and can attest to its ability to handle everything thrown at it. The beefy suspension upgrades and BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA/KO tires make the Raptor the best off-roading production truck ever built. Period. The guys at SVT weren't shy about exploiting this, and seemed to especially love kicking up as much dirt as possible (we're still cleaning all the dust out of our cameras). Ford recently posted some beautiful new photos of the Raptor doing just that, which we've added to the high-res gallery below. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

[Source: Ford]

Pics Aplenty: SVT Raptor gettin' down and dirty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NV2500 Concept gives up Nissan naming scheme

Chris Shunk — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Nissan

The massive-looking NV2500 concept scheduled to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show this January signals Nissan's interest in the commercial vehicle market. A quick glance at the trademark website shows that the hulking Nissan won't be alone if it ever hits the market. Mike Levine over at Pickuptrucks.com put his Sherlock Holmes hat on and discovered that Nissan also had the names NV1500 and NV3500 earmarked for potential use. The Japanese automaker has a similar naming convention for pickups, too.

The trademark site shows that Nissan also purchased NP1500 through NP5500. The NP stands for Nissan Pickup, and the trademark site specifically mentions that vehicles with the NP designation are for use with pickup trucks. Could NV and NP be the new naming scheme for Nissan trucks and vans? Does the NP1500 mean that the Titan name is heading out to pasture? We don't know for sure, but since we're quickly approaching auto show season, we could well find out soon enough.

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

NV2500 Concept gives up Nissan naming scheme originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MT claims TRD Supercharged Tundra can hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Etc., Toyota

After reading that the latest supercharged Toyota just did 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, you might think to yourself, "Toyota doesn't make the Supra anymore, and even when they did it was turbocharged, not supercharged." And then you'd think that somebody probably did some outrageous modifications to a Camry or Corolla, or possibly even a Yaris, but no. The vehicle in question is a new Toyota, but it isn't one of those models. It's a relatively stock model in fact, with a factory warranty and factory-approved TRD parts. And it isn't a car. It's the TRD Supercharged Tundra pickup truck. Using the TRD supercharger and a few other tricks, the truck's 5.7L V8 has blossomed from 381 horsepower to 504, and torque has gone up from 401 lb-ft to 550. And MotorTrend claims they got it to run 0-60 in just just 4.4 seconds, half a second quicker than a Ram SRT-10 and faster than most high-end sports cars.

There's no doubt this is one quick vehicle, but we call BS on the time. Even with super-short gears, there's no way a truck that weighs over 5,000 lbs can do it in 4.4 seconds. Pickuptrucks.com ran the same truck through the 1/8th mile in Irwindale and managed 9.07 seconds at 81.16 mph. We'd guess the 0-60 should fall closer to 5 seconds at that pace, which is still mighty impressive. And yet, MT posted a full quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat at 106.3, so maybe TRD has done a little more work since the previous test. We're going to try and get our hands on one for an independent analysis. For now, we leave you with this point to ponder: Is it remotely possible for a 5,000+ pound Tundra, even one with Toyo Proxes S/T 285/45 R22 tires and TRD go-fast goodies, to do 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds?

[Source: MotorTrend via Pickuptrucks.com]

MT claims TRD Supercharged Tundra can hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Toyota Prius coupe in the works

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Toyota

Even though Toyota has made it clear that a separate Prius brand isn't a sure thing, that doesn't mean that more body styles of the iconic fuel miser aren't on their way. The latest speculative Prius variant comes courtesy of MotorTrend, which has mocked up a rendering of what a Toyota Prius coupe could look like. Although the idea of a 2+2 hybrid with a lower roofline and some sporting pretenses might seem odd given the Prius' main claim to fame, Toyota doesn't want to be left out in the cold when the also-hybrid Honda CR-Z goes on sale within the next two years.

Predictably, the coupe would share the same drivetrain as its five-door stable-mate, consisting of a new 1.8-liter engine (300cc larger than the current Prius) while returning fuel economy on par or exceeding the outgoing model. The coupe would be lighter than the sedan, allowing the 2+2 to be both quicker and possibily more fuel-efficient.

MT also mentions that the production version of the Toyota A-BAT is still in limbo as the automaker determines under which brand it wants to sell the hybrid pickup. It was originally thought the A-BAT would be offered as a Scion, but Toyota's pledge to only offer one generation of each model in its "youth" brand and the automaker's need to bring its CAFE numbers in check might mean that the A-BAT will don a Toyota badge when (if?) it goes on sale after 2010.

[Source: MotorTrend]

Rumormill: Toyota Prius coupe in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concept gallery

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford concept pickups from SEMA

We managed to track down most of the Ford concept pickups on our last day at SEMA. Hidden across the street, right in the front of the outdoor lot, just under the huge "Built Ford Tough" sign, there they were. We saw the Performance West Striker R F-150 and it's bigger brother Striker F-350, as well as the Street Scene Equipment Lariat that sort of reminded us of a certain bike-branded Ford truck. The F-150 Striker was reminiscent us of the Saleen S331 we sampled last year, and the F-350 was much the same only, uh, more so. We even came across an older Performance West version of the Striker sitting on the main sidewalk in front of the central hall.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concepts

SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concept gallery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Drag-racing limbo truck confuses, amuses

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Lifestyle

Click above for high-res gallery of this really low drag truck

How low can you go? When we first walked past this booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, we thought the convention hall floor had turned to quicksand. We are in the desert after all. Then we figured out what we were really seeing: a completely slammed truck that could win just about any quarter-mile limbo contest. It's literally knee-high to a grasshopper and powered by an Apollo rocket. Draggers, Inc., Go-EZ and Air-Zenith all share responsibility for this incredible piece of pickup passion. It's right-hand drive, lower than low and has one heck of a huge motor in it, and that's about all we know. Check out the gallery for a bunch of high-res pics.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Air-Zenith slammed pickup

SEMA 2008: Drag-racing limbo truck confuses, amuses originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Cheap Trick Dream Police Tactical Vehicle

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:54:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Celebrities

Click above for high-res gallery of the Cheap Trick truck

The award-winning team at RealWheels Corporation put together another killer theme vehicle for this year's SEMA show. Starting off with a Chevy Avalanche, the team layered on some BASF paint and added a ProCharger blower, Corsa exhaust, Superlift suspension, GWG 20-inch wheels wrapped in Toyo tires, Katzkin leather interior, custom bodywork and grille, auxiliary lights and brush guards and a whole bunch of A/V equipment. Oh, and there's a guitar; drumsticks; fog machine; laser lighting; airbrushed graphics of Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, and Bun E. Carlos; band vinyls and a Rockband video game, all to remind us that this is, after all, the Cheap Trick Dream Police Tactical Vehicle. Our absolute favorite touches include the checkerboard wheels and interior trim and those sweet sideview mirrors (look closely). This Budokan baddie is the ultimate reunion tour crowd control vehicle. We'll just call it That '70s Truck.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Cheap Trick Dream Police Tactical Vehicle

SEMA 2008: Cheap Trick Dream Police Tactical Vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Knight XV armored SUV lets you take your undergound lair with you

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:06:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Trucks/Pickups

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Knight KV Armored Vehicle

The first word that came to mind when we saw the Knight XV was this: warthog. Sure, there are other words you could use, but consider this: it's not attractive, it's ridiculously tough, it's called in to deal with nasty situations and it kills things, all of which tend to be the traits of vehicles that earn the moniker "warthog." Based on the Gurkha military vehicle, the 10,000-pound, Ford F-350 Super Duty-based Knight XV is armored to an unspecified degree, but looks like it will stop more than a pea-shooter. It's got a 6.8-liter V10 that packs 400 hp and 500 lb-ft to keep you moving, and inboard ABS brakes to get you stopped. Those tires are 40-inchers wrapped around 20-inch aircraft-grade wheels. Oh, and it also runs on E85, which means it's more environmentally friendly than any other warthog. Except the hairy one. Check out the specs after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below featuring details shots and images of the interior, as well.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Knight XV Armored Vehicle

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Knight XV armored SUV lets you take your undergound lair with you

SEMA 2008: Knight XV armored SUV lets you take your undergound lair with you originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Dodge Rams its new truck down our throats

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Dodge

Click above for hi-res gallery of the four Ram concept trucks

We noticed that the Chrysler Group is pretty excited about the Challenger after visiting the Mopar Underground display at SEMA this year. We are too, but it's not just Challengers on display in Vegas. There are also a handful of custom '09 Dodge Ram pickups here, as well. We previewed these four Ram truck concepts recently, all tuned by the automaker's in-house Mopar Underground division. Seeing the trucks in person gave us a better understanding and appreciation of each. Where we previously only had sketches and descriptions, now we have live shots and a sense of these pickups' grandeur.

The bright yellow Dodge Ram TRXtreme looks a little less aggressive than the official sketch, but more than capable of tackling the artificial dirt mound set up in the booth. The blue-with-black-stripes Dodge Ram R/T is based on the '09 Ram Sport and looks like a good hauler for a race-spec Challenger. Actually, it looks like it could keep up with a Challenger. The Ram Sportsman, meanwhile, was the one with the "blowing leaves" camouflage paint job, which was so effective that we couldn't find it anywhere in Dodge's display. Last, but definitely not least is the Dodge Ram Mopar Street Package (above). It features a special Mopar Underground body kit with side sill extensions and a chin spoiler, a slight drop in ride height, 22-inch Mopar wheels and a dual-snorkel hood. This 4-door street machine is the one we'd most like to park outside our garage. Full details of each are in the press release after the jump and lots of live, high-res pics in the gallery below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Mopar Underground Dodge Ram concepts

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Dodge Rams its new truck down our throats

SEMA 2008: Dodge Rams its new truck down our throats originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Toyota's truck trio is 3x cooler than modded Venzas

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

Click any image for a high-res gallery of Toyota's SEMAfied trucks

Toyota's Venza trio didn't stir our souls, but a few of its customized trucks had us itching for some Italian iron and a remake of the first Back to the Future flick.

First up is the Toyota Tundra/Ducati Transporter that makes trips to the track a breeze with a motorized loading ramp, an integrated tool system, storage for spare parts and a set of solar panels mounted on the bed rails to provide auxiliary power. A 5.7-liter supercharged V8 sends power to 22-inch custom aluminum Alcoa wheels coated in Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. In addition to a handful of suspension and body mods, the truck gets a custom interior with thrones fitted with an In Seat Solutions Relaxor Massage system. Naturally, the Ducati Desmo MotoGP bike is sold separately.

Tucked in behind the Tundra was the Tacoma Truck Concept, coated in a cream pearl exterior and retro stripes that had us fondly reminiscing about our first off-road experience in the 80s. A four-cylinder engine is mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel-drive system (4x4x4) pulled from Landcruiser, featuring a solid front axle, transfer case and Toyota Motorsport rear axle. A custom roll bar and front grill joins KC Daylighter six-inch lights, Bushwacker fender flares and American Racing AR-23 wheels. And the exterior isn't the only thing retro about this Tacoma. According to our man Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com, the seats are swathed in 20-year-old Recaro fabric that the Toyota crew found in the corner of their warehouse.

The last of our Toyota trucks was the TRD Tacoma Off Road Project, which features a supercharged 4.0-liter V6, a seven-inch widened track, custom front control arms matched to a new set of Bilsteins with 13-inches of wheel travel and an independent rear suspension with 14-inches of wheel travel. Think of it as the Raptor asinterpreted by Toyota, but without the trick rear suspension setup.

Check the galleries below for plenty of pics and take a peek below the fold for all the details.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Tundra/Ducati Transporter

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Tacoma Truck Concept

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Tacoma Off Road Project

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Toyota's truck trio is 3x cooler than modded Venzas

SEMA 2008: Toyota's truck trio is 3x cooler than modded Venzas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ford Transit Connect H&R Concept gets a new pair of shoes

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the H&R Ford Transit Connect Concept

The only time you'd normally put a Ford Transit Connect van together with Piloti racing shoes is if the van in question were delivering them, or there were a 1-make van racing series... which sounds kind of cool now that we think about it. But take those two, add H&R Springs and what you've got is a SEMA-specific combination.

H&R did its usual, dropping the Transit Connect over a set of 19-inch wheels, and then Piloti finished the interior in a steel and microsuede wonderland topped off by a wooden shift knob and two creepy baby shoes hanging from the rearview mirror. You can check out the press release after the jump, and that wild speaker setup in the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford Transt Connect H&R Concept

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Ford Transit Connect H&R Concept gets a new pair of shoes

SEMA 2008: Ford Transit Connect H&R Concept gets a new pair of shoes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above to view video after the jump

When it comes to all things pickup trucks, Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com is the man, bar none. He's got the first video report on the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and goes into far greater detail about the truck's special bits than we ever could. The Raptor, of course, is the latest product from the SVT crew and it's fully off-road ready. This beast is unlike the previous F-150 SVT Lightning, which blended lots of horsepower with a strictly on-road suspension set up. SVT seems to have realized that a pickup truck will never be a sports car and vice versa, so they set up the Raptor with new heavy duty suspension mounts, unique suspension arms and new Fox racing remote reservoir dampers. The SVT Raptor will be launched with the current 5.4L V8 underhood, although the 6.2L "Boss" V8 should be available as an option by the end of '09. The interior is fitted with all kinds of special bits and from the outside the Raptor will be instantly recognizable thanks to a unique grille and flared out fenders. Check out the video for yourself after the jump and our high-res galleries of the SVT Raptor below. Thanks to Sam (not me) for the tip!

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine

VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: SVT Raptor R race truck to enter Baja 1000

Drew Phillips — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:38:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

Ford is eager to prove that its new SVT Raptor is the real deal when it comes to off road capabilities, so it's developed a racing version along with the production truck that's set to compete in the grueling Baja 1000 taking place in just a few weeks. The Raptor R will use numerous stock components including the complete frame, transmission, brakes and axles. The suspension, however, has been upgraded for more travel and better approach and departure angles. The stock interior has also been replaced with race seats, a full roll cage, and the necessary equipment to properly monitor and navigate the vehicle. The 6.2L V8 powering the Raptor R is not available in the production truck... yet, and features an aggressive camshaft, modified computer mapping and exhaust headers. As an added bonus, the race program will serve as a test bed for future off-road performance parts in the Ford Racing catalog. Hit the jump for more details on Ford's new race program and our gallery of high-res photographs can be found in the gallery below.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SEMA 2008: SVT Raptor R race truck to enter Baja 1000

SEMA 2008: SVT Raptor R race truck to enter Baja 1000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment

Drew Phillips — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Ford has officially taken the wraps off its latest variant of the F-150, the 2010 SVT Raptor. Just like it did in 1993 with the SVT Lightning, Ford has paved the way for a new segment of trucks, although this time with a dedicated off-roader capable of handing both sand dunes and trips to the grocery store. Major differences between the Raptor and the standard F-150 include a unique grille and a body that is a full seven inches wider. Other design elements include functional hood extractors and a special optional graphics package.

Don't think for a second that this is a simple exterior package, however. The Raptor comes with a completely redesigned front suspension utilizing new upper and lower A arms, upgraded tie rods, new half shaft joints, and shocks from Fox Racing. In total, the front suspension has a full 11.2 inches of travel and 13.4 inches in the rear. BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires with a unique rubber compound provide a compromise of off-road capability and on-road civility. Power comes from the tried and true 5.4L Triton V8 pumping out 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft torque, although Ford's new 6.2L V8 will be available at a later date.

While the Raptor will be on the show floor tomorrow at SEMA, we were fortunate enough to get an early peek today including a ride across the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas. We can truly say we were immensely impressed with the Raptor's off-road capabilities and, like everyone else who got a ride, exited the passenger seat with a huge smile. We usually think of sports cars as being the best vehicles to get our adrenaline going, but skimming over the desert at high speeds apparently does it just as well. Full details of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor are in the press release after the jump, and plenty of our own high-resolution pictures, as well as Ford's, can be found in the galleries below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment

SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford bucks trend, will hire 1,000 workers at F-150 plant

Chris Tutor — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Come January, about 1,000 laid-off Ford workers will get their jobs back. That's because Ford, despite industry trends, is predicting that sales of its re-designed F-150 will surpass its current reduced manufacturing capacity. To prepare for this, Ford will restore a third shift at its Dearborn Truck Plant in January and invite back 1,000 workers who were previously laid off. When the wayward workers arrive back on the job, the plant's payroll will swell back up to 3,300 workers. The announcement came yesterday during a celebration at the plant to kick off production of the 2009 F-150, which was attended by Ford CEO Alan Mulally, President of the Americas Mark Fields and Ford family scion Bill Ford Jr.

Ford says the need to restore third-shift workers is in part due to the company's success selling highly-incentivized, left-over 2008 models. We certainly liked the new F-150, and so does Texas, apparently. Then again, it doesn't hurt that the 2009 model already has a $2,000 rebate on it shood.

The AP also reports that Ford has no plans to scale back its overall product development or the F-150's marketing budget. The first of the new F-150's TV ads are set to run this Sunday on "NFL on FOX".

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford F-150

[Source: The Associated Press via fseriestrucks.com, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Ford bucks trend, will hire 1,000 workers at F-150 plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford F-150 Raptor SVT storming across the desert

John Neff — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Videos, Ford

Click above to view video after the jump

A bright yellow DHL van just pulled up to Autoblog HQ and dropped off a cardboard envelope, inside of which was another brown envelope marked "CONFIDENTIAL". At this point we're thinking there are instructions inside to get out of the building before it blows up, but what we found was a CD from SVT labeled "Coming from SVT in 2009". Since we haven't heard a peep from SVT in a while, our curiosity was boiling over.

On the disc we found this video, which is embedded after the jump, of the upcoming 2009 F-150 "Raptor" SVT storming across a desert at 60 mph. The truck is still wearing camouflage so we can't see the body work, but what we can see is a very beefy suspension being punished at high speed over an uneven sun-scorched surface. The video also opens with the quote, "We'll call your off-road package, and go all in..." Who knew the SVT crew was so into off-roading? From what we hear, SVT has distributed videos to a number of outlets, each one unique and showing a different side of the new hardcore off-roader. And, though it hardly needs to be said, any rumors of the Raptor program being cancelled are quite clearly untrue. Follow the jump to view the video for yourself.

UPDATE: Second video added after the jump. (Thanks for the tip, George!)

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford F-150 Raptor SVT storming across the desert

VIDEO: Ford F-150 Raptor SVT storming across the desert originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Ford bringing four F-150s to Sin City

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Trucks/Pickups, Ford

Click above for a gallery of Ford's SEMA F-150s

We're already gotten a taste of Ford's Hi-Pa Drive F-150, but there are three more tweaked trucks coming to SEMA, each with their own unique take on pickup customization.

The first, and easily our favorite, is the DEWALT Contractor Concept (above) that takes the F-150 Heavy Duty to new levels of functionality. Aside from the addition of a beefy rhino bar, bed cage, some body ornamentation, upgraded suspension and rolling stock, the DEWALT is equipped with a built-in power-tool charger hidden in the center console, a custom storage area beneath the second-row seats and the Ford Works Solutions Tool Link system that keeps track of what's on board and what you left at the job site.

Joining the DEWALT is the F-150 FX-4 by X-Treme Toyz that attempts to balance a rugged lifestyle with a bit of urban refinement, along with the Street Scene Equipment Lariat that should look at home prowling the Vegas Strip.

We'll have live shots of each truck next week, but in the meantime, check the press release below the fold for all the details.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Four Ford F-150s

Continue reading SEMA Preview: Ford bringing four F-150s to Sin City

SEMA Preview: Ford bringing four F-150s to Sin City originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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