Mahindra, the Indian automaker, is planning to introduce a 2.2-liter 4 cylinder diesel pickup in the USA in the summer of 2009. The engine numbers are not yet final but it is expected to produce 150 horsepower and 300 foot pounds of torque for 28 to 35 miles per gallon plus it will have a standard six-speed automatic transmission, a floor mounted console shifter, and steering wheel mounted paddles to manually shift the gearbox. It will be available in 2 and 4 wheel drive versions, plus have a U.S. exclusive interior that’s been designed to American tastes (and sizes) by Michigan-based supplier Lear Corporation.

The truck will be a hauler with a 1.3-ton (2,600-lb) payload, and this is a mid sized pickup! It will come with a 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty covered through a network of 300 U.S. dealers, 24 of which will be standalone single brand Mahindra dealers. The truck will go through final assembly in Ohio to avoid the import tax on imported pickups. Prices will start around $22,000. This should create quite a lot of excitement in the pickup market.

If that wasn’t enough, Mahindra is on track to introduce a diesel hybrid drivetrain in the U.S. in 2010 for 2 door and 4 door pickups plus their SUV.

Mahindra is imported by Global Vehicles USA

Link: Pickuptruck via Autoblog

With gas over $3.00 and full size pickup truck sales taking a hit, Dodge could be a star if they decided to produce the M80 concept truck from 2002. Concept vehicles often look good at the auto shows and then disappear, the time may not be right, consumer demand isn’t there, other vehicles are more profitable, the reasons are endless but good ideas just lose out to better ideas, at least better at that time.

The M80 was a truck that had a lot of things going for it but the full size Dodge Ram and the mid sized Dakota were selling well, there was no problem with gas prices so off to oblivion it went. Pity.

This is a great example of one of those vehicles that would fly out of the showrooms if only it was there. I bet it would be a real hit with one of the new small diesel engines being developed, too. How long would it take Dodge to tool up for something like this?

Link: Autoblog

When you’re headed out of town for a little off road camping, WAY off road, you need something other than your standard Winnebago. UNICAT has designed a line of modular expedition vehicles to provide comfort and security to the world traveler intent on going where no campgrounds exist. Of course, no one said you have to leave the comforts of home behind, you just need a lot more capable vehicle to get you to your destination.

The UNICAT family of vehicles is based on chassis from Mercedes-Benz Unimog, MAN or Volvo depending on your specific requirements. All wheel drive and high ground clearance are standard in all models with a variety of cab configurations and carrying capacities.

UNICAT employs a staff of more than 25 specialists for chassis modifications, fitting, machining, body design and manufacture, interior finishing, electrics, leatherwork, domestic equipment, hydraulics, air conditioning, and heating.

Looking at the interior photos you can easily see what a first class vehicle building operation UNICAT has in place. These are really go anywhere expedition vehicles for exploring the last corners of the back country. Vehicles are built to your specifications so prices vary quite a bit. It’s not for your average traveler but if you’re looking for the last word in an extreme RV, this is it.

Link: UNICAT via BoingBoing

More photos and video below: Read the rest of this entry »

Car companies usually hold back new high tech gadgets if they’re planning on a major revision for one of their models, that way the new generation seems even more fresh and state of the art. The current F-150 began its life cycle in 2004 and will be completely revised for the 2009 model year but Ford has decided to add many of those options to the 2008 F150.

New options will include a back up camera that displays an image in the rear view mirror when reverse is engaged and disappears when you shift back into drive. There will be an optional remote starter, a tire pressure monitoring system on a heavy duty package, added storage systems and an XL SuperCrew, a model not usually available in lower priced F-150s.

Ford is responding to customers that don’t want to wait years for options the company could easily incorporate in current models plus trying to boost sales of full size pickups which have been lagging this year.

It remains to be seen if this move boosts sales but it certainly can’t hurt.

Link: Detroit News

Roush Performance has introduced another version of the Ford F150, the Nitemare. Built only in the regular cab 4×2 Styleside form, the supercharged engine puts out 445 horsepower and 500 foot pounds of torque. Only 100 units of the black/matte black trucks will be built with availability starting in June.

Roush makes an impressive array of F150 models and you can get Roush high performance parts for your standard Ford pickup if you happen to already have one.

Roush press release follows:

With the introduction of the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 there are destined to be plenty of other pickup drivers having nightmares about this limited-to-100 edition hauler after watching it blow by them on roads across America.

The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare is a menacing tone-on-tone, 445-horsepower beast. Based on the standard cab version of the F-150, the power-to-weight ratio will ensure that this monster has plenty of haul.

Under the hood is the famous ROUSHchargerTM which boosts the 5.4L, 3 valve engine to 445-horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque. Additional “go fast” components include intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system. This unit, like all the ROUSH components from a company so highly recognized for producing power, quality and performance, is covered by ROUSH’s industry exclusive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. Read the rest of this entry »

Chrysler will introduce Hemi hybrid versions of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs for 2008. Instead of the smaller engines usually found in hybrid cars, Chrysler is going to use the 5.7 liter Hemi V8. The engine in the SUVs will use the multi displacement system that shuts off 4 of the 8 cylinders under the right conditions. An electric motor will also be used and the vehicles can run in all electric mode, V8 only or a combination of both. Fuel economy will increase 25 percent overall while city driving will see a 40 percent increase, a huge gain and the area where the Hemi shows the downside of having all of that power on tap. The system was developed in a three way partnership with General Motors and BMW.

Link: Chrysler Planning Hemi Hybrids

Turbine Truck Engines has received the prototype of their 540 horsepower turbine designed to run on gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, hydrogen, methanol, ethanol or LPG or combinations of the above as a way to help trucks become more environmentally friendly. It has very few moving parts and the very complete combustion helps increase efficiency while lowering emissions.

Press release, more images and links below Read the rest of this entry »