Automobiles Review

Tag: truck

  • GMC Canyon

    The official vehicle of nowhere is here: the 2023 GMC Canyon midsize truck. Boasting a fully redesigned exterior with a standard factory lift and widened track across the lineup, a new premium suite of advanced technology and an all-new interior design, the next-generation Canyon is built from the ground up to conquer any terrain.

    The 2023 model year Canyon introduces the first-ever Canyon AT4X option to its lineup. Building on the success of AT4, the AT4X sub-brand is the ultimate expression of GMC’s commitment to delivering serious off-road capability. First introduced on the 2022 Sierra, the AT4X trim has quickly become synonymous with robust off-road credibility.

  • The Truth About Trucks And The Truth About Ford F-150

    2015 Ford F-150, as we told you numerous times, is America’s toughest, smartest and safest Ford F-150 ever created. And now the latest family member earned Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for its SuperCrew models. Furthermore, the vehicle is the only one full-size, light-duty truck to earn government’s highest 5-star rating for the driver and passenger for crash tests and cab configurations.  Here we talk about Super Crew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

    The high stats of the latest F-150 are possible, because of the 700-pound weight losses and the high-strength steel in the frame, military-grade aluminum alloy in the body and of course, the work of the experienced engineers and craftsmen.

    In fact, there is a team of veterans and experienced researchers, who worked to optimize the vehicle weight, but also to maintain that high level of durability, capability and flexibility. This team managed to create 31 safety-related innovations, which, some of them are restyled structures, revised material connections and numerous supercomputer simulation tests. Furthermore, the team also crafted the vehicle in such a way, that it offers and simplified, but yet efficient repairs.  That’s how you build a super-versatile truck.

    In fact, Ford brand made its all tests and researches in real-world accidents and not in some sort of stunts and imaginary action-movie situations. That’s also one of the ideas, that the crew had in order to create a really safe truck.

    2015-ford-f-150-truth2

    Source: Ford

  • Mean Green – Volvo Hybrid Truck

    Mean Green is the fastest hybrid truck in the world. However, it will attempt a new speed record in excess of 260 km/h (165 mph). The event will be held on April 27th at Wendover Airfield in Utah, USA. The truck will try to beat its own world speed records set only last year by ‘Mean Green’s driver, Boije Ovebrink.

    The Volvo-built hybrid currently holds speed records in the standing 500 metre, standing kilometre and flying kilometre – international speed standards*.

    “Technology and innovation are at the core of our business,” commented Ron Huibers, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing.

    “Mean Green’ is a prime example of Volvo’s technical capabilities and our continued focus on emerging technologies. Our engineers developed the world’s fastest hybrid truck utilising the same Volvo hybrid drive system powering hundreds of Volvo buses throughout the world – including London’s double-decker buses.”, he added.

    Mean Grean features adapted hybrid driveline and chassis to meet requirements of a world-class truck built for speed. Engineers then outfitted ‘Mean Green’ with a highly-tuned Volvo D16 engine and a modified version of Volvo’s automated I-Shift gearbox, which interacts with the hybrid’s electric motor.

    “The result is a lightning-speed boost from start-off without any of the customary diesel-engine delay,” said the driver – Boije Ovebrink,

    “Mean Green’s owner and driver. “It’s like a champagne cork, but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine, which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with an explosive force.” – he added.

    Mean-Green - Volvo Hybrid Truck
    Mean-Green – Volvo Hybrid Truck

    The powerful truck develops 2100HP (1544 kW) and 6779Nm (5000 lb-ft) of torque. From these massive powerl, just 200HP and 1200Nm (885 lb-ft) come from the electric motor.

    Aerodynamics also plays a vital role in achieving top speed, so Volvo designers selected a North American VN cab and sculpted the optimal aerodynamic shape for the truck.

    Mean Green features modified versions of the following Volvo production components:

    • Volvo hybrid motor
    • Volvo hybrid battery
    • Volvo D16 diesel engine
    • Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission
    • Volvo VN cab and frame
    • Rear axle with 1.85:1 ratio

    During its North American tour, Mean Green will also visit Truck World, in Toronto (April 19 to 21) and the Volvo Ocean Race when it reaches in Miami (May 17 to 20).

    Source: Volvo

  • 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited

    2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited ThumbRam Truck will expand its model by the featuring of the brand new 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited. The new truck includes vast variety of premium materials like full-leather seating, piano-black interior components and under-stated exterior badging. This is how the brand new Ram Laramie Limited will offer its customers more luxury, in comparison for example to the Ram Laramie Longhorn edition pickup. The new vehicle will make its first appearance at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show on 8th of February.

    But let’s look up more closely to the new Ram features. First of all, the exterior, as you can see the pictures below, is more then fascinating. The Ram 1500 Laramie Limited gets a body-color front fascia with fog lamps and a matching, painted rear bumper. In details, the customers of Ram Laramie Limited 2500 and 3500 models in white and silver exterior colors will get chrome front and rear bumpers. In addition there are billet inserts which are surrounding the chrome grille on Ram Sport models. Understated chrome accents include body-side molding, mirrors, door handles and tubular side steps. The body sides of the truck have clean look. However, there is a tailgate badging “Limited” on them. Moreover the Ram sits on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. Polished surfaces are accented with painted silver pockets. In addition, heavy Duty models feature 17-inch fully polished aluminum wheels. Of course the wheel centers are being stamped with the Ram brand name. To conclude, the 1500 version is offered in six exterior colors: black, bright silver metallic, bright white, deep cherry red pearl, mineral gray metallic and true blue; and the Heavy Duty models are available in black, bright silver metallic, bright white and mineral gray metallic.

    2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited
    2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited

    What about the interior? It is as fascinating as the exterior, and even more luxurious than you can imagine. A full-leather cockpit with dark slate Natura Plus leather seats and engraved details gives the vehicle class and sophisticated style. In addition, contrasting medium graystone leather piping provides seat-edge emphasis. Additional accents are created along either side of the piping by medium graystone deck-seam stitching. The Ram Laramie Limited’s cavernous double-stacked center console is topped with a soft, double French-stitched full-leather lid. Additionally, there is a wrapped steering wheel and shifter – console mounted on 1500, column mounted on 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty models. The designers have put a lot of attention to the details, obviously, and they haven’t forgotten even to wrap the front and rear trims in premium leather. Leather armrest uppers are further accented with the same dual French stitch used on the center console lid and instrument panel. The vehicle has also a remote LED lighting at the inside door handles and a full-length light that illuminates the truck’s multi-function lower map front and rear pockets. There’s also a liquid graphite glovebox spear with pinstriped details and black and chrome “Limited” badge. Not forgetting the carpet floor mats, the designers have made them with solid dark slate premium berber with medium graystone accent stitching, only for the comfort of the passengers.

    2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited Interior
    2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited Interior

    Other Features that has to be highlighted in the new 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited are also the navigational radio, remote start, back-up camera, power adjustable pedals with memory, heated steering wheel, front ventilated and heated seats and rear heated seats. In details, the vehicle will be available in 1500 (1/2-ton), 2500 HD (3/4-ton) and 3500 HD single- and dual-rear-wheel (1-ton); Crew Cab and Mega Cab; four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive; and short- and long-wheelbase models.

    2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Limited
    2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Limited
    2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Limited
    2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Limited
    2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Limited

    Source: Ram

  • Trucks of the future – safer and more efficient

    Rikard Orell, Design Director at Volvo Truck Corporation is the mastermind of the 2020 Concept Volvo Truck. The future truck shows the vision of Volvo for the future. In less than ten years, the trucks will be much different to those of today.

    The full autopilot will be available, so the trucks will be driven non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys on green super-motorways linking the continents.

    Rikard Orell Design Director at Volvo Trucks said: “Progress is getting ever faster. Because of this our vision for the future is not that far away. Much of the technology in the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 is already available; other technology needs to be developed. One needs to dare to stride firmly into the debate, demonstrating what one can and will do. Just tinkering at the edges runs the risk of progress slipping away.” (more…)

  • Ford Ranger Max Show Truck Delivers Maximum Capability, Style and Impact

    Renowned for its genuine toughness and strength, the Ford Ranger takes a confident step forward with the debut of the high-impact Ranger Max show truck at the Thailand International Motor Expo. (more…)

  • Half of serious truck accidents could be prevented

    According to the findings of development engineers at Mercedes-Benz following a fleet test conducted with a total of 1,000 Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer in 2005/2006, half of the serious truck accidents could be prevented. For the purposes of the trial, half of the trucks were equipped with the Lane Assistant, proximity control and stability control assistance systems. The number of accidents for the vehicles fitted with the safety package was shown to be halved compared to the 500 trailer with a conventional specification; furthermore, where an accident did occur, the cost of the damage was 90% lower. The results were derived based on an observation period of twelve months and a total distance travelled of 106 million kilo­metres. (more…)