Over the past few months, we've seen a surprising number of all-new, redesigned, and refreshed trucks and SUVs introduced at shows around the country. Some are vehicles you'll see soon at local dealerships; others are specifically for the commercial and heavy-duty crowd. Here are the highlights:
Super Duty Ambulance
Ford introduced its revised E-Series Super Duty Ambulance prep package at the National Truck Equipment Association show earlier this year. This package uses the 305-horse, 6.8-liter gas V-10 and five-speed automatic, and is available in van and cutaway configurations. It comes with a 225-amp heavy-duty alternator, transmission cooler, and auxiliary heater and air-conditioning connector package, and a limited-slip is available.
F-59 Stripped Chassis
This Super Duty Commercial stripped chassis was also unveiled at NTEA. The 2011 F-59 chassis is offered in 158-, 178-, and 208-inch wheelbases and 16,000-, 19,500-, and 22,000-pound GVWRs. It comes with the Triton V-10 and five-speed auto, four-wheel ABS, and Bilstein shocks. In this application, the 6.8-liter three-valve engine puts out 362 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque.
GMC Terrain
GMC introduced this crossover, chunky fender flares and all, at the New York auto show. The Terrain shares platforms with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox; it replaces the Pontiac Torrent (which shared almost everything with the previous Equinox), and will be powered by a 2.4-liter direct-injection gas four or a 3.0-liter direct-injection gas V-6, with a six-speed automatic and a choice of front or all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder is said to provide best-in-class 30 mpg on the highway.
Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid
With the addition of a hybrid powertrain, the ML is now the only sport/utility in the United States to offer gas, diesel, and hybrid options. The ML450 Hybrid uses a two-mode system said to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 60 percent compared with the ML550. Estimates put fuel economy at 21 mpg city, 22 mpg combined. Overall power is 335 horses and 381 pound-feet. We had the chance to get behind the wheel of a prototype. Read more on page 84.
KIA SORENTO
The new Sorento was introduced at the Seoul motor show. It will now be an on-road-biased unibody SUV, with seating for seven in a vehicle that's four inches longer than the outgoing model. It'll come with a choice of a 174-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline-four or a 3.5-liter, 277-horsepower V-6, with manual or automatic transmissions and FWD or AWD.
Mazda CX-7 and CX-9
Mazda's similarly styled SUVs get updates for 2010. The CX-9 gets a new front fascia, taillights, and wheels, plus an updated interior. The 3.7-liter, 273-horse V-6 and six-speed automatic remain unchanged. The CX-7 (pictured) also undergoes a facelift, with a new front end and new wheel designs, and improvements in body rigidity and NVH levels. With the 2010 model comes a new engine--a 2.5-liter four, with 161 horsepower and said to provide city/highway fuel economy of 21/28 mpg. The turbocharged 2.3-liter is now the optional engine.
Acura ZDX
Following BMW's X6 example is the ZDX, Acura's "sport coupe." And as the X6 shares some underpinnings with the X5, the AWD ZDX is built on the same platform as the MDX and shares its powertrain, all-wheel-drive layout, and high seating position. Acura hasn't announced all of the details, but we'd expect power to come from the 305-horse, 3.7-liter V-6 found in the TL backed by a six-speed automatic.
BMW X6 M and X5 M
Speaking of the X6, in New York, BMW introduced something it swore it never would--an M version of a sport/utility vehicle. And now there will be two: the X5 M and X6 M. These vehicles are powered by a new, 555-horse version of BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8. The SUVs receive a larger intercooler and air cooler than in the standard, production twin-turbo BMW V-8. Both vehicles will use a six-speed automatic.
Click here to see our full 2010 Future Truck & SUV lineup!