FordIn the case of Ford, their redesigned 2008 Super Duty trucks made their first appearance at the Fair. But before I get into that, I am going to do a little bragging on Ford's behalf. Although business is not great in Dearborn right now, you would never guess it by glancing over their truck numbers. Here is a sample of the stats: Since the first F-Series went on sales, over 31,500,000 have been sold. Ford has the most trucks on the road with
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| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
250,000 miles or more on the clock, the Super Duty has best-in-class towing and payload capacities (24,000 and 6,000 lbs respectively) and the Ford F-Series has been the best selling truck in America for 29 years. Talk about good news.
Getting back to the new truck, the exterior revamp includes a new grill that is attached into the hood, lower bumpers and headlights which not only look good but serve as extra safety features for reduced glare and impact damage. Ahead of the doors, each Super Duty has vents with engine, model and trim information. If you notice that some are red and others are black, that is because the diesel gets the red and the gas gets the black. At the other end of the truck, Ford has incorporated a new tailgate complete with a pull-down step and a stowable bed extender. Also of interest is the addition of the industry's first power telescoping and folding side-view mirrors.
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| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
For those that are looking for power, Ford has you covered. For those that require moderate power, they can opt for the basic Triton 5.4L V8 which delivers 300 hp and 360 lb/ft of torque. Need more oomph, how about a 362 hp 6.8L Triton V10 which also generates 475 lb/ft of torque. Need even more cataclysmic power, then the new sequentially turbocharged (2 turbos) 6.4L Power Stroke diesel V8. Complete with new common-rail fuel injection, high capacity EGR coolers and a particulate filter for significantly reduced emissions, it will develop 350 hp and 650 lb/ft of torque. Taking the energy from these engines will be either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission. The new Super Duty should be in stores by early 2007.
Toyota |
| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Just before I was shuttled off to DFW airport, I caught a glimpse of the all-new 2007 Toyota Tundra. From what I gathered in 3 minutes, this Tundra is all-American. It was designed, engineered and assembled by Americans for Americans. How about that? The Toyota people added that this was the first time in Toyota's history that this had been done. As far as details are concerned, three body styles will be offered along with three engines. The first two are familiar as they are already found in a few existing products; the 4.0L V6 and the 4.7L i-Force V8. The range topper is an all-new 5.7L i-Force V8 for which the output will be unveiled at the 2007 NAIAS. As far as I am concerned, the 5.7L had better put out at least 330 hp to be in the game.
