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27.09.04, 22:22
Super Trucks
• Cadillac Escalade EXT
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Chevrolet SSR
• Chevrolet Avalanche
• Dodge Ram 1500
• Ford F-150
• Ford F-250 Super Duty
• Ford Ranger
• Hummer H2
• Mazda B-Series
• Toyota Tacoma
The Dodge Ram SRT-10, powered by a 500-hp, 8.3-litre V10 like the Dodge
Viper's, has earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as 'World's
Fastest Production Pickup Truck'.
Ford's F-150 SVT Lightning was one of the first true performance trucks. The
original was launched in 1993 and the 2004 model was powered by a
supercharged, 380-hp, 5.4-litre V8. Expect Lightning to strike again soon.
The 2004 Chevrolet SSR is a sporty two-seat pickup that takes its styling
cues from Chevrolet trucks of the 40s and 50s, and it features a power-
retractable hardtop.
Built on the redesigned 2005 Toyota Tacoma platform, the X-Runner features a
longer wheelbase, wider tracks, a 2.5-cm lower ride height and gets tuned
shocks, 18-inch wheels and a 240-horsepower V6 engine.
The 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson F-250 Super Duty features 18-inch aluminum
wheels, an engine decal, chrome exhaust tip, 4-wheel drive, and an optional
6.0-litre Power Stroke diesel.
The 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT, the venerable luxury marque's first pickup
truck, features a rear cabin wall that folds to expand the pickup bed.
The Chevrolet Silverado SS is powered by a 345-horsepower, 6.0-litre V8 with
all-wheel-drive. It has the Z60 performance chassis package and rides on 20-
inch wheels and tires.
Super Trucks:
Style and Attitude
By the Editorial Team
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Today's 'specialty trucks' are much more than everyday work vehicles: They
exude power and style, and many have solid performance credentials to back up
their claims.
Several manufacturers are offering specialty versions of their trucks for
sale, with the focus geared toward either high-performance or luxury. These
specialty trucks go beyond the pickup truck's historic roots as an everyday
workhorse and add fun, style and performance-not to mention eye-catching
looks. Current trends for specialty trucks even cross over into sports car
and SUV territory.
Sports Car Performance From a Pickup?
Certainly one of the most anticipated specialty trucks of the 2004 model year
is the Dodge Ram SRT-10, powered by the 500-horsepower, 8.3-litre V10
normally found only in the Dodge Viper sports car.
The Ram SRT-10 recently earned the title of "World's Fastest Production
Pickup Truck" in the Guinness Book of World Records with a two-lap average
speed for a "flying kilometre" of 248.77 km/h (154.587 mph). NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series driver Brendan Gaughan was at the wheel of the Ram SRT-10 for
the record run at the DaimlerChrysler Proving Grounds in Michigan.
In addition to the Viper engine, the Ram SRT-10 presents an aggressive look
with a deep front fascia, bulging hood with large functional hood
scoop, "Viper Powered" badges, and a rear spoiler. The appearance is backed
up with sport tuned suspension, 22-inch polished aluminium "viper-style"
wheels, and larger brakes with red brake calipers. Inside the Ram SRT-10
receives sport leather seats with suede inserts, "Hurst" shift lever,
aluminium pedals, and a red start button like the Viper's.
Dodge is also offering a special edition of the Ram 1500 with the 5.7-litre
Hemi engine that builds on the look of the Ram SRT-10 while paying homage to
Dodge muscle cars of the 1960s. The "Rumble Bee" edition is available on the
Ram 1500 4x4 SLT and includes a hood scoop, front air dam, lower-body
mouldings, body-coloured taillight guards, body-coloured grille, a brushed
aluminium fuel filler door, and a chrome exhaust tip. The package is capped
off with the Hemi Racing Bee emblem and a vertical racing stripe that were
used on Dodge Hemi race cars in the 1960s and 1970s. The Rumble Bee is
available in two colour combinations, Solar yellow with black stripe, or
Black with yellow stripe.
Nostalgic but Modern Convertible Truck
Another recent edition to the high-performance truck category is the
Chevrolet SSR, a sporty two-seat pickup that takes its styling cues from
Chevrolet trucks of the 1940s, but includes a thoroughly modern, power-
retractable hardtop for open-air driving.
The SSR is powered by a 300-horsepower version of the legendary small-block
Chevy V8, and the design features large flared fenders and a wide stance,
punctuated by 19-inch wheels and tires at the front and 20-inch meats at the
rear.
Another Chevrolet entry in the specialty truck category is the Chevrolet
Silverado SS, based on the Silverado 1500 Extended Cab and powered by a 345-
horsepower, 6.0-litre V8 engine. The SS features all-wheel-drive, the Z60
high-performance chassis package, and a 20-inch wheel and tire package.
One of First High-Performance Trucks
The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was one of the first trucks to offer sports car
performance in a pickup truck package when it debuted as a 1993 model. The
latest version, still built on the previous-generation F-150 platform, was
the fastest production pickup with an average speed of 237.43 km/h (147.54
mph) until the SRT-10 took the title.
We can realistically expect a new Lightning built on the new F-150 platform
to take a shot at the SRT-10 record. Ford showed a Lightning concept at the
2003 North American International Auto Show, powered by a supercharged, 500-
horsepower, 5.4-litre V8 engine.
Another specialty truck from Ford is an all-new Harley-Davidson version of
the F-250 Super Duty, to be introduced as a 2005 model in Canada. This truck
will feature exclusive 18-inch aluminium wheels, an engine decal, a chrome
exhaust tip, 4-wheel drive, and an optional 6.0-litre Power Stroke
turbodiesel V8. The Harley-Davidson Super Duty is available in three color
combinations: Black with Competition Orange two-tone, Black with Dark Shadow
Gray two-tone, and Black Monotone. The first Harley-Davidson edition had been
built on the F-150 platform.
SUV-based Trucks
Another trend in specialty trucks is adding a small pickup bed to an existing
SUV platform. Early versions were the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and the
Chevrolet Avalanche.
Cadillac then added the Escalade EXT, its first-ever luxury sport-utility
truck, built on the same platform as the Avalanche. The EXT offers a
luxurious interior with room for five passengers combined with a 5-foot, 3-
inch (1600 mm) cargo box with a 3-piece cargo cover and locking tailgate. The
EXT includes a Midgate system that folds into the interior to expand the
cargo area to 8 feet, 1 inch (2464 mm) in length.
Hummer is also adding a pickup-style model to the H2 line-up for 2005. The
new H2 SUT (for Sport-Utility Truck) also replaces the covered cargo area
with a small pickup bed and also includes the 'Midgate' system that can
expand the cargo area when needed.
Aggressive Looks for 2WD Versions
In some cases, these stylish trucks are created by putting the aggressive
design of a 4WD on a less expensive two-wheel-drive platform. The Mazda B-
Series Dual Sport and Toyota Tacoma PreRunner feature raised suspension,
large off-road tires and fender flares.
The Ford Ranger 2WD with the Tremor package also features 4WD exterior
styling, but it boasts a premium 485-watt Pioneer sound system with a custom-
designed subwoofer.
Specialty Truck News
At the 2004 Chicago Auto Show, Toyota unveiled the Tacoma X-Runner, the first
version of the redesigned 2005 Toyota Tacoma to be shown to the public. The
redesigned 2005 Tacoma will arrive lat
