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Ford Wieck
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor again is raising the bar for high-speed off-road performance trucks by adding a SuperCrew option and more standard 6.2-liter V8 power and towing capability for 2011. (09/03/2010)
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2015 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain
2015 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain
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James Goodnight
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Daimler AG - Global Communicatio
Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force
Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force
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The 205 T16 and Peugeot 2008 DKR revealed in Nanterre, France on March 28th, 2014 Peugeot returns to Dakar 2015 // Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool // P-20140414-00184 // Usage for editorial use only // Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information. //
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MCH PHOTO
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By Perry Mack
NEXT GENERATION RAPTOR IN DEVELOPMENT?
With the inclusion of aluminum architecture at the heart of the 2015 Ford F-150, there have been several concerned cries from Raptor faithful whether or not the desert racer will make a return to Fords lineup when the next generation F-150 rotates in later this year. Well, smile Raptor lovers as a suspiciously wide and camouflaged test mule has been spotted somewhere in the South West deserts of the U.S. The vehicle in question combines the aluminum crew cab body of the 2015 F-150 with the fender flares and bumpers of the current Raptor. Despite heavy camouflaging on the hood and front grille, a noticeable hood bulge is present, as well as two vertical slats in the grille. Regardless of where this experiment is going, we’re happy to say it’s safe to assume that a second generation Raptor is currently being engineered.
GMC INTRODUCE SIERRA ALL TERRAIN HD
GMC has introduced a new off-road trim line to their Sierra HD. The 2015 Sierra All Terrain HD is a refined, off-road-inspired execution of the brand’s heavy-duty 4WD, due to go on sale this summer. The new Sierra All Terrain HD is available on 2500HD and 3500HD double cab and crew cab models, and is offered with SLE or SLT trims – all with 4WD of course, including an electronically controlled transfer case. Also included is the Z71 Off Road package, with Rancho twin-tube shocks, hill descent control and a skid plate. Sierra HD’s 6.0L gas engine comes as standard with the Duramax turbo-diesel an available option. The All Terrain’s design features include a chrome surround on the grille, exterior graphics, aluminum underbody shields and unique 18-inch six-spoke chrome cast-aluminum wheels. Twenty-inch chrome aluminum wheels are available on 2500HD, while 3500HD models also include adjustable outside camper mirrors with a chrome cap. Additional exterior content includes light-emitting diode signature headlamps, body-colour bumpers (chrome bumpers available), chrome mirrors covers and body side moldings and chrome front-lower bumper plate. Inside, a carbon fibre-inspired theme distinguishes the All Terrain from other models and includes the ALL TERRAIN logo on the instrument cluster. A rearview camera system is also standard.
MOBIUS II BRINGS BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS
We here at 4WDrive Magazine often find ourselves thinking what would a proper modern utilitarian 4WD vehicle look like. We ask this because no one makes them any more. Not even the fabled Jeep Wrangler will due without some kind of modern conveniences and technology. Well, a company called Mobius is attempting to do just that, build a simple, small, bare bones 4WD like they did in the old days. Nairobi-based Mobius Motors wants to build a machine capable of handling the inhospitable roads of the continent's interior for just $6,000; a price it says is similar to the auto rickshaw. For that, buyers will get an eight-seater, zero-frills (no air conditioning or windows) machine powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with 86 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque. The tubular-framed SUV with a top speed of about 120 kph (75 mph) weighs 1,272 kg (2,805 lb), has nine inches of ground clearance and can carry 623 kg (1,375 lb) worth of cargo. We must admit we love the whole concept, however the design, well lets allow that to marinate before we think about importing.
LAND ROVER DEBUT DIESEL HYBRID RANGE ROVER
Land Rover has further progressed the development of its acclaimed Range Rover with the global debut of the Range Rover Hybrid Long Wheelbase. Together with the Range Rover Sport Hybrid, it will be the first diesel hybrid model produced by the brand. The Range Rover Hybrid powertrain combines Land Rover's 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor, integrated with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The system allows the driver to select from three different drive modes to maximize performance or efficiency, and is capable of delivering 26 per cent lower CO2 emissions (169g/km) and 6.4 L/100 km (44.1mpg). The good news is that Land Rover will start taking orders for the hybrids in May. The bad news is only the Chinese are getting the first batch. However, if the thought of a diesel hybrid 4WD sounds good to you, Land Rover will likely have the technology available here in the near future.
ARE MERCEDES GOING TO MESS WITH A GOOD THING?
The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, better known as the G-Class here in Canada, has not only been on the market for a whopping 35 years, but has been left relatively unchanged in that time. Despite this, 2013 turned out to be the strongest for the G-Class in terms of sales. No wonder Mercedes is in no rush to discontinue the G-Wagen, but it does reportedly have some serious updates lined up for the vehicle in the very near future. The "new" G-Class is tipped to grow larger yet lighter, more refined and more fuel efficient than the existing version, likely in an effort to take a stronger swing at the redesigned contingent from the Land Rover brand. Among the changes in line, according to Autocar, is the increased use of aluminum in the vehicle's construction – expected to help trim a good 200 kg (450 lb) or so off its hefty curb weight. It's also set to grow a good 4-in wider to the benefit of stability and interior space, which in turn is anticipated to borrow some elements from the latest C-Class to make it an even more tempting proposition for luxury buyers. New suspension components, steering system and nine-speed automatic transmission ought to do the rest, joining a revised range of engines being developed for the new E-Class.
PEUGEOT MAKING RETURN TO DAKAR
Guess who’s heading back to the sand dunes of the Dakar Rally? Yes, for those Dakar faithful, Peugeot has announced they will return to the iconic event and have revealed the design of the car that will compete for outright victory. To us Canadians, the last Peugeot we saw was the 505, but this new competition car is based on the wild 2008 crossover. Only a handful of details have been released so far, and we're told the design and ‘aggressive stance' was necessitated by the drivetrain and dynamic properties created by Peugeot Sport. In a startling move, Peugeot have opted to not compete in the 4WD class, choosing instead to embrace the two-wheel drive buggy class, which has far less restrictive rules than the four-wheel drive class in which the X-Raid Mini Countryman runs. Thus, it can benefit from better suspension travel, a larger wheel fitment and, of course, lots of power.
Though details of the powertrain are being kept tightly under wraps at the moment, we do know Carlos Sainz, the 2010 Dakar Rally champ, and five-time Dakar bike champ Cyril Despres are set to pilot the wild Pug.
AL-RAHJI CONQUERS MIGHTY MINIS TO TAKE PHARAONS RALLY
Egypt’s Pharaons Rally is one of the most iconic events on the FIA Rally Raid schedule. It was looking like it would be an all-Mini show once again with factory diver Nasser Al-Attiyah being the favourite to walk away with the win. However, victory was snatched from his grasp early, Al-Attiyah was among the fastest drivers contesting the Egyptian rally but unfortunately, he encountered a difficult start into the event. Due to a navigation mistake in stage one, he lost some 13 minutes and crossed the finish line in fourth position. On the following days, he worked his way up step by step and even outpaced the fast Toyotas. At the end of the fifth and final stage, the driver from Qatar held second place. However, the surprise victory went to the hard fighting Toyota driver, Yazeed Al-Rahji, in the end. The Saudi held off the might of the Mini team including Dutchman Erik van Loon who came home third, and Russian Vladimir Vasilyev, who finished fourth. After this fifth round of the FIA Cup for Cross Country Rallies, Vasilyev still leads the championship.
NORRA MEXICAN 1000 RALLY
Known as the “Happiest Race on Earth,” the NORRA Mexican 1000 is that other big race on the Baja peninsula. Hundreds of drivers from all over the world, including Germany, Italy, Ecuador, United States, Denmark, Canada and Mexico traveled to Ensenada to begin the multi-day adventure that tours the Baja peninsula from tip to tail. Currently in its fifth edition, racers battled it out over four days in several different classes from Unlimited, to the popular Vintage class, right up to full Dakar style Rally Raid machinery. In the end, it was Rich Voss who would cross the finish line in La Paz before all the others in his Unlimited Ford, followed Jerry Herbst, winner of the Vintage Class, with Bob Gordon finishing up the top three overall positions. Three Canadians also had good showings as Montreal’s David Bensadoun won the Rally Raid class, 4th overall in this Toyota Hilux/Tacoma Raid Truck. Calgary’s Matthew Campbell brought his Durango home third in Unlimited Class, while Paul Clark finished 9th in the Unlimited Class.
Unlimited Class results:
Position / Number / Name / Vehicle / Time
1. 35 Rich Voss, Protruck Ford, 15:45:58
2. 804 Gary Williams, Protruck Chevrolet, 16:37:26
3. 153 Matthew Campbell, 3 Seater Jimco, 16:41:55
4. 20 Walker Evans, Alumicraft Grande, 16:43:42
5. 1834 Kenneth Losch, Geyser Prerunner, 17:11:10
6. 127 Scott Bailey, Ford Raceworks, 17:45:24
7. 462 Butch Jensen, Alumi craft Grande, 18:26:35
8. 10 Jim Smith, Spcon Sand Rail, DNF
9. 1821 Hap Kellogg, Racer Prerunner, DNF
10. 111 John Langley, Racer 3 seat, DNF