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2015 Ford Explorer
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US000008740279B120140603
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2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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2013 Jim Fets Photography/GMC
2014 GMC Sierra Denali Crew Cab Front Three Quarter in Onyx Blac
2014 GMC Sierra Denali Crew Cab front three quarter view shows the bold honeycomb chrome grille 20-inch chrome wheels, body-color front bumper, and standard projector-style headlamps with LED signature. The Sierra Denali is the most luxurious and technologically advanced GMC half-ton pickup.
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GM
2015 Hydra-Matic 8L90 (M5U) Eight-Speed RWD Auto Transaxle for C
GM has been granted more than 24 patents related to the all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that will be offered on the new Corvette Z06. Designed and built by GM, the transmission is more than 8 pounds (4 kg) lighter and five-percent more fuel efficient than the six-speed automatic.
By Perry Mack
RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR PROTOTYPE DEBUTS AT GOODWOOD
Crowds at Goodwood Festival of Speed got an early preview of Land Rover's new 542 hp Range Rover Sport SVR recently during the events supercar runs up the hill. The prototype was delivered to Goodwood in a packing crate from the Nurburgring Test Center in Germany, where it has been undergoing development. Land Rover's fastest and most powerful ever production vehicle was unleashed, wrapped in red, white and blue camouflage, and produced several impressive runs up the famous hill climb. The Range Rover Sport SVR the first vehicle created by Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations we reported on last issue. The SVR is currently undergoing development prior to going on sale in 2015.
RAM READYING NEW TAILGATE DESIGN
Ram has been making great strides forward when it comes to innovative truck features. Starting with the popular Ram Box lockable truck bed storage compartments along with upgrading mechanicals like coil spring suspension, small displacement diesel powertrains and 8-speed transmissions, there is now word that Ram may have another trick up their sleeve. If recently discovered patent drawings prove to be correct, Ram is looking to completely change the way the tailgate can work for truck owners. The submitted drawings show that Ram are giving owners more options in tailgate operation. The new designs show a tailgate that combines the functionality of a traditional fold-down design with a 50/50 split that can also split open like a barn-door, or a combination of the two. Honda also has a similar design that allows a double-hinged one-piece tailgate to both lower and open from one side without the 50/50 split, however Ram look to also be employing touchpads to operate what will likely be an electric-assist actuation. There is now word from Ram on possible applications or timeframes of the patent pending design.
STOP START TECHNOLOGY WORKING ITS WAY INTO JEEP LINEUP
Chrysler Group has announced that it will be offering fuel-saving Engine Stop-Start (ESS) technology as standard equipment on certain models of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee mid-size SUV. Jeep Cherokee customers who choose the available 3.2L Pentastar VVT V-6, will experience estimated fuel-economy improvements of up to three percent, compared with the conventional vehicle-engine pairings. These applications will also realize an estimated C02 emissions-reduction of up to three percent. The technology made its North American debut in the Ram 1500 full-size pickup, and will now be available in the Jeep Cherokee starting this fall. At the heart of ESS is a high-speed/high-durability starter that reduces crank time, culminating in quicker restarts.
GMC DENALI 1500 GETS MAGNETISED
Magnetic ride control is an all-new, exclusive feature on the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali, advancing its position as the most refined and technologically advanced truck on the market. It’s the first time the advanced, electronically controlled damping system has been offered on a full-size truck. Magnetic ride control provides more precise body motion control that correlates with a more refined ride, while maintaining payload and trailering capability. The system now becomes standard on all Sierra Denali half-ton models, whether equipped with the standard 5.3L V-8 (355 hp) or the available 6.2L V-8 (420 hp).
The third-generation magnetic ride control’s sensors “read” the road every millisecond, triggering damping changes in as little as five milliseconds in the electronically controlled shock absorbers that replace conventional mechanical-valve shocks. They’re filled with a magneto-rheological fluid containing minute iron particles, and under the presence of a magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance. Changes in the magnetic charge alter the damping rate of the shocks almost instantly.
LAND ROVER CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT DIVIDE EXPEDITION
In 1989, Land Rover embarked on an ambitious adventure to traverse the most demanding portion of the Continental Divide in Colorado. The Great Divide Expedition was the launch event for the 1990 Range Rover. With the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop, a caravan of stock Range Rover vehicles navigated their way along a route that took nearly two years to develop. Now 25 years later, Land Rover is gearing up once again for the adventure of a lifetime, and this time they are giving the public the chance to join the expedition with a limited number of seats available for customers. To commemorate this legendary journey, a fleet of Range Rover vehicles will travel nearly 1,600 km of unpaved roads and 4WD trails along a portion of the original Great Divide route. Throughout this expedition, participants will navigate narrow rocky trails with steep drop-offs and mountain passes over 4,000 m (13,000 ft). This time the expedition will be using stock 2014 Range Rover vehicles with no special modifications.
Land Rover supports responsible off-road practices as a founding partner and continued supporter of Tread Lightly!, a national non-profit organization developed by the U.S. Forest Service. Also celebrating its 25th anniversary, Tread Lightly! aims to promote safe and responsible off-road driving through education and stewardship programs. In honor of both anniversaries, Land Rover North America will auction a fully restored 1990 Range Rover Great Divide Replica in support of Tread Lightly!. This vehicle will be sold in partnership with eBay Motors and the proceeds of the charity auction will support Tread Lightly! in its goal to promote good stewardship of the outdoors. The charity auction kicks off August 4th and ends August 14th. The winner will also be the guest of Land Rover on the 2014 Expedition.
ALL-NEW XC90 PROMISES TO BE BOTH POWERFUL AND CLEAN
Volvo is claiming that the all-new XC90 will offer an unrivalled combination of power and clean operation when it is launched later this year. The all-wheel drive seven seater will offer drivers up to 400 hp but with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of around 60 g/km. This is thanks to a range of Drive-E engine options. The main distinguishing feature of the Drive-E engine range is that they are all four-cylinder engines. For the new XC90, the top of the range 'Twin Engine' will carry the badge “T8” and be a plug-in electric, hybrid and self proclaimed high-performance vehicle rolled into one.
Normal driving is conducted in the default hybrid mode. This utilizes a 2.0L, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged Drive-E petrol engine that powers the front wheels and an 80 hp (60 kW) electric motor that drives the rear wheels. It uses the supercharger to fill in the bottom end of the power range to give the engine a big, naturally aspirated feel, while the turbocharger kicks in when the airflow builds up. The electric motor on the rear wheels provides immediate torque. But at the push of a button the driver can switch to quiet and emission-free city driving on pure electric power where the range will be around 40 km, and then, when needed, immediately revert back to the combined capacity of the petrol engine and electric motor, with its combined output of around 400 hp and 472 lb-ft.
HELLO LITTLE GUY, ARE YOU THE NEXT RAM COMPACT TRUCK?
Last issue we brought you an inside look at what Chrysler is working on for the next five years, and the name of the game is fuel efficiency and the influx of several new compact vehicles. We’ve had the feeling that Chrysler were likely cooking up a new compact or midsize pickup to add to either the Ram or Jeep line, but in all truth, we have no idea what really is going on when if comes to a new truck. However, a heavily camouflaged compact truck-like vehicle has been seen testing in Auburn Hills, Michigan, which is almost completely unrecognizable as any known vehicle other than its headlights. They say our eyes are the windows to our souls, and since the headlights on the test mule in question remarkably resembled that of the Fiat Strada, we’re willing to bet that Ram are jumping into the compact game in the near future. Those unfamiliar with the Strada should know that this South American and European based Fiat is a unibody, front engine, front wheel drive ute that makes use of a 1.4L or 1.8L gasoline engine or 1.3L Multijet diesel. Despite rather unimpressive off-road credentials, Fiat does build an off-road inspired trim level that adds flared arches and, yes, a locking differential.
SCORE CONDUCTING BAJA 1000 QUALIFYING DURING SEMA
SCORE International has officially announced that it is bringing the thrill and excitement of its legendary flagship event, the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, to the 2014 SEMA Show. Off-road activities will take place in Las Vegas, throughout the week of the SEMA Show (Nov. 4-7), including the 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 live race-qualifying event. The SEMA Show SCORE Baja 1000 Experience will include a 70,000-sq-ft desert-racing exhibit outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s South Hall. On display will be dozens of Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 SCORE Trophy Truck and unlimited Class 1 race vehicles, exhibits from leading off-road and desert racing companies, the SCORE transporter, a huge stage, a massive SCOREvision where SCORE Dirt LiveHD will be streaming, press conferences, autograph sessions and an interactive SCORE Baja pit crew competition area.
SCORE Trophy Truck qualifying for the 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will take place on Tuesday evening, Nov. 4 on a specially designed course around Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The course will start and finish on the LVMS Off-Road Track. The 3.6-mile course will incorporate off-road, dirt and asphalt elements, utilize two different race courses, and require the drivers to turn on their lights and qualify in the darkness of the Las Vegas night.
SILVERADO, SIERRA AND YUKON GETTING EIGHT COGS
When we test drove the new Silverado and Sierra late last year, we were pretty impressed with the gains made to the efficiency of the 5.3L EcoTec V-8. However, the 6.2L still likes to sip a healthy amount of fuel. GM knew this, so they have just confirmed a new eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard on 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali models equipped with the 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8.
The GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed is approximately the same size and weight as the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic. Its 7.0 overall gear ratio spread is wider than GM’s six-speed automatic transmissions, providing a numerically higher first gear ratio to help drivers start off more confidently with a heavy load or when trailering. The 8L90 also enables numerically lower rear axle ratios, which reduce engine rpm on the highway. Additional technical details and the EPA estimated fuel economy will be announced closer to the start of production in the fourth quarter of 2014.
FORD EXPLORER GETTING A FACELIFT
Ford is bringing new options to utility vehicle customers for 2015 with a refresh of the Explorer. A new sport-inspired appearance package will aim to improve comfort and technology without breaking the bank, as well as adding some new colours and features. The new appearance package for Explorer XLT includes a 20-inch machined aluminum wheels featuring painted pockets, black body-side cladding and roof rack rails. Other features include a Magnetic Metallic painted grille, mirror caps and liftgate appliqué, "EXPLORER" hood badge and body-colour door handles. Interior details include leather-trimmed, heated front seats featuring Miko suede inserts and contrast stitching, floor mats with special badging and auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The package also features technology upgrades such as SYNC with MyFord Touch, two 4.2-inch colour LCD screens in the instrument cluster, an 8-inch colour LCD touch screen in the Meteorite Black center stack, two USB ports and an SD card reader. Additional updates for 2015 include new 18-inch aluminum wheels now standard on the base model; Class III trailer tow package now standard on Explorer Sport; and three new colours – Bronze Fire Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Caribou Metallic and Magnetic Metallic.