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2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71
The all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck and is expected to deliver class-leading power, payload and trailering ratings. Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014.
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Bryan Harrold
Baja 1000
Baja 1000
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Defender Imminent
Defender Imminent
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Dominique Fontenat
Jeep J8 Army
Jeep diesel
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Nissan Wieck
Next-Generation Titan Pickup with New Cummins Turbo
At the kickoff of Nissan 360, an industry showcase of Nissanís global product and technology portfolio, the company announced it will offer a newly-developed Cummins V8 turbo diesel in its next-generation full-size pickup.
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Ram
Ram
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Range Rover
Range Rover
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2014 Ram 1500
Industry News Notes
RANGE ROVER SPORT CONQUERS THE EMPTY QUARTER
It looks like Land Rover is starting to get back into the expedition game once again. Yes, they are very obvious marketing ploys, but this last challenge they have issued to themselves is starting the smell of Land Rover of old. The goal was to cross Arabia’s Empty Quarter in record time, a desolate stretch of sand dunes void of just about any sign of life. With Moi Torrallardona at the wheel, a 47 year-old Spanish off-road racer with extensive experience in the Dakar Rally, the team succeeded and set the fastest recorded time of 10 hours, 22 minutes to cross the 800 km (479 miles) of grueling terrain. The feat was accomplished at the wheel of a completely stock 2014 Range Rover Sport. The only modification to the vehicle was the fitment of an underbody protection plate.
COLORADO COMEBACK
We have known for a little while now that GM was getting back into the mid-size truck market with the return of the Colorado, and now we know exactly when that will happen. Unfortunately, GM will reveal the new truck at the LA Auto Show, mere days after this magazine goes to print, so as you read this, the unveiling has already happened. In conversation with GM higher ups, we do know this, the new truck will be based off the global platform that is used for the Colorado that is still being sold over sea’s and there was strong talk of a small displacement diesel possibly being dropped in, what with a diesel Cruze, we will bet the chances are good. That should send Toyota and Nissan for a loop as they have enjoyed a monopoly over the once dying segment. It looks like things are starting to heat up once again for the small truck market.
AEV EXPAND RANGE TO INCLUDE RAM TRUCKS
I’m sure everyone is familiar with American Expedition Vehicles, or AEV, the makers of the Brute pickup conversion for the Jeep Wrangler as well as all things cool and interesting for the much loved JK. Well it looks as though AEV are about to spread their wings so to speak, with the introduction of a new concept they had ready for SEMA. The vehicle in question is this Ram Heavy Duty that has been well massaged by the AEV crew. AEV wanted to break the mold of the traditional "lifted truck" methodology and set out to fit the largest tire possible with the least amount of lift. The result is a Ram with 40-inch tires with only 3 inches of lift thanks to modified fenders, along with a custom front bumper system. According to AEV, this is just a taste of things to come as they open up a new arena of expedition equipment.
NISSAN CONFIRM CUMMINS POWERED TITAN
We knew that Nissan and Cummins were teaming up to work on a new diesel power plant in cooperation with the U.S. EPA, designed to allow full-size trucks to meet the rigorous upcoming emissions standards. Many spy photos and even official press releases showed a 2.8L Cummins diesel power plant being developed in the chassis of a Nissan Titan, however, a recent official statement from both Nissan and Cummins caught us out in left field as Nissan confirms that the all-new 2015 Titan will indeed be powered by Cummins Diesel, however, that powerplant will come in the form of a much bigger light-duty diesel 5.0-liter V-8, with another version slated for the commercial market. Ironically, this was a powerplant that Chrysler decided not to implement into the Ram 1500, choosing instead to turn to the Fiat-owned VM Motori 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel. With a torque rating in the mid-500s (lb-ft) and more than 300 horsepower, the Cummins 5.0L V-8 Turbo Diesel will most definitely give the heavily outdated Titan a push in the right direction, we’ll let you know when we find out more info on the upcoming launch.
BAJA 1000 GLORY AND TRAGEDY
It’s one of the largest off-road racing events on the planet and once again a hoard of trucks, buggies and bikes launched into the Baja abyss in search for dust and glory. The 2013 edition saw its fair share of drama as usual with “Ballistic” B.J. Baldwin holding off the attack from the team of Rob MacCachren and Andy McMillin to take his second straight victory. Baldwin covered the 883-mile course in just 18:36:10 at the wheel of his Chevrolet Silverado Trophy Truck. However, the win would be overshadowed by a piece of tragic news from the motorcycle race. Multi-time AMA National Hare & Hound Champion, WORCS Champion and many-time ISDE gold medalist, Kurt Caselli was thrown from his bike with 90-miles to go, suffering major head injuries, later dying in transport to hospital in Ensenada, Mexico. Our heart felt condolences to the Caselli family and friends.
DEFENDER IMMINENT
With all the talk of Land Rovers less than utilitarian vehicles in this issue, we would like to get back to an issue that has all Land Rover fans sitting on the edge of their seats in bated anticipation and hope. That of the status of the next generation Land Rover Defender and any possibility it might make its way to our shores. The redesign of the Defender has been challenging for Land Rover to say the least, with several concepts receiving mixed reviews like this Concept 100 you see here. How do you take a utilitarian icon and modernize it without loosing the character of the original? It’s a tough question and one that has many thinking that Land Rover might not know either. However, recently Land Rover brand manager John Edwards announced a few small but evermore details about the now imminent Defender, expected to be out late 2015 as a 2016 model. He confirmed rumours the 2016 Defender will be fully compliant with EU6 regulations, meaning that it could also be eligible for the Canadian market. He also said it will retain the iconic aesthetic and off-road performance that has made it a motoring legend for 67-years and it would be expensive. At least we know there is a projected finish line now.
WILL THE NEXT WRANGLER GET DIESEL POWER?
At a recent Chrysler event, the talk of the hour was of their new darling, the 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel engine, lifted from the Grand Cherokee, being placed in the Ram 1500. The results were emphatically impressive, as you have likely read in our review. However, while the implementation of diesel power in a half-ton truck makes sense, expanding the powertrain line to the utilitarian Wrangler just seems to make perfect sense. Hell, they already make one for overseas with the J8 seen here. When the subject was brought up with the brass, we received a myriad of different reactions, from surprise, to all but confirmation that a plan is currently in the works. So can you expect to see an EcoDiesel Rubicon make its way to market in the next couple months? Well not so fast, while we are sure Chrysler are pondering the idea, with a new redesign of the Wrangler due in the very near future, it makes sense to think the development dollars needed to fit the powertrain to the chassis will be better spent on the new arrival. We’ll have to wait and see, but we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we can find anything juicier.