Around the Industry

Around the Industry

MERCEDES TO BUILD 4WD PICKUP WITH HELP FROM NISSAN

While Mercedes-Benz technically already builds a pickup, as you can see here, they don’t build a mass production pickup for the public. It has always been rumoured that they have wanted to jump into the pickup segment, with a couple interesting renderings based off the Ram 1500 being distributed back when they were in bed with Chrysler, but as of yet, no proper pickup has been developed.

That is until now. Mercedes-Benz has just announced that they will soon be launching a one-ton mass produced pickup with the help of Nissan-Renault. The Mercedes one-ton will be based off the Nissan NP300, known better in Canada as the Nissan Frontier. As this platform is currently being developed to support a Renault one-ton truck, further development to support the Mercedes as well will make the task even easier.

In the case of the Mercedes, the new pickup will feature a double cab and will be targeted both at personal-use and commercial customers. No details have been given in regard to the specs of the vehicle, however you can be assured it will likely be offered with the same driveline options as the European spec Nissan Narvara, while Mercedes-Benz will design and engineer the body and interior to meet the specific needs of its customers. As in the past, the primary target markets for the truck will be Europe, Australia, South Africa and Latin America. So, in other words, it will be available everywhere but here.

BRABUS TO BUILD RANGE ROVER PICKUP

Do you find yourself yearning for a Land Rover Defender 130, but want to spend more money and have only the highest level of luxury appointments? Well, if you do, STARTECH, a BRABUS Group company has got you covered. They just recently pulled the wraps off one of the more intriguing bespoke coachwork special editions we’ve seen in quite a while at the 2015 Auto Shanghai show. The STARTECH pickup, based on the latest Range Rover, features a 5.0L supercharged V-8 that produces 526 hp and will get the big Ute up to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h.

The most obvious trait is the transformation from an SUV to a pickup, which required designing and manufacturing of no less than 100 bodywork components from aluminum, carbon fiber and steel. The plastic-lined pickup bed is almost square and with the tailgate closed offers a loading length of 110 centimeters. When the tailgate is opened, either by remote control or by a push of a button in the cockpit, another 60 centimeters are available for carrying cargo. BRABUS are quick to point out that the bed offers plenty of space for, “Golf bags or other recreational equipment. Especially customers from the Arab region, will likely use the pickup bed for transporting a securely fastened cage that holds their falcons for the hunt.”

Along with all BRABUS products, the new pickup offers an overly extravagant interior laced with all the finest leathers, Alcantara and hip metals and composites to match an equally extravagant exterior with even more exotic Unobtainium materials. Don’t worry drug dealers, those diamond incrusted 23-in wheels will fit, BRABUS made sure they would.

VW REVEAL TRISTAR 4WD CONCEPT AT HANOVER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW

We’ve heard some rumblings from Volkswagen that they might be reconsidering a pickup for the North American market. While we would logically think VW would revert to the already impressive VW Amarok, word from inside VW says that if they do decide to take a run at selling trucks here, they would likely shy away from the Amarok, but take on the full-size trucks with a larger vehicle.

Just such a vehicle, so to speak, was recently unveiled in Hanover at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show. The VW Tristar concept truck was designed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original Syncro concept and it is quite a head turner. Powered by a 2.0-liter TDI engine that produces 201 hp and 331 lb-ft, it has a seven-speed transmission paired to VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. 17-in wheels with BFG A/T tires and a 30 mm lift provide the tall stance over the current Transporter. The rear end makes use of a fully mechanical differential lock, while the front receives an integrated winch into the front bumper.

For the purposes of the show, the interior has been fitted out to work like an office and features creature comforts and fine materials. So much so, that there is a 20-inch tablet table and state-of-the-art video conferencing and sound system. VW also comment that the driver and passenger seats turn and slide, making Tristar a comfortable place to conduct meetings. There’s even an espresso machine. It’s all fun and exciting that this could be a sign of things to come, however it’s worth noting that this is just a concept, and concepts are just pipe dreams. But every now and then, those dreams do become reality.

WILL THE 2017 WRANGLER BE UNIBODY AND ALUMINUM?

Much like the upcoming redesign of the Land Rover Defender, there is controversy already starting to surround the next generation Jeep Wrangler. Old-school 4WD’s with old-school abilities are becoming a shrinking bastion for those who feel threatened by change. As these vehicles are so focused around this lifestyle, modernization could weaken the breed. As such, talk of “aluminum,” “unibody” and “IFS” strikes fear into those who want a new vehicle built to old traditions.

In a recent investors meeting, FCA head, Sergio Marchionne was quoted as saying, “my gut, it tells me we'll still be building a steel truck in 2018," but he acquiesced that he wants aluminum "in the portfolio," and didn't deny the Wrangler was the best place to put it. Then Automotive News asked Marchionne "Is there a better use for aluminum in your lineup than Wrangler?" the Fiat-Chrysler boss simply said "No." On top of this, rumour of a stamped and riveted monocoque body has also been thrown around, not to mention independent suspension. Will Jeep take such an extreme departure to one of their most beloved vehicles? Only time will tell, but of the last three models to be launched from Jeep, it’s worth noting that they have all been unibody.

SHELBY SEND FIRST GEN RAPTOR OUT WITH A BANG

For those of you who think the current generation Ford SVT Raptor is just too underpowered, good news, Shelby has found the solution to your first world problems, and it comes in the form of a massive supercharger. Yes, the good folks at Shelby are sending the current generation Raptor out with a bang, designing the “Baja 700.”

If you haven’t guessed, the “700” stands for the ridiculous amount of horsepower that the boosted 6.2L V-8 is now pumping out, backed up with a new throttle body, injectors, heat exchanger and Borla exhaust to help reach that number. But this beast isn’t just about power. The Shelby crew thoroughly reworking the suspension with 3-in King coilovers, bypass rear shocks, Rogue Racing upper and lower control arms and more, fitted to 18-in matte black wheels with BFGoodrich K02 off-road rubber.

Of course, no Shelby is worth its weight unless you know it's a Shelby, so the obligatory graphics and badging adorn the exterior, along with a skid plate and a reworked interior by Katzkin and a three-gauge dashboard pod. Only 50 examples will be made, each priced at $45,000 USD – over and above the price of the base vehicle.

GMC YUKON DENALI REAPS REWARDS OF 8-SPEEDS

Late last year when we tested the Yukon up in Canada’s north, GM hinted that the 2015 models would be available with GM’s 8-speed automatic transmission. True to their word, both the Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali will now pair their 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 engines with a new Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission, designed to be more fuel-efficient than the Denali’s previous six-speed automatic. Highway fuel consumption ratings for Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali models improved to 11.1 L/100km with the eight-speed automatic, while the city rating has improved to 15.9 L/100km. Pretty impressive for the big beasts.

AEV RAM PRODUCTS LAUNCHED

Last year AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) teased us with a project truck that was a little out of their scope. The company is well known for making high quality off-road and expedition parts for Jeep vehicles, particularly the Wrangler. However, they put together a rather attractive Ram HD for SEMA that had us left with our jaws on the ground. Talking to Matt Felderman, Marketing Director at AEV, he expressed interest in broadening the companies’ reach, and with many SUV’s not being suitable for proper off-roading these days, creating parts for a truck only made sense.

Now six months later, the fruit of their labours is now out for all to see – and purchase. AEV have now announced a full catalog of off-road and expedition parts for the Ram HD 2500/3500 truck. The most noticeable piece in the new AEV Ram catalog is their modular bumper system that is offered in a number of configurations and increases approach angles and is able to accommodate a 16,500-kg winch. Also available will be an Air Intake Snorkel, two new wheel offerings, a DualSport 3-in suspension kit and many other items required if you want to transform your Ram truck into AEV’s project Ram.

F-150 IS CANADA’S AND NORTH AMERICA’S TRUCK OF THE YEAR

Ford Motor Company of Canada was a winner at the 2015 Canadian International Auto Show, claiming top spot as the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s (AJAC) Truck of the Year with the 2015 Ford F-150. The F-150 is the first light duty truck to be built using a high-strength, all-aluminum alloy body, making it more efficient, capable and tougher. The F-series has been Canada's best-selling truck for 49 consecutive years, and F-150 has been the top-selling vehicle in the country for the last five years.

“We are honoured that the 2015 F-150 has been named AJAC’s 2015 Truck of the Year,” said Dianne Craig, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “Our game-changing use of aluminum alloy is raising the competitive bar for pick-ups and we are humbled to be considered an innovator in the industry, committed to providing our customers the most capable and fuel efficient pick-up ever.”

Through the ratings of AJAC’s panel of judges, the 2015 F-150 won the highly competitive category, coming out on top of the Porsche Macan and Subaru Outlander.

2016 DAKAR ROUTE ANNOUNCED

They say planning and development of the next Dakar Rally, whether team or organizers, starts the moment the last event finishes. Well, that seems to be the case as the ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), the sanctioning body behind the iconic rally, has announced the 2016 Dakar Rally route. Unfortunately, due to tragic flooding in Chile, funding and resources meant that the rally would have to bypass that country. The new route now includes Bolivia and Peru as well as the regular route to Argentina.

The new course will look much different than before, trading the usual snaking route from the east to the west, the new course is a rather static direct line from the start city of Lima, Peru, and will take the racers back through the dunes of Peru, the mountains in Bolivia and finishing in Rosario, Argentina. As for our Canadian contingent, we’re currently not sure who might make it to the start line. El Martillo Racing suffered a spectacular crash in this years event, writing off the Jimco Durango, while Aldo Racing currently have their Toyota Raid truck up for sale after a respectable 35th overall finish on this years event. The action all starts on the 3rd of January 2016.

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN ENACT $100,000 FINES FOR LEAVING ALPINE TRACKS

With news of mud boggers getting some hefty fines on site in southern British Columbia, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has now announced new alpine vehicle restrictions for all motor vehicles (except snowmobiles) operating above 1,700 metres as of April 15th. Users of off-road vehicles, including ATV riders, are reminded that they may be subject to a penalty of up to $100,000, one year in jail, or both if found damaging an ecosystem on Crown land. The new prohibitions under the Wildlife Act now require all motor vehicles (excluding snowmobiles) operating above 1,700 metres in the Thompson and Okanagan regions to stay on existing road and trails.

As a refresher to those who may not tread so lightly, an existing road or trail is defined as a road or trail with a paved surface, a cross-country or downhill ski route marked in a ski area by the owner of the ski area, a road used for logging or mining, a road or trail used for access to fences, power lines, wind generators, or communication towers or a trail on which there is no vegetation except on a strip that, if present, can be straddled by a 4-wheel vehicle.

In addition to these general provisions, there are alpine motor vehicle closures in place under the Wildlife Act in the Lillooet area, where the operation of all motor vehicles is prohibited above 1,920 metres. This specific closure occurs in the following areas: China Head Mountain (excluding Yalakom-Big Bar road), Nine Mile Ridge, Red and French Mountain and Hogback Mountain.

Further information with respect to motor vehicle restrictions can be found: www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations.