More SEMA Teases
We were able to get our hands on some more SEMA renderings for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully, these will hold you over until we show you how the real trucks came out in our upcoming SEMA issue.
Vortec Engines
Al Alvarez, a great friend to the pages of Truckin' and a loyal employee of Vortec Engines, will retain his current Marketing Management responsibilities for Vortec Vehicle, Marine, and Industrial brand management. Al will also assume management responsibilities for Northstar and Hydra-Matic. He will be the single point for customer interface between Chevrolet trucks, Cadillac, Hummer, and performance cars.
First Look
Navi News
Lincoln is finally offering a monotone option on the Navigator, so owners won't have to paint the luxurious gray plastic trim on their own. Also for 2004, Lincoln will be offering Mobile-Ease hands-free communication as an option on all of its models. With Mobile-Ease, any cell phone with Bluetooth technology will work through the vehicle's audio system for true wireless hands-free capability on the road.
SSBC Sky-High S-10
Stainless Steel Brake Corp's S-10 will be revitalized for SEMA to showcase SSBC's new S-10 brake package. With its 35-inch tires and Superlift 6-inch system, it promises to be one of the biggest S-10s at the show.
Lexani's Huge Johnson
Just in case you wondered if aftermarket wheels could get any bigger, Lexani has answered your question with its massive 27-inch Johnson. The Johnson breaks the current wheel and tire size barrier by using special 27-inch Nitto NT101 tires and includes a wireless tire pressure and temperature monitoring system, which displays a digital readout to the driver. We don't think our first car had 27-inch tires on it.
Hybrid Delayed
According to the Reuters news agency, the hybrid version of the Ford Escape will be delayed by several months, allowing engineers more time to fine-tune the technology. Ford is aiming to hit the 40-mpg mark with its first hybrid SUV. Anxious buyers can expect the hybrid Escape to start showing up in dealerships in the summer of 2004.
Progress Bar
Here Is The Progress Of Our '04 Truckin' Spine:
Running Out of Names?
For the '05 model year, GM will be coming out with all-new crossover SUV-like sport vans. Say what? We don't know either, but we can tell you the names in the hat are looking a bit thin. Some of the new nameplates just bursting with creativity are the Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay, and Pontiac Montana SV6.
Whipple's Blown F-150
First Look
Here is a peak at Whipple's blown F-150. In addition to the usual SEMA draws, such as an awesome multimedia setup, this truck will be built with MHT wheels, Nitto tires, and Air Ride airbags. The real treat is under the hood, where a Whipple blower resides atop the 3V 5.4L V-8.
Colorado Customs Image HEMI
Colorado Customs was chosen by DaimlerChrysler to build an Image HEMI. So, sporting new 22-inch billet rims and flaunting a matching motorcycle in the bed, this HEMI is geared toward guys and their toys. This vehicle will be displayed in a Primedia-sponsored vehicle display area.
Future Fuel Made Easy
Taking us another step closer to fuel cell-powered cars and trucks, Honda's R&D subsidiary has developed an experimental Home Energy Station (HES) that makes hydrogen fuel for fuel cell-powered cars out of natural gas, while providing electricity and hot water to the home. The HES unit is on the grounds of Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and will undergo regular testing. Taking just a few minutes each day, the HES produces enough hydrogen to fill the tank of Honda's FCX hydrogen fuel cell test vehicle. Could this be the beginning of the end of corner gas stations?
Ford Fibs
USA Today reported that Ford put out a false tow rating of 9,500 pounds for the F-150 maximum towing capacity to trick the competition into matching its artificially low numbers. Ford recently announced the correct towing capacity of 9,900 pounds.
More Money Than Cents
For those idling rich folk who have more money then they know what to do with, Chrysler is willing to sell you a $555,000 Viper-powered Tomahawk motorcycle, which is not street legal, can't be driven, but sure would look nice sitting in the corner of your gallery under museum lights. We think they should forget about the Tomahawks to free up those Viper motors for more Ram SRT-10s.
Top Techs
Castrol GTX and John Force, the winningest drag racer in history, celebrated the culmination of the 2003 Castrol GTX Top Techs program in Indianapolis, Friday, August 29, at Indianapolis Raceway Park's Top Eliminator Club. The contest, which recognized and rewarded the nation's finest automotive students, awarded Daniel Gilbert, a second-year student at the Houston campus of Universal Technical Institute, a grand prize $7,500 scholarship to continue his automotive education. Primedia generously donated $2,500 toward the scholarship fund. Joining Force at the conference was Pete Johnson, an Indianapolis-area second-year student at Lincoln Technical Institute, one of the program's eight regional winners who served as an honorary pit crew member for Force at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals race.
Sources
Giovanna Wheels
www.giovannawheels.com
(800) 307-8708
Miscellaneous
Chrysler has announced ambitious plans to release 25 new vehicles in three years.
California has begun implementing exhaust noise testing. Because compliant aftermarket exhaust systems were often being unfairly ticketed, SEMA sponsored a bill that requires the State to prove the vehicle's non-compliance.
SEMA has added an amendment to a California bill that would have made aftermarket replacement tires as fuel efficient as the OEM tires. Of course, in the amendment, specialty tires, such as snow and off-road patterns, would be exempt from the law.
As If Door Ajar And Brake weren't clear enough, the U.S. government is considering requiring auto manufacturers to switch to internationally recognized warning symbols in all vehicles sold in the U.S. We wonder how many Americans would recognize them.
The IIHS reports that head restraints are getting better. In 1995, only 3 percent were reported good and 82 percent were reported poor. That number has flipped in 2003 with 45 percent good and 10 percent poor.
Progress Bar Here Is The Progress Of Our '04 Truckin' Spine: