click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Ford F-150
We already brought you official photography of the newly-revamped 2009 Ford F-150 just after midnight today, but that’s hardly enough attention for America’s best-selling vehicle. Now that the Blue Oval boys have rolled out the new truck into Cobo Arena - with help from Toby Keith and a cast of characters - we see little reason to think that the F-series won’t retain its crown.
Improving the F-150 “truck-ness” are several features, such as the tailgate step that we appreciated so much on larger Super Duty, and new fold-down steps that can be accessed from the side of the truck. Considering how deep the box is on this truck, the steps will definitely come in handy on the ranch or at the grocery store.
Ford’s slick Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is now available on a half-ton truck for the first time, and Trailer Sway Control helps keep the vehicle on the road while towing so that hopefully you won’t need to experience the effectiveness of Roll Stability Control and side-curtain airbags. Tow and payload ratings are as-yet announced; we expect to hear more by the Chicago Auto Show next month.
More after the jump…
Gallery: Detroit 2008: 2009 Ford F-150 - Live Reveal
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UPDATE: According to Ford, BorgWarner has been supplying turbos to International for the F-series since this time last year. Automotive News apparently mistook an old press release for a new product announcement.
BorgWarner has won the bid to begin supplying International Engine with a turbocharger setup that will help power Ford’s F-series pickups. The new turbo system, which employs a two-stage snail and variable turbine geometry (VTG), will be slapped onto the 6.4-liter PowerStroke V8 diesel, and will increase the oilburner’s output while simultaneously lowering emissions. This newest implementation of VTG proves what BorgWarner asserted back in March when it released a report saying that the new turbocharger setup will filter its way down to lesser models in the coming years.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Daimler is joining throngs of other automakers, including Navistar, Nissan and Volvo, to establish India as one of the largest builders of commercial trucks in the world. Its newest venture involves a partnership between Daimler AG and India’s Hero Group (great name!), with Daimler investing some $420 million for a 60-percent stake in the India-based manufacturer. The venture will involve the creation of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks in one of the world’s burgeoning production centers that’s still got a lot left to build, and although company officials at both corps remained mum on details, expect things to be firmed up in the first quarter of 2008.
[Source: Economic Times via Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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You may recall that Navistar supplies Ford with diesel engines for its Super Duty trucks. You may also recall that the last two diesel engines used in Ford’s Super Duty pickups (the current 6.4L Power Stroke and last generation’s 6.0L) have had some quality problems. The 6.0L Power Stroke was known for problems stemming from defective fuel injectors, while the newer 6.4L has had one recall related to high exhaust temperatures that could ignite diesel fuel in the particulate filter, causing an impressive light show out the tailpipe. Because of their strained relationship on account of these engines, Ford and Navistar are likely to part ways in the near future.
So what do you do when your biggest client dumps you? You walk across town and strike a deal with its competitor. General Motors announced this morning that it has entered into a “non-binding memorandum of understanding” (read: gentleman’s handshake) with International Truck and Engine Corporation to sell its medium-duty truck business to the Navistar owned-and-operated subsidiary. Thus, Navistar will eventually take over building and selling the GMC TopKick and Chevy Kodiak trucks. That’s right, while Ironhide will remain a GMC vehicle, he’ll no longer be owned by GM.
To be fair, Navistar was undoubtedly forced to produce the last two Power Stroke diesels for Ford in a hurry to meet rising emissions standards, which likely contributed to the problems that both engines have had. Apparently that doesn’t bother GM, as we expect the TopKick and Kodiak will likely eschew their Duramax turbodiesels for International diesel engines after the deal is done.
[Source: GM]
Continue reading Navistar set to buy GM’s medium duty trucks
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After a seven week strike UAW workers will be returning to their posts at International Truck and Engine Corporation plants. UAW members originally began their strike on October 23rd citing unfair labor practices as their basis. However, International has remained relatively unaffected by the strike and has continued to meet its delivery schedules through carefully restructured organization. That has to have been a factor in its negotiations with the UAW as it displays a lack of necessity of the union’s service. Rather than have no company to return to, the majority of UAW members have voted to ratify the contract on the table. It has also dropped the unfair labor practice charges. The agreement allows for operational flexibility and cost improvement, one specific being the ability to close a facility to in order meet business needs. The contract will be valid through Oct. 1, 2010.
[Source: Navistar]
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click above image to view more pics of the Toyota Tundra Diesel Dually
With a strong OEM presence at SEMA, automakers are forced to bring The Badass to the masses. Toyota has apparently been overrun with requests from customers for some form of diesel motivation in its Tundra pickup and the automaker has responded… sort of… with the Tundra Dually Diesel. Toyota utilized two Tundra CrewMax pickups that were joined at the hip to lengthen the frame and add an additional foot to the bed. Although the majority of the Tundra Dually Diesel is bespoke show material, the drivetrain has been pulled straight from a Hino medium duty truck, with the only exception being a custom split driveshaft.
The crown jewel of the Dually is a JO8E 8.0-liter inline six turbodiesel, making around 300 HP and 600 lb.-ft. of torque. Shoehorning that kind of mill into the tight confines of the Tundra proved to be a challenge. The body had to be lifted off the frame by three inches and after some hacking and chopping of the firewall, they were finally able to fit the 1,500 pound engine into the bay. Between fitting the oil burner into the snout and mating it to a five-speed Allison tranny, the interior accoutrements have suffered - the HVAC controls are nonfunctional and the massive stick is there to provide additional leverage when shifting gears.
Mike Levine has a great write up covering all the details of the Tundra Dually Diesel, which is worth a read. And even though this mutha’ runs, don’t expect a production version to make it to dealers any time soon.
We’ve added Toyota’s press release after the jump.
Gallery: Toyota Tundra Diesel Dually Project Vehicle
Continue reading SEMA 2007: Toyota Tundra Dually Diesel
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