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The Chicago Auto Show is often used by U.S. automakers to debut new trucks and this year is shaping up to be no different except for the fact that most trucks are now becoming crossovers. Sure, GM is set to unveil the new Heavy Duty version of the Chevy Silverado, but with the launch of the all-new 2011 Explorer, Ford is expected to announce that the capable truck has moved from a full body-on-frame SUV, to a car based crossover.
The Explorer will share its chassis with the new Ford Taurus sedan and is expected to keep some of the far-out powertrain ideas previewed in the Explorer American Concept when it was first shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
The biggest surprise is that Ford may debut its new 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine in the crossover, that can get over 30 mpg in front-drive form. Later on, the automaker will deliver more powerful motors, including the new 300-hp 3.7-liter V6 as found in the 2011 Mustang, as well as a version of Ford's EcoBoost V6 with around 355-hp.
As a result of these changes, the Explorer will get vastly improved fuel economy across the range, however, expect tow ratings to drop.
AutoGuide will deliver live coverage from the Chicago Auto Show on February 10th.
General Motors' vice chairman of global product operations is so strong a believer in his company's product he's willing to prove it in a tug-of-war between the GMC Heavy Duty and the Ford F-Series Super Duty.
Vice Chairman Tom Stephens made the bold statement in an interview with PickupTrucks.com about the new Duramax engines powering the 2011 Chevrolet and GMC Heavy Duty. The site's editor was surprised by the statement, he asked Stephens three times if he was serious, but Stephens remained adamant.
"You're going to love our new diesel Duramax engine in the new Heavy Duty," Stephens told PickupTrucks.com. "You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford's [new Super Duty] and chain them together back -to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs."
PickupTrucks.com passed the challenge on to Ford but has yet to get a response. We're not sure if Ford is willing to take the bait, but this is one challenge we would love to see.
Production of the Ranger pickup truck will end next year, with Ford hoping buyers will move up to the F-150. If demand is sufficient, however, Ford might also look to introduce its upcoming global midsize truck platform (the new Ranger) to the U.S.
In an interview with PickupTrucks.com, Ford product boss Derrick Kuzak confirmed the Ranger was to be eliminated after an incredibly long production run, which has stretched over a decade. With most owners using their Rangers for commuter duty, Ford thinks the move to an F-150 won't be difficult. After all, the current 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Ranger gets 19/24 mpg, which is likely worse than what an F-150 equipped with Ford's new 3.7-liter V6 would get. While the use of the 3.7 in the F-150 is still unconfirmed, in the Mustang it gets an impressive 30 mpg.
According to Kuzak,the biggest issue with bringing over the new Ranger to the U.S. is how it would fit into the North American marketplace. "It's no secret we have a new Ranger coming globally. We're working on one for all the other markets in the world," said Kuzak to PickupTrucks.com. "The difference is that all o those other markets only have a Ranger. They don't have an F-150 above it."
In other words, Ford would not want to cannibalize sales of the top-selling F-150.
The Ford Ranger continues to be the second best selling compact pickup in the U.S., with 55,600 units moved last year. The Ranger is, however, a distant second to the Toyota Tacoma at 111,824 units.
The Ford Transit Connect has been named North American Truck of the Year, beating out the other two finalists, the Chevrolet Equinox and the Subaru Outback.
The announcement kicked off the festivities at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Ford Transit Connect was selected by a panel of 49 journalists from the United States and Canada.
Designed to fill the needs of small businesses owners and entrepreneurs, in North American markets, the Ford Transit Connect is powered by a 2.0L inline-four engine with four-speed automatic transmission (a 1.8L diesel version with five-speed manual is offered in other markets). Ford claims the Transit Connect gets double the fuel economy of full-sized vans with 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
The Ford Transit Connect has a cargo payload of 1,600 lb. and features an in-dash computer with high-speed Internet, Tool Link radio-frequency identification tracking and Crew Chief fleet tracking and diagnostic system.
Ford trucks have now won the award six times, most recently in 2009 with the Ford F-150. The Ford Fusion Hybrid also won North American Car of the Year, marking the third time a manufacturer swept both awards in a single year.
"Winning both of these prestigious awards is confirmation that the ONE Ford plan is working, delivering industry-leading products for our customers," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.
Domestic automakers have now won North American Truck of the Year 11 times in 17 years.
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