Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a car with almost no competition on the market. But things are about to change now that Mopar has announced the Ram Runner Stage II for the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari which takes place April 16-24. The Ram Runner Stage II kit will be available for any 2009-2011 Ram 1500 models starting next month. Prices will be as follow: pre-runner stage II lift kit - $13,270; off-road front bumper - $1,250; off-road rear tire carrier $1,010; off-road front fenders $1,020; off-road rear fenders - $1,350.
The Ram Runner Stage II features a HEMI 5.7-liter V-8 engine; larger tires, additional ground clearance and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fiberglass layered in the Liquid Metal Mopar racing scheme. The high-clearance wheel wells allow tremendous suspension articulation with zero tire-to-body interference.
Well speaking of jokesters and pranks, so far the best April Fool’s joke comes from BMW with their new M3 - the world’s fastest pickup. A prototype was "caught testing" recently and BMW couldn’t even hold out until April 1st before they confirmed that it was indeed just a prank. But staying true to their powers of pranking, the German automaker still released full details on their new M3 pick-up.
The M3 Pick-up is powered by a V8 engine and features a generously sized load area in the back and a removable Targa roof. The pick-up, which is only 110 lbs heavier than the convertible M3, offers a maximum load capacity of 992 lbs. The best part? The M3 pickup can hit a top speed of 186 mph (as a reminder, all of the other M3 models are limited to 155 mph).
The official BMW statement states: "the BMW M3 Pickup will not be heading for the golf course or series development, but will retain its status as an exclusive one-off. It is earmarked for use as a workshop transport vehicle for BMW M GmbH. With this in mind, the current BMW M3 Pickup – unlike a similar predecessor built back in the 1980s – has gone through the requisite procedures to earn its road certification. Which makes it officially a truck – but one that puts a whole new spin on the meaning of the word."
The idea behind this is absolutely fascinating and just the sheer curiosity of it all would have made this the best April Fool’s joke ever, had BMW lasted long enough to make it to April 1st.
Away from the bright lights of the Geneva Motor Show comes the introduction of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado at the Bangkok International Auto Show. Bet you didn’t know that, did you?
Weird as it looks to have an American mid-size pick-up have its debut at an unheralded Asian auto show, it’s worth noting that Thailand just happens to be the world’s largest market for mid-size pick-up trucks. Bet you didn’t know that either.
Featuring Chevrolet’s new design language, the new Colorado certainly looks the part of a heavy-hitter in a mid-size pick-up’s body. But the bigger question surrounding this pick-up doesn’t have anything to do with its aesthetic or performance specs, but rather on the possibility of the Colorado being sold in the US. Chevrolet has given no indication on that matter yet, but since the Silverado is the only pick-up on Chevrolet’s roster, it might make sense for the US market to be given a choice on which Chevy pick-up they might prefer.
Details on the Chevrolet Colorado after the jump.
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Skyjacker Suspensions displayed on the floors of SEMA Show a pretty impressive upgrade package for the Ford F-350 Super Duty. According to the tuner this is a vehicle made to appeal to the active lifestyle of the Super Duty owner. A Skyjacker-developed 8.5-inch suspension offers a bold lift for work and play, and will let the owner go deeper into the field.
The package includes a 8.5 Inch system that replaces the OEM radius arm design with High-Impact Heavy Wall DOM Tubular 4-Link Arms with adjustable rod ends. The rod end is press fitted with a steel encased vulcanized rubber bushing that can support the torque of the Diesel engine and still provide years of trouble free service.
Next to this update, the package also includes: High-Impact Heavy Wall DOM Tubular 4-Link Arms, Heavy-duty front and rear Fab Fours bumpers, a Warn Industries winch and lights to round out the tough look, Preset and Formed Softride® Coil Springs, front extended sway bar end links, brake line extensions and forged adjustable rod ends with OEM Style Bushings.
Dodge has just added a new entry-level model to their Ram line-up. Typically, automakers try to outshine each other with plenty of gizmos and gadgets to warrant a heftier price tag and a power struggle between them. However, Dodge has taken an entirely different route with this new model, whose name has yet to be decided upon. For now, Dodge is choosing to call the new and affordable Ram by its code name "Adventurer." This new model was produced and targeted for the first time truck buyer who doesn’t want to settle for mediocrity. Dodge figures the Tradesman is sure to be a success so why not offer another low budget truck for the masses to swallow up whole.
"We know we have the formula right," said Ram Truck President and CEO Fred Diaz. "Now we just need a great name that promotes pride of ownership. This new Ram model will be an attractive alternative for a younger or first-time buyer looking for performance at an affordable price. Case in point, it will have more horsepower and a lower base price than our competitors’ entry-level performance cars with the added benefit of versatility and capability."
In terms of power, Dodge has promised that the new "Adventurer" will borrow the same formula from the highly acclaimed 2011 Ram Tradesman recently revealed at the Chicago Show. This means we should expect to see a 5.7-liter V8 engine with an output of 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque tucked neatly underneath the truck’s massive hood.
The Dodge Ram 1500 "Code Name: Adventurer" will go on sale in the second quarter of 2011 at a bargain price of $23,830.
Hit the jump to read more about the Dodge Ram 1500 "Code Name: Adventurer".
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For every pencil pusher and paper shuffler sitting in a cubicle is a sweat-producing, muscle-flexing worker with plenty of equipment to tote around to their various projects. These blue-collar workers have places to go and Dodge has created a new entry-level model to make the commute that much easier. The new Dodge Ram Tradesman is an affordable option with a starting price of $22,780 with sales beginning in the second quarter of 2011.
Available in either regular cab short-bed (6 ft., 4 in.) and long-bed (8 ft.) models, the Tradesman comes with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 powertrains, a bright chrome grille, 17" painted wheels, and numerous interior and exterior updates.
"The Ram Tradesman is named for — and aimed at — the heart of our business," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for the money are the top three considerations for our customers. Their truck is the most important tool they own and one they’ll use every day. The Ram Tradesman is a truck they can depend on."
Hit the jump to read more about the Dodge Ram Tradesman.
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Who said large pick-ups can’t be cool? Mopar has brought at the SEMA Show a vehicle that wants to prove exactly the contrary. Their new Ram Runner pick-up is inspired by the Baja-style desert racing.
The rigors of off-road racing require large tires, plenty of ground clearance, extreme durability and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. These features are combined into a package that is stable at speed and in the corners. To achieve this kind of handling, a low center of gravity and long wheel travel are paramount. Mopar Ram Runner has the look and feel of a thoroughbred desert racer. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fiberglass, allowing tremendous suspension articulation with zero interference.
The package includes two stages of suspensions upgrade: Stage 1 Pre-Runner Suspension Kit is priced at $3,129 and stage 2 includes a Ram Runner Suspension Kit priced at $13,270. For the exterior package Mopar is offering front Ram Runner bumper, tubular tire carrier, front Ram Runner fenders, rear Ram Runner fenders, sport performance hood, cold-air intake system and cat-back exhaust system. The price for the entire exterior package is $17,389.
Update 02/16/2011: If you went to the SEMA Auto Show and were impressed by the Runner, then we have a good news for you: Mopar President and CEO Pietro Gorlier has announced that the kit will be street legal: "After the Ram Runner concept debuted in Moab and reaction was so positive, we went back and changed the kit to be street legal. We want to make sure buyers can enjoy it on- and off-road. Mopar will have a clearance-identification kit available. The kit will meet requirements for driving on the street with wider fenders."
Hurst Performance Vehicles has already built a pretty impressive roster of aftermarket muscle cars to its name, including a number of Camaros, Mustangs, and Challengers.
Not to be boxed into one specific segment, Hurst is thinking big for their next project. And by big, we mean a 2011 Ram 1500 pick-up. Limted to only 50 units with each model coming with its own letter of authenticity, these customized Ram pick-ups come with some pretty impressive new digs.
Aethetic upgrades on the Ram 1500 R/T regular cab includes Hurst’s traditional white and black exterior paint finish to go along with a numbered dash plaque and interior badging, and a set of 22” wheels.
In terms of performance, Hurst spared no expense in supercharging the Ram’s already monstrous 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine. On top of the addition of a supercharger, Hurst also put in a performance exhaust system. Unfortunately, Hurst is still keeping the spec numbers under wraps and as sure as the sun is hot and the sky is blue, we’re already waiting anxiously for the figures to be released.
Just like the performance specs, Hurst has yet to release the price tag for each of the 50 Hemi Hauler’s. We’re going to make a stag at the dark and say that it’s going to come at a cost of somewhere around $80,000.
Press Release after the jump
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And here we thought that recalls were left behind in 2010. How silly of us. 2011 is barely a month old and we already have our first recall of the year.
Taking in the honor is General Motors who is recalling 26,751 SUVs and trucks from its 2011 model line-up. According to GM, the problem concerns a defect in the rear-axle cross pins, which were not heated properly and, as a result, could fracture and get displaced within the rear axle, creating an interference condition and, eventually, causing the rear axle to lock. This, in turn, could affect the driver’s ability to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Affected GM models of the recall include the 2011MY Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Canyon, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles.
As is the case with all recalls, General Motors has instructed their dealerships to install a new rear axle cross pin to any affected vehicle at no cost to the owner. As expected, GM’s dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge, with the safety recall to begin before the end of the month.
American off-road racing legend, Mickey Thompson, made his way to Las Vegas with a project of his own to show off the Ford F-150 at the 2010 SEMA Auto Show. His rendition of the super truck looked better than ever with an exterior package boasting of power steps and a bed step, power sliding rear windows, professional detailing, fender flares and vent guards, Bead liner, custom Black/Grey Satin "Camo" Paint & Graphics, auxiliary lighting, billet grille, Stobe lighting system, and an E-Series electronic retractable truck bed cover. Finishing off the exterior look is a new set of Baja Claw TTC Radical tires that bear his name.
The package also includes a Fabtech 6-inch suspension, PIAA auxiliary lighting, and Warn Industries winch recovery gear. The rear look is completed by a new Intake and Cat-Back exhaust system.
For the interior, Mickey Thompson opted for Katzkin leather and an aftermarket audio, video, and navigation enhancements. For additional utility, the truck features a BedSlide cargo management system and AMP Research power steps.
