utility vehicle:

Initial thoughts: GMC Sierra Hybrid

We recently received a GMC Sierra Hybrid pick-up to try out in our Top Speed test fleet. First thing first, this truck is big; from the Hybrid two-mode badges, to the front bench, everything is huge. One of the best features of this Sierra is the lack of Hybrid badging everywhere. The Sierra is toned down compared to the Chevrolet full size hybrids. The Tahoe Hybrid has the word written in at least six places throughout the truck’s body and glass panels, the Sierra on the other hand has a pair of simple badges on the front fenders (thankfully they don’t have the gaudy Hybrid grills from the Escalade) and another toned down "two-mode Hybrid" badge on the tailgate.

Powered by a 6.0 Liter Vortec V8, the Sierra has plenty of get up and go. The only thing we have yet to test is the full sized pick-up’s towing ability, but with the added torque of the electric motor, that shouldn’t be a problem.

The Sierra hybrid is the perfect fleet vehicle. It has seating for up to six, lots of storage capacity and because it’s a hybrid, cities and businesses will be open to all sorts of tax breaks. With the way that new car sales are going, anyone who wishes to have a fleet of Sierra hybrids has good reason to bargain.

Stay tuned for the upcoming review of the GMC Sierra Hybrid to see just how green this gas/electric pick-up really is.

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2009 Mitsubishi Outlander SE AWD

Small SUVs play an interesting role. They must be able to hold at least five people, fit in tight parking spaces, carry a Home Depot haul, and sometimes even go off-road. Yes, most people usually forget about that last one when buying an urban SUV.

So we decided that we would reintroduce the idea of an SUV made for the off-road with our 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander SE AWD tester. We made sure it was a 4x4 so we could follow the road less traveled… at least that’s what we planned. While the Outlander was in our fleet, we went looking for the hills and the mud, but that just usually made us late for soccer practice. So we were a little disappointed that our SUV fell into the usual suburban trap, but we still made it out alive…

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2009 Range Rover HSE

While there are plenty of luxury SUVs out there, only a few have cut their teeth on a crowd that actually goes off road. In fact, there are only three that are still in production that come to mind: Mercedes G-Class, Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover’s Range Rover (the Hummer H1 is long gone).

The difference between the three is who buys them. The G-Wagon is for those likely to take over a small country, and the Land Cruiser is for those who are likely to take aid to a small country. The Range Rover leads a more sedate life. It’s for people who may like to go for a small ride in the country…

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Knight XV for the urban grocery assault

If you’re still feeling paranoid that the soccer moms will be able to penetrate your BMW X5 security, then upgrade to the Knight XV. Taking a bow a SEMA, this $295,000 urban assault vehicle is Pimp My Ride meets a disputed eastern European country. This fully armored vehicle comes with Wilton Wool carpeting, Andrew Muirhead leather, 6-way seating, tandem sunroof glass with privacy shades, side-mounted laptop stations, LED cabin lighting, an Alpine DVD navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, TVs, night vision and rear operation camera system, and a PlayStation 3.

The company says it uses biofuel to power the 400 hp V10. So if anybody asks, you can just tell them it runs off the people who get in your way.

The makers are looking to have an initial run of 100 vehicles. That may be fine considering there’s got to be at least that many ultra-rich out there who describe the outside world as doing the hell-in-a-handbasket thing.

Ebay find of the day: Corvette golf cart?

A Corvette themed golf cart is on sale. Painted in Corvette-like dark blue, the cart is powered by a 224 cc, 2 stroke engine that has enough power to comfortably propel the machine with two on board. Based on the 1987 EZ-GO chassis and frame, the creator has done a good job with the styling aspects and the body kit. The loading area looks like it can comfortably ingest your clubs and accessories. For US $2,100, I’d say its worth the money.