Tag Archives: pickup truck
Mercedes-Benz X-Class Pickup Truck Gets Axed From Production Line
For a vehicle that just made its debut in 2017, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class luxury pickup truck is relatively new in the automotive scene. Before it could even get a mid-cycle facelift though, its maker officially announced that it will be axed from the production line this year.
In 2019, Mercedes managed to deliver 15,300 units of the X-Class worldwide. However, the numbers fell by 1,400 units compared to its sales between 2017 and 2018. The figures may be impressive for a niche product, but these failed to impress the Daimler board. As a result, they have decided to strike down their future plans for the pickup. As of the moment, those who will visit the website of Mercedes will already notice that the X250 and X220d models of the vehicle have been removed from its online configurator. Only the X35d, a V6 diesel version of the auto, is available on the site.
Mercedes also revealed that the X-Class is only important in some markets like Australia and South Africa. There used to be a plan that the vehicle will be assembled in Argentina for South American buyers too but it was scrapped citing that it was no longer “economically viable”.
The company explained that the pickup was just too expensive compared to its rivals and the vehicles whom it shares underpinnings, namely the Nissan Navara and the Renault Alaskan. Crunching the numbers, the X-Class starts at €48,790 in Germany, which is €16,000 more than the price of the Navara and €4,000 up against the cost of an Alaskan.
The days of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class are numbered. Mercedes will discontinue the unit in late May of 2020.
Looking at the Top 3 Features of the Tesla Cybertruck
After much hype, the Tesla Cybertruck was finally unveiled at the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. The electric pickup truck was truly futuristic-looking, but many also found its design to be ludicrous. The debut was marred by a gaffe but Tesla already received 150,000 orders for it
Exterior
The Cybertruck takes inspiration from the iconic vehicles seen in Blade Runner and Back to the Future. The panels of the auto appear to be the structural part of the EV already, which makes it a true unibody.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk boasted that the Cybertruck is dent-proof and scratch-resistant. He claimed that the body of the pickup uses the same materials found on the SpaceX Starship prototype, which can withstand even 9mm handgun rounds.
Franz von Holzhausen, the chief designer of the vehicle, went on to hit the side of the auto with a sledgehammer two times to demonstrate its durability, and it didn’t even leave a depression. However, when he went on to throw a metal ball at the supposedly unbreakable driver’s side window, the glass broke.
Musk tried to make up for it by asking von Holzhausen to repeat the test at the rear door window, but it yielded the same disappointing result. The Tesla boss tried to save face by saying that at least the ball didn’t go through.
Franz throws steel ball at Cybertruck window right before launch. Guess we have some improvements to make before production haha. pic.twitter.com/eB0o4tlPoz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 23, 2019
Musk later uploaded a tweet showing the same metal ball throwing feat before the live event wherein the glass of the Cybertruck didn’t even crack. Despite the incident, he remains optimistic and he promised that they will fix the issue.
Interior
Going inside the electric pickup reveals a very minimalistic and clean interior. A 17-inch touchscreen display governs the infotainment system of the auto. The EV is planned to feature a full self-driving feature as well.
Meanwhile, the architecture of the Cybertruck translates to more space within it for the driver and passengers. It has a five-seating capacity that can fit five adults comfortably.
Power
The base model of the Cybertruck that starts at $39,900 is equipped with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive system. It allows the EV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. There’s a much-pricier trim of the auto with a three-motor setup that should cost at least $69,900. Although no official estimates are available for the flagship model, it is expected to offer a hypercar-level of output.
The Cybertruck has a 14,000 lb tow rating and its maker claims that its fully-charged battery can reach over 500 miles.
2020 Nissan Titan Gets New Front, Rear, And Interior
Nissan is preparing its new 2020 Titan to go against the likes of the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra. The Japanese automaker’s new 2020 Nissan Titan pickup truck is expected to wear a new front and rear, as well as an entirely revamped interior.
Spy photographers have recently caught a prototype of the Titan testing on the roads of Michigan. The front and rear designs are wrapped in heavy camouflage but a quick look into the interior says Nissan is busy upgrading the truck’s cabin, too.
The current-generation 2017 Titan was expected to go head-to-head with the F-150’s and the Silverados of the light-duty pickup truck segment, but the Titan lags both in rugged capability and interior quality. This new look could be the break Nissan is looking for in terms of sales.
Nissan only said 9,700 units of the Titan and the larger Titan XD in the first quarter of 2019. That’s a decrease of 24% from the same period last year. The numbers lag behind Ford, GM, and Ram with more than 100,000 units sold. Toyota had 25,000 Tundra trucks sold during the same period.
Though the prototype has hidden its front headlights, taillights, and front grille well, the photos showed that the bumper grille appears the same as the current models. The Titan’s silhouette and body styling remain unchanged, too.
It is in the interior that Nissan seems to be apologizing to its market as it now removed, thankfully, the CD slot and upgraded that into an infotainment screen. The new truck will also have an eight-inch screen, a tad bigger than the five-inch and seven-inch screens the current generation has.
The current Titan falls below in engine options and high fuel-economy ratings but that might change with the 2020 Titan as Nissan could offer a 3.7-liter V6 as its base engine. The larger Titan XD may also come with the standard V8 engine or the optional five-liter Cummins turbodiesel to increase the towing capacity and driving range.
Top 4 Features 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 features a lot of new upgrades compared to the 2018 model. Among the updates include a new engine, larger space on the rear bed, changes on the dimensions and new trims.
Appearance
There’s no noticeable change in the design of the pickup truck. However, it gains a few chunks of metal that increases its length by 1.6 inches and wheelbase by 3.9 inches. The extra size translates to a roomier interior and a total bed space of 63 cu ft.
Despite its added measurements, the vehicle is 450 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the V8 version of the auto can now tow as much as 13,200 pounds and haul up to 3,270 pounds.
Engine
At present, the Silverado has two new engines to choose from. The additional engines are the new 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and 2.7-liter inline-four units. The 2.7-liter engine replaces Chevy’s old 4.3-liter V6. A 3.0-liter “Duramax” inline-six version will arrive soon. Six-speed and eight-speed automatic transmission systems are available for the pickup truck.
The most fuel-efficient variant is the 2.7-liter-equipped Silverado 1500. The EPA figures of the vehicle are 20 mpg in city and 23 mpg in highway.
Pricing
The base trim of the 2019 Silverado pickup costs $31,290. The most expensive variant is the High Country trim with a starting price of $55,990. The amount can go up depending on the extra-packages and customization options installed by the owner though.
Tech
The new Silverado does not offer the same level of fancy equipment offered by its competitors but going for the LT will at least get you an eight-inch touchscreen that comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity plus a 4G LTE wireless integration for up to seven smart devices.
5 Reasons We’re Looking Forward To The 2019 Ford Ranger
After a seven-year hiatus, it looks like Ford is back in the midsize truck segment. The 2019 Ford Ranger is no F-150, but it will do just fine to battle it out with the likes of the 2019 Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado, which, like the Ranger, made its debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
1. Exterior
The 2019 Ranger will be offered in three trim packages and uniquely, two appearance packages. Let’s talk about the trim packages first. The base XL will be produced for fleets, contractors, and anyone who focuses on function rather than form. The mid-grade XLT has more features and it doesn’t look like a work truck. Finally, the Lariat trim is for those looking for everything—luxury, form, ability, etc.
Surprisingly, Ford is not offering a Platinum or Limited trim model to compete with the GMC Canyon Denali. As for the appearance packages, the 2019 Ranger can come in Sport or Chrome packages. There are also two sizes—the SuperCab (extended cab) and the SuperCrew (crew cab).
2. Interior
The super sleek exterior is just about right with what we’re going to find once we go inside. The 2019 Ranger has a dashboard similar to Global T6 Ranger with an 8.0-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system wherein you can control such features as the Ford+Alexa connectivity and the optional B&O sound system. The gear shifter is console mounted and Ford wouldn’t disappoint you with its optional FordPass 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for 10 devices.
3. Drivetrain
The powertrain is irresistible. It comes with a single engine for now, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder that is similar to the one used by Mustang. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that is standard across all devices. There is an option for either a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive, as well as for an electronic locking rear differential.
4. Safety
Every 2019 Ranger will come standard with Automatic Emergency Braking. The XLT and Lariat trims will come equipped with Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, a Reverse Sensing System, and Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage. Those spending their money on the Lariat trim can also opt for the Pedestrian Detection and Adaptive Cruise Control.
5. Pricing
Expect the Ford prices to be somewhat near its competition. The base XL will most likely sell for $23,000 while the Lariat can have a price tag of $42,000.
2019 Ram 1500 vs Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2018 Ford F-150
Ram 1500
Chevrolet Silverado
Ford F-150
There are a lot of big trucks that have been revealed at the Detroit Auto Show. It’s almost as if the motor show was exclusively organized for pickup trucks like the 2019 Ram 1500, the Chevy Silverado 1500, and the 2018 Ford F-150.
Lighter with Better Aerodynamic
In 2015, the F-150 lost much of its weight. The same can be said this year for the Ram 1500 and the Chevy Silverado 1500. On top of the list is the Silverado, which shed 450 pounds compared to the other V8 models. The Ram 1500, on the other hand, lost 225 pounds. The Ram and the Chevy lost their pounds because of the use of aluminum.
Where it differs is here: the Silverado used aluminum on its hood, doors, and tailgate; the Ram on the hood and the tailgate; and the F-150 used aluminum on all exterior parts for a total weight lost of 732 pounds.
Engines and Transmissions
Both the Ram and the Chevy are being powered by a V8 engine. The Ram has a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that produces 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, the Silverado again used a 6.2-liter V8. Experts predict that the new Silverado could churn up to 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
Ford F-150 is still using the same 5.0-liter V8 engine, but you now have the option to go with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. This one produces 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.
The Rams will be paired with an eight-speed automatic; a different one will be set for the V6 and the V8. The Silverado will get a 10-speed automatic for its 6.2-liter V8 and diesel. The F-150 will also use a 10-speed automatic transmission.
4 Things We Found Out About The 2019 Ford Ranger
Prototypes for the 2019 Ford Ranger have been spotted, and spy photos prove that the new model will be an “extensive update” of the current model rather than being redesigned for a next-generation model. Ford enthusiasts will not miss out on the aesthetics of the current model since the “new” design will be all too familiar.
1. T6 Platform To Be Used
The US version will differ slightly from the versions that will be sold overseas. According to reports, the 2019 Ranger will differ mechanically and visually, though the size and shape should still be the same—based on a body-on-frame platform codenamed T6.
The T6 platform is being used both by the current Ranger and the Everest model. Along with the new Ranger, Ford engineers are also working on a brand-new Everest. Most of the development are being handled in Ford’s Australian outpost.
2. Gas Options Available
There is no word yet on what kind of engines we’ll see under the hood of the new Ranger. The current one is being powered with two diesel engines: a 2.2-liter inline-4 that can produce 158 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque and a 3.2-liter inline-5 with 197 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque.
For the US market, it is more than likely that the 2019 Ranger will be offered in gasoline options. Yet, we’re still expecting for diesel engines to come and save the day.
3. Ranger Raptor In The Horizon
There are rumors that Ford is working on a new Ranger Raptor as well, but the American automaker has been very silent about the details. The powertrain will most likely be a detuned version of the F-150 Raptor’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6. Will it be available in the US? We don’t have word on that yet.
4. Rivals And Launch Dates
The 2019 Ranger will be introduced early next year. It will compete with the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
Top 3 Cool Things About The 2017 Toyota Tacoma
Toyota rocked the midsize pickup truck segment last year when it introduced the all-new Tacoma. It will shake things up once again since Tacoma will be welcoming the new 2017 TRD Pro, along with revised value-loaded optional amenity packages for SR5 models.
Here are the three important features of the new Toyota Tacoma:
Brute Strength
The TRD Pro has the strongest foundation seen on any midsize trucks. Thanks to the use of high-strength steel in the frame and body, the TRD Pro can battle it out in terms of durability and performance. It also boasts of a “refined setup,” which means a double wishbone coil-spring front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shocks.
There are two available powertrains: the entry-level 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder with VVT-i that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of peak torque and segment-first Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 featuring the Toyota’s innovative VVT-iW technology. The latter can produce 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of peak torque.
Stylist and Functional
The new Tacoma TRD Pro has a stylish yet functional design. It did not go away with its traditional ruggedness as can be seen on the overfenders, the hexagonal grille and tall, muscular hood. The Tacoma sits well above the ground clearance with the wheels ranging from 16 to 18 inches in diameter.
The Tacoma’s exterior palette is available in Black, Blazing Blue Pearl, Barcelona Red Metallic, Inferno, Quicksand, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Cement (TRD Pro only), Silver Sky Metallic, and Super White.
Inside, you can enjoy a host of new features that include: Qi wireless charging, smart key with push-button start, leather-trimmed seats, power tilt/slide moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, enhanced touchscreen audio, and blind-spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert.
Tacoma has Six Model Grades
You can choose from these six: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and Off-Road TRD Pro. It also has 31 models based on two cab types—either the extended Access Cab or the four-door Double Cab, each of which are available in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations.
