Blog Posts - Trucks-365

Work Trucks Can Be Cool Too!

3/8/2018

Ram has been slowly rolling out all of the models of their new 2019 Ram 1500 and the latest to hit the public spotlight is the work-oriented Tradesman. This no-nonsense model is aimed at the largest of pickup ownership categories, vocational use. Ram says its new truck is geared for small businessmen, construction, jobsites, and commercial fleets. And it comes in more colors than just white!

The 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman will be available with two cab styles and two bed lengths in three configurations: Quad Cab with a 6-foot 4-inch long bed, Crew Cab with a 5-foot 7-inch short bed, or Crew Cab long bed. There’s been no report of an available standard cab and we suspect this will remain the case. Powertrains include a standard 3.6L Pentastar V-6 with the company’s eTorque mild hybrid system, or an optional 5.7L Hemi V-8 (which is available with or without the eTorque system.) Tradesman can be had with two or four-wheel drive.

There’s loads of options to customize your Tradesman, including 3.21 or 3.92 axle ratios; open, anti-spin, or locking rear differential; off-road suspension package with a factory lift and off-road tires; four-corner air suspension; folding trailer tow mirrors; trailer brake controller; side and bumper steps; and a spray-in bed liner, to name just a few.

Pricing for the 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman starts at just $31,695 for a base, two-wheel drive, V-6 Quad Cab and go up from there. Tradesman is on sale now!

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Ram Trucks

“Ram launched the original Tradesman model in 2011, and our work truck customers have enjoyed Ram’s benchmark durability ever since,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand. “Ram has the highest owner loyalty of any half-ton truck and the Ram 1500 Tradesman model will continue to deliver confidence for hard-working people who rely on it every day.”

Finally, A Solid-Axle Silverado!

3/7/2018

“It’s not just numbers on a spec sheet that make us different and better,” said John Schwegman, director of Commercial Product and Medium Duty at GM Fleet. “These new Silverados are designed to solve the most common upfit and ownership challenges fleets have with many of today’s medium duty trucks.”

Unfortunately for most, these new solid-front-axle-equipped Silverados are in the medium duty class. Chevrolet unveiled the new 2019 Silverado 4500, 5500, and 6500 at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis in front of a very excited crowd. These trucks feature clean, one-piece straight frame rails, seven cab-to-axle options, factory air suspension, and a lightweight clamshell hood. Input from fleet managers, drivers, technicians, and upfitters drove the design and development of the new medium duty Silverado.

These trucks will be available in both two and four-wheel-drive and will be powered by a 6.6L Duramax diesel V-8 engine, which produces 350 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. Backing the Duramax engine is an Allison automatic transmission with a power take off (PTO) option.

Staying connected is important so the new Silverado 4500, 5500, and 6500 can be optioned with OnStar, Commercial Link, a built-in 4GLTE WiFi hotspot, wireless cellphone charging, Bluetooth, and support for Apple CaPlay and Android Auto.

Production of the medium duty Silverados will begin in late 2018 with order guides available in spring and pricing announced this summer. There are more than 400 commercially focused Chevrolet dealers that are expected to carry these new trucks.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Chevrolet

"Smokin' Titan" Debuts At The 2018 Work Truck Show

3/6/2018

Who doesn’t like smoked meat? Seriously, it’s the most amazing thing. Looking to take the world of BBQ to another level Nissan built the ultimate outdoor grilling rig, the “Smokin’ Titan.” The centerpiece of the 2018 Nissan Titan XD King Cab is a CM Trucks custom flatbed and a built-in Lang BBQ smoker. Three prep stations also grace the bed with a Partner Steel aluminum double burner stove, a Churrasco Brazillian Wood cutting board, and a Teton Steel 24x24 sink and water storage system. The sink and water storage can easily be swapped out for a Yeti cooler when cold storage is more important.

The custom trailer that is towed behind the Titan houses the Lang smoker. After installing the CM Trucks flatbed the Titan’s original bed was moved to a B&S trailer to allow space for the smoker and keep the intense cooking heat away from the pickups sensitive bits. Smoker pellets and wood chips are stored in two Titan Boxes and a Diamond Back SE tonneau cover protects the operation when not in use.

Wrapping up the build and giving the Titan a bit more attitude is a leveling kit, IF Signs custom wrap, 20-inch ICON Alloy Alpha wheels, and 275/25R20 Nitto Terra Grappler tires.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Nissan USA

“I absolutely love this project vehicle – it is the perfect combination of truck, food smokin’ and family time,” said Billy Hayes, division vice president, LCV and Trucks, Nissan North America. “If I could take it home with me, I would.”

Does The World Need A $295,000 Two-Door Range Rover?

3/6/2018

“The Range Rover SV Coupe is a celebration of the Range Rover bloodline,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover. “With a dramatic two-door silhouette, this breath-taking four-seat Coupe alludes to its unique heritage while being thoroughly modern and contemporary. Beautifully realized and superbly engineered, the Range Rover SV Coupe delivers the most distinguished, luxurious and exclusive Range Rover ever built.”

No… the world needs 999 of them, according to the folks at Range Rover. Created by Land Rover Design and Special Vehicle Operations, the SV Coupe as it’s called is a work of design, craftsmanship, and capability. It boasts a 557 horsepower, 516 lb-ft, supercharged 5.0L V-8 engine, hits 60 from not in just 5.0 seconds, and is the fastest full-size Range Rover ever built with a top speed of 165 miles per hour. Every detail has been up-scaled, from the 23-inch wheels to the opulently appointed interior. Semi-aniline leather front seats with a diamond quilt design elevate the premium interior to a new level of luxury once reserved for private jets and yachts.

Despite being beautifully crafted, the SV Coupe retains the unique abilities that make a Rover special. These include the same off-road prowess of the vehicles stable mates (with almost three fee of maximum water wading depth), fantastic on-road handling, and a maximum trailer towing capacity of 7,716 pounds.

Each SV Coupe will be hand-assembled by the expert technicians at Land Rover’s SVO Technical Center in the UK, which is a first for Range Rover. Sales will start in the fourth-quarter of 2018 and we expect the allotment to sell out very quickly.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Jaguar Land Rover

New 2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S

3/6/2018

Polaris has just unleashed the newest weapon in their arsenal of amazing off-road vehicles, the RZR XP Turbo S. Built to be the most capable RZR ever; the XP Turbo S has been redesigned from the bottom up. A reinforced chassis, stronger axles, larger 32-inch tires, and an industry-best 16 inches of ground clearance are just a few features that set the XP Turbo S apart from the competition.

This new machines toughness is complimented by a fantastic suspensions system. At 72 inches wide the XP Turbo S has opened up new possibilities and allowed Polaris to fit it with a suspension that offers up to 21 inches of wheel travel, while being capable of 25 inches before bottoming the skid plate.

The RZR XP Turbo S churns out an impressive 168 horsepower and recalibrated throttle mapping gives drivers better control over the power while a redesigned clutch box allows for better airflow and lower belt temperatures. Steering assist has been upped 25 percent and the cockpit outfitted with Sparco seats and four-point harnesses.

The new RZR XP Turbo S will be available in Indy Red and Polaris Blue and will arrive in dealerships in mid-March 2018 with a base price of $27,499.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Polaris

“We set out to create the most capable and aggressive side-by-side in the industry, and without a doubt, we accomplished that with RZR XP Turbo S,” said Chris Musso, president of Off-Road Vehicles, Polaris. “This machine raises the bar for the industry. The sheer size of the machine and its significant performance upgrades will have even the most passive drivers attacking terrain with confidence.”

Sara Price Joins RPM Offroad

3/5/2018

"Racing for RPM for a whole season is a dream come true," said Price. "The team's results speaks for themselves and it's a very special organization that makes me feel like I'm with family. I'm incredibly grateful for the support of Clyde, Justin and the whole team."

Motocross and UTV champion Sara Price has announced today that she will be joining the RPM team and will be campaigning a truck in the Trophy Truck Spec class of the SCORE International desert racing series.

Sara began racing dirt bikes at the at the age of eight and continued on to collect 19 amateur titles and medaled in Women’s Super X at the 2010 X Games. To date Sara still holds the record as the most winning female amateur. A versatile competitor, Sara raced UTVs in the 2013 WORCS series before moving to the Lucas Oil Regional Series in 2015. She grabbed a second place overall in the production side-by-side championship series that year. Sara also finished the Terracross Championship undefeated in the same year. When not competing Sara works as a profession stunt driver for film and television, both on two wheels and four.

RPM Offroad is slated to run a field of six entries for the upcoming SCORE San Felipe 250 after coming off a historic win in the Trophy Truck class at the 50th Baja 1000 in 2017. In addition to the 2017 Baja 1000 win, Mexican team driver Carlos “Apdaly” Lopez also won the SCORE Trophy Truck championship in 2015 and 2016. The team snagged their first Baja 1000 win in 2014 in Class 1.

Sara will race the full 2018 SCORE International season for RPM, with races that include the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, Tijuana Desert Challenge, and the famed Baja 1000.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: RPM Offroad & Sara Price
Photos: Attain Media & Price Media

Jaguar's All-Electric 2019 I-PACE SUV Debuts

3/5/2018

It seems today that every automotive company is rushing to get in on the electrification race. Jaguar is the latest to pump out an all-electric sport utility with the formal introduction of the new 2019 I-PACE.

The I-PACE will be available in three trims to start, S, SE, and HSE along with a First Edition that will be limited to the first production year. All-wheel drive is standard as is a 90kWh battery. Powering two Jaguar-designed motors, the 90kWh battery pack will deliver an estimated range of up to 240 miles, and will clock in a 0-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 124 miles per hour. Running low on juice is no issue so long as you have a 100kW DC fast charger available, which will return the vehicles batteries from empty to 80 percent charged in just 40 minutes.

Sleek and aerodynamic are the name of the game with the 2019 I-PACE, which takes inspiration from the C-X75 supercar concept. A low hood, sweeping roofline, and squared-off rear help the I-PACE achieve an extremely low 0.29 coefficient of drag. The interior is exquisitely appointed, as you would expect from Jaguar, and can be outfitted with fine-grain Windsor leather, premium Kvadrat textile, or a more basic Luxtec material. A panoramic glass roof is standard and is designed to absorb infrared light, which in turn helps keep the cabin cool without the need to block the view.

Pricing will be announced tomorrow, March 6th 2018, at the Geneva Motor Show.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Jaguar Land Rover

“The I-PACE’s electric powertrain offered us unprecedented design freedom,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design. “Starting with a clean sheet enabled the dramatic cab-forward profile, unique proportions and exceptional interior space – yet it is unmistakably a Jaguar. We wanted to design the world’s most desirable EV, and I’m confident we’ve met that challenge.”

2019 Ram 1500 Pricing Announced

3/5/2018

"In launching the all-new 2019 Ram 1500, we knew it was important to offer class-leading features and technology. But it's also important to offer our great product at a competitive price,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Truck Brand -- FCA. "We feel that we've delivered the right no-compromise mix that Ram Truck customers will appreciate."

After unveiling the company’s new pickup at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit Ram has today released the full pricing structure for the 2019 Ram 1500. The 2019 Ram 1500 in Tradesman trim and configured with a Quad Cab, 3.6L Pentastar V-6, and two-wheel drive will start at $31,695. On the high end a Crew Cab Limited with four-wheel drive, a 5.7L Hemi V-8, and a long bed will set potential buyers back $57,690.

Fans interested in the Ram 1500 Rebel, the company’s light-duty off-road masterpiece, will need to pony up $44,695 for a Quad Cab V-6 or $47,495 for a Crew Cab. Dropping four-wheel drive from the Crew Cab lowers the price to $43,995.

Of course this is just the starting price, without available options and extras. Adding the company’s 5.7L Hemi engine to the Tradesman, Big Horn, and Rebel is an additional $1,195 and the eTorque mild-hybrid system tacks another $800 on top of that. Destination cost has also increased to $1,645 for the lower 48 and Alaska, and $1,695 for Hawaii.

If the current accessory pricing model holds from 2018 to 2019 we can expect a trailer brake controller to add about $300, the anti-spin rear differential adds $435, a 32-gallon fuel tank is $445, a tri-fold tonneau cover is $595, and the Ram Box cargo management system tacks on $1,295.

Overall we feel that pricing for the new 2019 Ram 1500 is right in line with the rest of the current ½-ton class. And even when fully outfitted is dollar-for-dollar the best buy in this market.

- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Ram Trucks

There's A New Game In Town

2/12/2018

Welcome to your new home for all things truck! In a sea of sameness we at Trucks-365 aim to present all of the latest pickup, sport utility, and side-by-side news in a bold and refreshing way. Staffed by a team of lifelong enthusiasts we are plugged directly into the heartbeat of the automotive industry. With more than two decades of automotive journalism experience amongst our dedicated staff we know exactly what you want to see and aspire to create an online experience that will keep you coming back day after day. We aim to keep stories brief, because we know your time is valuable. We’ll cut through the crap and present just the facts. And we’ll offer up honest opinions as they relate to the industry that we so love.

While pickups are our primary focus, we’ll also keep you up to date on news as it relates to the sport utility world. SUVs are extremely popular and gaining more market share every day. From the smallest compact to the largest three-row we love them all. And finally there are side-by-sides. While it may seem odd for a truck site to report on UTVs, this class of off-road vehicle continues to take the world by storm, and we see it as a perfect mesh with the typical pickup enthusiast.

So we welcome you to come along on the journey with us as we build the premier online home for lovers of trucks.

- Trucks-365 Staff