These pickups are must-sees
HAULERS: Trucks — and lots of them — a big part of auto show, which opens today
Pickup trucks work hard and play even harder. These haulers of both people and goods remain bestsellers for many automakers, and here are five new trucks of note at the 97th annual Vancouver International Auto Show, which opens today at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
2018 Ford F-150
Just three years after introducing its high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy bodied F-150, for 2018 Ford has updated the truck. Every F-150, from the XL to the Limited, is built on a high-strength steel, fully boxed ladder frame and all have been treated to new headlights, grilles and bumpers. At the back of the box is a new sculpted tailgate bordered by new tail light designs. Standard engine in the F-150 is a new gasoline 3.3-litre V-6 with 282 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft of torque. There’s also an all-new second-generation 2.7L EcoBoost paired with a 10-speed automatic, while the 5.0L V-8 sees some improvements to enhance power and torque. For the first time in an F-150, there’s an available all-new 3.0L Power Stroke diesel engine, also mated with the 10-speed automatic.
2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
For those looking to get off the beaten path in sporty style, General Motors is showcasing their 2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2. This midsize truck is packed with off-road technology, including high-performance suspension dampers built by Markham, Ont.-based Multimatic Inc. The ZR2 model is wider and taller than a standard Colorado, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for increased off-road clearance. Goodyear 31-inch tall Duratrac tires wrap around 17-inch by 8-inch ZR2-specific aluminum wheels, and a bed-mounted spare tire carrier is an available accessory. The ZR2 comes with an all-new 3.6L V-6 coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, or a Duramax diesel engine.
2017 Ram Power Wagon
Off-road adventure in a full-sized truck is the purview of the 2017 Ram Power Wagon. With a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine capable of 410 hp and 429 lb.-ft of torque, the Power Wagon is based on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 Crew Cab. There are, however, significant upgrades including a unique suspension system based on Bilstein shocks and more than two inches of lift, locking differentials and a 5,443-kg winch and roller fair lead hidden in a bumper under the blacked-out grille with the RAM badge. The Power Wagon has a fivelink coil rear suspension to provide for best-in-class ride and handling while offering a payload of 685 kg and a towing capacity of 4,672 kg.
2017 Ford Raptor
Ford has their second-generation 2017 F-150 Raptor in the display. Ford maintains they developed the high-performance off-road truck segment with their first Raptor, released in 2010. This iteration of the Raptor has shed some 227 kg through Ford’s use of military-grade aluminum alloy body components. The truck is now two inches taller, and continues to use custom Fox Racing Shocks that have increased to three inches in diameter. Power comes from an all-new, twin-turbo, intercooled 3.5L V-6 that puts 450 hp and 510 lb.-ft of torque to the ground through a 10-speed automatic and a new Torque-OnDemand transfer case.
2017 Honda Ridgeline
For those interested in something a little different in the mid-size truck segment, Honda has brought their completely redesigned second-generation 2017 Ridgeline to Vancouver. The only unibody truck on the market, Honda offers the hauler in five trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, Touring and the top-of-theline Black Edition.
Honda thinks outside the box when it comes to the Ridgeline, and the truck features a number of industry exclusive standard and available features including a dual-action tailgate, in-bed trunk and scratch-and-dent-resistant composite truck bed. Powering the Ridgeline is a 3.5L V-6 that makes 280 hp and 262 lb.-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.