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In
the world of pickup trucks, super is the ultimate word. It
squashes the lowly compact, makes the half-ton tremble in
fear. It can leap tall buildings in a single bound. (Dream
on.) But you get the idea. While super-sizing, of course,
is up-sizing, "super duty" means so much more.
It
was only natural that Ford's highly-acclaimed F-150 pickup
would have a winning Texas longhorn-caliber brother, the
thunder-voiced sibling that can terminate a "better-than-you-are"
schoolyard fight in one word. Picture that foundation in
a luxury wrapping and you have the definition for the "Ford
F-250/F-350 Super Duty." This five-series thunderbolt-on-wheels
hunkers down over Ford's new Triton 3-valve V-8, and V-10
petrol monsters, or the 6.0 liter 32-valve Power Stroke
V-8 Turbo Diesel that pumps 362 hp and 457 lb.-ft. of torque.
(Wow! What a mouthful.)
Off-road
or in responsive, precision tight turns, it's not just tweeked,
it's ratcheted up with a new 4X4 Twin Coil Monobeam suspension.
With 5,800 pounds of anything on its properly-fitted back
(or 17,000 lbs. hauled behind), we think Ford's self-proclaimed
"Beast of Burden" is an apt description. If that
doesn't generate visions of mahogany-toned touches and sunset-hued,
handsome leather interior, then you're in for a surprise.
Depending on trim level, it's there. Ford calls its effortless
performance "another walk in the woods." Yeah,
like Paul Bunyan's Great Lake-sized legendary footprint
created just another pond.
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Dodge
Dakota
Dodge boxes in the small box (AKA compact pickup truck)
with a fully-boxed frame and the only V-8 in class.
Translated, that means this all-new, slightly larger-than-midsize
pickup has the same solid workhorse underpinnings
of a full-size version. (Applause, please.) Its longer
nose adds more safety "crush space" should
the unthinkable accident ever occur. And there's more
inside stretch room as well. Real adults can comfortably
ride in the Quad Cab version's rear seat.
Toyota
Tacoma
If you think there isn't a midsize Tacoma pickup to
meet your fancy, think again. There are a whopping
18 (count 'em) models of Toyota's all-new pickup,
with three cab types to choose from. While less-than-fullsize
has never been the biggest draw in the segment, Toyota
execs think variety is bound to spice up more than
a few wish lists. We agree. At work or play, they
all offer expanded size, muscle, styling and reputation
to the mix.
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