Photos Courtesy of GM The new Chevrolet Colorado is set to rejoin the midsize-pickup category when it comes out next year as a 2015 model. A diesel version is planned for 2016. Related Links: Why Contractors Are Buying Pickup Trucks Like it is 1985 Test Drive: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 After a two-year hiatus, the Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup is returning to U.S. dealerships. Scheduled to arrive in late 2014 as a 2015 model, the truck is based largely on the global Holden Colorado but contains unique styling and equipment. The new Chevy will be joining a small yet important
Photo courtesy of GM The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado offers up to 24 mpg on highway and tows up to 12,000 lb. Related Links: GM Pickups for 2014 Get New Looks, Engines Cummins Turbodiesel Option Coming to Nissan Titan As contractors are shaking loose from the recession, General Motors is filling dealers' lots with redesigned, light-duty pickups that are arguably its best ever, offering up to 24 miles per gallon on the highway, a 12,000-lb towing capacity and a payload rating of 2,108 lb. With enhanced details, including a standard two-year, 24,000-mile free maintenance plan, GM's 36-month residual values are estimated
Photos courtesy of Ford Ford's 2014 Transit van promises to deliver 25% better fuel economy and more capability than the outgoing E-Series van. Photo courtesy of Ford Related Links: Meet Ford Transit, Heir to the Econoline Throne A Turbo Twist Comes To Ford's Commercial Van Like any tool, a commercial vehicle should be both functional and dependable, attributes often associated with Ford's best-selling E-Series work vans.Formerly known as Econoline, Ford's E-Series has been the top U.S. contractor van for decades. However, with such competitors as Mercedes' Sprinter, Nissan's NV and the forthcoming Fiat-based Ram ProMaster van, the E-Series' glory days
Related Links: GM's 2011 Heavy Duty Trucks Pack a Powerful Punch Test Driving the Last-Gen Chevy Silverado At first glance, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 light-duty pickup trucks appear mildly evolved. A taller front end mimics current heavy-duty GM trucks, the track has been widened for greater stability, the doors have been reshaped to make the cabin quieter and the bulging wheel wells give the pickups a more rugged look.But how do they perform as work trucks? Three new engines are addressing that challenge, in addition to an interior with greater storage, a more flexible mix
Fleet managers and professional contractors have a variety of choices when its time to replace their aging vehicles. Until recently, the Ford Transit Connect Electric utility van was not among them. Photo: Thom Blackett For ENR The Transit Connect Electric will cost some greenbacks for firms wanting to go green. Its base price is $57,400—before adding in a charging station and taking out tax incentives. Photo: Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. Developed by Ford and Azure Dynamics, the plug-in electric van promises zero emissions and lower operating costs, points being evaluated by early adopters including AT&T, the New York Power
Over the past year, ENR has tested and reviewed the all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty, the 2011 Ford Super Duty and the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD/GMC Sierra HD, but our friends at PickupTrucks.com have taken evaluating these workhorses to another level. Photo: Courtesy of Pickuptrucks.com The Ram 3500 and Ford F-350 heavy-duty pickups tackle a 16% grade with 12,000 lb in tow at General Motors’ Milford proving grounds, near Detroit, during the 2010 Heavy-Duty Shoot-Out. Photo: Ford Motor Co. While GM outperformed Ford in the diesel class, Ford’s Super Duty was evaluated as being the best overall heavy-duty pickup for
General Motors has launched its 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD with aims of winning the heavy-duty power battle. ENR accepted GM’s invitation to test and compare its re-engineered trucks against the competition, namely the 2011 Ford Super Duty that we reviewed in the spring. Nuts and Bolts GM has beefed up the two available powertrains in its 2011 offerings to handle heavier loads. Starting things off is the 6.0-liter V-8, good for 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Impressive, but GM’s Duramax turbodiesel—a 6.6-liter V-8— delivers 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, and packs a
Heavy-duty work trucks are the backbone of many operations, charged with transporting people and materials while serving as a mobile office. And, like any good tool, they must not fail at critical moments. Such is the mission of the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, redesigned to deliver muscle, capability and utility while providing more comfort. Photo: Dodge Trucks also offer engine braking and integrated trailer-brake controllers. Photo: Dodge Trucks have twin glove boxes, a big center console and floor cubbies. On that utility front, the Ram HD already is a success, though the arrival of the 2011 Ford Super Duty
For many of us, the New Year in today’s economy means eating out less often, putting off big purchases and perhaps laying off a few employees. Everyone is on the lookout for efficiency wherever it can be found, including the latest in work-truck vehicles. But a new hybrid pickup, while intriguing from a fuel-sipping and technology standpoint, still falls short of delivering the goods. Slide Show Photo: General Motors The hybrid system consists of a 6.0L V8, a two-mode transmission and a 300-Volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Energy prices ran contractors through the ringer last year, and among the rides that
Retail and office construction are in decline. Banks are playing Scrooge with new bailout bucks. For-sale signs line the street, and housing starts keep receding.These are tough times, when every dollar spent on capital equipment must be spent wisely. For working people in need of a new truck, that need translates into a pickup that not only leads in raw grunt but also fuel economy and utility. ENR evaluated two redesigned models, the 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, to determine which workhorse truly deserves a spot at the jobsite. Slide Show Photo: Chrysler LLC Ram packs heavy