Tools & Equipment Review: TrucksTruck makers tune up their green strategies.

Although tradesmen require purpose-built work vehicles, they don't want to leave their paychecks at the pump. So manufacturers are assembling more fuel-efficient trucks that don't lack in power or capacity.

General Motors, which introduced gasoline-electric hybrid engines to its full-size pickups in 2003, continues to lead the pack. It partnered with rival DaimlerChrysler, maker of Dodge Ram trucks and Sprinter panel vans, to develop an all-new hybrid powertrain, and plans to debut the new engine on the 2008 Chevy Silverado full-size pickups.

The General also leads in displacement-on-demand, a computer-controlled system that allows eight-cylinder engines to operate more efficiently on four cylinders when maximum power is not required. Dodge offers a similar multi-displacement system on Ram Hemi V8 engines.

With gas prices doubling in the past year, an organization of work-truck fleet owners that operates more than 200,000 utility vehicles recently formed the Light Duty Hybrid Action Group to encourage manufacturers to speed the development of fuel-efficient vehicles.

However, not all truck makers are convinced that hybrid engines are the quickest--or best--path to fuel efficiency. Ford, which has the world's best-selling vehicle in its F-150 pickup, is betting on improvements in both existing and experimental engine and fuel technologies. This includes more-efficient diesel and gas engines with power-conserving six-speed transmissions, as well as alternative fuels that range from F-85 ethanol and other biofuels to natural and propane gas, hydrogen internal combustion, and hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion. In the meantime, the automaker made numerous improvements to its current vehicles.

Toyota, the world's most successful producer of hybrid-engine passenger vehicles, also is steering away from hybrid power. It has developed a hydrogen fuel-cell truck engine that produces power without combustion and generates zero carbon dioxide emissions. Toyota says it expects to bring fuel cell trucks to market in a few years.

One fuel innovation that many pickup manufacturers have embraced is ethanol, a biofuel made primarily from corn. For several years, up to 10 percent ethanol has been added to regular gasoline in the United States, while a blend of 85 percent ethanol/15 percent gas has been available in Europe and elsewhere. This E-85 blend is available in limited quantities here, and auto makers are producing vehicles capable of "flex-fuel" operation. Although ethanol provides little cost savings over gas or diesel, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, offers an alternative to petroleum-based fuels, and holds the promise of future efficiencies as production ramps up.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE NOW
Here's how the 2007 models stack up:

Toyota
Perhaps the biggest news is the launch of an all-new, full-size Toyota Tundra pickup with a second, full-size V8 engine. Called the CrewMax, this pickup is a super-size version of the four-door Double Cab, which will continue to be offered along with Regular Cab Tundra models.

The second-generation Tundras are larger than the single model they replaced. The new vehicles are available in three wheelbases, three bed lengths, and three trim levels, and with a choice of three engines. Both the CrewMax and Double Cab models have full-size, front-hinged rear doors. The cavernous CrewMax interior offers limo-like legroom with sliding, reclining rear seats--a pickup truck first.

General Motors
The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 series full-size pickups are all new. The trucks offer seven new or retooled V8 gas engine options, including four versions of GM's durable 5.3-liter small-block workhorse (all rated at 315 hp and 338 pound-feet of torque), a 6.0-liter with variable valve timing and, in the Denali alone, a big 6.2-liter mill that puts out 400 hp and 417 pound-feet of torque. A 4.8-liter V8, standard on some models, provides 295 hp and 305 pound-feet of torque, while a 4.3-liter V6 with 195 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque is standard on other models in the 1500 series.

While both Silverado and Sierra offer a 1500 Hybrid Classic pickup this year, GM appears to be downplaying this technology as it awaits the 2008 introduction of an all-new hybrid platform developed jointly with DaimlerChrysler and BMW. The heavy-duty 2500HD and 3500HD Silverado/Sierra pickups get two new engines for 2007. Choices include a 6.0-liter V8 gas engine with 353 hp and 373 pound-feet of torque--an 18 percent improvement over the engine it replaces--or a 6.6-liter turbo diesel that generates 365 hp and an awesome 660 pound-feet of torque.

Ford
The big news from Big Blue is the relaunch of its Super Duty (over 8,500-pound Gross Vehicle Weight Rating class) pickups. The lineup now includes brawny F-250 and F-350 pickups as well as a new F-450, which Ford insists on calling a pickup although its chassis cab configuration sets it well apart from "standard" pickup trucks.

The Super Duty pickups are being reintroduced this year as 2008 models. To match their designation, there are plenty of horses under the hoods, including an all-new 6.4-liter twin-turbo diesel that produces 350 hp and a massive 650 pound-feet of torque, giving the F-350s a maximum towing weight of 19,200 pounds and a bed capacity of 5,800 pounds.

Also reengineered is Ford's popular Sport Trac hybrid SUV, an Explorer up front with a 40-inch-long cargo box out in back. The new pickup is 2 inches wider and 5 inches longer overall, with a 16.8-inch longer wheelbase sporting independent rear suspension, giving this vehicle much-improved stability and handling. Maximum tow weight for this hybrid is a respectable 6,800 pounds, with a payload of 1,390 pounds.

Dodge
The only change to the Ram family is a major upgrade to the HD fleet's top diesel, which will grow from a 5.9-liter to 6.7-liter turbo-diesel mill, with an optional six-speed auto tranny. Cranking out 350 hp with 650 pound-feet of torque, this monster boosts towing maximum to 16,400 pounds and payload to 5,020 pounds.

Engines and specs for the 1500s and Power Wagon are unchanged. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 provides 345 hp and 375 pound-feet of torque; the 4.7-liter V8 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (E85 capable) produces 235 hp and 300 pound-feet of torque; and the 3.7-liter V6 offers 215 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque.

Nissan
Introduced in 2005, the Titan is Nissan's first full-size pickup that includes an American-designed and -built V8 engine. It's little changed except for an uptick in horsepower (to 315 from 305) and torque (to 385 pound-feet from 379) for its lone powerplant option, a 5.6-liter double overhead-cam V8. This engine is now rated as flexible-fuel capable for use with the E85 blend of 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline.

The mid-size Frontier has a new long-bed option that stretches the cargo platform by more than a foot, from just under 5 feet to 73.3 inches. The new engine boosts payloads to 1,552 pounds and tow capacity to 6,500 pounds.

Honda
The Ridgeline is a mid-size SUV with a 4x5-foot box, but Honda calls it a "genuine truck" and claims its specs prove that it can run with the full-size, light-duty pickup pack. Its frame and drive train, based on the Acura MDX sport-utility platform, is beefed up to allow a 1,100-pound bed payload and 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity.

Nonetheless, a car-like ride with full four-door, five-passenger seating, along with an on-demand four-wheel-drive system that automatically kicks in when two-wheel power isn't enough, make the Ridgeline behave like a sedan. Only one engine option is available, a transverse-mounted 3.5-liter V6, which gets a small boost to 255 hp and 252 pound-feet of torque. This pickup also has some unique features, like a tailgate that swings out or drops down and a lockable, waterproof, below-the-bed storage compartment big enough for both the spare wheel and 8.5 cubic feet of tools and gear.

--M.M.

--This story first appeared in Tools of the Trade magazine

Isuzu i-290

Isuzu. The company's close engineering relationship with GM, including joint-venture Duramax diesel engine manufacturing and small pickup trucks, shows up again in the i-290 Extended Cab model. Introduced in 2006 as the mid-size i-280, it has a seven-year/75,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. 800-255-6727. www.isuzu.com.

Dodge Ram HD

Dodge. This year brings a major upgrade to the HD fleet's top diesel. Stretching from a 5.9-liter to a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel mill, it comes with an optional six-speed auto tranny. Boosting a towing maximum to 16,400 pounds, this model cranks out 350 hp with 650 pound-feet of torque. Engines and specs for the 1500s and Power Wagon remain unchanged. 800-423-6343. www.dodge.com.

Ford Ranger

Ford. The Ranger sports three bold new colors for 2007--screaming yellow clearcoat, vista blue clearcoat metallic, and Pueblo gold clearcoat--and two new wheel options. A safety system and anti-theft system are standard features on all 2007 Rangers. Three engine choices are available. 800-392-3673. www.ford.com.

Toyota Tundra CrewMax

Toyota. A new full-size Tundra pickup with a second full-size V8 engine, Toyota dubbed its new launch the CrewMax. The Double Cab will continue to be offered and both models have full-size, front- hinged rear doors. The Crew Max brings a pickup first with sliding, reclining rear seats. 800-331-4331. www.toyota.com.

Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 Series

General Motors. New editions to the GM team include the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 series full-size pickups. The heavy-duty 3500HD Silverado (shown) gets two new engines for 2007: a 6.0-liter V8 gas engine with 353 hp and 373 pound-feet of torque or a 6.6-liter turbo diesel that generates 365 hp and 660 pound-feet of torque. 800-462-8782. www.gm.com.

Nissan Titan King Cab

Nissan. Introduced in 2005, Nissan's first pickup, the Titan (shown), underwent few changes for 2007. With a boost in horsepower and torque for its powerplant option, its engine now boasts a flexible-fuel capability. The mid-size Frontier comes with a long-bed option that stretches the cargo platform more than a foot. 800-647-7261. www.nissanusa.com.

Honda Ridgeline

Honda. Although the Ridgeline is a mid-size SUV, the company calls it a "genuine truck," saying it can run with the full-size, light-duty pickup pack. A beefed-up frame allows a 1,100-pound bed payload and 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity. 800-999-1009. www.honda.com.