place of steel should cut the weight of the F-150 by some 700 lbs.—roughly a 15% reduction—to boost fuel economy while allowing for the use of smaller yet more efficient engines. Ford will also offer the 2014 F-150 with the ability to run on compressed natural gas, which sources say makes Ford the only manufacturer with an available CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup. The 2014 Ford F-150 with 3.7-liter V6 engine will be available this fall with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons and rings so it can operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems. When the 3.7-liter V6 F-150 is equipped with a CNG/LPG engine package, it is capable of achieving more than 750 miles on one tank of gas, depending on the tank size selected. The Ford F-150 averages 23 mpg on the highway. CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs approximately $315 before the customer chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run approximately $7,500 to $9,500 depending on fuel tank capacity. ford.comToyota Tundra: Three Styles, Three Engines The 2014 model Toyota Tundra full-size pickup represents the first major change to the Japanese OEM’s U.S. pickup truck line since the launch of the current generation back in the 2007 model year, says Bill Fay, Toyota Div. group vice president and general manager.
points, which allow installation of racks and shelves without drilling into the sidewalls. The 2014 Nissan NV200 features a 2L 16-valve DOHC 4-cyl. engine mated to an Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) for smoother operation and responsive performance. Joe Castelli, vice president-commercial vehicles and fleet for Nissan North America, says one reason more light-duty commercial vehicle models are now being introduced is because the U.S. is undergoing “segment fragmentation” in this market niche. “The cost of operation is key now, which is why you are seeing different van platforms, engine options, and the like,” he explains, noting that the NV200 compact cargo van is but one result of that fragmentation. “The compact market is running maybe 40,000 units a year compared to 225,000 for big vans,” Castelli says. “But [the NV200] is a vehicle that can get 24 mpg city/highway combined. It won’t work for every operator, but if someone can get away with a 700-lb. cargo capacity for their operation and thus can switch to a smaller yet more fuel-efficient cargo van, they will do it.” For those needing a larger van, Nissan offers the NV Cargo van in three variations, the NV1500, NV2500 and NV3500. Nissan is also preparing to field what it calls an “all-new” model of its Titan full-size pickup, first introduced back in 2003. Pierre Loing, vice president-product and advanced planning and strategy for Nissan Americas, says that Nissan’s truck team is looking at broadening the Titan product portfolio to reach more personal-use buyers while also appealing to commercial owners and fleets. nissancommercialvehicles.com
GMC Sierra and Chevrolet City Express: Combining Style & Efficiency
GM’s completely redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups are arguably more differentiated from each other in looks than their predecessor models. In addition, they both boast a new family of fuel-efficient yet powerful EcoTec3 gasoline engines. Dramatically styled exteriors and cabs are described as quieter as well as more comfortable and functional.
The GMC Sierra includes a new interior with two glove boxes, center console and door panel storage, and a six-gauge cluster. Four upfitter switches with 30 amps of power can switch between battery or ignition power as needed. The extended cab model has been eliminated in favor of a double cab, which includes forward opening rear doors.
The three available engine choices (4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L V8) offer increased power, torque and fuel
efficiency. The new engines feature direct fuel injection and continuously variable timing along with cylinder
deactivation—switching down to four cylinders when maximum power is not required—to provide what the OEM dubs “maximum performance and minimum fuel consumption” in real-world conditions.
GM points out the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the 2014 Chevy Silverado regular cab is equal to that of the 2013 Silverado model. The company adds that the base price includes several new features: the new 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine; a 6-speed automatic transmission; an all-new cab interior; four-wheel disc brakes with
Duralife rotors; and a new bed with standard box rail protectors and “corner step” bumper.
The base MSRP for the 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 double cab, which replaces the 2013 extended cab model, and the crew cab models, will mirror the 2013 base MSRPs, GM notes. Fuel economy numbers for the 2014 Chevy Silverado are 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined for its 2WD versions and 16 mpg city,
22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined for 4WD models.
GM also plans to introduce small pickup models within two years to replace the discontinued Chevrolet
Colorado and GMC Canyon. Those models were cut from the GM lineup in 2012.
GM also plans to introduce the Chevrolet City Express, a new small cargo van, by the fall of 2014. It will be based on Nissan’s NV200 van but badged with the Chevrolet nameplate as part of a partnership deal between GM and Nissan that the OEMs say should last several years.
The City Express will use the Nissan powertrain, which includes a 2L 16-valve dual overhead cam 4-cyl. engine rated at 131 hp. and 139 lbs.-ft. of torque. It will be available in two trim levels, the LS and LT, and feature 1,500 lbs.of payload capacity and 122.7 cu. ft. of cargo space.
The van, which will be built in Cuernavaca, Mexico, was initially available only in cargo configuration.
gm.com
