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Chicago Auto Show, Commercial Trucks

We give International full credit this daring design. Still, it appears as though it’s taken a giant leap back three decades with the new Class 8 International LoneStar. International said its mission was to create a big rig that married aerodynamic efficiency with a unique look and a wide range of customization. Having asked truckers what they wanted, apparently customization means ‘more cowbell lights and chrome.’ As upright and retro Lite Brite as the design might be, it still gets gas mileage as good as the best aerodynamic semis on the market, according to International.

Inside, the cabin evokes the kind of ergonomic class that could have been meant for the outside — the sleeper has hardwood flooring for that at-home feeling. The truck comes with 42 factory options, 23 inside, 19 outside, and International itself said it wants to create the same kind of aftermarket following that MINI and Harley currently enjoy. If nothing else, the LoneStar is a rig more than worthy of Lone Starr.

Trucks/Pickups, Mitsubishi

This week, Mitsubishi’s Brazilian operation announced the return of the L200 Savana (the model had been previously available). While it shares its name with the snazzy-looking L200/Triton sold in many other markets (including Brazil), the offroad-flavored Savana variant is based on the last-gen truck. While the ultra-1990s interior is indeed dated, the overall package is pretty bitchin’.

Power comes from an 2.5L SOHC turbodiesel making either 121hp/189 lb-ft or 141 hp/221 lb-ft. An “Easy Select” transfer case lets the driver choose between 4×2, 4×4H and 4×4L modes, and shifts come courtesy of a 5-speed manual. Other standard features include a strengthened chassis, snorkel, roof basket (220 lb capacity), and in-bed storage boxes. The Savana’s look is all-business, with charcoal wheel flares, bumpers, taillamp housings and grille trim. Knobby rubber adorns the 16-inch black-painted steelies and the headlight surrounds and hood scoop are finished in the primary body color. The spec sheet also tells us the L200 Savana has 9 inches of ground clearance, a 35-degree approach angle, and 26-degree departure angle.

All of this does not come cheap, mind you. Pricing starts at 86,990 Brazilian reais, or $50,255 USD if you were to do a direct currency conversion (for what it’s worth). The price is the only thing we don’t really like. The rest makes us wish we had a set of keys and a jungle nearby.

[Source: Mitsubishi Brazil via Autoblog Spanish]

Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Commercial Trucks, Dodge

Chrysler has just released details on its commercial-grade Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van, which has tradesmen, small business owners, and other small fleet customers in its crosshairs (pun fully intended). Since it’s a work vehicle, the second and third row seats have been eliminated. This creates 143.8 cubic feet of storage capacity in back, and to keep it from getting instantly trashed, the cargo floor is covered with an industrial-grade material. The interior trim for the second- and third-row seating areas can also be deleted completely, as the working man’s Grand Caravan is designed to be a blank slate that upfitters can customize for role-specific duties.

The forward compartment is equipped with YES Essentials fabric seats, a decent stereo, the to-be-expected variety of cupholders, power outlets, and storage areas, and a rubberized floor capable of withstanding daily punishment. Powered by Chrysler’s 175-horsepower 3.3L flex-fuel V6, the Grand Caravan Cargo Van sports a 17/24 city/highway EPA rating. 16-inch steelies and a heavy-duty suspension are standard, and both the dual sliders and rear hatch are manually operated. While a panelized version isn’t currently offered, the existing rear glass is tinted dark for maximum privacy, so you’ll have to moosh your face right up against it to see what goodies your local bakery’s hauling back there.

[Source: Chrysler LLC]

Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

That’s 13 new versions of the Tundra for 2008. The new variations all come from the addition of what Toyota calls the Tundra Grade, which slots in above the plain Tundra, but “just below the SR5″ grade which is mere inches from the Limited Grade. Got all that? Good, now throw in two transmission options, three engine choices, regular cab, Double Cab or CrewMax, two bed lengths, two- or four-wheel-drive, and a partridge in a pear tree and you get a total of 44 different ways to order your truck.

The Tundra Grade lets customers get the popular CrewMax and Double Cab options without paying for extras on the Limited and SR5 levels and starts at $24,715 for a V6, Double Cab, 4×2, automatic, and goes up to $27,685 with the addition of a V8 and the CrewMax cab.

Tundra’s top-of -the-line Limited trim with the Double Cab, V8, automatic and 4×4 starts at $38,770 and goes up to $42,070 with the addition of CrewMax seating.

The photo above is a Tundra CrewMax with the V8. For more photos check out our gallery.

You can read Toyota’s full press release after the jump to see what other options are now standard on what levels. Toyota is definitely aiming straight for Chevy and Ford with these new variations, and are obviously intent on selling more than 200,000 Tundras in 2008.

[Source: Toyota]

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

When was the last time you used “Suzuki” and “awesome” in a sentence and weren’t talking about a motorcycle? Well, get ready to do it now. Behold the Suzuki X-HEAD, one of several new concept vehicles the automaker will be showing off at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. Looking like it’s ready to punch a HUMMER in the mouth and audition for a part in Transformers 2, the mega-trick-looking X-HEAD (dig the “X” tread pattern on the rubber) is all about flexibility (we think). If we’re reading the Google-translated press release correctly, the “X” in its name signifies the unknown — as in unknown or unlimited number of uses. Figure it could be everything from a camper, to a pickup, to a rescue vehicle and beyond. This, from a company whose bread-and-butter is kei cars? A round of applause is in order for this Eastern take on our childhood Tonka fantasies. We’ll be sure to bring you more on this one from the show floor next month.

[Source: Suzuki]