Allison 1000
The Allison 1000 transmission, considered by many to be the best HD transmission available in a light truck, has been strengthened further to stand up to the greater torque of the new LML diesel. It's more efficient due to less "spin loss," channeling more power to the axles and allowing it to happen with less fuel. Improved cooling and better shift control are built in. The new Allison/Duramax combination has shown significantly faster 0-60mph times in preliminary testing, according to Chevrolet. The dark square area is for the PTO attachment. (Yesssssss! -Ed.)
Duramax 6.6
Yes, somewhere in all that spaghetti is the 6.6L Duramax LML; that little blue cap at the top left of the engine compartment is the urea fill spout. Testing is still ongoing, so horsepower and torque numbers were not announced, but a Chevy executive advised that output is expected to top the current diesel Duramax, suggesting that 375 horsepower and 675 lb-ft of torque would not be out of the question. This fifth-generation Duramax has a number of internal revisions to improve durability, and will use selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment (urea injection) to become significantly cleaner. Urea injection will actually help improve fuel economy by reducing particulate filter regenerations by 75 percent. Cold-weather starting characteristics are said to be on a par with gas engines.
New Raptor Motor
It was announced back in November '09 that Ford will put a new 6.2L V-8 into the Raptor, as well as the Super Duty. This cutaway display allowed us to inspect the internals, showing that the new engine uses a large bore and a short stroke to produce peak horsepower at a relatively modest 5,500 rpm. Ford is calling the engine "race-inspired," in part because a specially calibrated production-based 6.2L engine achieved 500 horsepower and ran hard in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck in the 2008 Baja 1000.
The single-overhead-cam powerplant is rated at 411 horsepower, with 434 lb-ft of torque. Key features include a cast-iron engine block and four-bolt main bearing caps with crossbolts for durability; aluminum cylinder heads with two valves per cylinder and two spark plugs per cylinder; forged steel connecting rods; cast-aluminum pistons with oil cooling jets; and 9.8:1 compression ratio.
Jeep Proving Ground
On press day, Jeep engineers were working the kinks out of their auto-show obstacle course. At the Chicago show, anyone interested in trying out a Jeep can get into a vehicle and drive a Camp Jeep-inspired "proving ground" obstacle course, with suspension articulation demonstration, short-but-steep hill climb and descent demo, plus experience a sidehill and other obstacles. We hear the line is a mile long once the doors open to the public.
Yer Tow Rig
This Chrome Shop Mafia All American Hauler F-750 Super duty is a tow vehicle made to handle anything you can throw at it. It's a four-door crew cab in XLT trim, with a 25,999-pound GVWR. It's powered by a Cummins 6.7L ISB with 325 horsepower and 750 lb-ft, and has an exhaust brake, 130-amp alternator, three batteries, and Allison 3000 HS close-ratio five-speed.
Front axle rating is 10,000 pounds; rear axle rating is 21,000 pounds, and axle ratio is 4.33:1. For $132,055, you also get rear air suspension, air-ride cab system by CSM, tow hooks, dual 65-gallon fuel tanks, air horn, 22.5-inch polished aluminum wheels, five storage compartments, LED lighting, custom front bumper, custom leather seating, 13-inch flip-down monitor in cab, and high-performance audio system/GPS. Not to mention a 2 5/16-inch gooseneck ball installed on the deck and polished stainless trim.
HD Frame
The frame for the 2011 Chevy HD is all new, with a new steel frame crossmember. GM is sticking with the independent front suspension, but has redesigned it to beef up front axle weight ratings for snow plowing. The suspension keeps the same short/long arm torsion-bar front suspension, but has forged steel upper control arms and heavier lower control arms. Chevy executives said the IFS suspension gives a better ride and handling, and is more adjustable, than the competition's straight front axle. The brakes have larger brake rotors, stronger calipers, and larger wheel and hub bearing assemblies. The frames are stiffer, with new jounce bumpers, shock mounts, and hydraulic body mounts. The steering system has been revised with a larger steering gear, power steering pumps, and linkages. Four-wheel ABS will be standard on all single-rear wheel models, as will trailer sway control.