Associated Press
CHICAGO — Participants were taken for a ride at the Chicago Auto Show media preview Wednesday as the entire press gallery, weighing in at about 30,000 pounds, was tied to a new Dodge Ram pickup truck and pulled about 30 feet.
The stunt was designed to show off the strength of the 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks.
The new trucks feature a return of the legendary HEMI engine. An all-new 5.7-liter version called the HEMI Magnum will be standard on both models. It produces an estimated 345 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque, said Rich Schaum, executive vice president of product development.
A redesigned Cummins high-output turbo diesel engine also is available, which produces 203 horsepower and 555 foot-pounds of torque, giving it towing power of 23,000 pounds.
With a figure skater, bobsledders and hockey players sliding by on synthetic ice, General Motors Corp. rolled out refreshed versions of its popular GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks, along with a concept truck, the Terra4.
The 2003 incarnations of the trucks sport refreshed exteriors, including new headlights, taillights and grilles, and interiors with single-piece center consoles and sensors on the front passenger side that automatically deactivate the air bag when a child or small adult is in the seat. A new advanced electrical system uses fewer wires, and a Bose audio system is available.
The Terra4 concept truck sports a high-mounted load bed and an exterior design with an imposing, edgy appearance.
"The Terra4 challenges the conventional idea of what a truck is," said Gary Cowger, president GM North America.
Toyota Motor Corp. unveiled a concept version of the Tundra Stepside pickup that will go on sale midway through the 2003 model year.
The Stepside version of the Tundra is exactly what it sounds like. It has a step built into the side of the load bed. It also has distinctive tail lamps that pull back over the rear wheel arches, and the load bed has been increased from 17.2 inches to 19 inches.
"It shows ruggedness can go hand in hand with styling," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager.
Subaru of America Inc., which pioneered the small sport utility crossover segment with its Forester, introduced an all-new version for 2003.
The 2003 Forester is designed to compete with other SUV’s with a stronger, but lighter body, new suspension tuning and 16-inch wheels. It’s also dressed up in a bolder exterior design with a more pronounced grille, contoured multireflector halogen headlights and a large contoured bumper cover with multireflector fog lights. The 2003 Forester’s tail lights are distinctive with their triangular shape.
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