When BIG just isn't enough!!

[JonD]

International Truck and Engine Corp. is producing what it calls the world's biggest production pickup, a 14,500-pound monster capable of towing 20 tons. The 5- passenger 5-passenger CXT is nine feet tall, eight feet wide, 21 1/2 feet long and gets about seven miles on a gallon of diesel. The truck is manfactured in Garland, Texas. (AP Photo/Ketchum Communications, File)

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Does anyone really need a pickup this big? LOL

[Big_V]

I saw that truck in the paper last night. Its getting rediculous how big SUV's and trucks are getting. Its getting to the point where we need to save on the environment a little more and this truck is surely not doing that. But I must add it looks really cool.

[Samba]

I don't NEED one but, man! Could I have some fun in that!!!

[Derrick]

hehe ya i saw that on the international site. my favorite quote from the article is:
"Anybody can lease a Hummer now for $500 a month. Soccer moms are driving them," he said. "This is not a soccer mom's vehicle."

I've only seen 2 hummer H2 in my city and both were dropping kids off at school

[marisa]

It makes me sick to see a "Soccer mom" driving a hummer.

In MHO the BIGGEST car and/or truck that ANYONE needs is a regular pick up (chevy or what not) or a mini van for daily use.

On the other hand, that truck is sweet looking! lol

Marisa

[Ptindy]

Waste of money, and is killing the environment. One gallon of diesel for 8 miles? That's rediculous. 99 percent of people driving SUV's and the like don't even need them. It's a symbol of status in our society and it's sad. I'll stick with my little 4 popper. Maybe get an SUV when I'm older but not to drive in the city. Only for snowy days when the 4x4 is needed. Toyota (I love toyota's tacoma) makes a full time 4 by 4. What's the point in full time?? It's getting rediculous how much pollution is being put into the environment for people to signify their status in society. My opnion.

Mike

[Bartman]

Ive got alittle Toyota Peseo (98) and it gets, id say, a record to the gallon. 27 bucks for a full tank (from empty to full) and it lasts me a damn long time. Thats what we all need to drive..or those new smart cars

[photoboyjet]

I can top the soccer mom driving a Hummer to drop the kids off at school story. In my town there is a little shop that sells ladies' purses and handbags. The place is maybe 15x25 feet -- if it is that big. Their "company car" is black Hummer with flowers painted on the side.

Doug

[Tim and Julie B]

Wow try taking that through a drive thru! Interesting concept..looks good.......wouldn't buy one though. I would rather have a Humvee (not a Hummer) Army surplus style. TB

[paul vader]

JonD...just wondering why you were showing off your new truck to us the other day...?


and I found out that it ISN'T electric...liar liar...

[Samba]

LOL A Hummer with Flowers painted on the sides??? EWWW!!!

[Shane Tesser]

Im lovin this thread, very interesting. Being a heavy truck mechanic im well versed in those internationals. Actually that model is still fairly small compared to their other models, but as a pick up.....pretty cool.

I read someone remarking on the poor fuel economy of the vehicle and relating it to polution. I think its kinda sad ppl equate mileage to environment. If you look at the diesel engine and the way its made, study the actual emissions that come out of the tail pipe, you'll begin to understand why crowded areas like europe use probably more diesel vehicles then they do gas ones. The truth is that not only is diesel more efficient, its emissions are actually friendlier to the environment. A gas engine produces carbon monoxide....this stuff is very bad, where as diesels produce very little of that. Instead, carbon Dioxide is the biggest by product of diesel. The fact that a diesel uses compression to burn its fuel and not an open spark like gas does, actually means that the fuel burns as close to 100% as it possibly can....gas does not. Furthermore, this is a speciality truck, and they are probably rating its mpg with city driving....something cars are usually rated at. Now get this thing on the hiway and then see. Most of your Large hiway tractors come close to doubling this fuel economy......and your talking pulling 80,000 pounds or more behind you....lets see your gas engine do this. Volkswagen for those who don't know makes a very popular TDI diesel engine. It gets roughtly 1000-1100 Km's to a tank....at about $35 to fill......depending on where you live and which model you have....again, lets see your four banger produce those numbers with the same emissions output! This is why the trend now by the auto manufacturers is to Bio-Diesel.....fuel thats produced by rotted vegetable and garbage waste....so don't knock the diesel....Embrace it!!!

As for the rock truck...the company im currently working for has lots and lots of these things. None are solely electric...at least not that ive come across in the field so far. However, several of the bigger models are diesel over electric. They have a Diesel that runs the hydraulics and also turns an electric generator to produce power to turn the wheels. Its probably different with every mfg, but the majority have electric drive once they hit a certain size....kind of like trains

[Lisa]

I'd love to get a small truck with diesel... that or drop a diesel engine in my little blazer, though that would probably be cost prohibitive, but it would be fun. The north american market is too gas oriented.

[Siretsap]

I bought a focus 2 years ago cause the damn buick was a gaz addict, wouln't stop drinking... ;-)

My initial choice was to get the jetta tdi that does 1200km on a tank but the price was 10 grands more than my focus not to mention the insurances on it that were 800$ more per year...

So at the moment I drive a ford focus that gives me almost 800 km on highway, and about 650km in town driving. still pretty good. But I know diesel is better for then environment.

Just to mention, there was someone in montreal a few years back that modified his car to run on a mixture of canola or corn oil and diesel, don't know what happened to this guy, the oiling companies prob shot him ;-)

Also, I do not know if you guys saw the Toyota Prius. Well my neighbor bought one, I got to drive it, it's really kinda odd when you accelerate and the car always stays in the same gear. And it's a hybrid electricity/gaz. Very interresting seeing all the technology put in it, no buttons for the fan or radio, it's all on a touch screen and the hologram display on the window is awesome also for the spedometer.

[Tim and Julie B]

Damn good post Shane! A Toureg Deisel would be sweet!!!!! TB