Cliff
05-02-2005, 10:30 PM
Top 6 Concept Trucks & SUVs that Appear to Be Headed Toward Production
Guide Picks
From Dale Wickell,
Your Guide to Trucks / SUVs.
FREE GIFT with Newsletter! Act Now!
Sometimes concept vehicles are so far out that you know they'll never make it to production, and even if they do make it to the assembly line, most of their unique concepts will disappear.
But automakers have introduced several concept trucks and SUVs recently that look like they're close to what we might actually see in a production vehicle. Here's a look at a few concepts that appear promising.
1) Jeep Gladiator Pickup Truck
The Gladiator pickup truck was one of two Jeep concept vehicles introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, and it looks a lot more like a production vehicle than a concept. Its open-air canvas roof, removable doors and a fold-down windshield are all meant to allow the truck's occupants to feel in touch with the outdoors.
Jeep fans are hoping that this is the new pickup truck the automaker has kept on the backburner for awhile.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/gladiator_concept_ftside.jpg
2) Acura RD-X Concept SUV
Acura introduced its RD-X concept SUV at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It's the second version of the RD-X shown at Detroit, but Acura says this one "hints strongly" at the production vehicle that's set for release in 2006.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/acura_rdx_concept_unveil.jpg
3) Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford originally said that its Explorer Sport Trac concept truck offered a real close preview of the automaker's next generation of sport utility trucks. They sure didn't wait long to announce the production version, the 2007 Sport Trac Adrenalin, the newest addition to Ford's SVT lineup.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/explorer_sporttr_conc.jpg
4) Dodge Nitro Concept
The bright red Nitro concept is Dodge's first mid-sized SUV, introduced at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show. The SUV sports the trademark Dodge grille. Muscular-looking hood and fenders give it a rugged appearance. The Nitro has plenty of useful features and most of them are not so far out that they'll be dumped in production.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/nitro_concept_intro.jpg
5) Ford Bronco Concept
The Ford Bronco concept bears a strong resemblance to the first generation Broncos, but with the comfort features today's driver expects.
It's powered by a 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine with a nitrous oxide boost function to provide quick power (that feature probably wouldn't make production). The rear portion of the SUV's roof can be removed for open air driving, allowing installation of roll bars.
Will it go to production? Who knows, but being a Ford enthusiast, this is one I'm watching for.
http://www.autointell.net/Events/naias-2004/naias-2004-daily/ford-bronco/ford-bronco-show-design-250-173.jpg
6) Range Stormer Concept SUV
The Ranger Stormer concept was introduced at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show. It was the first Land Rover concept vehicle to preview an upcoming production model, the Range Rover Sport.
The Range Stormer's glass roof didn't make it to production, but many of its other features did, including Terrain Response, a feature that's also on the new LR3s.
The Range Rover Sport will be available in the summer of 2005, starting at $56,750 and going up to $69,750 for a supercharged model.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/range_stormer_top_250.jpghttp://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/rangestormer_ft_250.jpghttp://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/range_storm_sd_250.jpg
Guide Picks
From Dale Wickell,
Your Guide to Trucks / SUVs.
FREE GIFT with Newsletter! Act Now!
Sometimes concept vehicles are so far out that you know they'll never make it to production, and even if they do make it to the assembly line, most of their unique concepts will disappear.
But automakers have introduced several concept trucks and SUVs recently that look like they're close to what we might actually see in a production vehicle. Here's a look at a few concepts that appear promising.
1) Jeep Gladiator Pickup Truck
The Gladiator pickup truck was one of two Jeep concept vehicles introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, and it looks a lot more like a production vehicle than a concept. Its open-air canvas roof, removable doors and a fold-down windshield are all meant to allow the truck's occupants to feel in touch with the outdoors.
Jeep fans are hoping that this is the new pickup truck the automaker has kept on the backburner for awhile.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/gladiator_concept_ftside.jpg
2) Acura RD-X Concept SUV
Acura introduced its RD-X concept SUV at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It's the second version of the RD-X shown at Detroit, but Acura says this one "hints strongly" at the production vehicle that's set for release in 2006.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/acura_rdx_concept_unveil.jpg
3) Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford originally said that its Explorer Sport Trac concept truck offered a real close preview of the automaker's next generation of sport utility trucks. They sure didn't wait long to announce the production version, the 2007 Sport Trac Adrenalin, the newest addition to Ford's SVT lineup.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/explorer_sporttr_conc.jpg
4) Dodge Nitro Concept
The bright red Nitro concept is Dodge's first mid-sized SUV, introduced at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show. The SUV sports the trademark Dodge grille. Muscular-looking hood and fenders give it a rugged appearance. The Nitro has plenty of useful features and most of them are not so far out that they'll be dumped in production.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/nitro_concept_intro.jpg
5) Ford Bronco Concept
The Ford Bronco concept bears a strong resemblance to the first generation Broncos, but with the comfort features today's driver expects.
It's powered by a 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine with a nitrous oxide boost function to provide quick power (that feature probably wouldn't make production). The rear portion of the SUV's roof can be removed for open air driving, allowing installation of roll bars.
Will it go to production? Who knows, but being a Ford enthusiast, this is one I'm watching for.
http://www.autointell.net/Events/naias-2004/naias-2004-daily/ford-bronco/ford-bronco-show-design-250-173.jpg
6) Range Stormer Concept SUV
The Ranger Stormer concept was introduced at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show. It was the first Land Rover concept vehicle to preview an upcoming production model, the Range Rover Sport.
The Range Stormer's glass roof didn't make it to production, but many of its other features did, including Terrain Response, a feature that's also on the new LR3s.
The Range Rover Sport will be available in the summer of 2005, starting at $56,750 and going up to $69,750 for a supercharged model.
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/range_stormer_top_250.jpghttp://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/rangestormer_ft_250.jpghttp://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/range_storm_sd_250.jpg