Tag Archives: truck

Toyota celebrates NFL partnership with the Ultimate Tailgate Tundra featuring satellite internet

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SEMA Show in Las Vegas concluded with much fanfare this past weekend. The humungous gathering of automotive enthusiasts and aftermarket professionals was taken aback when Toyota unwrapped the Ultimate Tailgate Tundra. Part of Toyota’s exciting vehicles in Vegas, the Tundra is way beyond anything we have seen in the past: It’s an inspiring new vehicle designed as an audio-visual powerhouse for sports fans and adventurers.

Designed per se for tailgating parties that are nothing without a game of football; the Tundra is a tribute to the Japanese automaker’s partnership with the National Football League. As an official partner, Toyota has done great deals with NFL, now by offering this tailgating extravaganza, the company is giving fans a reason to uplift their fandom.

Designer: Toyota

If you’re an NFL fan, you know the significance of those pre-game gatherings – booze, large screen displays, and aggressive conversations – I feel chills running down my spine even as I write. The atmosphere is electrifying and unescapable, but some of us want that secluded space with a bunch of friends in the parking lot or out in the wilderness. That’s what the Tundra with tailgating entertainment system intends to target.

By offering the ultimate rig for the outdoors, Toyota is ensuring a fan never misses a game no matter how distant he is from the pitch or the confines of his home. Ultimate Tailgate Tundra is a pickup truck that would transport small tailgating get-togethers into a theatre-esque live game showdowns. On the staging shell powered by four electric actuators – rising up from the truck bed at the push of a button – are five 55-inch weatherproof outdoor screens that combine to give you the ultimate audio-visual experience on the move.

Tyler Litchenberger, Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communication manager informs, “This build is more of an audio-visual experience than a typical tailgate setup. We wanted to create something that not only draws attention to the truck, but is also an activation that invites people to experience the Toyota Tundra as the ultimate sporting and adventure machine.”

The five screens that work in tandem and are viewable from almost 180-degree angles are provided with exceptional audio combinations. The JBL Club Marine Series tower speakers draw power from the Club Marine A5055 amplifier and a Marine 600 amplifier drives two 10-inch subwoofers. The experience would be worthless without a generator powering the entire setup that runs on satellite-based Wi-Fi connectivity onboard.

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This scorpion-inspired pickup truck has flexible bed configuration for hauling cargo

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Pick-up trucks with cargo beds are great for hauling stuff, be it your adventure trips or city needs. That said, they are not one of the most fuel-efficient or range-efficient vehicles on the planet. Over the years the design of trucks with cargo beds has not changed. There are some problems with this under-evolved design lacking innovation, like load accessibility and damage induced due to shaking. Not to mention the limited space for the rear seat space due to the trunk size.

The 2030 Scorpion concept aims to solve this problem with an expansion form that proposes a new pickup truck frame design. Shaped like a scorpion or a mountain bike helmet, the vehicle has an optimized ratio of the overall lump, so that there is ample cargo space without any compromises in the rear seating configuration. The high ride height of the vehicle makes sure it can navigate any challenging terrain with ease. For me, this vehicle looks heavily inspired by the Rezvani Motors Vengeance bullet-proof vehicle.

Designer: Changhyun Lee

The bed of the ultra-futuristic yet monstrous truck is divided into two sections to make space for small cargo (or fit the divider depending on the size of the item) and can be laid flat down for a bigger configuration to haul larger cargo. The cover connected to the rail automatically moves depending on the size of the cargo to keep it snug in place, thus preventing any shaking.

2030 Scorpion has a unique front shape that narrows from the top to the bottom for a wider field of view and has a quadra lamp structure for a more direct driving experience. The rear-view mirrors double as radar sensors and the camera on the front identifies obstacles during off-roading or navigating tight urban spaces. The designer has also proposed a portable battery pack that can provide hybrid power to the vehicle or act as a power source for all the necessary gadgets during long trips.

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Electric SV Rover hypertruck is a Land Rover on steroids that’ll also get V8-powered variant

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When a four-wheeler has taken 14 years of rigorous design and development, it is bound to be impressive. Meet the SV Rover by California-based firm with a positive history of pushing the boundaries when it comes to building performance vehicles having a silhouette of iconic rides that generations adore.

The SV Rover is a spitting image of the classic Land Rover Defender 90 in form but underneath it packs a powerful electric drivetrain that’s tailored for any kind of harsh terrain. The inspiration for this hypertruck – the Defender 90 – was introduced to the world as a Baja truck but later on, Land Rover morphed it into a street legal hypertruck.

Designer: Scarbo Vintage

According to CEO Joe Scarbo, the SV Rover is a perfect amalgam of “off-road power, maneuverability and capability.” He adds that the electric performance vehicle is a classic British four-wheeler at heart with the muscle and technology of American vehicles. Thus, making this an ideal four-wheeled heavyweight you can bank on for a sublime driving experience, “beyond anything this side of a trophy truck.”  The nostalgic form of the truck is complemented by the choice of taking home either the all-electric version delivering over 1,000hp (from the 750kW and 75 kWh battery) or the mid-engine supercharged V8 engine. The EV version will come mated with eight-speed automatic paddle shifters.

Both these variants will have high-speed desert racing and low-speed technical off-roading features. Also, they’ll come with massive wheel arches, 40-inch tires on 20-inch forged wheels, pushrod suspension with air ride for height adjustable control, front & rear differential and classic contoured LED headlights. On the inside, the electric Hypertruck gets a 12.8-inch infotainment and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Comfort is not a concern with the bucket seats, and the Alcantara interior honed by the billet aluminum accents gives it a contemporary yet stylish character.

Other features include a push-button start, power windows, automatic climate control and power door locks. Although Scarbo Vintage has not revealed any official pricing it is rumored to start at $1.5 million with the option to go custom crazy for build-on order freedom. The question is how it’ll stack up against the Rivian R1T and the Cybertruck with a starting price of $90,000 and $61,000 respectively. Of, course Scarbo is confident they are offering something better to charge that exorbitant amount of cash. Also, there’s word yet on the slated launch date, so we have our hawk eyes set on that information.

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Olympian Motors’ electric SUV slated for Q2 2024 release, teases Cybertruck with AR windshield and a retro-futuristic design

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Fusing the past into the future sounds like the best prospect for an electric vehicle in a landscape filled with ultra-futuristic EVs is a refreshing change. Olympian Motors is set to achieve what most motorheads will appreciate down to the core. Their Model 84 electric vehicle is the first ever rear-wheel electric convertible in the United States with an augmented reality heads-up display.

While you won’t get that first impression of tech-infused features in this retro-futuristic vehicle, you’ll be proved wrong. The projector on the windshield gets rid of the contemporary 2D digital screen and replaces it with an advanced HUD interface. According to the New York-based company, they’ll start deliveries by Q2, 2024 and only 310 units of this four-seater roofless EV will be produced in the first phase.

Designer: Olympian Motors

The car targets a niche segment of users who want to go beyond the limits of owning a performance electric SUV. That I say because Cybertruck has been all over the internet these past few months (years I should say) revealing its unparalleled pros but also exposing what’s not that impressive. The Model 84 is boxy and a little less sharp in its aesthetics, evoking the inspirational design of the iconic Land Rover that has been the definition of safari vehicles for decades.

The body is made out of forged titanium and military-grade carbon fiber which both provide security assurance in case of an accident. The use of the former means the vehicle is lightweight enough to not stress the electric drivetrain which will need every possible battery-conserving feature it could benefit from. Another safety feature is the inclusion of nine airbags.

The SUV can go from 0-60 miles per hour in a mere 8.1 seconds courtesy of the 340 HP engine, meaning it has loads of torque for that initial kick. The top speed of the Model 84 can hit 160 miles per hour and a figure of 335 miles on a single charge is also achievable thanks to the 89 kWh motor.

While the convertible safari vehicle is best utilized for four travelers, the two back seats can be removed for carrying luggage. It also comes with a glass canopy and laminated windows keeping in mind the possibility of windows shattering in shards which could prove fatal. On the inside the boxy EV gets exotic woods, cashmere and silk materials instead of the usual cheap plastics and veneer made out of toxic chemicals.

Even though it uses luxurious materials and high-tech features, the Model 84 favors minimalism more than anything else. Remember that AR heads-up display, in a way gets rid of those chunky dashboard buttons and switches. The focus here is on hands-free operation via voice commands to control everything from HVAC, seats and doors to the lighting systems.

As per Olympian Motor, the EV will be initially only sold in the US without any confirmation of any plans to export or produce it elsewhere. An asking price tag of $70,000 is right there competing with the Cybertruck, so it’ll liven up the competition once we see it going toe-to-toe with the Tesla monster in real-world conditions. Will it be better at tackling the snowy roads, well only time will tell. Pardon me, for that pun, but I had to tease Tesla for all that’s worth it!

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Solar-powered coffee truck concept runs on green fuel to bring black fuel anywhere

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They say money makes the world go round, but coffee is probably just as critical for some people. Connoisseurs will undoubtedly tell anyone willing to listen to brew their own cup, but not everyone has the luxury of doing that daily. If you don’t know of a local shop you can call your home away from home, you’d probably be at the mercy of the big, expensive chains that put more sugar than you’re going to be comfortable with. Establishing a fixed store in a nook or building isn’t going to be cheap for some businesses, and it also means not being able to reach customers where they are. Coffee trucks can solve the problem of portability, but this concept design takes that idea even further by having the whole operation run on solar power, potentially bringing that coffee experience anywhere, even away from the grid.

Designer: Kyrolos Maged

Although you can see them almost everywhere, big chain stores like Starbucks won’t always please everyone. Some simply don’t like their selection or the way they do business. Others simply prefer to patronize smaller businesses to help them grow and thrive. Either way, the majority of these stores force you to go to their location, which is not a problem unless there isn’t one nearby. It would definitely be great if the coffee could come to where the people are rather than the other way around, which is what coffee trucks are trying to do.

Although they are a viable business model, such mobile coffee dispensing stores have a few logistic issues to iron out, specifically one of power. Sure, you can run the machines on the same battery that drives the truck, but it also risks you running out of fuel when you need it the most. And with some vehicles turning to electric power, such a power source might no longer be feasible. This unnamed concept thus turns toward an ever-present source, at least during the time when people are most likely to chug their black or brown fuel.

The solar-powered coffee truck is exactly as it sounds, an operation that runs on solar energy rather than fuel or car batteries. There’s a single large solar panel on top of the truck, but it’s easy enough to extend the design to have multiple panels on the “wings” that fold out from the sides of the truck. This way, the energy needs of the coffee machines and the truck itself are kept separate and you don’t have to worry about one eating into the reserves of the other.

The design of the truck itself is pretty standard, with sliding tables to let customers put down their cups for a while or enjoy some sandwiches that the mobile cafe might offer. What’s interesting, however, is the idea that the coffee truck would offer all sorts of coffee, including those from capsule machines. It’s a good way to diversify and hit many types of customers while also ensuring the speed of service, though pure-blood coffee lovers might turn their noses up at such a thought.

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LEGO Tributes 50 Years of FedEx with this adorable brick-based Truck and Deliveryman

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With FedEx’s 50th anniversary approaching, what started as founder Frederick W. Smith’s college term paper idea has evolved into a vast transportation, delivery, and business services corporation. Boasting a workforce of over 500,000 employees, a fleet of 700+ aircraft, and a staggering 200,000 vehicles, FedEx successfully delivers nearly 15 million packages every business day! To commemorate this behemoth, architect and full-time LEGO fa David Clavijo decided to build out FedEx’s most recognizable element using LEGO Bricks – the FedEx truck.

Designer: Daniel Clavijo

Clavijo’s build comes complete with a LEGO truck that features two opening doors and a boot that’s loaded with cargo packages. Of course, each truck is also piloted by a FedEx delivery driver in their iconic navy blue uniform.

The truck itself is incredibly true to its inspiration – the iconic 1996 Freightliner Van. The entire truck is covered in white, with the FedEx logo on the front as well as the side. There’s even the diamond-shaped DOT hazardous chemicals flip sign on the front, accurately capturing every element of the FedEx truck’s design.

The truck features two opening doors – a sliding door on the front that lets you access the driver’s cabin, and a rolling shutter door at the back that reveals the stacked mound of parcels of all shapes and sizes inside the truck. Clavijo also mentions that one of the sides of the truck is removable (shown below), as is the roof, letting you neatly stack the parcels inside to be transported to their destination. The LEGO FedEx Truck is currently a fan-made submission on the LEGO Ideas forum. You can vote for it here and have LEGO turn it into an official box-set!

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2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black Edition Hands-on: When Luxe Meets Electric Power

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If you thought the Ford F-150 Lightning had peaked, Ford springs a sizzling surprise with its Platinum Black Edition. This isn’t merely a truck, folks; it’s automotive eloquence on four wheels. Allow us to take you through the design intricacies that make this edition exceptionally spellbinding.

Designer: Ford

Enchanting From Every Angle

Behold the Lightning Platinum Black edition’s alluring exterior. This isn’t your typical paint job. Ford’s custom matte black wrap is an artwork of sorts. It’s multi-faceted, transforming under varied lighting conditions—under studio lights, it flaunts subtle undertones, and under direct sun, it cloaks itself in an enigmatic shade. It’s a chameleon on the road, bound to make heads turn no matter the hour.

Taking this dramatic aesthetic up a notch, Ford introduces exclusive blacked-out accents. From the grille to the mysterious “smoked” light bars, and surprisingly, even the iconic blue Ford emblem is swathed in this shadowy hue. This gives the truck a menacing allure, guaranteeing a double take wherever it roams.

The pièce de résistance? The glossy black roof brandishes “LIGHTNING” across the panoramic sunroof. And let’s not overlook the standard black soft tonneau cover that crowns the Platinum Edition.

Wheels as Statement Pieces

Move over, standard wheels. The Platinum Black strides ahead with bespoke 22-inch black wheels, complete with matte black lug nuts. These aren’t mere aesthetic choices; these wheels are wind tunnel champions, beautifully melding aesthetics, and aerodynamics.

A Symphony of Luxury Inside

Inside this beast, luxury reigns supreme. Seats swathed in top-tier black Nirvana leather with contrast stitching scream opulence. The door jamb even boasts a special-edition series plate—talk about exclusivity.

The already-impressive 15.5-inch touchscreen seems more regal within the Platinum Black’s plush environs. And for those with a keen eye, the tweaked user interface hints at the truck’s upscale stature.

Tech That’s A Step Ahead

Ford is not one to rest on its laurels. The 2024 Platinum Black edition brings advanced features such as an upgraded BlueCruise 1.2 hands-free driving and an intuitive walk away-auto-lock mechanism. And the intelligent tech doesn’t stop there: if multiple phones are paired, the truck identifies the one used to unlock the driver’s door.

Worried about starting up to access the onboard generator? With the Lightning Platinum Black, the optional ProPower generator springs to life as you unlock. Plus, those with the 2022 and 2023 models are included, courtesy of an over-the-air update.

Performance-wise, expect the same robustness with the standard Extended Range battery pack and a 580-hp dual-motor powertrain, ensuring the Platinum stays consistent with its 300-mile range.

The Verdict: Electrifying Elegance

Ford’s F-150 Lightning Platinum Black edition is more than a truck—it’s a symphony of design and innovation. From its underlayer Agate Black paint to its finely curated interiors, there’s an attention to detail that’s simply unmatched. It’s a recalibration of luxury within the electric truck realm.

Starting at $99,000, it does command a slight premium over its predecessor. But it’s more than justified for the sheer artistry, performance, and ready-to-go package. In the bustling world of EVs, the Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black stands as a paragon of design brilliance and tech-forward prowess.

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Yves Behar designed an electric truck with a Mini Cooper’s footprint and the practicality of Toyota Tacoma

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The wait for Cybertruck is getting agonizingly long, as every other week there’s ignited hope of the Tesla’s electric pick-up truck arriving anytime soon. This is the perfect opportunity for other automotive manufacturers to cash in on the electric pick-up truck hype train.

Most certainly California-based startup wants to give prospective buyers a value-for-money proposition with its offering. Meet the TELO pick-up truck designed for urban riders, bringing in the capabilities of a full-sized pick-up in a very compact size.

Designer: Yves Béhar and TELO

In essence, it’s a smaller version of the likes of Rivian R1T. The team over at TELO reckons the truck is as compact as the Mini Copper but brings in the capability of the Toyota Tacoma. Stash this 152-inch truck against the beefy 231-inch Cybertruck and you already know which one is more suited for the crowded city streets.

So, we are talking of a powerful four-wheeler driven by an electric powertrain churning out 380kW (500hp) for an acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 4 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. The company is promising a range of 350 miles on a single full charge from the 106kWh battery with fast charging capabilities – going from 20 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes. It can haul five people on treacherous terrain and still have room for a five-foot bed to carry essentials.

TELO weighs 4,400 in total and is made for urban riders who live an active lifestyle venturing out of the city limits. Yves Béhar of Fuseproject has strategically designed the sloping nose section to decrease the front profile without sacrificing interior space and shifting the placement of the battery packs in the chassis. Thereby resulting in a four-door truck with a generous cabin and a 60-inch bed. The latter has a mid-partition that can be folded down to increase the space for hauling big cargo like sheets of plywood or surfboards.

On the inside, one seat can be retracted to make more space for storing smaller items. Another option is to convert the vehicle into a hard-top SUV to accommodate up to eight people by adding another row of seats. The EV truck can haul a maximum of 1600 pounds in its bed or tow a load of 6,600 pounds. It has a road clearance of 27 inches and can be fitted with 27-inch all-terrain tires. This makes TELO a perfect accomplice for any extended off-road adventure.

TELO truck is up for pre-order for $152 (fully refundable) with a total price tag of $44,999 (excluding tax credits). The first batch of 500 vehicles promised for 2025 delivery will be hand-built, followed by mass delivery in 2026.

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Munro’s 4×4 Mk1 electric off-road truck is built for tough life on the Rockies

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Electric drivetrains and SUVs are what we need for the dystopian future in a few decades’ time, and already the race to make the best one is on. While the Tesla Cybertruck and INEOS Grenadier are agonizingly close to being commercially available; the Rivian R1S is setting the bar high for the upcoming Hummer EV SUV, Land Rover EV and Jeep Recon electric.

Add another one to the list of tough SUVs that are considerate of the environment with boxy looks that’ll lure in adventure seekers who don’t bother about luxe interiors getting a splash of mud. Scottish automotive company Munro has set the cat among the pigeons with the Mk1 electric 4×4 off-road truck that’ll be hard to overlook in the electric 4×4 landscape.

Designer: Munro

People longing for style comfort and sci-fi interiors should already ditch the idea of owning the Mk1 as the SUV is built for tough life off the beaten path. The tough EV will come in a two or five-seat cabin with the capability to haul a load of up to 2200 pounds and tow up to 7700 pounds. Maintenance costs and durability take precedence here as the maker claims five decades of service. According to Munro CEO Russ Peterson, the vehicle will be affordable when it comes to replacing parts – for example, if the windscreen is broken it’ll cost around $165 to replace as compared to $1,800 on a Rivian. Currently, the vehicle positioned as a work truck is in the prototype stage with expected production to hit the lines by 2023.

The interiors follow the same utilitarian (old school to be precise) approach that’s adopted for the external skeletal which gives off the typical old Land Rover vibes. This workhorse will be powered by a centrally located single electric motor transmitting power to the four wheels. When Mk1 hits the production lines it’ll be offered in 295 hp and 375 hp output versions fed off from the 61 kWh and 81 kWh battery packs respectively.

For nerds, the Scottish workhorse is capable of going from 0-60 mph in under five seconds and a top speed of 80 mph. On a single charge, the Munro monster will eat up 190 odd miles before needing a replenishing dose. The EV charges in around 3.5 hours via a 22kW AC outlet and that time can be brought down to 30 minutes with a DC fast charger.

Obviously, off-roading will be the truck’s USP aided by the 18.9 inches of ground clearance and 31.5 inches of wading depth. The approach angle of 84 degrees, 51 degrees departure angle, as well as 31.6 degrees break over angle, will attract extreme off-roading enthusiasts who don’t mind treading down uncharted territories. Munro Mk1 is all set to hit the American continent with an estimated price tag of $60,000. Initially, 50 units will be built with expansion plans to create 250 per year and then eventually 2,500 per year.

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This cheesy off-roader boasts wild independent suspension + wide-body stance

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While we anticipate the likes of Tesla Cybertruck, Hummer EV SUV, Ford Bronco EV and Jeep Wrangler EV to attract the big boys club– a monstrous electric off-roader concept has captured my imagination.

An off-roading concept with a dominating personality backed by the equally potent chassis to tread any terrain with ease. It looks like a hybrid of a buggy and a big off-roading SUV made for the toughest terrains possible. The designer calls it The Huntress, and in true sense, it is actually one. With the nimbleness of a big cat (by the looks of it atleast) the electric off-roader can conquer any steep climbs or even scary rocky climbs. The independent suspension system for each wheel, superior ride height, and angle of decline make this possible.

Designer: Connery Xu

The wide-body stance of this all-terrain vehicle gives the driver assurance of pushing the limits. Assuming the vehicle has an advanced differential system and traction control, it should be able to take on the scariest of off-roading terrain with sublime confidence. This two-seater monster has bigger than normal proportions even by a pick-up’s standards. In fact, it seems bigger than a Humvee which is one of Huntress’ USP. There’s plenty of space in the vehicle bed to haul cargo for a long adventure trip to the rockies or wherever you want to head. The electric motor is positioned on the rear for better air intake, thereby delivering peak power without running things hot.

To the front is where all the flashy looks are taken to the other extreme with an array of headlights that superimpose over each other. When needed the one on top can be rotated horizontally to reveal the underlying set of headlights for times when it is difficult to see the road up ahead. Of course, there are the modernized fog lights above the windshield, but hey, extra lights are always a perk. While the riders won’t have to stress their eyes while driving in inhospitable weather conditions, those big headlights could create a blindspot.

In one of the renders created by the designer, as the vehicle takes on a bumpy rocky landscape, the independent suspension comes into play, and gives The Huntress a funny squinted look – thanks to those peeking wide-eyed headlights. The all-white hue of the off-roader contrasted with the all-black windshield and the fat tires also lend it a bit of alien personality.

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