Sales statistics are merely numbers, which are sometimes difficult to imagine. Look at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit: large pickups, trucks and SUV’s are returning. These classic American giants are definitely putting to cold the environmental awareness euphoria in the US.

The return of heavy SUVs threat to European luxury limousines

Sales of so called light trucks in the US has increased in the last year. Therefore, experts are predicting tough times for the (mainly European) prestigious brands, namely Audi, BMW and Daimler.

It is clear: the US has a completely different alternatives available and in times of economic crisis, people rather opt for more economical limousines than large off-road vehicles and SUVs. Now the tables have turned and of course European brands (partly due to general disagreement in the ‘diesel-gate’ affair)  – will first be under attack.

[yuzo_related]

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew

Ford F-series still holds the trophy of the best-selling pickup truck. Their newest version 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew is based on last year model Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCab, but has 12 inches (30 centimeters) longer wheelbase. This increment goes mainly on the account of rear seat room for passengers.

Ecologists and low consumption enthusiasts, please look away. The engine in 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew is a twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 of the second generation capable of producing no less than 450 horsepower. Transmission? 10-speed automatic.

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew will presumably go on sale in the fall of 2016 in the USA and Canada.

2017 GMC Acadia

The honor of the  local producers was represented by GMC, who introduced the new generation of 2017 GMC Acadia. The new generation is smaller, lighter and technically more advanced.

Acadia lost almost 320 kilograms (700 pounds) compared to the previous generation. It is also 18 centimeters (7.2 inches) shorter. Because GMC Acadia 2017 is smaller in size and significantly lighter GMC decided to offer smaller engines. The standard option will be 2.5-liter four cylinder petrol engine with 194 horsepower. The next step is 3.6-liter V6, which will offer its owners 310 horsepower. Both engines are connected to a six speed automatic transmission.

Among other technical candies the 2017 GMC Acadia got automatic emergency braking, which also detects pedestrians, and 360-degree camera view.

2017 Honda Ridgeline

Honda Ridgeline 2017 is a new large pickup with useful technical solutions. Ridgeline namely wears Honda badge, but it was based, designed and manufactured in the USA. Apparently this is the right thing to do, because only the Americans know what they need for themselves. Ridgeline nevertheless draws attention to a typical Honda’s sense of technical details. Among others, the tailgate does not open only downwards but also sideways. This feature was available in the previous model and obviously has proved successful.

Honda can offer “best in class” interior roominess and it also promises an efficient 3.5-liter V6 engine with good acceleration, low consumption and small carbon footprint.

The Nissan Titan Warrior concept

The Nissan Titan Warrior concept seems an even bigger beast than all the above mentioned models. The technique is the same as in the (brand new) model Nissan Titan XD 2016. It looks like they took the basic 2016 Titan XD and sent him to the gym and in the military school. The last is actually not far from the truth – Warrior concept is based on the project Titan, which was developed in cooperation with war veterans.

The engine is a five-liter turbodiesel V8. The Nissan Titan Warrior concept keeps the standard length of the XD model, but has grown in height by 8 centimeters (3 inches) thanks to its wild off-road tires on 18-inch rims.

Image credit: Ford, GMC, Honda, Nissan