| The 2006 new truck models are out. Let's | | | | |
| explore the all-new models for 2006, from | | | | Of course, what is distintive about this |
| small size to mega size, including the Isuzu | | | | truck is not only it's mega cab, but the |
| i-280 and i-350, Mitsubishi Raider, Honda | | | | exceptional storage space it provides as |
| Ridgeline, and the Dodge Ram Mega Cab as well | | | | well. The cab has been lengthened by 20 |
| as two new limited-edition models, the Chevy | | | | inches. With folding rear seats, you'll find |
| Silverado Intimidator SS and the Ford | | | | 7.5 cubic feet of storage beind the rear |
| Harley-Davidson (TM) F-150. | | | | seat. On the comfort side, the rear-seat |
| This may be a refresher course for | | | | bench also reclines. Built tough to handle |
| some of you since the 2006 models have been | | | | almost anything, the Mega Cab also offers |
| out for awhile, but here are reviews of some | | | | luxury options such as a rear-seat DVD |
| of the newly-introduced 2006 pickup trucks, | | | | entertainment system, power sunroof and |
| from small size to mega size as well as a | | | | full-screen navigation system. So there you |
| couple limited additions for 2006. For a | | | | have it - mega power, mega space, mega |
| small-size truck, Isuzu has introduced the | | | | luxury. That's ONE MEGA TRUCK! Pricing starts |
| all new i-280 and i-350. The i-280 is a two | | | | at $32,760. There are also two new |
| door, 2WD model with an extended cab, | | | | limited-edition trucks for 2006: |
| 2.8-liter, 4 cylinder I-4 (in-line | | | | |
| 4-cylinder) engine with 175 HP, 185 lbs-ft of | | | | Chevy Silverado Intimidator SSThis |
| torque and a max payload of 1532 lbs. It | | | | limited-edition truck is a collaboration |
| comes with a standard 5-speed manual | | | | between Chevrolet and Dale Earnhardt |
| transmission (4-speed automatic is optional). | | | | Incorporated. The Intimidator comes with a |
| Safety features on this model are optional | | | | race-inspired spoiler, unique silver front |
| and it comes with 3 optional packages. | | | | grille and a lowered ride height, not to |
| Pricing starts at $14,239. | | | | mention the performance-tuned suspension, |
| | | | two-stage multi-leaf springs, Tenneco shock |
| The i-350 is a four door, 4WD model with a | | | | absorbers, a stiffer front stabilizer bar and |
| crew cab, 3.5-liter I-5 engine with 220 HP, | | | | stiffer front jounce bumpers. |
| max payload of 1190 lbs and a tow rating of | | | | |
| 4000 lbs. It comes with a 4-speed automatic | | | | The exterior is complete with a black |
| transmission, and expanded list of standard | | | | monochromatic color scheme and 20-inch chrome |
| amenities and an optional limited package | | | | wheels. The Vortec 6000 V8 engine has 345 HP |
| with upgrades including power-heated seats, | | | | and 380 lbs-ft of torque. Based on the 2006 |
| 6-disc CD changer and leather seats. Pricing | | | | Silverado SS, the Intimidator also has |
| starts at $24,608. | | | | available features such as a 4-speed |
| | | | electronically controlled transmission, 3.73 |
| In the mid-size range, we have the Mitsubishi | | | | final drive ratio, locking differential, |
| Raider. Mitsubishi offers the Raider in a 3.7 | | | | cruise control, split bench seats, power seat |
| liter V6 with 210 HP and 235 lbs-ft of torque | | | | adjuster, power windows, rear-wheel, 2-wheel |
| or a 4.7-liter V8 with 230 HP (a leader in | | | | rear drive as well as other amenities |
| it's class) and 290 lbs-ft of torque. The | | | | available on the 2006 Silverado SS. |
| Raider comes either with an extended cab with | | | | |
| small access doors or a double cab 4-door. | | | | The interior features Dale Earnhardt's |
| You can choose between 2WD or 4WD with 3 | | | | signature on the white-faced gauge cluster, |
| transmissions, 6-speed manual, 4-speed | | | | black leather seats, plenty of Intimidator |
| automatic or 5-speed automatic. The Raider | | | | badging and Dale Earnhardt's Legacy logo |
| sports rack-and-pinion steering and tows up | | | | embossed into the headrests. Chevrolet only |
| to 6500 lbs. One trendy option offered on the | | | | plans to have 1,333 of these beauties in |
| Raider is it's High Output Audio Package, | | | | production, and a portion of every sale is |
| with a 508-watt audio system including a | | | | going to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. The |
| 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, 9 | | | | 2006 Ford Harley-Davidson (TM) F-150 |
| speakers and Sirius Satellite radio. Pricing | | | | SuperCabIn a continued collaboration between |
| starts at $19,180. | | | | Ford and Harley-Davidson, this |
| | | | limited-edition truck features a 5.4-liter, |
| Where do we put the Honda Ridgeline? It's in | | | | three-valve Triton(R) V8 engine with a |
| a class all it's own. This pickup is designed | | | | specially tuned exhaust system, 300 HP and |
| for comfort for everyday driving but it's | | | | 365 lbs-ft of torque. |
| also tough enough to keep up with the "big | | | | |
| boys" in towing and payload demands. | | | | The SuperCab sports a 6 1/2-ft. Styleside |
| Ridgeline comes in 4WD only, with a 3.5-liter | | | | bed, smoked-out tail lamps, blacked-out |
| V6, 247 HP and 252 lbs-ft of torque. It has a | | | | bumper, chrome tie-down hooks, slash-cut |
| total payload of 1550 with it's 8.5 cubic | | | | chrome exhaust, chrome billet grille, |
| foot bed and 5000 lb. towing capacity. It | | | | blacked-out headlamps and badging on the |
| seats 5 easily with 4 full-size doors. It's | | | | fenders and tailgate. Other stand-out |
| also the only 4WD pickup to achieve the | | | | features are the special chin spoiler and |
| highest government crash test rating (5 | | | | it's mammoth 22-inch polished aluminum rims |
| stars) for both frontal and side impact | | | | with split 5-spoke design, a first for the |
| tests. It also has a unique dual-action | | | | F-150. |
| tailgatge which swings down like most pickups | | | | |
| but also swings to the side. Pricing starts | | | | The SuperCab exudes power with it's black and |
| at $27,700. | | | | chrome color scheme. The exterior high-gloss |
| | | | piano black is accented with LOTS of chrome, |
| In the full size truck category, we have the | | | | giving it an aggressive, albeit stylish look |
| new Dodge Ram Mega Cab. Ok, the Dodge Ram | | | | that sets it apart. |
| isn't new, but with the largest pickup cab | | | | |
| ever at 143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches | | | | Accenting the interior, you'll find once |
| long, it certainly is worth mentioning. The | | | | again the high-gloss piano black with |
| Mega Cab has a total seating capacity of 6 | | | | splashes of chrome highlights on the |
| and, depending on which model you're looking | | | | instruments, handles, vent rings, floor |
| at, comes in a 2WD or 4WD. The 5.7-liter Hemi | | | | shifter and door pulls. Black leather front |
| V8 has 345 HP and comes in a 5 speed | | | | captain's chairs and the Harley-Davidson logo |
| automatic, rear or 4WD, with 375 lbs-ft of | | | | give styling to the SuperCab in the spirit of |
| torque. The 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel | | | | the Harley motorcycle. Ford and |
| six-cylinder comes in a 6 speed manual, with | | | | Harley-Davidson plan a production of only |
| 325 HP and 610 lbs-ft of torque. | | | | 10,000 SuperCabs. |