Meet the 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 2×2 Extended Cab

The newly designed 2007 Chevy Silverado has racked up a couple of truck of the year awards, from the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and from Motor Trends Magazine. We’ve seen past award winners fizzle out with the buying public, but the new Silverado does deserve some recognition. Some of the changes made to develop the new generation truck were subtle, some were major, but together they produced a much improved Silverado. Base price, $25,960; truck tested, $31,700.

First Impressions of the 2007 Chevy Silverado
Compare the 2007 Chevy Silverado with the previous generation truck and you’ll immediately notice that its front end is cleaner looking, with simpler grille and headlamp styling. The truck’s front and rear fenders are contoured to create a look of strength, but they’re not so bold as to overpower the rest of the truck’s exterior appearance.
My test vehicle was a 2×2 extended cab Silverado that was equipped with Chevy’s optional EZ lift tailgate. The tailgate lift has a torsion bar system to help you close it, and according to Chevrolet, lifting effort is reduced by about 40 percent. The extra help might not sound too important, but if you use the truck bed regularly it could save you a lot of lifting over the life of the truck.

Under the Silverado’s new sheet metal you’ll find a totally new frame, one that showed up first in 2007 Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, which were released before the Silverado. A combination of building processes called hydroforming and frame boxing result in a frame that supports more weight and is more resistant to flex and twist than the previous model. The new design gives the truck a better ride and increases stability, especially on rough or uneven roads, and it also allows the Silverado to carry more weight.

I really liked the truck’s remote starting feature. I drove it during cold weather and it was nice to start it up from inside the house, wait a few minutes and step into a warm cab.

Inside the Silverado 1500
I had plenty of legroom in the comfortable leather seats installed in this LT model Silverado and visibility was excellent. Extra space and a good view over the wheel are due in part to Chevy’s decision to move the dash 3.5 inches lower and forward for the LT Silverado (you’ll gain 5-inches in the LTZ model). Instruments are well positioned and control buttons are good sized and all within easy reach.

The LT Silverado has dual glove boxes, a handy feature we’re seeing in more and more vehicles. The test truck had a 40/20/40 split front seat. Look under the 20 percent center seat area and you’ll find a locking space large enough to hold a laptop. Fold-down that seat’s back and it becomes a center console.

Rear passenger space was pretty good for an extended cab truck. Backwards opening doors can’t be opened by rear passengers without help from someone in the front — unless you’re prepared to stretch your body across the front seat backs. That’s not unusual for an extended cab truck, but it is something you should be aware of.

The truck was equipped with plenty of options, including power windows in front and back, a sunroof, dual zone climate controls, steering wheel mounted radio controls and an auto dimming mirror with a compass and temperature display. Overall, the interior was a good combination of the comfort you would expect in a nice SUV with the utility you need in a truck.

On the Road in the Chevy Silverado
The test Silverado was equipped with a 5.3-liter V-8 engine with flex fuel capability, meaning the engine will run on either gasoline or a mixture of gas and ethanol. The truck had a four speed automatic transmission with towing mode.
Push a button to enter tow-mode, which changes the computer’s shift points to allow the engine to stay in the best power range as much as possible while you’re pulling something behind you. Chevy offers several different rear axle ratios depending on the configuration you choose, but a 3.73 rear axle is the norm for trucks with the tow package. This lower ratio helps in many instances, like pulling a boat up a ramp or a hill or when you’re simply moving away from a stop with a heavy load.

Unfortunately, there’s a trade off when you have a lower rear axle ratio — reduced fuel mileage whether you’re pulling or not. I drove the Silverado 553 miles and about two-thirds of that was at approximately 40 mph or higher. I used 33.3 gals of gas for an average of 16.6 miles per gallon. That’s somewhat lower than I would have expected from a 2×2 truck.

In this new generation truck, Chevrolet finally made the switch away from recirculating ball type steering to rack and pinion steering. The result is a responsive steering system that gives you a better feel for how the truck is handling the road. The new trucks also have a coil spring front suspension instead of the previous torsion bar system, another switch that improved the ride. The Silverado did just fine on the winding roads I drive every day.

Final Thoughts on the 2007 Silverado 2×2
One thing about the Chevy Silverado hasn’t changed, it’s available in numerous configurations. Engine variations are just one of the choices you’ll make — there’s a V-6 and a variety of V-8s. You can buy a regular cab truck with just front seating, an extended cab like the truck I drove or a crew cab with four full size doors and two full rows of seating.

The Silverado is available as a 4×4 or 4×2 truck. Choose from three bed lengths, 5 feet 8 inches, 6 feet 6 inches and 8 feet, but bed choices vary, they aren’t all available with every truck.

Silverado Safety Features

• Front air bags are required on all new vehicles in the US, and the Silverado is no exception.
• Side curtain air bags are an option on all Silverado trucks.
• Antilock brakes are standard on all models.
• GM’s StabiliTrack system is standard on crew cabs and an option on extended cabs, but for some reason is not available on regular cab Silverados.
• OnStar is installed in all trucks and the first year of GM’s Safe and Sound plan is free.

Warranty

• New vehicle warranty, 3 years/36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty, 5 years/100,000 miles
• Rust-through corrosion, 6 years/100,000 miles

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While other manufacturers move to crossover utility vehicles (CUVs), the new Q7 is unabashedly an SUV — big, powerful, and seriously capable off-road. Part of its design philosophy was that it had to be unmistakably an Audi: luxurious, technically sophisticated, and able to grip the road like a car. Mission accomplished. The Q7 isn’t flawless, but it’s pretty darn good. Pricing for V8 models: $50,620 base, $66,970 fully loaded, EPA mileage 14 MPG city/19 highway on premium fuel.

First Glance at the Q7
Audi wishes to make one thing perfectly clear: The Q7 is an SUV. Not a CUV, not a mini-ute. Market research shows that the Q7’s target audience wants an SUV, so Audi built an SUV. Though svelte lines hide the Q7’s bulk, it’s actually just 2 inches shorter and 1 inch narrower than a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, though at 5 feet 8.4 inches high the Audi will make it into parking garages that the 6′2″ Escalade won’t.

One of my complaints about Audis is that most of them look alike. That’s not a problem with the Q7. Size and shape aren’t the only things that differentiate the Q7 from Audi’s cars. There are changes in the details — the sculpting of the front and rear ends, the artful integration of body seams and creases into the Q7’s design — that give it a unique character. It’s a trend I hope Audi will continue as their cars come up for redesign.

The interior is instantly familiar to Audi car drivers; it’s based on the A6 and A8 sedans. I’ve never been a fan of the dark and somber interiors in many German cars, which is why I really like the Q7’s cabin when done up in lighter colors. High-quality wood and aluminum accents make it a pleasant place to be, especially with sunlight streaming in through the optional panorama sunroof.

In the Q7’s Driver’s Seat
A height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescope steering column mean that virtually any driver can get comfortable. All the switches, dials, and buttons are sensibly laid out and move with that high-quality precision feel that makes owners of German cars so smug.

Many of the secondary controls - stereo, navigation, climate control, etc. - are controlled in part or whole by Audi’s Multimedia Interface (MMI), which uses a large dial surrounded by an entourage of buttons and a screen on the center console. The MMI is nice once you get used to it, but there’s a steep learning curve. And some of it just doesn’t make sense — most of the controls use that big center dial, but fan speed and seat heat use the climate control’s temperature dials. Huh? It’s one thing if you have a passenger to fiddle with it all, but a lone driver trying to figure out MMI at 70 MPH is an accident waiting to happen.

The Q7 has three rows of seats; any two can be occupied comfortably at once. The second-row seats are adjustable, but sliding them back far enough for decent footroom squashes the toes of the people in the 3rd row. Want room in both the 2nd and 3rd rows? Fine, provided the front driver and passenger don’t mind kissing the dashboard.

On the Road in the Q7

The Q7 drives pretty much like any other Audi - remarkable considering it’s the sole SUV in a stable filled with performance cars. Audi packed it full of technology to compensate for its SUV shortcomings, like bigger blind spots. Audi developed a fantastic system called Side Assist. If a vehicle is approaching from behind and to the side, an LED in the side mirror glows a dim yellow. If the Q7 driver puts on the turn signal while this danger zone is occupied, the LED flashes brightly and angrily.
Side Assist is part of a $2,400 Technology Package that includes a rear view camera that displays on the MMI screen. An overlay of lines shows the path the Q7 will take as you turn the steering wheel. It’s so idiot-proof that even a parking-challenged driver like yours truly can easily dock this land yacht on the first try.

The Q7 4.2 I drove was powered by a 350 hp V8 engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive are standard. Audi claims a 0-60 time of 7 seconds, though at nearly 5,500 lbs the Q7 doesn’t feel that quick. Its Electronic Stabilization Program is designed to optimize both on- and off-road performance. Ground clearance is 8.1″; with the optional air spring suspension it can be raised to 9.4″.

Final Look at the Q7
The Audi Q7 will initially be sold in two versions: the $50,620 4.2 and the $60,620 4.2 Premium. Ticking all the option boxes will run the price up to nearly $67k, though Audi expects the average Q7 transaction price to be in the mid-to-high 50s. A less-expensive 5-seat V6 version will join the lineup for around $10k less; a sporty Q7 S-Line is also reportedly in the works.

Will it sell? That remains to be seen. Compared to other full-size SUVs, the Audi Q7 is a dreamboat. It’s got wonderful on-road manners and solid off-road abilities. Its styling sets it apart from most other SUVs, and the complexity of its controls shouldn’t be too much of a problem once owners learn their way around the MMI. The Q7’s Achilles heel is its lack of room in the 2nd and 3rd row seats. Better to fold the 3rd row seat, slide the 2nd row seats all the way back and enjoy the Q7 as a roomy 5-seater with ample cargo space.

The question is, in the face of rising gas prices, is the American market ready for a $50-60k SUV with fuel economy in the mid-teens? With the potential for fuel bills that are half the monthly payment on a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, even well-heeled buyers might think twice before buying the Q7.

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Looking for Better Performance and Increased MPG

When the price of gas started going up I started to look at bolt-on accessories that would improve my truck’s gas mileage. The search didn’t produce anything that I felt would make much of a difference in my gas mileage, but it did make me more interested in cold air intake systems that are designed to increase power. I hadn’t decided whether or not to install a system when K&N sent me their Fuel Injection Performance Kit to try on my truck.

Stock Air Flow vs. High Performance Cold Air Intake Systems
A basic fact: auto engines need air and its oxygen to run. Air passes through a dirt-trapping filter in the engine compartment first, then flows through an apparatus to the engine.
Most fuel injected vehicles don’t have space to mount an air filter right on top of the engine like they’re positioned in carbureted cars and trucks. So engineers find another spot under the hood to tuck the air filter, then use tubing to route the air that passes through it to the engine.

Stock tubing is most often designed to make the air movement quiet, without a lot of regard to optimum airflow. Less air to the engine means less engine power. One solution — a cold air intake system that replaces the stock filter and tubing with parts designed to get more air into the engine. More air in, more power out.

Cold air intake systems usually have a box or divider that separates the air filter from the heat of the engine and allows the system to capture cooler air coming through the grill or fender. That’s a better option than grabbing the warm air under the hood, because the colder the air the more dense it is — and dense air lets the fuel injectors supply more fuel to the engine to enhance horsepower.

K&N Performance Kit Installation
K&N’s FIPK2 kit arrived in a box with all the hardware I needed to install it. The instructions were easy to understand and included plenty of photos to guide me. The job didn’t require special tools or computer programming.
Installing the unit in my Ford F-150 truck took about an hour and a half. I think that anyone with a few basic mechanical skills could bolt it on in that same time.

There’s a photo on this page of the unit that went into my truck. Designs vary, but K&N makes its cone shaped, free-flow filters as large as they can be for each vehicle to allow maximum airflow.

The tubing that takes air from the filter to the engine is not metallic, so it tends to stay cooler than metal versions. K&N thinks the material also tones down the sound of the air as it travels through the tube.

After you install the cold air intake you can expect to hear the air as it enters the filter. At low throttle you’ll hear a slight whistle. On hard acceleration you’ll hear more of a roaring sound. I don’t find it too loud or offensive. If you’re looking for more power in your truck you probably won’t mind the sound at all — but consider it if you like a real quiet ride.

How the Unit Performed
I installed the unit while I was on a trip about 350 miles from home. I had a trailer on the back of the truck so that halfway back I could pick up a car for a friend. The car was located at about the spot where the flatter lands of North Carolina turn to mountains.

I noticed an increase in power with the trailer empty, but it was even more obvious after I picked up the car and started pulling steeper and longer hills. The truck performed much better on hills with the system installed than it ever did without it.

I don’t have a machine to test power, but saw evidence of the boost in the way the truck operated. In many instances the transmission didn’t need to downshift to maintain vehicle speed on a grade or hill. Overall, downshifts happened a whole lot less frequently.

I’ve had the unit in place for a few months now and the power boost is consistent.

Gas Mileage
K&N doesn’t claim that you’ll get better mileage when you install their systems, but my gas mileage has gone up about a mile per gallon in both city and highway driving. An increase in power that takes less gas to produce — that’s fine by me.

Kit Maintenance & Guarantee
You don’t need to change the K&N air filter but you will need to clean it if you drive about 100,000 miles, maybe sooner under dirtier than normal driving conditions. K&N makes a spray-on a cleaner that’s followed up with a spray-on oil.
K&N sells replacement filters for most vehicles, but don’t expect a significant hp boost from just the filter. A replacement filter has to fit into the existing air box (smaller) and you’ll still have the less efficient factory air routing tubes beyond it.

Most K&N performance kits similiar to the one I tested are available for under $350. The company has been around for a number of years and has a reputation for producing quality products. K&N came through on this one, from the well written instructions to the system’s appearance to it’s actual performance.

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The Bedrug was packed and delivered in one large box. I installed it outside, so I had to wait for a day that was over 65-degreees to make sure the adhesive strips that affix it to the bed would be sticky enough to have a good, permanent contact with the metal.

Bedrug® Installation
I unpacked the Bedrug and spread it out in the driveway. It looked like a large “T,” since the sections that go up the sides of the truck were unzipped for easier packing and shipping.
I let the bedliner sit in the sun to become more pliable while I cleaned the truck bed, then I folded the sides back and zipped them to the bedliner floor. Pulling the bedliner up into the bed was a simple job for one person. The rest of the installation took place after the bedliner was in the bed.

The bedliner is held in the bed with a hook and loop system that’s similar to Velcro®. Loops are sewn to the liner and the hooks fasten to the bed with self-adhesive strips.

The entire installation took about an hour and was easy to do.

There are a couple of choices if you need to fit the Bedrug around permanent tie downs or other accessories. Either cut a slit in the Bedrug and guide them through or remove the items and re-install them through the bedliner.

Bedrug® Construction
The Bedrug looks like carpeting and feels soft to the touch, but it’s made from plastic fibers. The manufacturer calls the under-padding a “closed cell foam.” No part of the Bedrug absorbs liquids–anything I’ve spilled on the bedliner so far came right off with a shot from the garden hose. The manufacturer says you can also use a pressure washer filled with soap solution to clean the Bedrug.

Each Bedrug is molded to fit a specific truck model. The floor padding is made to sit between the ribs to give the floor liner a smooth surface–it looks good and is easy to kneel on. My Bedrug is a perfect fit everywhere, including the sections of the bedliner that extend up the bed walls and over the wheel wells.

The manufacturer says that the Bedrug can’t be stained or damaged by spills of “acids, solvents, chemical compounds or petroleum products.” I haven’t spilled much on my bedliner yet, so I can’t give you a first hand report on every type of chemical, but I’ve heard enough positive comments from other truck owners to take the claim seriously.

America’s best-selling, most capable full-size pickup now delivers the horsepower to make it one of the most powerful half-ton pickups on the market. The 450 horsepower supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Super Crew 4×2 hits the road this summer.

Born from tremendous customer reaction to the F-150 performance truck concept that was on display at the November 2006 SEMA show, the supercharged F-150 packs the extra power punch that Ford truck enthusiasts have been demanding.

“Ford is the truck leader because we pay attention to what our customers want and move quickly to meet their needs,” said Ben Poore, Ford Truck group marketing manager. “They told us they wanted a performance equipped truck so we worked with Saleen to bring the supercharged Harley-Davidson F-150 to market in rapid fashion.”

The supercharged Harley Davidson F-150 is available in Ebony Black or Dark Amethyst with plenty of gleaming chrome, 22-inch oversized wheels and tires, and a custom scalloped stripe that runs along the beltline that creates a glued-to-the-ground appearance. “Harley-Davidson” script runs along the bedside in three-dimensional chrome letters. Blacked-out headlamps and a unique chrome billet grille give it a distinctive, bold front-end.

Among other highlights:
The SALEEN supercharger option is available through Ford dealers for $6500 MSRP. Base F-150 Harley-Davidson pricing starts at $37,210 MSRP including $925 destination and delivery.

The twin-screw supercharger is the same style as the one in the Shelby GT-500.

A dual-stage water-to-air intercooler increases the supercharger’s efficiency and adds performance by cooling the intake air.

The volume from the exhaust is cranked up into a sustained growl.

An available gauge pod with boost (PSI) and air-charge temperature (ACT) gauges monitors the system’s performance.

The 2007 Harley-Davidson F-150 truck is the ninth model to emerge from a Ford/Harley-Davidson partnership that began in 1999. The co-branding of the two storied 104-year-old companies has proven to be a successful formula with total sales of Ford F-Series Harley-Davidsons of more than 60,000 units.

Ford Motor Company and the State of Florida today announced that they are putting a fleet of hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 buses on the road in Orlando, the first U.S. city to take delivery of these ultra clean vehicles.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist marked the occasion at a Chevron Hydrogen station that will provide fuel for eight buses, powered by internal combustion engines that are fueled exclusively with hydrogen.

“These buses represent part of Ford Motor Company’s strategy to deliver transportation solutions that emit less CO2 and reduce our dependence on oil,” said Sue Cischke, Ford senior vice president. Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We are pleased to partner with the State of Florida, Progress Energy and Chevron Hydrogen to place these buses into service so that Central Florida residents will be able to experience this unique form of clean transportation.”

“Today’s event demonstrates the incredible level of support hydrogen technology is receiving from our nation’s distinguished business leaders,” said Governor Charlie Crist. ” Florida is excited to be a part of these revolutionary advancements and we are embracing the challenges that lie ahead. We are committed as state to be a leader in both the policies and projects that protect our economy and our environment.”

Power for the Ford E-450 shuttle buses is provided by a 6.8-liter V-10 engine that has been supercharged and modified to run exclusively on hydrogen fuel. Of these eight vehicles - the first to be operated in the United States - two will be used by the Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA), and two by the Orlando Convention Central District. The remaining four will be delivered to customers in Florida at a later date. Ford delivered five buses to Canada, three in Ottawa and two in Vancouver in late 2006. In all, Ford will deliver 30 buses to customers across North America by year’s end.

The Ford E-450 shuttle buses in Florida are part of the state’s broader plan to move toward a greater use of alternative fuels. Last year, Ford delivered five hybrid hydrogen Ford Focus Fuel Cell vehicles as part of separate effort with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Progress Energy to gain feedback on hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Technology
Ford Motor Company believes hydrogen internal combustion engine technology can serve as a bridge to enabling hydrogen to become a viable alternative fuel. Hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines have many advantages, including high efficiency, all-weather capability, and near zero emissions of regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases (CO 2). They also can be hybridized for further gains in fuel efficiency.

While these hydrogen internal combustion engine shuttle buses will provide valuable real-world experience, Ford also is conducting research into next generation hydrogen internal combustion engines, including features such as direct injection to enhance power and fuel economy.

Hydrogen Part of a Broader Effort
Ford’s strategy for alternative fuels is built around multiple technologies, including hydrogen internal combustion engines. This flexible approach allows the company to meet goals for customer needs, environmental impact and shareholder interests. The strategy does not focus on one catch-all solution, but offers a flexible array of options, including hybrids, E85 ethanol, clean diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engine and transmission technologies and hydrogen fuel cells.

The company already has a fleet of 30 hydrogen powered Focus fuel cell vehicles on the road as part of a worldwide, seven-city program to conduct real world testing of fuel cell technology. The 30-car fleet has accumulated more than 500,000 miles since its inception in 2005, more than 90,000 of which have been logged in Florida.

Ford also is conducting tests with the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive. The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive uses a series electric drivetrain with an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator to give the vehicle a range of 225 miles with zero emissions.

Currently, Ford offers gasoline-electric hybrids including the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The company will also offer hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan in 2008.

In an announcement this week by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to change taxi policy toward increasing fuel economy standards, highlights Ford’s leadership in hybrid taxis. The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid are the only hybrid vehicles that meet the existing New York City taxi requirements and the proposed new fuel economy policy.

In early 2005, San Francisco was the first city to feature gas-electric hybrid-powered taxi cabs. The city chose Ford Escape Hybrid. Later that year, New York City added a small fleet of Escape Hybrid taxis based on the New York City Council decision to pass the Clean Air Taxis Act. In June 2006, Ford embarked on a nationwide tour promoting the advantages of the use of Escape Hybrids for taxi service, and since, Chicago and Austin have also introduced Escape Hybrids into their taxi fleets.

With hundreds of thousands of miles accumulated over the past two years in New York City, there has been an estimated fuel savings of $250,000 for the initial fleet of 18 Escape Hybrid taxis. Now there are 288 Escape Hybrids in taxi service throughout the city, and drivers are reporting that the hybrids are delivering on the durability requirements and fuel-saving advantages that make them a great choice for taxi use.

Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi Facts
Most fuel-Efficient SUV on Earth: EPA rated at 34 miles per gallon in city driving, the front-wheel drive Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on earth, and can provide drivers 500 miles to a tank.

Taxi Drivers Save $30 Per Shift: According to San Francisco cab driver Paul Gillespie, driving an Escape Hybrid saves him up to $30 per shift. Working four shifts a week for a year could equal more than $6,000.

Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) Certified: The Escape Hybrid dramatically reduces smog-forming emissions, as it meets the cleanest emissions standard available for a vehicle that uses fossil fuels - California’s AT-PZEV standard. Over 100,000 miles the Escape Hybrid will conserve approximately 1,666 gallons of gas over a traditional cab, effectively preventing 32,000 pounds of carbon emissions.

Reliability and Durability is Key for Taxi Use: The Escape Hybrid is proving to be remarkably durable, capable of surviving around-the-clock use in one of the most severe driving conditions any vehicle will face. This durability is backed by a standard 8-year / 100,000-mile limited warranty for unique hybrid components, including the battery pack.

Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrid Have Highest Tax Credits: Because the real world fuel economy of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids increased for the 2008 model year, the Federal income tax credits available now are $3,000 for FWD models (up $400) and $2,200 on 4WD models (up $250). The Ford and Mercury Hybrids now have the highest tax credit of any hybrid - up to $900 more than the closest competitor. For both vehicles, the new EPA-certified fuel economy for FWD models is 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, and 29 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for AWD models.

Insurance Discounts for Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrids: Travelers, one of the largest providers of personal insurance products in the United States, offers hybrid drivers in the states of California, New Jersey, Texas, New York, Maryland, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia and Washington discounts of up to 10 percent on certain coverages. The company estimates their hybrid policy business grew by 200 percent in 2006.

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The new 2008 F-Series Super Duty will go down in history after completing Bold Endures: America’s Toughest Road Test, the longest non-stop test ever recorded, after logging the final mile of a 150,000-mile adventure earlier this month. The historic journey, part of a massive marketing launch, adds to the 10 million miles of testing that brought about America’s most capable truck.

A trained team of drivers led the effort in the 2008 Ford Super Duty F-450 - the first-ever Class 4 pickup - across 49 states, including Alaska and the District of Columbia, and seven Canadian provinces while always towing a massive trailer. This innovative truck can tow up to 24,500 pounds, 8,000 pounds more than the nearest competitor.

“Ford tests F-Series trucks to the extremes so customers can take on the toughest jobs every day,” says Ben Poore, Ford truck group marketing manager. “The Bold Endures road test highlights how the new Super Duty Ford F-450 pickup raised this bar so customers can work and play harder.”

The team drove cross-country averaging 1,145 miles a day in all types of terrains and conditions, including temperatures ranging between minus 18 F and more than 100 F. The team recorded many impressive feats, including:

Continually towed a 40-foot triple-axle trailer loaded with up to 18,000 pounds for 150,000 miles

Towed at least 12,000 pounds at all times

Towed an 18,000-pound trailer - a weight no other heavy-duty truck is rated to tow - 100,579 miles (88 days)

Drove in elevations from 100 feet below sea level to 9,000 feet above sea level

Drove an average of 1,145 miles per day, including at least 1,000 miles in a 24-hour period 84 times and an amazing 1,537 miles in one 24-hour period

Built Ford Tough Across America

The Bold Endures road test began in Phoenix in December 2006 and traveled across the country 24-hours a day, seven days a week only stopping f or routine maintenance. Ford will continue touring the truck around the country and is working with the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. to secure the truck’s place in history next to other road warriors such as the motorhome Charles Kuralt drove across the country to help tell fascinating American stories.

“Everywhere we went across North America, people gave us thumbs up and told us their Ford truck tales,” says Bob Hunt of Michigan, one of the Bold Endures team members who drove the truck across the country. “I think we’ve proven with the Bold Endures test that the Ford Super Duty is more than ready for any challenge.”

The Bold Endures effort is one of three unique, real-world consumer tests Ford conducted after the new Super Duty’s 10-million-mile testing regimen was completed. Ford selected “Team Tough,” a group of 12 truck customers, to test the new 2008 F-Series Super Duty because they hold down some of the toughest jobs around the country. Ford also partnered with a BP Alaskan oil crew in the “North Slope Tough” test to put the truck through extreme Arctic conditions in the middle of winter.

Consumers can learn more about each of these tests and the new truck at www.InsideSuperDuty.com. Ford will soon compile highlights of the Bold Endures trek into a webisode on the site.

Ford Trucks Ride PBR’s Fast Rise
The Bold Endures team makes their first extended stop after completing the ambitious road test at the “toughest sport on dirt,” the first Professional Bull Riders rodeo at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Ford trucks are the title sponsor of the Built Ford Tough series, the premier PBR series. Ford is leveraging the partnership to help launch the new 2008 F-Series Super Duty as part of a massive marketing campaign. Celebrating with Ford at San Antonio’s first-ever PBR event are more than 8,000 military men and women from three major San Antonio-area military bases that received tickets from the South Texas Ford Dealers.

PBR is the fastest growing sport in terms of television audience and is expanding into major markets across North America, including new Built Ford Tough Series events in New York City and San Antonio in 2007.

The PBR Built Ford Tough Series showcases the 45 toughest bull riders and bulls in the world, helping it earn the title “the toughest sport on dirt.” The growing audience includes more than 600,000 event fans and 19 million television viewers across the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia. Ford research shows that about fifty percent of PBR event attendees own full-size pickup trucks.

Each PBR event also includes a variety of Ford Truck-sponsored activities, including the “Built Ford Tough” Championship Round and the exclusive Ford Trucks “Toughest Seats on Dirt” seating area for fans who want to get as close to the action as possible. Fans at the San Antonio event will be able to check out the new 2008 F-Series Super Duty at various displays.

Ford is in its fifth year as title sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series as well as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the PBR Challenger Tour Series.

Leading the Way
The new 2008 F-Series Super Duty features a series of pickup innovations. For example, the industry-first Tailgate Step folds out of the tailgate and splits the difference to the ground to provide a step up into the pickup box so customers can load items more easily. The new Super Duty features an available all-new, more powerful 6.4-liter Power Stroke dual-turbo diesel engine and numerous class-exclusive, innovative features such as PowerScope Mirrors.

Since its debut in 1948, Ford has sold more than 32 million F-Series trucks around the world. Today, there are more F-Series pickups on the road with 250,000 miles than any other brand. It has also been the best-selling truck in America for 30 consecutive years and the best-selling vehicle for 25 years running.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.