Commercial vehicle manufacturers are touting enhanced safety features, additional cargo storage capacity and cleaner burning diesel engines in their 2008 model year offerings. Here is a look at what is new for 2008 from six major manufacturers.

Dodge
Dodge’s all-new Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs feature a standard 6.7 L Cummins turbodiesel engine with 305 HP, 610 lb.-ft of torque and a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. The engine uses a diesel particulate filter to virtually eliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce nitrogen oxides by as much as 90 percent.

The Trucks have a commercial-grade frame (50,000-psi steel) to maximize strength and reduce weight. They also come with flat, clean frame rails to facilitate aftermarket upfits or retrofits.

The manufacturer’s full-size Sprinter van has been “super-sized” for 2008. It is available in three vehicle lengths of 233, 273 or 289-in.; on two wheelbases of 144 or 170-in.; and three interior roof height options that include a “mega” option of 84-in.

The Sprinter includes the choice of either a 3.0 L V6 turbodiesel or 3.5 L V6 gas engine. The diesel engine boasts 154 HP and a maximum torque of 280 lb.-ft., while the gas engine distributes a maximum output of 254 HP and maximum torque of 250 lb.-ft.

The van has a cargo capacity of up to 600 cubic feet, a maximum payload of 5,649 lbs. and a rear-door opening of 270-in. Its pallet-friendly cargo sliding door offers a loading width of 51-in. The mid-size Dodge Dakota pickup now offers new interior and exterior styling, a bigger cab and longer bed, more towing capacity and more power. The truck features a new 4.7L V8 engine with 290 HP and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van features upfitter and storage capability with the manufacturer’s “Stow ’n Go” body and tubs. New features include dual glove boxes, multiple storage bins and a variety of glass and panel configurations to provide space and durability.

Standard features include a 3.3 L V6 engine with 170 HP and 205 lb.-ft. of torque, a 4-speed automatic transmission, commercial-tuned front and rear suspension, electronic stability program and four-wheel disc brakes. The van also has 144.4-cu.ft. of cargo capacity, a payload capacity of 1,500 lbs. and a towing capacity of 3,800 lbs.

Isuzu
Isuzu Truck introduced an entirely new N-Series for 2008 with more cab room, additional safety features and more power. The trucks’ new 5.2 L 4HK1-TC turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine boasts 205 HP and 441 lb.- ft of torque. The engine can be mated to the new Aisin A465 heavy-duty, sixspeed automatic with double overdrive or a six-speed manual transmission.

The engine uses an exhaust gas recirculation system and a variable geometry turbocharger to reduce nitrogen oxide levels. It has a diesel particulate filter to capture sulfate particles and soot. N-Series models with the diesel engine also feature a new 10,000-mile oil and oil filter interval to reduce operating costs and increase vehicle uptime.

Isuzu’s NPR and NPR HD models are available with a Vortec 6 L V8 gasoline engine with 325 HP and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. The models are mated to the Hydra-Matic 4L80 4-speed automatic transmission.

Increased safety features for the NSeries include a new seat belt design, low-cut side windows for added visibility and larger side mirrors with integrated convex sections.

Additional cab improvements include more room and higher seatbacks covered in a Tricot cloth that stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The front of the cab also features an easy-to-remove panel that provides access to the wiper motor and linkage, electrical connections and air intake filters.

General Motors
GM rolled out an all-new Chevrolet and GMC W-Series for 2008 that includes a number of improvements such as a more spacious cab with more side-to-side and front-to-back room.

The series also features a new dashboard with easy-to-see gauges and warning lamps. It includes an opening for such optional equipment as radios, GPS systems and rearview cameras.

W5500 and W5500 HD LWB models are powered by the overhead cam 5.2 L 4HK1-TC turbocharged diesel engine. It delivers 205 HP and 441 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a new Aisin A465 heavy-duty 6-speed automatic with double overdrive.

The W5500 now is available in 22- foot models with a 200-inch wheelbase. The W5500 HD comes in 22- and 24-foot models with 200- and 212-in. wheelbases.

W3500 and W4500 models now are available with the Vortec 6.0 L V8 gas engine. These models are mated to the Hydra-Matic 4L80 4-speed automatic with lockup torque converter and overdrive.

The manufacturer’s 2008 Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick models also offer more power and torque as well as a new 6-speed Allison transmission on most models.

C4500 and C5500 models boast the Duramax 6.6 L engine. The base diesel models feature 300 HP with 520 lb.-ft. of torque and 330 HP with 620 lb.-ft. of torque.

C6500, 7500 and 8500 models are available with an optional Caterpillar C7 (7.2 L diesel I-6) that delivers horsepower ratings from 207 to 250 and torque ratings from 520 to 800 lb.-ft.

Kodiak and TopKick customers also may opt for the Vortec 8.1 L V8 gas engine with 295 HP and 440 lb.-ft. of torque in C6500-C8500 models and 325 HP and 450 lb.-ft. of torque in C4500 and C5500 models.

GM’s 2008 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana commercial vans both have new safety features and driver information centers. The vans now come standard with a tire pressure monitoring system, new flat and convex exterior mirrors with a wider field of vision and shoulder belts for the center seat positions on all passenger models.

The expanded driver information center provides instructions to replace the diesel fuel filter, clean the diesel exhaust filter and service the air conditioning system. It also provides warnings that the transmission is hot, traction control has been disengaged, the fuel level is low and a vehicle theft has been attempted.

Toyota
Toyota expanded its Tundra full-size pickup truck lineup for 2008, adding 13 new model variations. The 2008 Tundra now offers a choice of 44 model variations in three cab styles. The pickup has a new four-dour CrewMax full-size option in addition to its Regular Cab and Double Cab models.

The Tundra is available with 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains and offers three cab styles, three wheelbases, three bed lengths, three engines and three trim levels. It features an available 381 HP 5.7 L i-Force V8 engine with 401 lb.-ft. of torque and a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Other engine choices for Regular and Double Cab models are a standard 4.0 L V6 with 236 HP and 266 lb.-ft. of torque and an optional 4.7 L i-force V8 with 271 HP and 313 lb.-ft of torque. The 4.7 L engine is standard on the new CrewMax.

The trucks also feature technology such as an optional navigation system with a wide-screen rear backup camera and Bluetooth cellphone capability. The Tow Package for units with V8 engines gives the truck a towing capacity of up to 10,800 lb., depending on the model and drivetrain.

Toyota’s Tacoma line of midsize trucks offers a choice between two engines: a 2.7 L DOHC 4-cylinder engine that produces 159 HP and 180 lb-ft. of torque and a 4.0 L DOHC V6 with 236 HP and 266 lb-ft. of torque. The V6 engine can be teamed with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 4-cylinder models offer a choice between a 5- speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Tacoma also features an integrated trailer hitch and bumper design, and when properly equipped, the V6- powered models can tow up to 6,500 pounds.

Ford
Ford’s F-Series Super Duty was overhauled for the 2008 model year. The trucks now offer a maximum payload of more than 6,000 lbs. and towing capacity of more than 24,000 lbs. Also new are an integrated tailgate step and stowable bed extender, a PowerScope power-fold and power-telescoping trailer-tow side mirrors.

Joining Ford’s 5.4 L Triton V8 gas engine is a new 6.4 L Power Stroke diesel that delivers 350 HP and 650 lb.-ft. of torque (on F-250 and F-350). Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual with overdrive or a TorqShift 5-speed automatic.

The powertrains use a new unique mounting system that better isolates the powertrain and reduces vibration.

Ford’s F-150 now includes a factoryinstalled cargo management system and rearview camera.

The cargo system, available on any truck with the 6.5-ft. Styleside box, comes with two side rails, a pair of bins, a pair of crossbars and a header bar.

Easily adjustable, cast aluminum cleats are designed to hold more than 600 lbs., and extruded aluminum crossbars hold up to 100 lbs.

The rearview camera system is mounted in the tailgate handle bezel and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is displayed in the selfdimming rearview mirror.

The manufacturer’s new 2008 E-Series commercial van also received a major makeover with chassis and suspension upgrades to increase capability and improve ride and handling. The chassis and suspension improvements include an increase in the maximum gross vehicle weight rating from 14,050 lbs. to 14,500 lbs. The maximum front gross axle weight rating increased by about 10 percent, from 4,600 lbs. to 5,000 lbs.

The standard E-Series offers up to 236.5-cu.ft. of rear cargo space, with up to 275.1-cu.ft. in extended van versions.

A new front-end design inspired by the F-Series Super Duty helps improve engine capability by increasing airflow, while an all-new exclusive E-Guard Cargo Protection System adds a doublelock design for added cargo security.

The E-Guard design can only be unlocked from outside the vehicle using the key. For example, on vehicles with power lock systems, the key fob or interior switch can be used to lock all doors and double-lock the side and rear cargo doors. While the key fob will unlock the front doors, the cargo doors can only be unlocked with the key.

Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Fuso engineers concentrated on driver ergonomics, environmental impact and safety and performance refinements for 2008. The new cab developed for the 2008 FK-FM models were refined to produce aerodynamics that yield a 4% improvement with van bodies and a 25% improvement with flatbeds and other low-profile bodies. Flush-mounted headlights also reduce drag, and an air dam under the front bumper prevents air from splitting over the front axle, further reducing aerodynamic drag.

The FK200, FK260 and FM330 are all powered by a completely rebuildable Fuso 6M60 7.5 L, 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that generates 243 HP and 514 lb.-ft. of torque. The 33.1-in.-wide, straight ladder-style frame formed from 51,200-psi steel is available in a range of wheelbases and new, longer maximum body lengths.

For 2008, all FE models will offer a standard Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission, cruise control and an onoff switchable exhaust brake. All models have a straight-channel, 33.1-inchwide frame for easy body installation.

All FE series trucks are powered by the Mitsubishi 4M50 4.9 L turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine with twin balance arms. The engine produces 185 HP and 391 lb-ft of torque.