Let's be honest. Every year, the original-equipment manufacturers introduce a lot of mediocre vehicles they want us to buy. As we test drive them, often times what stands out most are the compromises. But every so often, a vehicle seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Those are the ones that catch our eye as they drive past or make us leave work a little bit early so we can take the long way home. Sometimes we can tell a vehicle will be special long before we even get behind the wheel because at a glance we know the builders have nailed the bull's-eye. Here are some of our favorites. These vehicles are on the road now, will be on the road soon, or should be on the road if they want to make truck guys happy. The manufacturers responsible for these are doing something special for us truck guys, and their awesome rides will most likely be the motivating force for the competition to come out with something better. Here's our list--let us know (by letter or e-mail) what yours would look like.
Porsche Cayenne GTS
This is the vehicle that saved Porsche from being absorbed by a competing manufacturer. Porsche was bleeding red and losing gobs of money before the Cayenne made its debut--much to the moans and groans of hard-core Porschephiles. But the new SUV has performed to the company's traditionally high standards (some have said it's overbuilt) and now accounts for one-third of all Porsche sales, injecting a considerable amount of operating capital every year. In fact, it's likely that without the Cayenne, not only would the company have been sold, but vehicles like the Cayman and coming Panamera would've been stalled, if not completely cancelled.
Instead, we now have the former on the road and the latter in the pipeline, as well as the fourth version of the Cayenne, which made its debut at the 2008 Chicago auto show. The Cayenne GTS will have the largest, most powerful V-8 strapped in front of a manual transmission of any SUV sold in the U.S. What does that mean for us? Driving enthusiasts who enjoy rowing through the gears (as well as saving fuel due to the better EPA numbers) will now have the opportunity to mate a 405-horsepower, 4.8-liter naturally aspirated high-performance V-8 to their Cayenne. But don't expect too many of these vehicles to be around. Early estimates have the GTS manual sales numbers around 800. Starting price for the GTS will hover around $70,000.
Click here to see more photos of the Porsche Cayenne GTS.
Hummer H3T Alpha
Jeep Gladiator
We've known this was coming for quite a while and even have a fairly extensive story in this issue. We had the opportunity to drive the H3T through the heart of Moab, Utah, where hard-core 4x4 trails are as plentiful as the promises made by presidential hopefuls. After driving the H3T, much of the time in 4WD low range with both lockers engaged, we can say the promises the vehicle's design makes are completely justified. Big tires, amazing approach and departure angles, genuine truck capability, and a V-8 option all combine to make this new vehicle a real Hummer and a real pickup. Best of all, and maybe similar to how Porsche found the right mix, Hummer has found a way to offer something new to its loyalists while staying true to its roots. (Now if only Jeep would get the hint and come out with the Gladiator it showed in Detroit a few years back. Maybe it's waiting to see if the H3T is a hit. Hey, Jeep! No need to wonder anymore. If you build it, truck guys will get it.) We figure the H3T will play in the same ballpark as its H3 SUV brothers, starting around $33,000 for the I-5 and $40,000 for the Alpha V-8.
Click here to see more photos of the Hummer H3T.
Saleen F-150 S331
In the world of aftermarket performance packages, this is about as thorough and well done as possible without being made by an OE. Saleen is the manufacturer of record for all the Saleen vehicles they sell. That means its vehicles have to meet the same federal crash standards and fuel-economy tests as Toyota, General Motors, and Ford do to get their federal certificates.
The S331 (named after the size of the Triton 5.4-liter V-8 engine) is probably the best street-performance package offered on any pickup truck. The aspect we find most interesting is that its performance on the road with 450 horsepower (thanks to the uniquely designed Saleen supercharger) is not its best feature--strong words, we know. Even though the suspension is lowered and tuned for pavement-loving hard cornering and take-offs, Saleen tells us there isn't one pound of towing or payload capability sacrificed. The maximum towing and payload numbers for Super Crew and SuperCab models remain identical to the factory numbers. Extra power and performance without the loss of any real truck capability are what we like to see.
Click here to see more photos of the Saleen F-150 S331.