Horsepower War Heats Up For Trucks

Though not direct competitors, they're both truck-based 4x4s with monster motors. Chevrolet will finally offer a hot truck (the Silverado SS isn't it) with its long-anticipated TrailBlazer SS (lead image). GM Performance Division stuffed an LS2 6.0-liter V-8 under the hood and lowered the suspension and then tuned and tested it at the Nurburgring. The 6.0-liter small-block makes 390 horses and 405 pound-feet in the SSR. Chevy estimates a sub-six-second 0-to-60-mph time for the TB SS, which will be offered with rear- or four-wheel drive.

Ford, meanwhile, is lending the SVT treatment to its upcoming Explorer-based Sport Trac. Named Adrenalin, it has a supercharged 4.6-liter, 32-valve V-8, six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and, unlike SVT's new Shelby GT 500 Mustang, independent rear suspension. This new-age sport truck makes 390 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. SVT tunes the shocks and springs, and the Adrenalin gets larger front and rear stabilizer bars, too. Tires are 295/45R21s. SVT says the Adrenalin (a name used for the concept version of the 2001 Sport Trac) will match or better the last F-150 Lightning for performance. The last Lightning we tested did 0-to-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Chevy TrailBlazer SS is a 2006 model on sale later this year, but we'll have to wait a year and a half for its competition, as the Ford Adrenalin goes on sale about mid-2007 as a 2008 model.