TRUCK SPOTLIGHT— Whether you think Bigger is Better or Need a Smaller Workhorse, There's a Right Truck for Everyone


Dodge 3500 Laramie Longhorn Edition—Land Yacht!!!!


The smell of the saddle stitched leather, buckles and almost every option possible paired with Cummins Turbo Diesel engine make this Ride hard to beat—It's what you would expect from a 60K truck!


There's a healthy market for luxury pickup trucks and Ram Laramie Longhorn edition hits the mark, making up 25 percent of Dodge's truck sales. Those who think bigger is better and won't settle for anything but the finest quality and refinement will discover their dream with this one. The exterior is distinguished by distinctive Western-style exterior badges, lower- rbody two-tone paint, wheel flares, painted front and rear bumpers, Mopar


Seven Passenger Luxury Vehicles— Options Run the Gamut


Lexus GX 460, Land Rover LR4 Deliver on Luxury and Adventure


Noticably, the Lexus GX 460 is a luxury SUV with a soft and pliable ride and all the luxurious appointments you would expect, but it also has a wild size. Just touch a button to adjust the suspension and watch what it is capable of doing off road—Crawl Control and all! Weighing in at 2.5 tons, it is outfitted with a 4.6-liter V8 generating 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque making the GX 460 capable of pulling a 6,500-pound load.


Like Lexus' GX 460, the Land Rover LR4 is for families who need plenty of passenger and cargo space, ras well as almost unstoppable off-


unning boards, a bright chrome grille and painted tow hooks. Inside, its richly appointed full leather interior features special stitching, more badges and burled walnut woodgrain. We also have to mention the unique leather front seatbacks distinguished by flap-closure pockets with details that authentically evoke saddlebags. Each pocket is secured with silver steer-logoed, tooled-metal buckle with a magnetic clasp.


r We drove the 3500 HD single and dual


available with Mega Cab. The Ram Laramie Longhorn is also available in 1500 (half-ton), 2500 HD (3/4 ton), four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive, and short- and long-wheelbase models.


ear wheel (1 ton), Crew Cab—also


On the other hand…Honda's Ridgeline Will Likely Deliver All You Really Need people simply don't need all the muscle of that tr In the real world of everyday business, away from an off-road trail, many


commercials on TV. A smaller workhorse is just the right answer for Honda Ridgeline fans. If you're looking for a smooth, quiet performance and manageable size, perhaps a dual purpose builder truck/family vehicle, the four-door "crew cab" Honda Ridgeline is your answer. While the cabin provides sedan-like comfort, the cargo bed is perfect for a transporting just about anything a builder would typically need to haul.


uck they see in the rodeo


Rather than having a separate cab and bed, the Ridgeline's body unites the two. Underneath, the Ridgeline uses an architecture that combines the techniques of both unibody and full-frame construction. The Ridgeline's V6 puts down 250 horsepower and a modest 247 pound-feet of torque--enough to pull a 5,000-pound trailer or 1,500 pounds of mulch in its 5-foot-long bed. And with 8 inches of ground clearance and an all-wheel-drive drivetrain that shifts power to the rear wheels during low-traction situations, it's all the truck that most people really need.


The Ridgeline is available in three trim levels: base RT, midlevel RTS and leather-lined RTL. A few key features of all Ridgelines include a hidden trunk in the cargo bed that doubles as an ice chest, a dent-proof bed liner, a four-wheel independent suspension, a trailer hitch and a power sliding rear window.


22 GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE Vol 4 2011


oading abilities and are willing to pay the price of all the luxuries they desire, including high-end finishing materials and optional high-tech features like a rear-seat DVD system and a beverage cooler. The LR4 is r a true SUV with an optional third


ow that can actually seat adults comfortably. Its off-roading features are truly something to brag about. Hill Start Assist holds brake pressure as the driver moves from brake to throttle when starting on an incline or climbing, and Gradient Acceleration Control (GAC) helps slow the LR4 when starting down a steep grade by modulating the brakes and also works in reverse—a nifty feature that will be appreciated by anyone who's lost their nerve approaching a blind crest. The 2011 LR4 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 375 hp and 375 pound-feet of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to a full-time four- wheel-drive system. Properly equipped, the LR4 can tow up to 7,700 pounds.


The Big, Fancy and Powerful Infiniti QX56


Although light-duty all-terrain off-roading (gravel roads and snow) is about as much as the I big Infiniti can handle, the


with it large exterior on top of standard 20-inch tires. Adding refinement was one of the goals in the complete redesign of the 2011 model, positioning it as a primary competitor to the Cadillac Escalade. Along with plenty of technology features, its inside truly does sport the look of a private jet. A 5.6-liter V8 is now direct injection with variable valve timing and lift, increasing its output up to 400 horsepower, over last year's 320 hp. Despite its hefty weight and size, it has zip— doing zero to 60 in 6.8 seconds. Also new is a seven-speed automatic transmission (replacing a five-speed automatic), which helps fuel economy. Rear-wheel drive is standard; our text model had the optional four-wheel drive.


towing up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped. This is one huge looking vehicle


nfiniti QX56 is capable of


2011 Dodge Durango Citadel a Contender for Luxury Seekers


The newly redesigned 2011 Dodge Durango moves to the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform with a 119.8 inch wheelbase — several inches longer than the new Grand Cherokee. The rstarting level Express model is already well equipped, and Durango Crew adds


emote start, rear backup camera, memory seats, and power liftgate. There are a couple of other options between these and the Durango Citadel, which we drove. With heated and ventilated seats covered in perforated Nappa leather, visible stitching, chrome-plated wheels, blind spot monitor, high intensity


SAVVY TRUCKS & TOYS By Steve & Beverly Smirnis


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