Autoblog

Click above for more images of the Track Tvan

If you're one of those take-no-prisoners off-road types, then we've found the perfect camper trailer for you. It's called the Tvan, and it's made by Track Trailer. The company, Australian-based and located outside Melbourne, has been in business since 1982. Their Tvan model is specially engineered to eliminate the problems found with conventional flip-over type campers (which stow the tent on the bed). With the Tvan, the tent is stowed in the rear hatch allowing your bed to be kept clean and dry. Even better, a hard roof over your head ensures a better night sleep.

As Track is experienced building military trailers, much of their heavy-duty technology finds its way into the Tvan. Features such as an asymmetric link suspension with Koni shock absorbers, 10 inches of wheel travel, and a 30-degree departure angle allow the trailer to follow the tow vehicle over nearly every terrain. With a hot dip galvanized steel frame, it is also built to take abuse and last. Of course, the kitchen appointments are stainless steel with abundant power outlets, lights, and ventilation to take the edge off of roughing it. It even comes with a 70-liter "food grade" water tank as standard equipment. Now, we found you the camper, you just have to figure out how to get it here... unfortunately, the Australian company isn't shipping to the States.

[Source: Squob]

The good people at Allpar.com unearthed some very interesting information about the oft-rumoured resurrection of a small pickup bearing the Jeep name. We had reported as recently as August that a Jeep pickup based on the Gladiator Concept shown at the 2005 Detroit auto show had been axed because of the cost to develop the vehicle on its own unique platform. It turns out that all this while Jeep had been working on another pickup that actually is based on the Wrangler platform, and would therefore be less expensive and easier to produce. Rumored to be called the Scrambler, the truck will be unveiled at the SEMA show next week in Las Vegas with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 underhood, winches front and back, an oversized wheel/tire combo and additional styling tweaks like safari slits on the raised roof. The SEMA show is an apt venue to present the Scrambler, since it's expected that Jeep will also announce that the pickup bed will be made available as a kit for those interested in retrofitting their 1997-2006 Wranglers. The kit would likely cost between $8,000 and $10,000, not including installation, and also require lengthening the Wrangler's frame using parts supplied with the kit. Doesn't sound like a DIY affair for a lazy autumn afternoon, but the prospect of a new compact pickup entering the market is exciting. Through sheer apathy, Ford finds itself offering the only compact pickup with its age-old Ranger, as the competition has all grown in size and power over the years. A new compact pickup from Jeep that's priced right, trail-rated and practically useful could be a big score. Such a vehicle powered by a torquey four-cylinder or light-duty diesel engine could also be extremely popular in these fuel conscious times, as well.

Click the Read link to see more pics and read the inside scoop from Allpar.com.

[Source: Allpar.com]

HUMMER is preparing an sport-utility truck (SUT) version of its entry-level H3, replacing the roofed section on the H3 SUV wagon with a pick-up style cargo bed. Only whereas the larger H2 SUT is the same length as its wagon SUV counterpart, the H3 gets an extended cargo bed.

Expected to arrive in 2008, spy shots are beginning to surface that indicate the H3 SUT will retain its spacious five-seat capacity in addition to the larger cargo capacity. The spare tire will be moved under the frame as the truck will likely have a traditional flip-down tailgate like any other pick-up truck.

As a special bonus, the H3 SUT will offer both V6 and V8 engines, which is a welcome change considering the H3 SUV was a bit underpowered. Still to early to say how big the engines will be, but they're likely to migrate over to the shorter wagon version as well.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

You can always count on Bob Lutz to provide a wealth of future product tidbits at his press conferences. Spy shots posted on LLN confirm Bob's comments about new Hummer models. This H3 captured is both longer than a standard H3 and is camouflaged in the rear. A close inspection reveals the tent work that is hiding the back of the truck sags aft of the B-pillar, indicating without a doubt there's a bed back there.

This is obviously the SUT version of the H3, but we're still looking for the H3T concept to make it to production as a dedicated truck, one we'd gladly choose over a Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon. Lutz did hint that this was a possibility, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

[Source: LLN]

From his hospital bed, Top Gear's Richard Hammond is asking the BBC to show on television the footage of the crash that put him there. But the BBC has said the show will only continue when Hammond is able to appear on it. With forces at work to have the show canceled (or prohibitively curtailed), the Hamster is also prepared to go on TV from his bedside.

In typical Top Gear fashion, Richard has been speeding down the fast lane towards full recovery, but he's afraid he won't be back fast enough, leaving no show for him to return to. According to a "close friend", "Richard could not stand to feel he was to blame for the demise of the show he loves... He's terrified they're going to axe it while he's stuck in hospital."

Now that's dedication to motor journalism.

Watch this space for more info as the parallel sagas of Richard's recovery and Top Gear's fight for survival unfold.

Related posts:

• Top Gear fights for survival as BBC postpones show indefinitely
• Hammond Update: "Was I driving like a tw*t?"
• Giving in the name of Richard Hammond
• Top Gear's "Hamster" in stable but serious condition day after crash
• UPDATE: Details on Richard Hammond crash
• Top Gear's Richard Hammond in critical condition

[Source: The Daly Mail]