While the International CXT drew huge crowds at the SEMA Show because
of its massive size, another International pickup in a booth a few dozen
steps away was drawing a few more practical inquiries.
The boxy crew cab is a commercial offshoot of the SmarTruck III concept
developed for the military. The SmarTruck III is an extremely versatile
vehicle that can carry weapons, personnel and sophisticated communications
equipment. The types of technology that can be fitted to the SmarTruck
are mind boggling but it’s also an indication of the versatility
possible in a commercial variant of the vehicle.
The front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, air-suspended chassis features a 230-horsepower
V6 diesel rated at 460 lb-ft of torque. Payload capacity is 7000 pounds
and max tow capacity is 10,000 pounds. Length is just over 20 feet.
This is the type of vehicle that government agencies such as the Border
Patrol, BLM and Forest Service could adapt to their particular needs.
Commercial applications such as ranching, RV towing, contractors and tow-trucks
could also be explored with this International chassis. Big obstacle will
be the estimated $60,000 starting price.
Looking over
this pickup prompted us to dream of other possibilities International
could be considering. We all know International had an interesting line
of pickups that lasted up to 1980. Remember the clever Scout Terra Suntanner
convertible pickup? And the Scout and Travelall were very capable off-road
SUVs. Could the company be considering a return to the mainstream pickup
market and building a rugged, classic-styled truck that is truly meant
for the working man? We’d love to see some ideas.
