By JOE YOGERST
Special Advetising Sections Writer

Even in this era of high fuel costs, pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles keep getting bigger and bolder. Anyone who thinks that Hummer is the ultimate expression of motoring muscle should take a look at the latest generation of super-sized vehicles.

King of the hill — until somebody comes up with something even bigger — is the International CXT (Commercial Extreme Truck), launched in the fall of 2004 as the world’s largest production pickup. Guaranteed to turn heads and intimidate other vehicles into getting out of its way, the CXT is 21 feet in length, two feet taller than Shaq (nine feet) and weighs twice as much as a Hummer (14,500 pounds). Aiding and abetting in its menace are waist-high tires and a gleaming silver smokestack to vent the powerful 466 diesel engine.

The vehicle’s $93,000 price — and its 6- to 10-miles-per-gallon fuel economy — doesn’t faze folks like actor Ashton Kutcher, Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Rose and late-night talk-show host Jay Leno, who have reportedly purchased CXTs. In an article in Popular Mechanics, Leno quipped that Hummers resemble Mini Coopers when he’s tooling around in his new CXT.

Built on the same platform as International’s snowplows and dump trucks, the CXT can haul six tons of whatever you want to slide behind it — a boat, trailer or maybe even a Rose Parade float — three times the payload of other pickups. Appealing to both recreational and business markets, the truck also offers towing, dumping and tilt-bed capacity, as well as all-wheel drive and genuine air brakes.

If that’s not enough to get your testosterone pumping, the CXT is also equipped with luxury comforts and high technology. The spacious and well-appointed cab seats five in individual bucket seats cushioned by an exceptionally smooth air ride. Optional upgrades include leather upholstery, wood-grain trim, reclining captains chairs, XM satellite radio, a rear-mounted camera (to increase visibility behind the vehicle), seat-back flat screen TVs and a drop-down DVD player, as well as a fold-down bench that converts into a bed.

And you can even get “ghost green” flames painted on the sides.

Another item in International’s bag of tricks is a commercial variant of its military SmarTruck. Developed jointly by ITEC and U.S. Army’s National Automotive Center, the International RXT is a medium-duty truck designed for heavy use under extreme conditions. Powered by a newly developed 4.5-liter, V-6 diesel, both the military and civilian versions deliver outstanding gas mileage and extended service intervals. Tom Cellitti, vice president and general manager of International’s Medium Vehicle Center, says the civilian version will hit the market in 2006.

Mainstream automakers also are jumping on the big and bolder bandwagon.

DaimlerChrysler introduced the Dodge Ram Mega Cab at the Chicago Auto Show in February. As the name implies, the vehicle offers more cab space (six inches) and interior storage than any other mainstream pickup. Dodge predicts that one of its biggest selling points will be a spacious backseat with reclining seats and optional DVD player. But the 345-horsepower V-8 Hemi engine will appeal to those in the market for a big, tough truck.

Also hitting showrooms this year is the new Lincoln Mark LT, the first pickup from Ford’s longtime luxury marquee. Already named “Luxury Pickup of the Year” by the Texas Auto x Writers Assn., the LT is a gussied-up version of the Ford F-150. Lincoln calls the spacious four-door cab “a true sanctuary” of luxury, outfitted with fine materials from all around the world, including steel, leather and genuine ebony wood. The truck’s many high-tech features include an overhead modular rail storage system, a backseat DVD player and a MP3-capable sound system.

Japanese automakers — who have long ceded the heavy end of the pickup market to their American counterparts — also are building larger models. Last year, Nissan launched the Titan Crew Cab, while Toyota introduced the Tundra Double Cab. The Tundra Double Cab is six inches longer than the largest Ford F-150 and five inches longer than the Titan Crew Cab. Powered by a 282-horsepower V-8, the pickup also offers plenty of oomph and payload capacity. It features the first power vertical sliding rear window of any truck in this class. Inside, there’s plenty of head, leg and shoulder room, and the Double Cab can seat six in the bench-seat cab configuration.

The Titan Crew Cab offers a number of its own distinct advantages, including a larger (5.6-liter) engine with 305 horsepower, more front and rear leg room and standard features like heated leather seats and heated outdoor mirrors.

Gearing up to meet the Japanese challenge, Ford will launch a Harley-Davidson Super Cab F-150 this fall with a souped-up 5.4 liter Triton V-8 engine that kicks out 300 horsepower. Paying homage to the legendary American motorcycle, this limited edition pickup will feature black exterior with plenty of chrome and orange stripes.

The equally menacing interior will be dominated by piano black veneer, black leather seats decorated with the Harley-Davidson logo and stainless steel foot pedals.

Joe Yogerst is a freelance writer based in San Diego.

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