An interesting thing happened in the Nevada Desert...

I was heading up I-95 this morning, and in the process of turning west onto CR/Hwy 157, I ended up in the MIDDLE of a caravan of some Dodge's or Ford's SUV beta testing. I was turning left, and they were turning right from the southbound lanes of I95, and one of the guys in one of the betas waved me in. I didn't even realize what they were until I was in the middle of it. The only thing I'd noticed was that it was odd seeing like 5 black and white trucks in a row like that. The guy that waved me in had what I thought was a bra on the front, but when I looked again, it was that cammo stuff they put on test vehicles. The progression was a Ram Dually in front, then a flat black or dark grey full size SUV-4 door, then a white Ram p/u, then me, then another black, cammoed Ram/Ford SUV (when I got in line, he dropped back and stayed about 200yds behind me, wouldn't get any closer. Then finally, another white Ram.

I couldn't get any pix, as the guy behind me stayed too far back, and I was blocked in front by the white Ram. However, I was able to get a look at the trailing SUV when I got over to a turn lane, and I stayed there and got a good look as the guy went by. It was a full size, 4 door SUV, cammod front and back ends (black cammo). Best I could tell from the lead SUV, it had Ram tailights (as best I could see through the cammo). The headlights were definetly ROUND, w/ a small circular turn signal located just inboard and below the headlight. The headlight cluster itself looked somewhat squared, like the new F-150, so the Rams may have been a decoy. They could have been new Expeditions, based on the new F-150.

If anyone has any interest, post a link to any known Dodge or Ford SUV concepts/spy shots that are out there, and I'll tell you if that's what I saw. I personally have no interest in SUV's, but it was kind of neat being in their little parade, even if the guy behind me backed way off ( I was in a Stratus rental, so at least I fit in). Anyway, if anyone cares, post something. Would be neat if it turned out to be some Magnum SUV beast I suppose, but it looked like just another full size SUV. They were heading up to Mt Charleston, not sure if that's normally a hot spot for testing or not.

The new expedition came out sometime last yeas as a 2003 year model. About the only changes i foresee would be engine changes as the 2v 4.6's and 5.4's get phased out in favor of the 3v design.

What you may have seen might be some new full sized Expedition/Tahoe competitor from Dodge.

Dodge Durango?

It's supposed to be slightly larger, and due to be replaced next year.

Maybe they're bringing over the Dodge Ram Charger from Mexico?

Did you see somthing like this?>click me (http://www.popularmechanics.com/popmech/auto3/durango.jpg)

Could be, but the cammo was different. It wasn't as extensive as what was in that pic. It was only "bra size" on the front. I'll tell you though, after seeing about 75 F-150 ad's yesterday, the headlights were clones of the F-150 headlights, round w/ the little circular turn signal just inboard and below the headlight. If it was a Durango, The ripped off Fords front end.

It'll be interesting to see what it turns out to be, but I guess some Magnum Durango was hoping for too much.

You did say I-95 right? Hmm maybe misread your post and if I did I apoligize: anyways I always thought I-95 was on the east coast.

Originally posted by lymelizzard
You did say I-95 right? Hmm maybe misread your post and if I did I apoligize: anyways I always thought I-95 was on the east coast.

I read I-95 also, are you sure it was I-95, because that's down the road from me and I'm on the east coast.

Sorry, state hwy 95. NB out of Vegas, not I-95. My bad.