DETROIT -- It’s been four years since Bollinger Motors hatched plans to build ultrarugged, seriously capable off-road trucks that just so happened to be electric. The automotive press this week got a first look at the trucks that will lead the Detroit-area company’s charge into production: the four-door B1 SUV and the B2 pickup.
At first glance, the trucks look similar to the concept B1, other than two extra doors (removable, as are the roof panels) and the B2’s pickup bed. Indeed, production versions retain the general look, feel and attitude of the concept-prototype, though engineers say they’ve benefited from a series of tweaks and improvements large and small -- not surprising, given the rapidly evolving state of EV tech.
They've also picked up a number of details and touches belied by the simple, boxy overall looks. For example: The raised strips running the length of the trucks' cargo load areas, as well as the interior door pulls, are made of wood salvaged from old church pews. The dashboard air vents are long, perforated cylinders that resemble nothing so much as machine gun barrel shrouds.
Output is impressive: Bollinger claims 614 hp and 668 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is 100 mph; getting to 60 mph takes just 4.5 seconds. So, not quite a Taycan, but stunning considering the size of these things; they are, after all, considered Class 3 trucks, thanks to their 10,000-pound gross vehicle weight. (Curb weight for the B1 is 4,800 pounds and for the B2 is 5,000 pounds.)
There’s a 120-kilowatt-hour battery crammed in between the wheels, giving both trucks a 200-mile estimated range. On a Level 3 DC fast charger, you’ll be able to top it up in 75 minutes. Charging with a 220-volt Level 2 unit takes 10 hours. Rapidly developing battery technology is one reason Bollinger is leading its production push with four-door trucks. For now, it’s easier to fit a battery providing acceptable range into a larger vehicle.
At each corner is a geared portal axle hub, helping the trucks achieve 15 inches of ground clearance. The suspension is self-leveling, so the trucks will ride right even if you put the stated 5,000 pounds of payload capacity to the test. The trucks will also tow 7,000 pounds.
The trucks can handle water, too. In fact, Bollinger's chief engineer, Karl Hacken, said the accessories in the dashboard, such as the gauges and radio, prevent the trucks from operating submerged. You should be able to ford three feet of water with no problems.
