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| Click to enlarge |  | | It's hard to see how big this truck really is until you stand next to it. | | | Click to enlarge |  | | Crowds of people explore the CXT on display at the 2004 SEMA show. | | | advertisement | | | | Click to enlarge |  | | Plenty of customization options are available for the CXT, including camouflage paint. | |
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| Click to enlarge |  | | The CXT offers an optional camera installed in the rear bumper, which displays images in the rearview mirror. | | | Click to enlarge |  | | The interior of the CXT can be outfitted with exotic materials such as ostrich or aligator skin. | | | Click to enlarge |  | | Unlike most pickup trucks, the CXT can be equipped with a dumping bed. | | | Click to enlarge |  | | If making a big impression is your goal, the CXT is the truck for you. | |
With so many wild vehicles in and around the Las Vegas Convention Center during the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show, it's hard for a single vehicle to attract attention—unless, of course, that one vehicle happens to be the world's largest production pickup truck.
Calling the International CXT, or Commercial Extreme Truck, a large pickup is a bit like describing the Grand Canyon as a rather large river valley.
Based on a platform that the International Truck and Engine Corporation uses for building dump trucks and snowplows, the CXT stands 9 feet tall, 8 feet wide and 21.5 feet long. The top of the bed sits more than 6 feet high. CXT's closest siblings are 20-ton haulers used by construction companies, governments and waste industries.
However, because its proportions are all correct for a pickup, the CXT doesn't seem that big until you get up close to it. Then you realize why the CXT has two levels of running boards just to get into the cab.
The interior of this behemoth is, naturally, quite roomy with seating for five. Originally designed to handle three firefighters plus all their gear, the back seat has almost enough room for MSN Autos' intrepid photographer, once he had scattered his requisite bags of essential camera gear. Both the driver and passenger seats have their own air suspension systems, providing comfortable driving pleasure.
The uncluttered cockpit is an unexpected surprise. The simple cabin layout has everything from a smooth-shifting Allison 5-speed automatic transmission to standard gauges. A large yellow knob on the dashboard engages or disengages the emergency brake, which lets out that telltale hiss when released.
Behind the Wheel and Truckin'
When our CXT pulled away from the SEMA convention center, traffic stopped in both directions, with motorists and pedestrians staring open-mouthed and pointing as we rumbled away.
I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to drive such a rig through Las Vegas; however, the CXT was very accommodating. It fits in a normal traffic lane just as an 18-wheeler would, but then again I wouldn't try taking a CXT through a fast-food drive-through. The altitude really gets you—it's like driving a building.
International does a great job with mirrors and cameras to help the driver remain aware of the vehicle's perimeter. Not only does the CXT have its normal side mirrors, a mirror over the door aims downward to show the driver what's out of view several feet below the window.
Given the truck's height and restricted rearward sight lines, the rearview mirror only shows cars that are about three vehicle lengths back, but not what's directly behind the truck. To solve this, International put a video camera in the CXT's rear bumper and a display in the rearview mirror. This device is mandatory for parking; however, in bright sunlight or while wearing sunglasses the display screen was difficult to see.
Handling? Let's just say the CXT handles like a truck with a curb weight of 14,500 lbs. It does handle speed bumps well, and with the air suspension both in the truck and within the seats it possesses a very smooth ride. The 7.6-liter International DT466 diesel engine produces 540 lb-ft of torque, so there's plenty of grunt to get this truck moving.
International reps told us the CXT will do around 80 mph; I decided to take their word for it rather than cause major havoc on the Las Vegas Strip. In actuality it would have never come to that—the air brakes provide impressive stopping power, although they're quick to grab and require a light touch.
Bob Mann, director of sales and distribution for International's Severe Service division, told us the CXT gets 8 to 10 miles per gallon of diesel fuel, which is not much worse than some of the full-size SUVs on the market. The CXT can put in some long hauls between fill-ups via its 70-gallon fuel tank.
You would expect a truck of this size to have impressive capabilities, and it does. The CXT can haul up to 12,000 pounds. The bed can also tilt and dump, which we found was a very convenient way for removing cargo: tilt the bed until the cargo begins sliding toward the tailgate—hey, it saves having to climb up inside. The CXT has full-time four-wheel drive with dual-rear wheels.
Goodies, Goodies, Goodies
Optional goodies inside the CXT include leather trim, a DVD player with drop-down 10.5-inch screens, a deluxe center console, reclining captain's chairs, a fold-down bench that can be used as a bed, walnut wood trim and a custom Alpine XM Radio / CD player. One of the vehicles on display at the SEMA show featured seats covered in ostrich skins, multiple screens for the DVD player and rich wood trim. Another display model was painted in camouflage—although I'm not exactly sure how this truck could hide in the woods.
The CXT is built to order, so additional levels of customization are possible, and most of these trucks will be purchased for commercial use. Mann also noted that International originally planned to build just 80 of these big pickups, but interest has been so high that there are now around 350 to 400 on order.
Not only does the CXT offer impressive capabilities, it makes quite an impression as well. "The International CXT is a truck for businesses that want to promote themselves as much as perform," said Rob Swim, director of vehicle center marketing strategy at International. "While there is nothing tougher or more extreme on the market than the International CXT, it is as much a statement of success as it is performance."
After our joyride we arrived back at the Las Vegas Convention Center, engaged the emergency brake and turned our truck over to the International folks. My only regret: I forgot to try the air horn.
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