Bremach T-Rex Review
Posted in : Truck Reviews | Jan 19, 2012 | Comments 0
Tyrannosaurus or T-Rex was bipedal carnivore having a big skull that was balanced by heavy and long tail. It had small forelimbs and was quite powerful for its size. It also had 2 clawed digits. The length was about 43 feet and T-Rex was known as one of the biggest meat eating dinosaur.
Just like actual T-Rex, this Bremach T-Rex is quite imposing and quiet. Bremach is making trucks in northern part of Italy since the year 1950. In the year 1970, this automaker started devoting their engineering skills to 4 WD vehicles, and were mostly sold in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. This explains why you don’t get to see them on road more often.
Things are going to change now courtesy of Bremach USA, a North American OEM. Right now, they are importing cab shell and the chassis assemblies for different applications. The finished automobile is made in factory at Southern California. As drive train specialists, Bremach is offering T-Rex along with power plants which include diesel, natural gas, gasoline, and hundred percent electric, with the other fuels like propane will follow.
Standard engine of gas will be 6.0-liter GM’s Vortec V-8. HP is 323 running at 4600 rpm and torque of 373 pound-feet is at 4400 rpm. Initially, the diesel engine will be 5.9-liter Cummins, I-6 24-valve, that is available along with the out puts which ranging from 235 hp and 460 pound ft. to 325/610. It is sold as “Remanufactured Autmobile” and this Cummins will come along with full warranty and might not need urea injection, ultra-low-sulfur diesel, or needing to meet some of other EPA and CARB restrictions for the diesel trucks of 2011.
Fully electric model has some limitations of range, but the Very Low Voltage (VLV) brushless, DC motor permanent magnet operates just at 114. It gives about 300 hp, and it can hum down high way at about 65 mph with range of 100 to 200 miles, depending on the load and speed. This truck can be the best one for any dock or short delivery work.
Series T-Rex hybrid model has used VLV motor as generator. When 100-kWh lithium ion battery reaches its specified limit, 2.2-liter Ecotec GM gasoline engine which has hp of149 at 5600 rpm starts recharging battery and powers drive train. VLV motor employs regenerative system of braking charge that is being made by Bremach USA for the Bremach of Italy.
The transmission on the Bremach T-Rex includes GM 4L85E Automatic, Allison, and manual if you request for it. Bremach comes with 4×4 full-time along with hubs of automatic locking and a locking rear and center differentials. Both rear and center diff locks are pretty hydraulic. A diff front lock along with the mechanical control too is available.
An 8-solenoids block controls locking rear and center differentials ad about three PTO ports from Bremach (standard) transfer case, and from Allison transmission and the engine as your options. The standard one is four-ratio BK 20 Bremach transfer box. Optional four-ratio BK 20 box too is available.
This is Class 3 extreme duty truck having pay load capacity of about 3.75 tons or 7500 pounds. The GVWR is about 14,000 pounds. For handling this load, the straight axles have heavy-duty parabolic leaf springs, gas-charged double-action shocks, and rear and front stabilizer bars. Big dual-circuit Brembo disc brakes are quite standard (same as the ones used by Lamborghini and Ferrari), and have ABS Bosch system which lets disengagement of ABS. Under the heavy loads, sensor of weight modulates bias of ABS brake accordingly. Both 17- and 16-inches wheels are offered. T-Rex which I got for testing was running pretty aggressively at LT Nitto 37×13.50 R20 Mud Grappler tires, having max 3800 pounds load capacity at psi of 65.
Unlike Mercedes Unimog and Swiss Bucher Duro, this Bremach T-Rex is multi function work horse. Unique frame of Bremach has steel tubes having 4 inches diameter that is inspired by technology of aerospace. They are welded to additional sub section for maximum rigidity and strength. The available wheel bases are 102.0, 135.6, and 122.4 inches.
The muscular exoskeleton cab of this truck is like a rollcage. All steel cab gets mounted on bushings of high-strength for reducing vibration. Thermo acoustic sound absorbing panels in steel floor, doors, and fire wall reduce noise further. Four and two door models have fully adjustable Bremach suspension seats. The dial indicators are adjusted to weight of occupant.
Dash layout of the Bremach T-Rex is basic and quite easy to read. Center multipurpose console come with necessary gauges that are relevant to power train in use. One option includes full information display along with back up camera, and multi media including music, GPS navigation, video, phone, photos, XM,DVD, Internet, WiFi, weather, and also full access to engine OBD-II sensors.
Electric versions have system of battery management. If there is satellite or Internet connection, the vehicle’s location and the mechanical condition can be watched from almost any where on the globe. An over head console contains Sony audio system which sends the tunes from iPod or CDs to the Sony speakers. Power steering and A/C are all standard. I was disappointed to see that there isn’t cruise control.
In spite of the imposing stance, gravity center is pretty low. Bremach has ground clearance of 11 inches, 31-inches fording capabilities, departure angle of 44-degrees, and 48-degrees angle of approach. There are not a lot of back roads that the Bremach can not traverse. 69.7 inches max width makes it easily maneuverable in the tight places. To compare, the Ford F-Series Super Duty pick up is about 79.9 inches.
Single glance at T-Rex and you will realize that this is pretty compact and purposely built machine with out any fat. The wraparound tubular bumper on the front leaves some room for winch. Functionality is enhanced due to high-intensity hella lights and driving long-range lights. Rear bumper has a hinge and a locking pin both side for folding up to get better departure angle. Bremach is offering side panels with remote control on cargo bed which rise up to give you easy access.
I tested T-Rex on hills out side of California, Chino close to Bremach America’s facilities. It was powered by V-8 6.2-liter out of Corvette. This configuration is similar to 6.0 liter engine that Bremach will be making available. Transmission was GM 4L85E 4-speed.
Along with empty bed, the Bremach T-Rex had a pretty stiff ride. However perhaps with full load it would have been smoother. Number of leaf springs can be reduced by Bremach for using it as daily driver. I didn’t take it 4-wheeling or for rock crawling, but it looks pretty likely that this T-Rex can make it very easily. On highway, my ride was a bit choppy, but even with traction aggressive tires, the road noise amount was pretty acceptable.
Right now, Bremach US is taking orders. The delivery time is about 90-120 days as all of them are built-to-order automobiles. You get 3-year, bumper-to-bumper 30,000-mile warranty. Bremach T-Rex costs around $96,000 which is more than Ram 5500 or F-550.
