All hope for an armistice in the pickup truck power wars appears to have been pushed out of a seventh-story window. Although General Motors currently has bragging rights over Ford and Dodge (er, Ram), it seems Ford is fervently working on a few small revisions that could once again crown it king of the hill.

Presently, GM’s revised 6.6-liter, twin-turbocharged Duramax diesel V-8 cranks out 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque — roughly seven horsepower and 30 pound-feet better than the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V-8 offered in the new 2011 Ford Super Duty. According to the folks at PickupTrucks.com, that could change within the next several months.

According to the truck enthusiast site, Ford is working on a high-output version of the 6.7 Power Stroke that could produce around 400 horsepower and “at least” 800 pound-feet of torque by tweaking the engine controller. This coincides with earlier reports that suggested Ford could easily tune the engine to produce more power, but it seems the revised ECU may be accompanied by a few hardware changes to either the engine or transmission.

If all goes according to plan, look for the upgraded Super Duty trucks — possibly billed as 2011.5 models — to roll off the line in Louisville, Kentucky, later this year.

Could we see a diesel counterstrike from GM or Dodge/Ram? Perhaps, but not in the near future. We’ve heard Chrysler is working with Cummins to release the full potential of the turbo-diesel inline-six, although a revised package may not arrive until 2012 or so. GM, on the other hand, has admitted its current Duramax is as far as the company can go without crafting an all-new engine.

Source: PickupTrucks.com

DVD owner’s manuals and free iPads are cool, but both a bit less than practical in their own right. Chrysler has decided to skip ahead of all that and put the information you need right on your smartphone with free apps for your new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram or Fiat product.

Available first on the iPhone and following soon on Blackberry and Android, the applications are free to download from their respective app stores online. Apps will be available for every Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat model and function like an interactive owner’s manual, though they’re intended to complement the DVD owner’s manual, not replace it.

In addition to a database of general vehicle, warranty and service information as you would find in the owner’s manual, the apps also include product feature demonstration videos, direct connections to Chrysler social media sites, branded accessories and Mopar performance parts and connections to 24-hour roadside assistance and customer support.

“With our vehicle-information app, we are taking customer care to a new level by creating a convenient, on-demand channel of communication with our customers,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. “Creating this new channel of communication will enhance the customer experience. And it’s a great example of how we can add value to our vehicles and build brand identity. This new app will also be a source for potential customers to learn about our vehicles.”

The first version of this app will be available for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, launching June 20. Apps for other models and brands will follow throughout out the year. In a video demonstration, Tweddle Group, which designed the apps, showed how the app can give vehicle highlights, shop online for Jeep gear and Mopar accessories, check maintenance logs and access customer care either online or by phone.

“Tweddle is pleased to extend our long-time relationship with Chrysler Group by enhancing the consumer relationship with their vehicles through mobile applications,” said Andrew Tweddle, Tweddle Group President and CEO. “This app will provide Chrysler Group’s customers with a dynamic tool that will enable them to get the most out of the features and capabilities offered in their new vehicles.”

Source: Chrysler