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Few things seem like more fun than bashing around the Maine woods in a Ford F-150 Raptor. And that’s just what America on the Road Co-Host Chris Teague did this past week. We’ve tested Raptors before but this one was equipped with an upgraded package that included 37-inch 50R17LT BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. Among other things, the beefy sidewall tires improved the ground clearance of the off-road marvel by over an inch. And they also had some other unexpected effects.
Power was never a problem with 450 horsepower readily available from the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6. It channels its power through a 10-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel-drive system and a two-speed transfer case. The Raptor’s suspension is remarkably supple, meant to glide over obstructions instead of confronting them.
The big question is this: after driving the Raptor with 37-inchers does Chris Teague prefer it to the Ram 1500 TRX? And what does Host Jack Nerad have to say about all that?
In addition to having his own opinions about the Ford F-150 Raptor Nerad also tested another off-roader this week — the Lexus GX 460. While the Lexus name doesn’t always conjure up an off-road image, the GX 460 is in many ways more at home on the trail than on suburban avenues. Underneath it is a truck that owes a lot to the fabled Toyota 4Runner. In fact, you could look at it as a more potent 4Runner since it is powered by a 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Its one of a dwindling handful of V8s left on the market and delivers more power than the 4Runner’s V-6.
With four-wheel-drive and 329 lb-ft of peak torque, the Lexus GX 460 offers a robust 6,500-pound towing capacity. And it has trailer sway control to enhance straight-line tracking with a boat or camping trailer behind. In all, the Lexus GX 460 might not be what many of its prospective buyers think it will be with virtues they don’t anticipate and foibles that might frustrate them. We’ll discuss all of that in this episode of America on the Road.
In the news, there is reason to be concerned if you’re sharing the roadways with drivers who are misusing some advanced driver assistance systems. According to a new study, many drivers are asking those systems to perform tasks they are not capable of handling. And the results could be tragic for them and for others on the highway. We’ll have the details on that coming up.
Also in the news, recent federal legislation has thrown the EV market up in the air. Now government trade regulators are in talks with their European counterparts to try to resolve the problems it has caused. But once the law has been passed can its obvious flaws be fixed? We’ll tell you our opinions next.
And there are new developments in the partnership between Honda and Sony on electric vehicles. They’ve set a date, though they don’t have a bridal registry anywhere. More to come on that too.
Our special guest this week is Brittany Grande, GM Field Service Engineer She and Host Jack Nerad will talk about the critical shortage of auto technicians that is currently plaguing the industry. It might represent a big opportunity for you or someone you know. General Motors has a program that can make a big difference. And we’ll talk with her about that.
All that and more is served up hot right here on America on the Road.
