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GMC Sierra v. Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Pickup Trucks

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Branded Harley-Davidson pickup trucks have been quite a commodity for motorcycle enthusiasts and longtime patrons. At the beginning of production in 2000, early versions of cross-branding were done with the Ford F-150 to highlight customer appreciation for trucks. The relationship lasted for 12 years, with Ford selling more than 70,000 specialty models.

After many years of cutting production, Harley-Davidson joins with the Tuscany Motor Company to redesign top truck models like the GMC Sierra and the classic Ford F-150 for their 2020 year. Let’s take a look at what new features come equipped on the special edition Harley-Davidson truck models.

Summit White and Onyx Black Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra

2020 Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra

The current-generation GMC Sierra gets a surprise visit from Harley-Davidson after many years of relying on Ford to be their brand of choice. With the help of Tuscany Motor Company, the redesigned GMC Sierra comes packed with 65 new performance enhancements, interior alterations, and exterior buffs to bring the truck to life.

Subtle Harley notes and modest color choices of Onyx Black, Summit White, and Satin Steel Metallic make these trucks a stunning appeal for any consumer looking to get a special edition truck. However, with only 250 models being produced, these trucks will be a hard commodity to get a hold of.

Performance Features

The GMC Sierra version comes stock with a 10-speed automatic transmission, 6.2-liter V-8 engine, creating a total horsepower of 420. Performance upgrades like a new BDS suspension, FOX performance shocks, and lateral stability bars give this new Harley-Davidson model a ride like no other GMC.

The truck also comes with new 22-inch Harley-Davidson-exclusive Fatboy motorcycle-style wheels and all-terrain Toyo 35-inch tires to complete the look.

Accessories

While performance features are essential, the Sierra wouldn’t be complete without proper Harley-Davidson finishes and improvements on the interior and exterior.

Some noteworthy details that Tuscany upgraded are the front-end grille design that has the Harley logo stamped throughout and the lifted skid plate that has an integrated LED light bar installed. The orange tow hooks and grille outlining complete the Harley-Davidson style exterior design that this truck ultimately needed.

This Sierra sports a special Harley-Davidson front fascia.

Inside, Harley-Davidson went all out, including name branding and logo finishes throughout. Touches like a glowing orange dashboard, a Harley-Davidson center console design, and orange diamond-stitched leather seats set this model apart.

Every inch of this truck has a Harley-inspired element, all the way down to the bar-and-shield logo carpet floor mats.

Price

GMC Sierra diamond-stitched leather interior.

No special-edition truck comes cheap though. With only 250 models planned, the price jumps up to $94,995 MSRP. These models became available at authorized GMC dealers beginning of February 2020.

You can also view the full line up at Tuscany Motor Company to preview the full list of available performance features and design enhancements.

Grey Harley-Davidson Ford F-150

2020 Harley-Davidson Ford F-150

After stopping production in 2012, Harley-Davidson first debuted their Ford F-150 model seven years later in 2019. With the return of the duo a success, Harley and Ford recently followed up with an even better 2020 version. The Ford Raptor-inspired pickup truck gives us a subtle glance at Harley-Davidson heritage mixed with the bold nature of a Ford.

Performance Features

Both the GMC Sierra and Ford F-150 trucks have similar hints of Harley-Davidson features with the customized grilles, FOX performance shocks, and the 22” Fatboy motorcycle-style wheels. However, the main difference between both these trucks lies under the hood.

Harley-Davidson Branded Supercharged V-8 Engine

The Ford F-150 comes stock with a Harley-Davidson branded 700+ Horsepower 5.0-liter supercharged V-8. To support this upgraded engine, Tuscany installed a performance air intake with a high flow filter, an aluminum intercooler, high-performance fuel injectors, and a performance programmer tuned to 700+ HP. This 2020 engine is a large improvement to the 5-liter V8 or the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine options that were installed on the 2019 Harley-Davidson F-150s.

Ford supercharged V8 with an orange cover.

Accessories

Other redesigned aspects of the Ford F-150 include very similar upgrades to the GMC Sierra. Each car is equipped with orange stitched diamond leather seats, an orange dash, an improved center console with the Harley-Davidson emblem and numbered console badge, and billet racing pedals. The true difference that makes the Ford and GMC apart from one another is the added detail to the engine put in the Ford F-150.

Special Edition Orange Dashboard Gauges

The Ford F-150 price tag is somewhat comparable to the GMC Sierra model, but with the added benefit of a supercharged 700+ HP engine, the price tag goes up to $107,725 without the added taxes or fees associated after purchase. There is still no known release date and no production number rumored at this time, but it may be similar to the 250 mark that caps the GMC Sierra. To view a full list of upgraded features visit the Tuscany Motor Company website.

The Harley-inspired F-150 instrument panel.

Now Trending: Special Edition Trucks

From first thought, it seems odd that a motorcycle company would cross industries to brand a truck. However, Harley-Davidson might be ahead of the game trying to bring recognition back to their brand after recent improvements to target a younger demographic. With Harley-Davidson being backed by a strong culture, it makes sense to continue branding in other areas like merchandising, event planning, and now, again, automotive redesigning.

Seeing as it has been quite a success from recent years, it leaves the question as to if other businesses or industries will begin reaching out to car re-designers like Tuscany to do different branded vehicles.

Tuscany has already been doing special edition vehicles on a large scale, but with consumers looking for more collaborations like with Harley-Davidson, what stops other businesses that have a cult following like Ferrari or the NFL from designing their own trucks throughout the next 10 years? What kind of car collaborations would you like to see?

To view the full list of trucks that are being redesigned, check out the Tuscany website.

See Also — Brake Pad Replacement

Pickup Truck Specifications

GMC Sierra Specifications

Performance Features:

• 6.2L V-8 / 10-speed auto
• Horsepower: 420 / 313 @ 5600 (SAE certified)
• BDS suspension designed for the Harley-Davidson Truck
• Exclusively tuned FOX performance shocks and lateral stability bars
• Front end alignment
• 22” Harley-Davidson Exclusive Fatboy style wheels
• 35” Toyo on/off-road all-terrain tires

Interior Accessories:

• Custom leather seating w/ orange diamond pattern embroidery w/ “Harley-Davidson” Badging
• Piano black accented door panels, console, & dash trim
• Redesigned center console w/ Harley-Davidson emblem and official numbered Harley-Davidson console badge
• Harley-Davidson bar & shield logo carpet floor mats
• Harley-Davidson branded door sill inserts
• Harley-Davidson stainless steel gauges w/ black lighting
• Harley-Davidson billet pedals w/ bar & shield logo
• Deep tinted windows

Exterior Accessories:

• Front end alignment
• Tire sensors recalibrated
• Exclusive power running boards w/ rock guard trim and entry lights
• Color-matched Harley-Davidson designed fender flares
• Custom-matched Harley-Davidson designed fender flares
• Custom-designed front fender vents w/ bar & shield logo
• Harley-Davidson door badging
• Harley-Davidson front bumper redesign w/ accent color skid plate and integrated led light bar
• Full replacement grille assembly w/ bar & shield mesh and “Harley-Davidson” badging
• Harley-Davidson orange tow hooks
• Harley-Davidson designed induction style hood
• Harley-Davidson windshield header
• Color-matched rear bumper redesign
• Performance tuned exhaust with duel billet tips & orange accents
• Tonneau cover w/ debossed bar & shield logo and carpet liner
• Harley-Davidson branded bed rug (floor mat only)
• MSRP: $94,995
• 3-Year/36,000-mile warranty

Ford F-150 Specifications

Performance Features:

• 5.0-liter V-8
• Harley-Davidson branded 700+ HP supercharger
• Performance air intake w/ High flow filter
• Aluminum Intercooler
• Upgraded high-performance fuel injectors
• Performance programmer tuned to 700+ HP
• Performance rear traction bars
• BDS suspension exclusively designed for Harley- Davidson
• Harley-Davidson exclusively tuned FOX performance shocks
• 10-speed automatic transmission.
• 22-inch Harley-Davidson Exclusive Fatboy style wheels
• 35-inch Toyo on/off-road all-terrain tires

Interior Accessories:

• Custom leather seat covers with orange diamond pattern embroidery and Harley-Davidson badging.
• Accent color door panels, dash & steering wheel trim
• Harley-Davidson numbered edition console emblem
• Harley-Davidson logo carpeted floor mats
• Harley-Davidson door sill logos
• Harley-Davidson stainless steel gauges
• Billet racing pedals
• Deep tinted windows

Exterior Accessories:

• Power deploying lighted running boards with rock guard trim
• Painted rock guard end caps
• Painted custom fender flares
• Painted front fender vents with bar and shield logo
• Harley-Davidson lettering on front doors
• Painted custom front bumper cover with skid plate
• Full replacement painted grille assembly with accent color
• Honeycomb insert grille
• Honeycomb inserts in the hood
• Led light bar integrated into the front bumper cover
• Front tow hooks
• Full replacement functional ram air hood
• Raptor style hood insert
• Harley-Davidson windshield header
• Flowmaster performance-tuned exhaust
• Dual billet aluminum exhaust tips with orange accents
• Painted custom rear bumper covers
• Harley-Davidson branded tailgate cladding
• Harley-Davidson painted Tonneau cover with carpet liner and embossed bar & shield logo
• Harley-Davidson branded bed rug bed liner
• Front end alignment.
• MSRP: $107,725
• 3-Year/36,000-mile warranty

Photos copyright Tuscany Motor Company. All rights reserved.

Cadillac to Ditch Latest Naming Convention

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GM’s luxury brand plans to return to its traditional naming roots.

This Cadillac XT4 will eventually sport a traditional nameplate

There’s good news for anyone who cannot stand Cadillac’s current model naming convention. GM’s premier marque will soon begin transitioning its model names away from the current alphanumeric nomenclature to names that make sense, according to a report in Automotive News. The automaker announced the change as it laid out its plans to roll out dozens of electrified vehicles over the next decade.

Out With the Traditional

Cadillac began ditching its traditional names in the early 2000s, when the Seville became the STS and the DeVille was renamed the DTS. These changes took place as Cadillac introduced the CTS, its smallest sedan. However, one model name never changed — the Escalade (SUV), which immediately built a bling-loving following all its own.

Cadillac not only changed the model names once, but they changed them again beginning about five years ago. Its SRX crossover became the XT5, and then was followed by XT4 and XT6 models. As for the ATS and CTS sedans, these were replaced this year by the CT4 and CT5. In the interim, Cadillac rolled out the CT6, but even that model is slated to disappear in 2020. And don’t forget the Volt-based ELR, which lasted only a few years before it was canceled.

GM’s other brand never embraced an alphanumeric nomenclature, although Pontiac was on its way to making that change before the brand was canceled a decade ago. Indeed, Pontiac used G5, G6, and G8 to distinguish several models, although they still used names such as Gran Prix, Solstice, Torrent, and Vibe for the others.

Cadillac Follows Lincoln

The Lincoln brand, long Cadillac’s chief rival, has also done an about-face regarding its model names. For over a decade, Ford’s luxury marque used names that began with MK (as in Mark) and followed by a third letter. The MKC is now the Corsair and the MKX was replaced by the Nautilus. Like Cadillac, Lincoln reserved a traditional name for its largest model, the Navigator SUV.

Cadillac and Lincoln experimented with using European naming conventions for its vehicles, but eventually realized that consumers don’t like them. Whereas the European brands have used them for decades, American consumers never embraced the trend.

No Timeline Set

Cadillac hasn’t announced when its naming convention will start transitioning or what names will be used. We do know a new electric model is slated for 2021, which is about the same time a new Escalade debuts. There’s also a rumor Cadillac will get a sports car based on the mid-engine Corvette. If it does, it most certainly won’t resurrect the XLR name used to identify an earlier Cadillac model which also was Corvette derived.

See Also — Not Again! Cadillac’s Naming Convention Adds a New Designation

Hypermiling Defined!

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Disclaimer: Never put yourself or other drivers in harm’s way when practicing some of these techniques which may, incidentally, be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Hypermiling with three pedals at the ready.

There is a group of people on the roads who seek to squeeze more miles out of a gallon of fuel than seems scientifically possible. Known as hypermilers, these individuals examine the EPA fuel ratings for their vehicles, then find ways to beat those numbers by 5, 10 or 20 or more miles per gallon.

Hypermiling may seem like some off-beat way of driving, but it just may be something that you are already embracing in a bid to save fuel. Let’s take a look at hypermiling and what it means for those who participate in this fuel-saving strategy.

Hypermiling Defined

Simply put, hypermiling is a process where car owners make adjustments to their vehicles or to their driving techniques (usually both) in an effort to maximize a vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Such drivers typically operate their cars at lower speeds and engage in coasting to maximize their mileage. You should know that not every method here is safe and Auto Trends isn’t endorsing the practice, but we are pointing out the strategies that some drivers employ to increase their gas mileage.

Enhance the Tires

Importantly, never do anything with your tires to potentially harm them. Tires should always have sufficient tread and be inflated to the car manufacturer’s recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) rating when cold. Some drivers opt for low-roll resistance tires, which can increase fuel economy, but may also affect handling.

What some hypermilers like to do is to attach wheel skirts to the rear wheels in a bid to better manage airflow, a method used to increase fuel efficiency. If you install skirts, ensure that they are securely fastened, otherwise, they may fall off and litter the highway.

Kill Your Comfort

Serious hypermilers also resist using the air conditioning as they know that the climate control system is a drain on fuel efficiency. It is a comfort-killing method that can be brutal to employ on a warm day.

But keeping the A/C off isn’t enough — all windows must be tightly shut, otherwise, wind drag will adversely affect fuel economy. As you might imagine, this step is only for the truly dedicated people who can withstand intense heat and the odoriferous results.

Cruise and Speed Control

One of the best ways for all drivers to save on fuel is to activate the cruise control at highway speeds. However, you do not want to activate the cruise control when roads are wet as you may inadvertently cause your vehicle to spin.

Hypermilers, though, may not rely on cruise control as they prefer to be in control of the car’s speed at all times. On the highway you can see them in the right lane, typically going well below the speed limit and hugging the white line on the right side of the far-right lane.

Where hills are involved, a hypermiler practitioner may build some momentum while climbing and then cut off the engine while moving down the hill, coasting his way along before restarting the engine. This step is possible only if the steering wheel doesn’t automatically lock when the engine is turned off. As long as you have control of the wheel and your foot is ready to apply the brake, you can pursue this option.

Go Light as in Real Light

If the previously mentioned tips are leaving you frowning, there are some other methods of achieving higher fuel mileage that may be more to your liking. Certainly, a number of hypermiler techniques seem extreme and some are not particularly safe.

For the rest of us, you can squeeze more miles out of a gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel by doing the following:

1. Empty your trunk. For every 100 pounds of stuff in your trunk or behind your back seat, your vehicle fuel economy will fall by about 1 percent. As you might imagine, smaller cars benefit more from removing junk than larger vehicles.

2. Remove your roof rack. If you carry anything on the roof of your car, wind drag will harm fuel economy, dropping it by as much as 25 percent according to the EPA. Hypermilers not only avoid this practice, but they are also likely to remove the roof racks. However, they don’t stop there — some drivers remove the back seat and anything else inside the vehicle that can save weight without compromising safety.

3. Idling is awful. Hypermilers live for green lights and will often time their driving to avoid stops of any kind. You can’t always avoid the lights, but if you are stopped at an intersection for more than a minute or are waiting for a freight train to pass, cut off your engine and you will save fuel.

4. Start slowing and avoid braking. You will kill your fuel mileage if you employ any number of aggressive driving techniques, including rapid acceleration, quick braking, and speeding. Hypermilers essentially crawl away from a stop and gradually build back to their intended speed. When it comes to braking, they often do so only when absolutely necessary, timing their driving to pass through synchronized green lights.

Hypermiler Considerations

Devout hypermilers also employ a number of other strategies to help them improve their fuel economy. On highways, some prefer to ride immediately behind an 18-wheeler, allowing the big rig to absorb wind drag. The problem here is that some ride too close to trucks, thus the rig driver is not able to see them in his mirrors. Where a safety issue exists, avoid that practice.

Smart ways to save on fuel involve taking roads that are less traveled, taking advantage of tailwinds and avoiding crosswinds as well as headwinds. Taking to the road when the weather is warm, where traffic is light and when road conditions are favorable are other ways to save fuel. And if you have a GPS system, use it to avoid traffic delays or what can seriously hamper your fuel economy.

Notes

Jalopnik: Hypermiling Is Awful And I Sort Of Hate It — http://jalopnik.com/hypermiling-is-awful-and-i-sort-of-hate-it-1647016853

Ecomodder: 109 hypermiling / ecodriving tips — http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php

FuelEconomy.gov: Driving More Efficiently — http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp

See Also — Driving Green With the All-New 2016 Toyota Prius

Photo attribution: Public domain photo via Wikimedia.

8 of the Worst Car Names of All Time

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A car’s name is supposed to evoke respect as well as engender consumer interest in a product, but sometimes manufacturers choose an identity that does just the opposite. In some instances the car’s name may simply be a cultural mistake, what sounds right in the native tongue, but translates badly elsewhere.

We can’t always say for certain why a manufacturer would choose a particular (bad) name, but we can identify some of the worst car names of all times and the history behind those models.

Daihatsu Charade

1. Daihatsu Charade — Do you remember Daihatsu? If you don’t, no worries. This tiny Japanese automaker sold cars in the US briefly during the 1990s before pulling out of the market. One such model was the Charade, a compact car. Merriam-Webster defines charade as, “something that is done in order to pretend something is true when it is not really true.”

In this example, Daihatsu pretended to offer a competitive model, but customers found that the joke was on the manufacturer and never gave its products much love. After its US exit, Toyota took advantage of its controlling interest in Daihatsu to have the company supply it with various Scion cars for the US market.

2. Studebaker Dictator — Studebaker was one of the earliest US car manufacturers. In fact, it got started as a wagon manufacturer in 1852 before producing its first automobiles in 1897. In 1927, the company released the unfortunately named Studebaker Dictator. The automaker chose the term because it believed this model line composed of coupes and sedans “dictated the standard” for the industry.

What it caused was much angst, especially in European markets where Mussolini and later Hitler came to power. Studebaker began marketing the car as the “Director” in some countries, before canceling the name abruptly in 1937 as Europe was heading toward war.

1936 Studebaker Dictator.
1936 Studebaker Dictator.

3. Buick LaCrosse — In the US, the name “Buick LaCrosse” is acceptable. It may not have a formal meaning, although if it was written as Lacrosse, then everyone would know that it referenced the sport. But LaCrosse has another meaning, something French Canadians correlate with self gratification.

Yes, GM didn’t discover that odd play on the product’s name until after the fact, so the sedan was introduced as the Allure in Canada. However, GM later switched back to the LaCrosse moniker, using a new marketing campaign to demonstrate to Quebecois that they had the sport in mind and not something customers might deem inappropriate.

2015 Buick LaCrosse (own photo)
2015 Buick LaCrosse (own photo)

4. Dodge Dart Swinger — The Dodge Dart name has been revived, but a sub-model nickname that suggested promiscuity was not brought back this time. And for a good reason too.

Indeed, in the late 1960s when people began to experiment with “free love” in earnest, the “Swinger” appellation was ascribed to the hard top version of the Dodge Dart coupe. No one knows for sure why Dodge’s parent, the Chrysler Corporation chose the lively name, but it is certain that amongst certain mavericks it invited not a few winks and nods.

Dodge Dart Swinger
An early ad for the Dodge Dart Swinger.

5. Volkswagen Thing — One of the oddest vehicles ever built was the Volkswagen Type 181. It was classified as a military vehicle, a four-door convertible that shared its mechanical underpinnings with the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus. When this vehicle was offered in the US, it was called the Volkswagen Thing.

The moniker wasn’t entirely inappropriate as the Thing defied easy description and categorization. Perhaps the lack of a coherent reason for the vehicle is why it was pulled from the US market in 1974, just two years after it was introduced.

Volkswagen Type 181 (Volkswagen Thing)
This Volkswagen Type 181 was also sold as the Thing.

6. Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce — One of the longest running and smallest models produced by Mitsubishi was the Minica, a “kei” or city car introduced in 1962 and cancelled nearly six decades later after eight generational changes. Available as a coupe, sedan or a wagon, it wasn’t until the sixth generation was introduced that a special name was ascribed to a new model and thus the Minica Lettuce was born.

That hatchback model with two doors on the passenger side and one door on the driver’s side was certainly different — perhaps it was for that reason marketers thought that “Lettuce” was a clever name too. Well, customers didn’t understand the salad connotation and four years later the new generation Minica was changed by Mitsubishi from “Lettuce” to “Toppo.” Whatever that means!

Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce
This Mitsubishi Minica yielded a Lettuce variety.

7. Honda That’s — Another kei car with a strange name was the Honda That’s. Perhaps inspired by the Volkswagen Thing, the diminutive Honda was a five-door “tall wagon” hatchback, an odd design at *that* — yes, you can see where this is going.

Honda That'sIntroduced in 2002 and in production through 2006, the “That’s” name was revived the following year, then dropped. That’s all folks!

8. Volkswagen Touareg — What the heck is a Touareg anyway? We know that Tiguan is a cross between the German words for “tiger” and “iguana,” but Touareg seems a bit more mysterious.

Well, it turns out that the vehicle was named for the Berber speaking people of North Africa, as Volkswagen admired the people’s strength and adaptability. These are a semi nomadic people whose economy is based on “breeding livestock, agriculture, and trade,” according to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. It is also one of the hardest pronounced car names for English-speaking folk.

Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg.

Best of the Worst

There are several other worst car names that did not make our list. These include the Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard, Mazda Scrum Truck, Renault Wind, Ford Probe, and the Mazda Laputa.

Oh, as for La Puta, that translates to “the prostitute” in Spanish. Ouch!

Photo Credits

1. Daihatsu Charade; Rudolph Strickler

2. Dodge Dart Swinger; Chrysler Corporation advertisement

4. Honda Thats; Honda of Japan

5. Mitsubishi Minica; TTTNIS

6. Studebaker Dictator; Loco Steve

7. Volkswagen Type 181 a/k/a the Thing; Sven Storbeck

8. Volkswagen Touareg; Volkswagen Group of America

See Also — 5 Models at Deaths Door

7 Models Deserving a Mercy Killing

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The auto industry is filled to the rafters with models and in the US alone, there are nearly 300 of them, including various permutations of the same — standard and extended wheelbase, for example.

Some models such as the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Silverado, and the Mazda 3 are golden to the manufacturer, and are so ingrained within the brand that without them each company would be in a far different place.

But there are others that wouldn’t be missed, including a few that look as if they have been beaten with an ugly stick. Yet still others may have been the right model for perhaps a season, but the market has since changed and a mercy killing is in order. Our list of seven mercy killing worthy models begins with the worst first.

1. Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi i-MiEV (copyright Wikipedia.org)

What can you say about his homely electric vehicle that hasn’t been said before? Besides having an incomprehensible model name that fortunately has been shortened simply to “i,” this electrified Mitsubishi i-MiEV hatchback has never been a gamer.

You can blame the vastly supported and more technologically advanced Nissan Leaf for making this model largely irrelevant. But that would overlook a simple point: the “i” is ugly, is loaded with cheap plastic parts, and has a short 62-mile electric-only range.

Its low $22,995 starting price and available $7,500 federal tax credit is its only appeal. And selling no more than two dozen models per month doesn’t imbue confidence in a brand that appears ready to exit the US market. In this case, maybe Mitsubishi needs a push.

2. Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass (copyright Wikipedia.org)

The Jeep Compass along with the Patriot have forever changed this quintessential American off-road brand, but not in a good way. Similar models based on the same platform that once underpinned the retired (and boring) Dodge Caliber, the Compass is the tamer looking of the two. It also looks like a toy Jeep and it certainly doesn’t behave much better.

Both models do the Jeep brand much injustice as they have the exterior visage that suggests something far more sophisticated, but aren’t able to deliver a true off-road experience. But that’s what you get when you settle for something that isn’t as rugged as the Wrangler or as refined as the Grand Cherokee. A new model to replace both is in the works and when it appears the Compass and the Patriot will mercifully cease to exist.

3. Lexus CT 200h

Attacking anything Lexus is a risky proposition as Toyota’s luxury brand routinely leads all customer satisfaction surveys. Diehard luxury enthusiasts often criticize the marque as not having the pedigree of a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz, but that hasn’t stopped shoppers from buying a Lexus. The thinking with some is, “your definition of luxury may be different than mine.” Meanwhile, Toyota is laughing all the way to the bank.

Unlike its German competitors, Lexus does not augment its fleet with fuel-saving, performance-oriented diesel models. Instead, Lexus relies on a Toyota staple — hybrids — to fill out its generous product line. It is a strategy that works most of the time, although the forgettable and very much Toyota Corolla-like HS 250h Hybrid was mercifully killed after just three years.

Lexus CT 200h

Another model that should go on the chopping block is the Lexus CT 200h. It has a Lexus face (and whether you like the spindle grille look or not is a matter for a separate conversation) plastered to a hatchback body. On closer inspection, it doesn’t take much to imagine a Corolla hatchback.

As with any Lexus, high-end materials and a high-quality build are this small hybrid’s strong suits. That advertisers say that it “eats asphalt” is terribly misleading. It simply does not. Giving this model the HS 250h treatment would go far in lifting the brand. Or now that Toyota has finally found turbo nirvana, outfitting it with a proper powertrain just might work.

4. Lincoln MKT

Lincoln MKT

Lincoln MKT (copyright Wikipedia.org)

The Lincoln MKT is an example of a product that does everything to detract from a brand. Then again, others may contend that the MKT accurately portrays what Lincoln is all about — humdrum, if not ugly models that offer only a pretense of all things luxury.

Where should we start? This wagon-like crossover utility vehicle is dominated by an oversized, double-wing grille. It looks like it wants to bite. Its profile is all wagon, but the rising beltline at its rear quarter points to a jumbled mess. The wraparound rear lighting assembly only adds to the busyness, leaving people speechless or crying out in agony.

Falling sales of the MKT and for the similar, but downmarket Ford Flex may signal this model’s demise. Its available turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 may give the MKT a lot of punch, but that sole redeeming feature cannot mask a truly hideous design.

5. Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge Grand Caravan

Minivans are now maxi-vans as they have grown in proportion through the years. The segment also peaked more than a decade ago with most families now choosing SUVs, especially crossover utility vehicles. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are considered the best of the lot with models from Chrysler, Kia, Dodge and Nissan somewhere further down the purchase consideration list.

The current Dodge Grand Caravan and the similar Chrysler Town & Country have been around since 2008. Both advance a boxy persona and are about as drab of a pair of minivans you can find anywhere. The current generation Town & Country has come to an end as a new model will begin production next Feb. 29 in Canada. Unfortunately, the Dodge Grand Caravan will continue “as is” through the 2017 model year before it rides off into the sunset. In our opinion, its end cannot come soon enough.

6. Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat (copyright Wikipedia.org)

Volkswagen may be the largest car manufacturer in the world, having wrested control of that honor from Toyota this year. The German automaker knows how to build cars, but the one thing they haven’t solved is the finicky and persnickety US consumer market.

Take the Volkswagen Passat….please! What could have and should have been a standout model is anything but that. Sure, it meets many of the basic requirements for the segment and adds in a diesel option where its competitors fear to tread. But its style is just not exemplary enough to interest consumers. Yes, the Passat is more like the Camry and the Honda Accord, but Volkswagen doesn’t have the stellar reputation of either manufacturer. Volkswagen needs to talk with its upscale sister, Audi, to understand the US market. It also needs to rework the Passat so that it is less passive and more aggressive in its countenance.

7. Hyundai Azera*

Hyundai Azera

Hyundai Azera

The Hyundai Azera gets mentioned here, but with an asterisk by its name. That’s because there is nothing inherently wrong with this model, rather it is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Hyundai updated the Azera in 2012, following a very successful update of the midsize Sonata, and the release of two larger and more luxurious Genesis and Equus models. But it is the two models immediately below and above the Azera that are sucking the life out of this large sedan, competitor to the Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, and the Nissan Maxima. Indeed, the Azera has only one more cubic feet of cabin space than the Sonata, yet costs thousands of dollars more. Further, the top end of the Azera segment meets the lower end of the Genesis sedan. These two factors likely account for the reason why sales are only about one-third the 20,000 units Hyundai thought this model could sell. In this case it would be better to kill the Azera and to concentrate on the product line winners here.

Let the Mercy Killings Begin!

Chances are the manufacturers will be slow to kill off the worst of the lot or modify the same. However, consumers not only voice their opinions, but they vote with their wallets. And that’s why all seven models featured here are selling far below the numbers that each respective manufacturer thought possible.

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine unless specified otherwise.

Making a Case For a Jeep Pickup Truck

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Secretive FCA Meetings Reveal New Jeep,
Dodge, Ram & Chrysler Products

See Also — Not US Bound: Ram 700 Pickup Truck

For several days this week, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) dealers have been in Las Vegas, previewing upcoming Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models. Like two such meetings held previously, the dealer representatives cannot bring smartphones and cameras to the Mandalay Hotel ballroom where the products are being showcased.

Automotive News and other sources were speculating on just what products will be revealed. We already know that the next generation Chrysler Town & Country is one of those vehicles, including a plug-in hybrid variant intended to shake up the segment. A three-row Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a compact Chrysler 100, and the next generation Dodge Journey are also likely taking the big stage.

None, however, will likely draw as much interest as a pair of midsize trucks destined for Jeep and Ram dealers. Jeep at least is a sure bet for the new model, one that would be based on the platform underpinning the next generation Jeep Wrangler.

Although our sources are mum (at least as of this writing) that a Jeep pickup truck will happen, Auto Trends has connected the dots and sees the long-rumored truck finally becoming a reality. This is how we believe FCA makes a case for the pickup truck.

1. The midsize pickup truck segment is back.

Jeep Pickup -- J12 Concept.

Jeep J-12 Concept.

The US manufacturers each exited the midsize pickup truck segment around the same time three years back. Ram had the Dakota, Ford the Ranger and GM offered the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Unlike Ford and Ram, GM promised to make a return.

GM kept its promise and the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon have returned with a big splash. The new pickup trucks have had such a positive impact on the market that even Toyota credited GM’s trucks with breathing new life into what most had thought was a dying segment. Indeed, Toyota told journalists previewing the next generation Tacoma earlier this month that the new GM trucks have benefited the segment as online searches for midsize trucks are up sharply. Further, sales of the 10-year-old Tacoma has also risen by nearly 20 percent year-to-date.

FCA has been watching the segment intently and sees room for additional growth. And with Ford now considering bringing the Ranger back, FCA will need to make its move now (Updated on Aug. 26, 2015 to reflect breaking news about the Ford Ranger).

2. It justifies the cost for an all-new Wrangler.

Jeep pickup -- Gladiator

Jeep Gladiator concept.

When FCA stated that it might transfer Wrangler production abroad and build a unibody model, the faithful protested mightily. Likely, FCA had no intention of shifting production or emasculating Jeep’s standard bearer. Instead, they wanted to gauge public reaction. But they also knew that they needed to justify the cost of devoting a dedicated platform to the Wrangler.

Yes, Jeep sales are up across the board, way up in new markets at that. There is a lot of room for growth, but that alone isn’t enough to justify the cost of spending northwards of $1 billion on a new Wrangler.

Fortunately, another product can be based on the Wrangler platform and that would be a pickup truck. Jeep faithful who follow the regular Moab Easter Jeep Safari product teasers have seen multiple variations on the Jeep pickup theme showcased. Whether that model will be based on the Comanche, Gladiator, J-12 or some other concept doesn’t matter. Jeep will get a pickup truck and it will sell like hotcakes.

3. Ram will help spread those costs further.

Jeep pickup truck.

Jeep Wrangler Sport pickup truck.

When you have two truck brands, you don’t dare neglect one at the expense of the other. Just as Chevrolet trucks and GMC are represented in the segment, Ram most likely will get a pickup truck of its own.

That theme was played out recently when both Fiat (500X) and Jeep (Renegade) were awarded with subcompact crossover SUVs. Both models share the same underpinnings, but have different bodies and unique interiors. The Renegade is suited for off road, the 500X for around town.

An all-new Ram Dakota will likely be differentiated to give each model certain distinctions to allow them to aim for different audiences. The Jeep pickup might be better suited to tackle the Toyota Tacoma with its own trail-rated capabilities while a Ram pickup might battle the GM models in all things payload and trailering. Look for an assortment of four- and six-cylinder engines (2.4- and 3.2-liter gas; and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel) paired with nine-speed transmissions.

Eyes On: Upcoming Auto Shows

I have friends in FCA dealer places and may learn early on what the automaker has going on. Unfortunately, I’ll be muzzled from sharing this information with you, but a pair of upcoming major auto shows in November (Los Angeles) and January (Detroit) are logical places for Jeep and Ram pickup trucks to debut. Stay tuned!

Jeep pickup photos copyright Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Affordable Leases For Under $4,000 Per Month

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Aston Martin Vantage GT

Leasing deals cover models such as this Aston Martin Vantage GT.

$4,000 per month for an automotive lease? Surely, you jest!

For well-heeled shoppers, $4,000 is the top-end cost of leasing a late-model used car, something few of us common folks can afford. Indeed, if we choose to lease most of us attempt to keep our monthly payments under $300 in a bid to acquire a late model BMW 3 Series or a beloved Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang or a Chevrolet Camaro.

Maserati Quattroporte

A tempting lease deal could put you behind the wheel of a Maserati Quattroporte.

Your Leasing Options

We may allow ourselves to push slightly above our budgets to acquire the car we truly want — what leasing makes possible — but to get behind the wheel of an Audi S8 or a Maserati Quattroporte, you’ll pay at least $1,600 per month in lease payments for that privilege.

Thanks to a news tip from Swapalease.com — the world’s largest automotive lease marketplace — we have learned that Aston Martin is now offering lease deals on several of its popular models.

2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Leasing may make this Bentley Continental Flying Spur attainable.

Current Lease Deals

Those deals range from $1,400 to $2,300 per month and include a Vantage GT for $1,400 per month, a V12 Vantage S for $1,900 per month or a Rapide S for $2,300 per month as reported by Forbes. Aston Martin is working with Ally Financial to handle its US leasing deals.

Swapalease.com parsed the data and found 11 additional high-end lease deals that are available today, as in RIGHT NOW:

  • 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith ($3,925 per month)
  • 2014 Porsche Panamera ($2,750 per month)
  • 2012 Porsche 911 ($2,474 per month)
  • 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ($2,600 per month)
  • 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class ($2,415 per month)
  • 2013 Maserati GranTourismo ($2,990 per month)
  • 2012 Maserati Quattroporte ($1,626 per month)
  • 2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur ($2,435 per month)
  • 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed ($2,875 per month)
  • 2014 Audi S8 ($1,829 per month)
  • 2013 BMW Alpina B7 ($1,685 per month)

Incidentally, the leasing company says that the Rolls-Royce lease deal “is the most expensive lease that they’ve ever had on the marketplace.”

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

In two years this 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class may be attainable.

 

Offering his comments about the high-end leases was Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com. Said Hall, “Even the affluent are focused on monthly payments today. It’s easy to understand why consumers with tight budgets would want a lease, which in many cases makes the auto budget more affordable on a monthly level. But when affluent audiences also look for monthly pricing it has become obvious that even the most distinguished car enthusiast is fixated on the payment, not the price.”

Behind the Wheel of an Exotic Car

And leasing may be more attractive than buying, especially for people who demand top-of-the-line models. Indeed, if conspicuous consumption is your thing, then acquiring a hot car, keeping it for a year or two, then moving on to the next conquest may be de rigueur for you.

Photos courtesy of Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz. 

8 Concept Cars That Should Have Been Built

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Concept cars reflect the dreams and aspirations of designers with not a little influence from engineering teams. Some manufacturers, such as Honda, routinely make their concepts a reality, while others tease us with amazingly beautiful visages then scrap their ideas completely.

Auto Trends — with not a little help from three contributors — has identified eight concept cars that we deemed should have made it to production. This diverse octet of teasers may not have been produced, but they still stir the imaginations of not a few enthusiasts.

1. Amory Lovins Hypercar

Lovins Hypercar Concept Car

Lovins Hypercar Concept.

You say you never heard of Amory Lovins? That’s a shame because this physicist and environmental scientist envisaged a concept vehicle in 1994 featuring an aerodynamic body with a low-drag design. And not just any design —Lovins’ idea included advanced composite materials or lightweight elements that are just now beginning to go mainstream.

Lovins, who heads up the Rocky Mountain Institute (a leader in all things sustainable), founded the Hypercar Center to validate the vehicle’s technical achievability and marketing possibilities. Shel Horowitz of FrugalMarketing.com made Auto Trends aware of the concept, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle that is lightweight, highly efficient and environmentally responsible.

Alas, Lovins’ dream has yet to become a reality, but the company that later took up his lightweighting mantle, Fiberforge, is now working with the aerospace, defense and automotive industries to develop lighter, stronger and recyclable parts. Notably, hydrogen fuel-cell cars are just now coming to the market, but from the major manufacturers.

2. Cadillac Elmiraj

Cadillac Elmiraj concept car.

Cadillac Elmiraj concept.

For more than a decade, Cadillac has teased us with several concept cars, with each one pointing to a possible range-topping model. The Cadillac Sixteen, presented in 2003, was the first of the trio, a concept powered by a 13.6-liter, V-16 engine. Few people expected that Cadillac would build this 1,000-horsepower testament to automotive excess, but it did demonstrate that GM had aspirations for its luxury brand.

Two additional concepts were introduced years later — the 2011 Cadillac Ciel convertible and the 2013 Cadillac Elmiraj coupe. In both instances, GM chose the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to make public these models.

Of the two, some analysts thought that the hardtop Elmiraj had the better chance of seeing production. That exquisite 2+2 grand coupe was powered by a twin turbo 4.5-liter V-8 engine making 500 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque. Although the coupe will not be produced, the styling cues do point to the 2016 Cadillac CT6, a top-of-the-range sedan arriving on the market for 2016.

3. Ford Bronco

Ford Bronco concept car.

The 2004 Ford Bronco concept.

The Mustang is not the only Ford product with brand cachet. To be sure, the Ford Bronco SUV has had its own core following, an SUV that made its debut in 1966 and immediately captured the hearts of off-road enthusiasts. The original model was small and manageable, but later generations were built on the F-150 chassis. However, a second model — the Ford Bronco II — had a brief appearance on the market, underpinned by the platform powering the Ford Ranger pickup truck.

Ford SUV fans have been clamoring for the Bronco’s return for years and in 2004 it seemed that the “blue oval” would help make those dreams become a reality. Specifically, at the 2004 Detroit auto show — North American International Auto Show — Ford pulled the wraps off of a Bronco concept powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine.

Paul Celentano, a self-described car collector and automotive historian (as well as a portfolio manager with Harbor Financial Services LLC, shared his desire to see the Bronco return, noting that “as a collector, there is great appeal in owning a usable classic, one with the charm and cult status of the original coupled with modern amenities and reliability,” of the new model. To Celetano’s disappointment, Ford never built the Bronco, deciding instead to go with a fleet of crossover utility vehicles, including the similar-sized Ford Escape.

4. Pontiac Banshee

Pontiac Banshee concept car.

This Pontiac Banshee concept looks like a Corvette.

For much of its life the Pontiac brand lived in the shadow of Chevrolet. In general, Pontiac was marketed as a performance brand, but Chevrolet had the hot vehicles and the favor of GM brass, chiefly because of its sheer size and scope.

That fact never stopped GM’s designers from producing a variety of concept vehicles down through the years for an assortment of brands to gauge public perceptions. For example, one concept — the enchanting Pontiac Banshee — was developed in four iterations spanning 25 years. That first model was the brainchild of John Z. DeLorean, who later brought us the futuristic DeLorean DMC-12.

Truly, the first Banshee (1964) pointed to the future third generation Chevrolet Corvette and also incorporated tail lights that would appear on the first generation Pontiac Firebird that would come out just a few years later. The original Banshee was never built because GM believed it would outsell the Corvette. Subsequent Banshee concepts also pointed to future Firebird models with some of those styling cues assumed by the Pontiac sport coupe.

5. Subaru B9 Scrambler

Subaru B9 Scrambler concept car.

This Subaru B9 Scramber was anything but benign.

That Subaru might someday build an honest to goodness sports car has long intrigued diehard fans. Of course, all-wheel drive sedans and crossovers are fine, but there is something about a charismatic sports car that stimulates excitation. And that’s where the Subaru B9 Scrambler comes in, a luscious sports car introduced at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.

Paige Arnof-Fenn, a Subaru Forester owner and founder of the Mavens & Moguls marketing firm, reminded Auto Trends of the Scrambler, an all-wheel drive sports car with a hybrid drivetrain and a variable ride-height suspension — just perfect for off-road travel. The two-seater concept had a 134-horsepower electric motor and a 138-horsepower gas engine — both could operate separately or together.

However, the B9 Scrambler was not to be although the “B9” part of the name later appeared briefly with the Subaru Tribeca before that large SUV was discontinued. Still later, Subaru worked with Toyota to produce the BRZ, a rear-wheel drive sports coupe powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. For its part, Toyota got the Scion FR-S and both 2+2 models share parts with a third model — theToyota 86.

6. Lincoln Continental Concept (2002)

Lincoln Continental concept car.

The first of two Lincoln Continental concepts.

Wait a minute — didn’t we just see the Lincoln Continental Concept at the 2015 New York International Auto Show? Indeed, you did. Likewise, that vehicle is already planned for production, although certain details (is it front- or rear-wheel drive?) remain unanswered.

The concept Lincoln Continental was not the first of its kind. Indeed, 13 years earlier Lincoln unveiled a concept that blended the styling cues of the 1960s-era Continental with a more modern, albeit squared-off design. That model featured a 414-horsepower, V-12 engine and was introduced at the 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show. Replete with a heritage grille and suicide doors, the sedan was thought by some as certain for production.

Ford never built the earlier concept, perhaps as it found itself bogged down with its own line of Premier Auto Group brands — Aston Martin, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover — to maintain. Whatever the reasons for the abortive earlier attempt, the latest model will become a reality although it looks nothing like the previous conception.

7. Hummer HX

Hummer HX concept car.

A Hummer HX with a Jeep Wrangler in mind.

Hummer’s reputation as a builder of bloated sport utility vehicles never helped its cause. Although there was one model that endeared itself to the mass market, the H3, it was still quite large despite sharing the same platform underpinning GM’s midsize pickup trucks.

At the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM introduced a concept Hummer HX model sized along the lines of the Jeep Wrangler. Its modern design, removable fender flares and second row seats, and leading-edge tech features were designed with young people in mind. And with a base price below $30,000, it had the potential to make the Hummer brand attainable for a broader audience.

The concept never became a reality as GM went bankrupt in 2009 and the Hummer brand was dissolved in 2010. However, some are insisting that the concept or something like it may yet become a reality, perhaps sold as a GMC model in a bid to do battle with the Jeep Wrangler.

8. Mazda Furai

Mazda Furai concept car.

Mazda Furai Supercar concept.

Mazda has achieved celebrity status with its now-retired RX8 and MX-5 Miata, but fans have long known that this small, Japanese automaker had aspirations that went far beyond its more common sports models. So, it was at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where Mazda took the wraps off of the Furai (sound of the wind), a Le Mans-inspired sports car.

The carbon-composite Mazda Furai probably would have been best suited for the track as it was powered by an all-new 450-horsepower Wankel rotary engine designed to run on E100 ethanol fuel. Indeed, this model did some track time, although it caught fire and was destroyed later that year.

Destroying a concept doesn’t mean that a road-ready model cannot be built. But its production reality was never seriously considered nor that of the five previous Nagare (flowing) models built within three years of each other. Instead, some of the design elements have since been incorporated within current Mazda products.

Unrealized Concept Cars

Our list of eight concepts represents only a small number of the hundreds of vehicles paraded before auto show attendees down through the decades. Do you think that at least one of the featured concepts should have seen the light of day? Are there other models that should have been built too? Feel free to leave your comments.

See Also — 7 Car Brands You Won’t See in the U.S.A. Anytime Soon

Steal This Car — With the Keys in the Ignition!

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Do you leave your car keys in the ignition? If so, why?

How easy is it to steal a car? Very easy — that is, if you leave the keys in the ignition.

Common sense tells us that leaving keys where thieves can find them is an invitation to the criminal element to make off with that vehicle. Stunningly, 126,603 vehicles were filched from 2012 to 2014 because their owners or someone else who had access to them left the keys in the ignition. That’s one of the findings from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in their latest report published this week.

Stolen Vehicle Crime Statistics

Keys in IgnitionKeys in the ignition thefts are on the rise even as overall vehicle thefts are on the decline. The NICB reports that 39,345 cars were stolen in 2012 because they had the keys in them. That number rose to 42,430 in 2013 and to 44,828 in 2014.

Such thefts also compose a greater slice of the overall thefts, rising from 5.4 percent in 2012 to 6.7 percent last year.

Overall thefts stood at 659,717 in 2014, down 5.7 percent from 2013. Remove the 44,828 keys in the ignition thefts figure and that inclusive number would have come in at 614,889 or at a level last seen in 1996.

Thank today’s anti-theft technologies with mitigating vehicle theft. And as additional newer cars replace older vehicles, that total should continue to abate. But helping people steal your car is simply counterintuitive.

The Purloined Conveyance

NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle reiterated the difficulty thieves have with stealing today’s technologically advanced cars. He also said that he wasn’t surprised by the theft trend and believes the numbers may actually be higher given that some people simply will not admit their mistakes, perhaps fearing that the information will become a matter of police report record or affect their insurance claim.

But there may also be another reason for keys left in the ignition — to commit insurance fraud.

Explained Wehrle, “We also see some cases where the owner gives up the car by leaving the keys in it to allow it to be stolen so that an insurance claim payment can help them get out from under a financial bind. Anyone who does that is committing fraud.”

Theft on the Go

Some thefts occur when people stop their car in front of a store, run inside to buy a cup of coffee or a meal to go, then return to where their car was idling, only to find it non extant. Certainly, those incidences serve as effortless invitations to thieves to abscond with your vehicle.

The NICB also provided the demographic statistics that scrutinized state date. In particular, where keys in the ignition purloining is most egregious.

Surprisingly not, California, the most populous state in the union by far, registered 19,597 incidences. Then we have Texas (8,796) followed closely in succession by Florida, Michigan and Ohio.

Five metropolitan or statistical areas also stood out with Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise reporting the most of these types of thefts with 6,185 vehicles appropriated. The metropolitan areas representing Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia and NewYork City were also conspicuous in this particular enumeration.

The Best Days to Peculate

And for those of you who are statistical wonks, there are certain days of the week, where such thievery is more likely to occur.

Specifically, Saturday saw the most thefts with keys (19,147) followed by Friday (18,719) and Monday (18,647). To be sure, the thieves must be in church on Sunday seeking forgiveness for their sins, accounting for why that day is not in the top three.

But that’s highly unlikely as certain as Monday follows Sunday.

See Also — In Just 22 Years, Car Theft Rates Have Plunged by 58 Percent

Photo courtesy of Penywise, via Morgue File

Do Your Wheels Hang Low? Compression vs. Droop for Rock Crawling

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rock crawling Jeep

There are countless ways to customize a 4×4: lifts, tires, shocks, light bars, armor – and that isn’t even touching on what you can do under the hood. With many modifications, a cursory Google search will turn up some ideas on the best build for a specific type of wheeling. This is not the case with the argument of compression vs. droop — not even close.

This is despite how important droop and compression are in any off-roading vehicle. As Dylan Peterson, content specialist at 4 Wheel Parts puts it, “Proper droop and compression ratio is just as important to a 4×4’s setup as lift height and tire size, but it’s usually just an afterthought once those parts are already installed.”

Every forum member has a different idea of what the best compression and droop ratios are and half of their opinions consist of “Well, it depends.” It is important to know that neither compression nor droop are the “most” important for wheeling: the truly optimal ratio would be 50-50.

However, a true 50-50 compression to droop ratio is virtually unachievable. Instead, for rock crawling, a 60 percent compression to 40 percent droop ratio is the number to aim for. Based on personal preference, there is plenty of wiggle room, of course. Generally speaking though, a crawler wants more compression than droop. Here’s why.

rock crawling Jeep
Compression, a/k/a “Stuff”

Compression, or how far up a wheel can be “stuffed” into the wells, is not only important for smooth riding, but also vital for an even distribution of weight.

Consider a Jeep JK attempting to crawl over a large rock, left front tire on the rock, right front tire on the ground. Having 60 percent compression means the body of the JK will remain almost straight while the axle tilts, stuffing the left front tire into the wheel well. This insures the JK’s center of balance remains stable, decreasing the likelihood of a roll or flop.

A high percentage of compression also means maximum traction while wheeling. If a wheel droops down, while it may be able to reach the ground, it may not be able to gain any traction because of uneven weight distribution.

Mike Finch, content specialist for 4 Wheel Parts says, “A stuffed tire has more traction than a drooped tire. By the nature of a vehicle, it takes a lot of psi to force a tire up into the well. That force is transferred into the traction patch. Any time you droop a tire away from the rig, you lose psi on the traction patch.”

With plenty of compression, all four tires are more likely to stay on the ground with the weight of the vehicle evenly distributed amongst them. Even if a tire were to lift from the ground due to extremely uneven terrain, with a good set of lockers (or even using the emergency brake to force the free wheel to stop), there will still be enough weight distributed amongst the other three to pull the vehicle forward.

Without the right exterior accessories, a high compression ratio does mean too much upward motion would mash bits together, bend metal and rapidly wear down parts. However, there are aftermarket accessories to prevent damage like this, such as bump stops, which work very well to protect precious parts.

Aftermarket fenders and a small to medium lift kit also serve to increase the amount of upward travel available to a 4×4, while a high percentage of compression decreases the likelihood of jamming an axle against the bump stops and losing control.

Additional benefits of a high compression ratio include a smoother ride and a decreased likelihood of bending or breaking an axle on whoops, drops and other obstacles.

rock crawling Jeep
Droop

Droop is downward motion – how far the suspension will allow a wheel to reach down below a vehicle, and it’s important for reaching into dips or crevices and maximizing axle tilt.

Without enough droop, the axle does not have enough room to move and the obstacles a 4×4 can take on will be severely limited. Without droop, a 4×4 wouldn’t be able to climb onto an obstacle on one side and keep its wheels on the ground on the other – they just wouldn’t be able to reach.

Without droop, the axle would compress excessively, sacrificing ground clearance.

Consider the same Jeep JK as before, crawling over the same rock. Without sufficient droop, as the left wheel climbed the rock, the right would be very quick to lift entirely off the ground. Even on relatively flat terrain, if the JK went through a dip or crevice on one side, not having enough droop would mean leaving at least one tire to dangle in space.

Droop helps with crawling obstacles and managing rough terrain. It increases a 4×4’s reach, so that at extreme angles of terrain the body can remain relatively level. However, droop in and of itself is not enough, just like compression would not be much use alone.

rock crawling Jeep
60-40

With too much droop over compression, a 4×4’s center of gravity climbs as the wheels climb, putting it at risk of a roll. Weight will not be evenly distributed, disrupting traction, and every bump and hiccup in the trail would be jarring.

“The farther up your axle can travel without disturbing the weight patch of the tire on the low side, the more stable your Jeep or truck will be and the more flex you can get before pushing the center of gravity of the rig higher,” says Finch.

With too much compression over droop, the vehicle’s reach would be severely compromised, meaning wheels may not be able to reach the ground on rough terrain and ground clearance would be sacrificed with every obstacle.

A rock crawler needs to be able to make the most out of the amount of static travel its axle has. A 60-40 compression-to-droop ratio does exactly that by ensuring weight remains evenly distributed and the greatest amount of traction is achieved. This ratio decreases the likelihood of a roll, makes for a smoother ride which is less likely to damage parts, maintains good ground clearance and increases driving control.

rock crawling Jeep
The Gist

Lowering compression to less than 50 percent of total travel sacrifices traction and evens weight distribution. It would be the equivalent of someone trying to walk down the stairs while only being able to bend their knees part of the way. It would make him uncomfortable, put him off balance and more likely cause this individual to go tumbling down the more his range of motion was limited. No matter how far his other leg might be stretched to reach the step below, he would be hindered by not being able to bend his knees completely.

Having less than 40 percent droop means sacrificing tire reach. Like someone walking down the stairs while only being able to extend their legs halfway, hopping step to step. They are only one wrong hop away from slipping and sliding down the steps on to their backsides because no matter how far their knees can bend, they cannot reach the next step with their other leg only partially outstretched.

Droop and compression work in tandem and optimally in equal amounts. However, not living in a perfect world means 60 percent compression, 40 percent droop is the most realistic way to maximize static motion and crawl the rocks like a pro.

Photos courtesy of 4WD.com.

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