Off-Roading in the 2013 Ford Raptor

Ford’s extreme pickup truck has a very enthusiastic fan base, but having never driven one, didn’t understand why.

Ford invited KeriBlog to Alberta a couple months ago, to test their F150 truck lineup, part of which was, “here’s a Raptor and a crazy course, have fun”.  I totally get it now.

The Raptor eats it, all unaffected.

 

(photo: Jeremy Sinek)

It’s a 6.2L V8 engine, outputting 411 hp and 434 lb-ft. of torque with a 6-spd automatic and 4-wheel drive

Comes in one trim only, love that.

Limited options include: a moonroof, bed-liners, and a graphics package, (say no to all). Front and rear cameras are extra, $1000 for both (meh, use your eyes).

2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Starting at – $56,599

Then around the track with Jeremy Sinek, chief road-tester at MSN Autos, and a far better driver than I.

Me losing control of my neck ha.

I also learned how to tow on that trip, here’s a video of that; and here’s another video about their clever infotainment input design.

Lastly, here’s the post about that Alberta trip, where the sky really is bigger, and the drive instructors are awesome.

 

Driving Off an On Ramp

It’s fun, for the 20 seconds it takes.

But then the detour you now have to drive sucks the fun away.

 

A Car Phone in 1930

Over 80 years ago, American inventor Hugo Gernsback foresaw phones in cars.

It was the 1930s, and radios were starting to be installed in cars. Gernsback wrote an article which imagined modifying them to send a signal, as well as receive one.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Not long after his article published in 1935, police departments around the country installed radios dedicated to dispatch. 

***

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index