KeriBlog

Cars, Security & a Peek into my Life

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.

 

The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE

Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE (base model) – $25,132

I had it only for one weekend, the booking just worked out that way.

Plenty of pickup from the 2.0L Hybrid Electric eCVT engine, that provides 141 hp with 129 lb.-ft of torque.

Then the handling surprised me… it responds really quickly upon initial steering input, and it’s tight and stable cornering. This car was quite fun to drive.

The interior is a bit busy for my taste. Too bad I didn’t notice the pole until blogging the photo.

Ample rear leg room, would tranposrt 2 adults comfortably.

Few manufacturers add secret compartments in.  Ford introduced one to their new 2013 Escape.

It’s behind the passenger seat.

The leaves on the right: I have a vague memory from a Ford event last year, something about the more leaves the better your eco driving is; you want to grow the most leaves.

The car’s stated fuel economy is 4.1L/100km, I got 7.0L.

2013 Ford C-MAX

I wouldn’t listen to me about anything fuel economy-ish. Everything gets left in Sport mode.

Features: Power lift gate, back-up camera, heated seats and panoramic roof are options; leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls come standard.

A great-handling hybrid.

 

 

The Great Water Assault of 2013

Monday afternoon, I returned the Range Rover Evoque, and picked up this week’s car – a 2014 Mustang GT 6-speed.

Stopped in Etobicoke for a burger, and to upload a news story.

Oh it’s raining now, should head home.

I took Lakeshore to avoid the parking-lot highway traffic, and then coming into downtown it turned into one of my most nerve-racking drives ever.

Because somehow I won the car lottery, and this Mustang belongs to a VP of Ford Canada.

Imagine?  Thanks for the trust, I’m 1 of 2 all summer huh? This stuff always happens to me.

I passed cars floating in the middle of intersections, you could almost see the water rising before your eyes.  It was the strangest thing ever.

I was impressed how calm the roads were, hardly any honking.

Non-residents: a freak of nature happened to the city last night, it was a rain assault.  90mm fell in 2 hours; the average July monthly rainfall is 74mm.

And poof, just like that Toronto was drowning.

And you saw the floating Ferrari California probably; the Toronto Star got the story behind it.

Check out BlogTO’s photo stream to see the carnage. The last photo is so odd. And here’s BlogTO’s “storm by the numbers” re-cap.  More than a hurricane-amount of rain in 2 hours!

The Mustang powered through no problem. The water was almost past the wells.

I got lucky and made it to the other side of the valleys, just before they became impassable. No no, like, made it home with 45-seconds-to-spare lucky #SoLucky

In the middle of the night, I woke up like GAH, went down to the garage, what if it flooded down there?

It started right away, and I sat there revving my first press V8 ahhh.