G. David Felt

2022 ALL-NEW FORD BRONCO RAPTOR Let's start by getting the basic info of what all off road nuts want to know about this beast: All-new 2022 Ford Bronco® Raptor™, designed and engineered by Ford Performance to be the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV, is capable of highway-speed desert-dune conquering and Baja rock-crawling Bronco Raptor packs extreme Built Wild™ capability and durability with an exclusive twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine targeted to deliver more than 400 horsepower*, a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame, and standard 37-inch all-terrain tires At 9.8 inches wider than a base Bronco four-door for more confident high-speed cornering, Bronco Raptor epitomizes extreme Built Wild design with race-inspired features inside and out, accented by Raptor-family signature cues In comparison the standard Bronco to a Bronco Raptor. Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company had the following quote to say: “Raptor is the apex of our off-road lineup and is now a full lineup with race proven content and design that you can’t get from anyone else, Only Ford could create a Bronco Raptor!” To achieve this mile stone, Ford had to create a race proven foundation that starts with a Raptor-Specific frame that supports increased suspension travel, track width for handling stability during high-speed desert runs. This is then complimented by a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame with new shock towers that increase wheel travel and off-road durability. Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous driveline coverage from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case. This has been complimented by a 50% total body-in-prime torsional rigidity increase over a standard Bronco Four-door model in the upper body, B-pillar cross bar and C-pillar reinforcement. View additional chassis details at the link at the bottom of the article for enhanced views of the Raptor Chassis details. Ford delivered the following performance to the Bronco Raptor: Competition Performance axles Rear axle is an upgraded semi-float Dana 50 Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK with 235-millimeter ring gear Front axle is an upgraded Dana 44 AdvanTEK which includes half-shafts with 210-millimeter ring gear Upgraded front and rear axles increase track width by 8.6 inches (73.6 inches versus 65.0 inches) Larger Performance driveshafts front and rear to support increased wheel torque Minimum ground clearance of 13.1 inches, 4.8 inches more than a standard Bronco Advanced 4x4 system with 3 modes and a heavy duty high-capacity clutch designed to withstand the demands of performance events. Upgraded transfer case featuring a 3.06 4x4 LO ration for up to a 67.7:1 crawl ratio. Ford Performance and Fox created upgraded High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) Fox 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers Suspension height Sensors Auto adjusting 100's of times per second for maximum adjusted suspension tuning based on terrain Ford Performance Front and Rear control arms 13" of wheel travel Front 60% more than a standard Bronco 14" of wheel travel Rear 40% more than a standard Bronco BFGoodrich 37" KO2 all-terrain tires on 17-inch x 8.5-inch beadlock-capable wheels Performance Electric Steering with larger-diameter inner and outer tie road ends. Twin Turbo 3.0 Liter EcoBoost V6 for 400HP Performance Intercooling and Air-induction system 10-Speed SelectShift automatic transmission Raptor's G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System 7 driver-selectable modes including a tuned Baja Mode New for Bronco a Tow/Haul mode delivering a 4,500 pounds of towing capavility, 1,000 lbs more over a standard Bronco Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist and Trail One-Pedal Driving modes are also included Ford is putting everyone especially the Jeep Wrangler on Notice that there is a new Dinosaur in town! The Bronco Raptor will have its own exterior Raptor-Family Design cues and will be available in 10 different colors, to quote the press release: For even more Raptor-styling DNA, an available Bronco Raptor Graphics Package includes new splatter graphics on the rear bodysides and hood that use an overlapping broken trapezoidal pattern and floating shapes to present a sophisticated digital appearance. Exterior colors include Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Velocity Blue Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, Area 51, Cactus Gray, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Oxford White, plus Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange paint. Bronco Raptor Interior starts with the following: Bronco Raptor features a familiar heritage-inspired horizontal dash, integrating an all-digital 12-inch cluster. The cluster allows drivers to select from various views, including a Bronco Raptor-exclusive Performance View that emphasizes tachometer and gear readings and allows the customization of gauges. Bronco Raptor comes standard with a High Package that includes SYNC®4 with 12-inch touchscreen with swipe capability, information on-demand panel and enhanced voice recognition. Other technology features include an exterior camera with 360-degree viewing capability. The Lux Package is available for customers looking for even more human-centered technology, such as an available 10-speaker B&O audio system and Adaptive Cruise Control. Base Bronco Raptor models are equipped with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized washout flooring. The dark interior is accented with Ford Performance Code Orange splashes on the G.O.A.T. Modes rotary dial, dash vents, door netting, steering wheel stitching and Bronco logo on the instrument panel. Even the push-button ignition lights up in Code Orange. Touchpoints such as the grab handles, steering wheel bezel and gear shifter wear low-gloss carbon fiber accents. ​​​​​​​Owners can opt for upgraded features such as all-new laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel topper, leather-wrapped outer seat bolsters and carpet flooring. A thicker and sport-contoured steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters and gloss black Raptor logo center continues the Ford Performance treatment. Ford Performance-designed front seats are unique to Bronco Raptor, designed with aggressive foam side bolsters to help keep passengers firmly seated when the terrain gets nasty. Available Code Orange seat belts provide even more Ford Performance style. To quote the Ford Press Release: “The Bronco Raptor interior was designed around what we know hardcore off-road racers want in a vehicle,” said Ryan Olsson, design manager. “From the all-new Performance View on the cluster and unique steering wheel with paddle shifters and fingertip access to Raptor-specific controls, to its race-ready, high-bolster front seats, Bronco Raptor leaves the factory ready for the starting line.” Customers can start placing orders in March for their Bronco Raptor, the Majority of the 2022 model year will go to reservation holders. 2022-Ford-Bronco-Raptor-Tech-Specs.pdf Videos at Ford Media Center Ford Bronco Raptor Chassis images Ford Bronco Interior Images Ford Bronco Raptor Exterior Images Ford Bronco Raptor Desert-Racing, Rock-Crawling Images Desert-Racing, Rock-Crawling 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Debuts as Most Powerful Street-Legal Bronco Ever | Ford Media Center View full article

Interesting, Cadillac just launched the XT4 in china, it is a 48V mild hybrid AWD CUV. Where the US XT4 has 9 color choices and the same 4 banger Turbo Motor getting 26 mpg average, the China version being hybrid gets 31.6 mpg and 6 color options. https://www.cadillac.com.cn/suv/xt4.html https://www.cadillac.com/suvs/xt4

Seems the NACS - National Association of Convenience Stores has testified before congress wants to partner with the Federal Government to install fast EV charging at convenience stores across the US especially focused on the Rural sector according to the following story. Convenience stores want to bring EV charging to rural America (greencarreports.com) According to the NACS, 93% of America lives within 10 minutes of a convenience store and as such should have access to charging at these locations. Interesting quote from the writeup: And it wouldn’t be the first time the federal government has stepped in to build up the grid. By 1930, just 10% of U.S. farms were connected to the grid, and by the end of World War II, just 40% of U.S. farms had electricity. Just getting rural America connected to electricity in the first place took federal loans, administered by the Rural Electrification Administration established in 1936.

The Trail Boss electric Silverado should do well for Chevrolet. WOW, like this new video and the attention to detail on the truck. Very cool. Silverado-EV-BROLL (1).mp4

GM seems to have major announcements coming tomorrow for the state of Michigan. GM to Make Major Michigan Investment Announcement Since I cannot read the automotive news story as it is by subscription only, thank goodness others are posting about it as the details have leaked. Report: GM plans more Michigan EV assembly, battery plant (greencarreports.com) $6.5 Billion investment in two plants, 1 for EV battery production and 1 for EV auto assembly. The news says that $4 Billion is to be invested in the Orion Assembly Plant in Orion Township, Michigan as it will build the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra electric pickup trucks. $2.5 billion will be the battery production plant. Really liking the looks of the SilvErado electric pickup. Silverado EV (gm.com) Even the Work truck is not bad looking.

Wow, Maverick gas truck new orders on hold now too. https://amp.freep.com/amp/6634931001 Seems demand is so crazy that Ford is stopping new orders to manage customer expectations.

The latest updated Cyber Truck is still a FAIL to me.

Have you or Bill asked for a week of a Rivian to drive and review? That would be cool!

Another good read for those interested in how solid state battery tech is moving forward to commercial production. https://cleantechnica.com/2022/01/21/200-million-says-solid-state-batteries-will-soon-crack-gasmobile-death-grip/ YES, more and more you can read online people who have bought trucks and due to various ways of use such as off road or commercial where the desire is less maintenance. Once these trucks are out, no more oil changes, differential oil changes if in high dust use case as well as other use cases that have a need for more often maintenance, even diesel would like to have less maintenance. I do see companies changing over faster than expected. Fleets I see leading the way, this will create a positive impression for home use buyers especially a company like Skanska which is a launch customer for the GM work truck ev. That will give plenty of people both positive and negative impressions, but I expect more positive than those that wish to remain stagnant in past glory days of ICE.

One can always dream and dreams is what brings change. I will dream that we can have Style and BEV in the same setup. Yes, Yes, it is without all the smelly unburnt hydrocarbons. Yesterday had to deal with being behind a very noisy toxic spewing Power Stroke. So glad when we can get these destructive autos off the road.

Correct the same thing all the German brands have been doing and are doing now till 2030 when they also are scheduled to kill off all ICE sales. Maximize money potential while improving the BEV. I can totally see an Escalade V and Escalade V Blackwing in BEV using the 1,000 hp tri motor setup. You get the V at 750 hp and the Blackwing at 1,000 hp with a 0-60 3 sec run. Best yet is as @oldshurst442 posted, performance will be way better due to a lower center of gravity with the battery pack versus ICE. Best is yet to come for Escalade.

Rivian destroys the TRX as well as Tesla Y at the drag strip. Seems Rivian can do multiple runs without any battery prep unlike Tesla that needs an extensive battery prep. https://carbuzz.com/news/performance-truck-drag-race-850-hp-rivian-r1t-vs-700-hp-ram-trx

Seems LYRIQ has gone into full pre-production assembly. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mark-reuss_as-ive-said-before-our-people-and-manufacturing-activity-6889937412676489216-CUAQ You can see the LYRIQ coming off the assembly line.

OK, work is done for the day, I can now that I am out of meetings post more than the link. Gotta love the images!!! Cadillac-V-Series-lineup-expands-to-include-Escalade.mp4 Loving this blacked out version of the Escalade, best look yet I think. Only thing that would make it better is as @ccap41 stated, they should have kept the Vertical Headlights over the ones that are also on the Chevrolet and GMC.

They have not ruled it out, they say more to still come, so they could still do a BlackWing edition. I honestly could see using the 1,000hp tri motor Ultium in detuned form for an Escalade V and full power for a BlackWing edition with 0-60 in 3 seconds!

I actually believe we could see a pure form like this again in an EV format. I think we have not even begun to explore how we could optimize style in EV format yet. Love this car!

Totally agree with Michael Dell on this. One reason I love working at Dell. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/20/there-will-never-be-a-post-covid-world-michael-dell.html

Press release, liking what I see so far. https://media.cadillac.com/media/us/en/cadillac/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2022/jan/0121-escaladev.html More details to be released Spring 2022 for this 2023 V model. Lots of pictures at the link above. If Cadillac does a 650hp Escalade V edition then expect the aftermarket tuners to knock on 1,000 hp rides.

Really upper mid-west? I thought it was lower mid-west. Heck, I honestly am not that aware of where cities are in the mid-west, my bad.

Well, my head unit is getting flakey on my Escalade, and I have to say, I am liking what I see here in the Pioneer AVIC head units as they all can connect everything including maps wirelessly. Once a feature you had to pay thousands for along with a monthly charge to BMW. Now that BMW has given up on it, the tech is now coming out on 3rd party head units. Love that my phone can be in my pocket, and I still have full connection to the head unit. AVIC-W6600NEX - 6.2" - Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay® (wired/wireless), Bluetooth® - Multimedia Navigation Receiver | Pioneer Electronics USA AVIC-W8500NEX - 6.9" - Amazon Alexa, Android Auto™/Apple CarPlay™ (wired/wireless), Bluetooth® - Multimedia Navigation Receiver | Pioneer Electronics USA AVIC-W8600NEX - 7" - Amazon Alexa, Android Auto™/Apple CarPlay® (wired/wireless), Bluetooth® - Multimedia Navigation Receiver | Pioneer Electronics USA

Seems GM is going head-to-head with all the other GM parts online web sites as they have anounced they will launch via their Marketplace web site a online parts department to buy GM/AC Delco parts for all global GM auto's. General Motors Expands Digital Commerce with Launch of Online Parts Sales (gm.com) Welcome to Marketplace (gm.com)

Yes, only coworkers and my son's girlfriend as I do not know of anyone else though plenty have been reported due to the Washington monitoring app for infected folks around me. My wife and I take this very seriously and so our bubble of people we see is very small. Our kids and a couple next door who also sees no one else but us. We shop once a week and enjoy our home and yard, not spending time with anyone else. Yes, STL is a democratic city in the south. Yet with Vaccination, we still do have the spread of chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc. among the unvaccinated. Polio has pretty much been eradicated till the un-vax movement grew based on misinformation and now we have pockets of Polio around the world. As I have stated, 93% of the Covid cases in the Hospitals in just Washington State are due to unvaccinated people. The 7% that is vaccinated is due to additional medical issues. This proves to me that vaccination is very important, and I do care enough about my fellow humans on this planet that I DO NOT WANT YOU to have to go through what unvaccinated covid infected people have gone through. I truly hope you never get it, your choice as many of us have stated, but the risk of the virus infection versus vaccination to me makes sense that everyone should be vaccinated.

So far of all my coworkers in Boston that have had Covid have had to be hospitalized and were unvaccinated and that is 9 people that I know of and work with. The only other person is my son's girlfriend who is vaccinated and is at home. To me that is 100% unvaccinated hospitalized based on my knowing them to vaccinated not being hospitalized. Still a big difference. As far as health and fitness routine, that has been it with plenty of medical advice from the CDC to medical hospitals and universities that have stated vaccinated is a much safer course over unvaccinated. Yes, I make an assumption based on your location of STL and the rate of vaccinated to unvaccinated in comparison to other places that have a much higher vaccination rate. It is not hard to understand that politics have played a role in how one see's vaccination versus unvaccinated. This has also proven out in the comparison of college educated to high school educated only for who is vaccinated to unvaccinated. There seems to be a play on fears about this vaccination and you again avoided the expanded question by going back to only health and fitness. It is hard to not look at how one leans politically when you see our two major parties with one embracing science and medical advice and the other embracing radical conspiracy theories. Fine, I will consider you an Independent which is what I consider myself. I agree, let's not make this political. What is it about the Science, the mRNA technology that you feel not using it to boost your body's ability to fight this Virus?