Prepare to Spend Over $500,000 for the Most Expensive 2021 Ferrari

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Seeing a high price on a Ferrari is nothing new. Famous stars have even snatched one or two for their collections. But for 2021, you’d better hold onto your hat. The Ferrari SF90 is the Italian automaker’s most expensive model yet. Here’s what this hybrid hypercar offers and how much you could pay for one.

What does the new Ferrari SF90 offer?

Let’s get this out of the way: The Ferrari SF90 has a laughable amount of storage space at three cubic feet, Car and Driver reports. But you don’t typically find that much in exotic cars anyway, so it’s no surprise. There’s still enough room to carry a few items, which is pretty much all you’d probably need for a drive in this PHEV. 

Because the focus is on performance, you won’t find many bells and whistles, but there’s more than enough to keep you happy. The SF90 offers an LCD screen, a six-speaker audio system, and an integrated navigational system. Voice activation is also included with the infotainment system. 

Plus, this Ferrari provides Apple CarPlay integration, but you won’t find the same with Android Auto. You’ll also get a backup camera and rear parking sensors but not much else. Again, the lack of amenities is typical for a high-performance car. 

The Ferrari SF90’s performance capabilities

The mid-engine Ferrari SF90 runs on a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and three electric motors. The powertrain harnesses 986 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Its V8 engine alone produces 769 of that horsepower. 

To help keep the SF90 stable, it comes with an all-wheel drivetrain and eight-speed automatic transmission whose gears shift quickly. That means you can expect some scorching acceleration times. Ferrari, of course, doesn’t disappoint. 

It can reach 60 mph in a searing 2.5 seconds. To complement the SF90’s speed, Ferrari offers a few driving modes to handle various situations. You can choose Hybrid performance, EV only, and Qualify. 

As for fuel economy, expect the gas-only mode to get around 18 to 22 mpg combined and about 51 to 70 MPGe in gas/electric mode. The driving range in electric-only mode is only around 15 miles. 

Is it worth the hefty price tag?

The Ferrari SF90 is a normal production hypercar, not a limited-edition one. So the automaker will produce about 500 models. But each will enter the over-$500,000 club. The base model carries a $511,250 price tag. It’s a lot of money to spend on a vehicle, so is it really worth it, especially when you have to keep certain rules in mind? 

Well, it depends on a few factors. Most people are drawn to the performance aspect of hypercars. You’ll find few will disappoint in that area, which makes spending the big bucks worth it in that case. 

Other consumers are more into a vehicle’s looks. The sculpted interior design of the dash, high-quality materials, and iconic prancing horse logo throughout the interior match the aesthetically designed exterior. Then there are the fun upgrades to choose from, like titanium exhaust pipes and color brake calipers, which will cost even more. 

Spending what seems like life savings doesn’t seem worth it, but some deep-pocketed buyers haven’t minded spending mounds of cash in the past. They’ve even taken to customizing it with their own specialized colors. 

To help offset some ownership costs, Ferrari provides limited and powertrain warranties covering three years or unlimited miles. Plus, it offers a complimentary seven-year (or unlimited miles) scheduled maintenance program, which takes the sting off the purchase price a bit. 

Overall, whether you choose the Ferrari SF90 coupe or convertible, you’re in for an extraordinary hypercar. Just be prepared to spend on it what you would pay for a home or two. 

RELATED: Your Ferrari Will Be Saved by the EV Revolution

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An Affordable Electric Porsche? It Just May Happen

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s a rumor going around that Porsche is making an affordable electric car. Could it be? The mystery sedan would be like the Porsche Taycan, but smaller. It would also be cheaper and although affordability is relative, it’s a move many Porsche enthusiasts will probably be happy to hear. The unconfirmed Porsche would likely rival the BMW i4 or the Tesla Model 3.

2021 Porsche Taycan | Porsche

What do we know about an affordable Porsche?

It would join Porsche’s current electric vehicle lineup which currently consists of the Porsche Taycan and will include the electric Macan in 2023. It would probably cost around $70,000 which may not sound affordable, but we’re talking about an electric Porsche. 

Still, it’s not a definite yet. This means that specs like its engine, horsepower and range are all unknown factors. It could possibly have two powertrains: a rear wheel drive and a four wheel drive option. However, it’s possible that it will be similar to the Porsche Taycan. 

It could be one of the first electric vehicles built on the Porsche-Audi platform

The black interior of a 2021 Porsche Taycan.
2021 Porsche Taycan | Porsche

Porsche and Audi are sister companies and part of the VW Group which also includes Bentley. Together the VW Group is building a new electric vehicle platform. Their platform is called the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), and it will allow both companies to expand their range of electric vehicles. The VW Group’s PPE is expected to sell seven million electric vehicles on their new platform in the decade following its release.

The second generation Macan would also be built on the PPE. An electric-only version of the Macan is set to debut in 2023. The PPE is also expected to be responsible for an electric Audi A6 and a crossover called the Audi Q6 e-tron. The mystery Porsche would likely be similar in size to the Audi A4, a staple of the Audi line. 

Although there’s no name for the rumored affordable Porsche, it’s possible that Porsche will use a name they registered in 2011 but hasn’t used: Cajun. 

It would be a competitor to the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3

A white BMW i4 with an artistic background.
2021 BMW i4 | BMW

If the affordable Porsche sedan becomes a thing – and there’s no guarantee that it will – it would likely compete against the supercool BMW i4. It could also compete against the Tesla Model 3, which is currently the best-selling plug-in electric car in the world. So yeah, it’s got its work cut out for it. 

When can we expect this mysterious affordable Porsche?

The black interior of a 2021 Porsche Taycan.
2021 Porsche Taycan | Porsche

It’s hard to have a hard debut date for something that’s still technically in the beginning stages of becoming reality. Still, with the Premium Platform Electric platform beginning to be used in 2022, it won’t happen before then. 

As more car manufacturers look toward an electric future, it’s no surprise that Porsche is looking to expand their lineup. They may also expand their partnership with Electrify America, which is the largest public charging network. If an affordable Porsche electric car does become a reality, there will be a lot of very happy Porsche and electric car lovers.

RELATED: Audi Phoned In the e-Tron EV-Here’s Why 

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This $10,000 Used Minibus Camper Van Will Show You What’s Out There

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Vanlife is calling, but man! A camper van can cost a seriously pretty penny. This $10,000 used camper van proves that you can actually find a livable van for around $10 grand. It’s a minibus camper conversion that will show you what’s out there, giving those that pine for life off the grid a chance to actually do so for a relatively small initial investment.

E350 Minibus Camper | Vanlife Trader

The $10,000 used minibus camper van

This minibus camper is a cool example of what RV shoppers can get in a used camper van for less than $10,000. It’s equipped with a fully converted livable interior. It’s a 1992 Ford E350 Shortbus with a neutral greenish-gray exterior and 200,000 miles on the odometer, listed on Vanlife Trader. This may seem high, but Motor and Wheels says that a Ford E-Series can last between 400,000-500,000 miles if it’s well-maintained.

A shortbus like this is comparable to the E350 vans in terms of maximum mileage. This camper offers solar, a stove, and even a furnace for winter travel. It has a diesel engine, so the fuel economy might be better than a gasoline option––depending on the fully-loaded weight.

Overall, this bus is a bit quirky. But it’s a promising picture of what buyers can expect for the $10,000 price point. It boasts off-road tires. In addition, the tires appear to have many miles to go before they’ll need replacing.   

But this Ford E-Series shortbus conversion only has 1 seatbelt

interior finish of the ford e350 minibus camper van convserion
Ford E350 Minibus Conversion | Vanlife Trader

According to the description, this 1992 E350 shortbus conversion only has one seat with a seatbelt. However, it sleeps three. This definitely could pose a problem. 

This type of interesting detail is worth noting for anyone who is perusing the web for their next adventure vehicle. While these conversions can look appealing in the photos, it’s important to pay attention to the little things. 

In fact, this problem exemplifies that there will almost always end up needing to be fixed before heading out on your first adventure in a freshly-bought used camper van in this price bracket. This minibus camper conversion is absolutely charming. However, it’s wise to do plenty of research before throwing down the cash. 

Finding a good used van for $10,000

Ford E350 Minibus Camper
Ford E350 Minibus Camper | Vanlife Trader

So, if you have about $10 grand to spend, you’ll likely end up with something older, with over 100,000 miles on it (although not always). As with any used item, it can pay to take your time browsing sales ads. It’s usually best to give yourself several months looking for what you want than rushing into anything. 

It’s also generally better to look for vehicles with a clean title. Also, get as much information about each prospective vehicle as possible. The last thing any RV shopper wants is to try saving initially only to end up having to put a bunch of money into repairs, etc., down the road. 

A good used camper van under $10,000 is definitely worth the hunt. However, when buying older and high mileage vehicles, proceed with caution. While these campers can prove reliable and ready for your next adventure, they can also be a headache for vanlife beginners that aren’t mechanically savvy. 

RELATED: Only 1 Full-Size Pickup Truck Earned a ‘Best Buy’ Badge From Consumer Guide

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The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Sounds Like an iPhone Name but Is a Work Truck Trim

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The future of pickup trucks is here, and it’s the F-150 Lightning Pro. Though that sounds like a high-tech and lofty moniker, it’s just the official name of the Lightning work truck. Here’s a look at all the practical and useful features of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning’s trims

So far, Ford has revealed four trims for its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. The lineup starts with the standard work truck — the Pro — and progresses to the next trim level, the XLT. Then there’s the Lariat and, finally, the Premium.

As usual, the higher trims will come with more features, but some folks want a simple work truck. Compared to the gas-powered F-150, the Pro is essentially the same as the XL because both are the cheapest trims with the fewest features. But, of course, like the gas-powered F-150, the Pro trim is still a capable, well-equipped work truck that’ll get the job done.

Will the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro be affordable?

Ford has priced the Pro trim just under $40,000 before destination fees or EV tax credits that owners may or may not take advantage of, Car and Driver reports. This is a very affordable price because the F-150 XL starts at just under $30,000, meaning the Lightning Pro costs about $10,000 more than the gas-powered F-150 work truck.

However, as Tesla fans already know, EVs don’t require as much maintenance as vehicles with combustion engines. Plus, EV owners generally spend less on fuel, and the savings can add up. Thus, overall, the Lightning Pro could make up that $10,000 difference by being cheaper to own in the long run.

But of course, options cost extra. One of Lightning’s more impactful options involves the battery pack. The Pro gets about 426 hp and 230 miles of range in its standard configuration. But shoppers can spend about $10,000 to boost those numbers. For a total of just under $50,000, the Pro can harness 563 hp and get 300 miles of range when equipped with the optional extended-range pack, Car and Driver reports.

The Pro trim can get the job done

Off the bat, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro will come in only one body style, according to Car and Driver. That includes a SuperCrew cab, a 5.5-foot bed, and a Class IV hitch. This configuration will allow the Pro to seat five people and carry plenty of plywood and other supplies and equipment. 

Speaking of plywood: The automaker claims the Pro can handle quite a bit of it. In fact, Ford says that when equipped with the available 9.6-kW extended-range pack, the Pro has “enough power to rip up to 30 miles of half-inch plywood.”

And every Pro has a built-in AC power source offering “2.4 kW of capability through four outlets in the Mega Power Frunk, two more in the cabin, and two in the bed,” Ford says. The truck can use that energy to power tools and even a home in an emergency.

RELATED: The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Gives Nap Time a New Meaning

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