Ready for a Factory Off-Road Van? Ford Considers Transit Trail for the US

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you think about it, a factory off-road van makes a lot of sense. Not because the buyer will use it off-road-few to none are off-roading Raptor and TRX pickups. But it makes sense for the same reason that most Raptor and TRX owners don’t off-road their trucks; they like that aggressive off-road look.

With the Ford Transit Trail, you’ll have a factory Raptor van

2021 Ford Transit Trail Europe | Ford

With #vanlife picking up, everyone wants a unique-looking van. And going off-grid is the goal. So an off-road-looking van definitely gives that vibe. It’s saying “Here’s someone that takes their van life seriously.”

Ford has such a van in Europe. It’s called the Ford Transit Trail, where “caravaning” is big. They’re not lifted, but they start with that Raptor-like grille with a big “FORD” right in the middle. 

Then, Ford adds 16-inch trail-ready wheels, black wheel-opening moldings, and all-wheel-drive modes to handle different terrain. From there it is up to the customer to customize the cargo area of their dreams. And if you want some extra headroom or need a longer platform you can order the tall version and/or the longer wheelbase model. 

Add Raptor 17-inch wheels and a custom interior

2021 Ford Transit Trail for Europe
2021 Ford Transit Trail Europe | Ford

Just adding a set of factory 17-inch Raptor wheel takeoffs would be a nice touch. And so would some solar panels and taller knobby tires. With a Moab sticker in the rear window, you’ll look like you take van life seriously; even if you’ve never ventured outside your zip code.  

The inside could be a fun family project, from planning the layout at the dinner table to buying and then installing what your plans call out for. And maybe the best part is that you don’t have to do it all at once. If the payments to Ford cut into the budget a bit you can take it one item at a time.

Or, if screwing the insides together isn’t your idea of fun, you can go to an upfitter who will do it for you. And really, if Ford wants to embrace its Transit Trail idea, it should offer different basic layouts from upfitters it endorses. That would really add incentive for off-roaders into the idea of an off-road van.

Ford’s recent patent filing for a Transit Trail van hints it might be coming to the US

Your standard Ford Transit vans for the US
2021 Ford Transit vans | Ford

But we’re getting way ahead of ourselves. The thought that Ford might try the Transit Trail van idea in the US comes from a recent patent filing. That filing looks almost identical to the European Transit Trail. Whether Ford has plans for this in the US is unknown. 

Still, we can dream about a new off-road van. There is a lot to be said for the advantages of vans over pickups. Ford was first with an off-road pickup in the Raptor. Why not test their luck and go for a Raptor van?

RELATED: Do the 2021 Ford Transit’s New Packages Turn It Into a Mini RV?

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Jay Leno’s Favorite Steam Car Ever Built Is More Powerful Than You Think

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Besides being a comedian and talk show host, Jay Leno is known for his impressive collection of unique and classic cars. He owns hundreds of them literally, and his collection is always in flux with new additions and replacements. One section of his collection includes steam cars, which are vehicles powered by steam and not internal combustion engines like most cars. These steam cars don’t skimp on performance either.

Jay Leno’s impressive car collection

Jay Leno | Getty Images

According to DuPont Registry Daily, out of his great garage full of his private collection, Leno has about 340 vehicles total. His entire collection of about 160 motorcycles and 181 cars is worth over a whopping $52 million. 

Leno owns all different kinds of cars from a range of years going back to the early 20th century and the dawn of the automobile. This includes electric cars of the past, trucks, race cars, supercars, muscle cars, turbine cars, and steam cars, to name some types.

There are unique cars like his 1969 Lamborghini Miura S, arguably the first supercar, and renowned classics like his 1954 Jaguar XK120M Coupe, Business Insider reports. His 1925 Doble E-20 Steam Car, once owned by business mogul Howard Hughes, is fascinating for car enthusiasts and novices alike.

The Doble steam car engine

Leno lauds the Doble steam engine as the greatest ever built, according to Jay Leno’s Garage. On the show, Leno seeks to share information on his cars in a way that is accessible and understandable to most people. The use of a steam engine in an automobile is just as fascinating as it sounds.

Leno touts his Doble E-20 Steam Car and all Dobles as the best in large part to the relative ease of operating them, especially in comparison to other steam cars. With the Doble, the driver can turn the key and go after some preparation. Previously, the driver had to light a pilot for the engine by hand using a match or a torch for other steam cars, wait about 15 minutes for the systems to heat, and complete other tasks before setting out.

Best of all, just because it’s a steam engine does not mean the Doble lacks performance. Howard Hughes reportedly got the Doble to a speed of 132.5 mph in 1925, Leno recounts.

The Doble’s history and specifications

When the assembly line was revolutionizing building cars, drastically cutting previous production time, the Doble was built by hand. Because of this, no two Dobles are built the same. Leno attributes the changes to the fact that it would take time to put the car together, and by the end of it, there would be improvements implemented into the next unit.

As Barron recounts, steam cars were more popular in the U.S. because heavy taxes were levied on them in England. In the early 1900s, when there were only about 8,000 cars on the road, steam cars had a large share of those.

Early gas-powered cars were loud and scary to be around, startling people and horses nearby. Steam cars had the advantage of being quiet, Leno says. The Doble was a sleek and modern-looking convertible as well, with a disappearing top that would get packed away into the body and a popular rumble seat in the back to seat two more passengers. It has a large 142-inch wheelbase and weighs over 5,000 pounds.

According to History Net, Abner Doble, an MIT-educated engineer born in California, came up with the Doble. The Doble mechanically beat the popular Ford Model T and could travel farther using a 17-gallon tank of water and 26 gallons of kerosene to power the steam engine. The Model T, by contrast, had an internal combustion engine that could only hold 10 gallons of gas and took 40 seconds to reach a top speed of 40 mph. The Doble could go up to 60 mph in 10 seconds. 

To reach those speeds, the Doble produces 125 hp along with a huge 1,000 lb-ft of torque. It had fewer moving parts in the engine compared to other steam car brands like Stanley. What’s more, there’s no transmission in the Doble, so there are no gears to shift. The car is direct drive, which means that the torque is what keeps it moving. 

Although how the car works is slightly complicated. It boils down to turning on the water pump to build pressure and turning on the burner, which literally boils the water to steam. Once the engine builds enough pressure and temperature, the steam powers the engine, and you’re good to go. The Doble could hold pressure better. Once it reached peak operation, it needed minimal power to keep it driving, unlike other steam cars where the driver needed to pull off the road periodically to allow the engine to build pressure.

RELATED: 10 of the Oldest Cars in the World

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The Ford Bronco Riptide Is a Custom SUV Built for the Beach

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While many Ford fans await delivery of their new Bronco, the blue oval is cranking out radical concept vehicles based on the off-roader. First came the Ford Bronco Overland Concept, complete with rooftop tent and other camping goodies. Next, Ford teamed up with Filson to give us the unique Bronco Wildland Fire Rig. Then, an entire convoy of Ford Bronco Concepts crashed the Easter Jeep Safari!

One of our favorite things about the new Bronco is the sheer number of factory-backed and dealer-installed options available for the new 4×4. Ford decided to build a concept vehicle highlighting these factory options; the new Bronco Riptide concept inspires Bronco buyers to customize their own SUV. Ford’s theme for this beach-ready special project is “Spontaneous outdoor adventures.”

Ford’s Riptide Began As A Bronco Sasquatch

Bronco Riptide Concept | Ford

Ford offers seven models of the 2021 Bronco, each model customizable with numerous options packages. The Ford team chose a four-door Bronco outfitted with the top-trim off-roading features: The Bronco Sasquatch Package for the Riptide project’s base. Interestingly, the Bronco team has based numerous concept vehicles on Sasquatch-Package-equipped bases, including the Ford Bronco Overland and the Bronco Wildland Fire Rig.

The Sasquatch Package includes high clearance suspension and high clearance fenders, engineered to fit 35-inch Goodyear BSW Mud-Terrain tires. Ford wraps these aggressive tires around 17″ black high-gloss painted aluminum wheels. The rims are beadlock capable, a feature highlighted by the rim’s warm alloy beauty ring.

The Bronco Sasquatch rides on Dana axels with AdvanTek electronic lockers, in both the front and the rear. The SUV also features Bilstein position-sensitive long-travel shock absorbers.

Bronco Riptide Concept | Ford

Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine–capable of 330 horsepower–powers this 4×4. The Riptide also has a 10-speed Select Shift automatic transmission. In addition, several driver aids improve the Bronco’s off-road performance: Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist, and Trail One-Pedal Drive.

One other feature of the SUV is the exclusive Bronco Terrain Management System with seven G.O.A.T. modes to deal with any type of terrain a Bronco driver might encounter. Drivers of the Bronco Riptide will likely be using the Terrain Management System’s sand mode most often.

Overhead Racks Over a Soft Top

Ford Bronco Riptide Concept Off-roader
Bronco Riptide Concept | Ford

Ford wanted to highlight a special Bronco feature with the Riptide build: overhead racks do not interfere with the vehicle’s optional soft tops. So, the team selected a Bestop mesh Bimini top. Then they bolted prototype crossbars to the SUV’s sport bars. Engineers designed these crossbars to hold the two Almond surfboards that ride atop the Riptide.

Ford sought to highlight the Bronco’s modular design with several other accessories available to all customers. One available accessory is a Yakima bike rack (in some photographs, the Riptide carries Santa Cruz mountain bikes). The Riptide’s off-roading lights include both mirror-mounted trail lights and a RIGID LED light bar on the roof–perfect to light up your beach bonfire.

One of the most eye-catching features of the Bronco Riptide is the vehicle’s open, tubular doors. We cannot think of a better way to catch some fresh air while off-roading in the sun.

The Riptide does wear one exclusive accessory: The expedition-ready steel front bumper is a prototype designed just for this special project.

The Ford Bronco Riptide is Ready for Sun and Sand

Ford Bronco Riptide Concept Off-roader
Bronco Riptide Concept | Ford

Ford painted the Bronco Riptide in a color called “Velocity Blue.” The team says the finish is reminiscent of “tropical ocean hues.” The interior colors are Black Onyx and Dark Space Gray.

One of the best Bronco features of this beach-ready 4×4 is its easy-cleaning interior. The SUV features rubberized flooring and marine-grade vinyl seats. After hitting the trails, you can remove the drain plugs in the floor and hose out the interior of the Riptide.

Pismo Beach, where we would take the Ford Bronco Riptide Concept Off-roader
Four-Wheelers at Pismo Beach (Photo by © Robert Holmes/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Missy Coolsaet, Bronco color and materials designer, reveals, “For this Bronco Riptide project, we imagined a customer who enjoys the open air and a free-spirited West Coast lifestyle.” We have to say, Ford nailed it. Given a chance to drive the Bronco Riptide, our first stop would be the sand dunes of California’s famous off-roading destination: Pismo Beach.

Sources: The Drive, Car and Driver

RELATED: Ford Builds the Ultimate 2021 Bronco: Overland Concept

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Consumer Reports Says Avoid the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, Get the 2021 Toyota Corolla Instead

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Just because a car is popular on the market nowadays doesn’t mean it is the right vehicle for everyone to buy. Consumer Reports says that is the case with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. Consumer Reports says a more reliable option might be the 2021 Toyota Corolla or even a Nissan Sentra. What attributes did these compact cars have that contributed to the reasoning?

Consumer Reports didn’t love the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

Consumer Reports Says Avoid the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, Get the 2021 Toyota Corolla | Volkswagen

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta left a lot to be desired. Consumer Reports focuses on safety features, reliability, and opinions from actual owners of vehicles when it comes to ratings. The overall score given to the Jetta was 50 out of 100. It ranked 17th out of 19 similar compact cars, relatively low for such a popular car. While the Jetta is a green choice, it had far-below average predicted reliability. The predicted owner satisfaction was average.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is stylish and modern but lacks in other areas. It offers 34 mpg overall for fuel economy and advanced safety features on the higher-end trim models. However, the unreliability holds the Jetta back. The 2021 Jetta also has three recalls. One for airbags deploying improperly, the seats moving, and issues with the rear window.

Price Range: $18,995 – $28,045

Consumer Reports says to buy the 2021 Toyota Corolla instead

The 2021 Toyota Corolla scored a 77 out of 100 from Consumer Reports. The Corolla scored well above-average for the predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. It offers forward-collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and pedestrian detection. In addition, the 2021 Corolla has lane departure warning (LDW) and lane-keeping assist (LKA) standard.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla has a comfortable ride and strong fuel economy, with 48 mpg overall. The long list of safety features is a big plus, and the Toyota reliability helps. Consumer Reports says it accelerates slow, and the back seat isn’t the biggest. The Toyota Corolla currently does not have any recalls, and Toyota offers a hybrid option.

Price Range: $20,025 – $28,310

The new Jetta and Corolla are more expensive when you get to the top-level trims. The 2021 Nissan Sentra got 32 mpg overall and came in sixth on the list of compact cars. Consumer Reports found the 2021 Sentra to have average predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. It also offered a roomy rear seat, a comfortable ride, and plenty of standard safety features. These include FCW, AEB, LWK, and BSW. The Corolla is around the same price as the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, and you arguably get more with the Sentra.

Price Range: $19,460 – $21,800

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta might be suitable for those loyal to the Volkswagen brand. However, the 2021 Toyota Corolla is backed by the well-known Toyota reliability. The Nissan Sentra is a below-the-radar option and still suitable for many drivers. As the 2022 model vehicles start rolling out, buyers might be able to find a good deal on any of these options. Small cars might be easy to come by on used and new car lots, but buyers should still do research ahead of time to ensure the right vehicle is chosen.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now, With 3 Subaru Options

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