The Ford Maverick Already Has One of the Best Interiors

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Ford Maverick has been in the news a lot recently. Frankly, the small truck has kicked off something of a renaissance in the small truck market, started earlier by the brand’s own Ranger truck. Hyundai followed suit with the Santa Cruz, but “Maverick” is the word on everyone’s lips. Moreover, the interior is no exception, and images show that Ford put a lot of effort into it. Then again, Ford has been doing that a lot lately.

The Ford Maverick puts function over form

Simply not enough cars fit large water bottles | Ford

So, let’s start with a personal grievance of mine if you’ll let me be selfish for a moment. I own a large, insulated water bottle like the one you see above. In fact, that’s my water bottle, just in another color. So far, I’ve found one car that’ll fit it: my old 2010 Volkswagen GTI. Clearly, the Ford Maverick is built differently, as it’ll hold a large water bottle without a problem. That’s a good thing, too.

A large spot for a water bottle is just a start. Ford calls it FITS, or Ford Integrated Tether System. Clever name, sure, but what does it do? Well, just about anything you want. You see, if you wanted to, and had a 3D printer, Ford has made the FITS mechanism open source. That means you can print your own attachments, or pay someone to fab one up for you. Frankly, you can mount just about anything in a Ford Maverick because of this clever system.

Some may not like that approach in infotainment

A wide shot of the Maverick's interior with tan upholstery and a wireless charging pad
Some may be disappointed by the low-tech infotainment system | Ford

So, FITS means that the Maverick’s interior is delightfully forward-thinking. Rather than try to figure out what the customer wants, Ford simply said “do whatever you want.” That’s not all, as there’s plenty of smartphone integration on offer in the Ford Maverick. Just in front of the gear-selector, you’ll find a wireless charging pad. Happily, there’s a ledge to keep your phone from sliding about, something some manufacturers simply forgot about when wireless charging got off the ground.

There’s also Android Auto and Apple Carplay on offer as standard via an 8-inch touchscreen. However, some may take issue with the quality of said screen. Images show it looks, well, a little low-tech. You can read more on that below, but it’s important to keep in mind that the Maverick is also a sub-$30,000 vehicle if specced properly. Frankly, the Maverick is a somewhat back-to-basics truck, and for now, the infotainment reflects that.

Does Ford make a good interior?

The Ford Bronco's interior rail mount for cameras and smartphones
It isn’t just the Maverick with a forward-thinking interior | Ford

Regardless of your thoughts on the Ford Maverick’s infotainment, the rest of the interior is a masterclass in practicality and usability, something Ford has been making real strides in as of late. The Bronco is a fantastic example of this, with its integrated GoPro mounts and easy-off doors. Clearly, Ford wants to put the buyer first with their new interiors, and we hope to see it continued in future models.

RELATED: The Ford Maverick’s Low-Tech Infotainment Is a Blessing in Disguise

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BeachBot Buggy Cleans by Collecting Cigarette Butts

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Autonomous vehicles are hot topics and all the rage these days as innovators develop new technologies designed to advance the science behind machines driving themselves. However, not all AVs are meant for daily drivers or even personal use. One new autonomous vehicle model is made for beach life, destined to clean the environment by picking up cigarette butts autonomously. It’s like a robot vacuum, only with a precise mission to clean up debris from America’s nastiest habit.

A beach robot big brother to the Roomba

Cigarette packets and other trash washed up on Chesil Beach | In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images

A clean environment continues to be a hot topic of conversation. According to the EPA, the amount of U.S. consumer waste continues to rise, more than doubling over the last 50 years. Single-use disposables, trash, and plastics find their way into rivers and along beaches at a growing rate. Furthermore, some of the most detrimental waste comes from cigarette butts, with their prolonged disintegration rates and harmful chemical-seeping properties.

BeachBot is here to contribute as an autonomous vehicle designed specifically to comb the beaches and pick up cigarette butts. It faces a daunting challenge with data suggesting roughly 4.5 trillion cigarette butts strewn across the planet. However, entrepreneurs Edwin Bos and Martijn Lukaart of TechTics developed this quasi-Roomba big brother with artificial intelligence, a series of cameras, and robotic arms to aid in the environmental cleanup effort.

This new AV made its world debut at Scheveningen Beach last September, where it scooped up 10 butts in half an hour. As Business Insider points out in a recent article, that’s not terribly impressive in the big scheme of things. However, “BB,” the shortened name of the robot, leads the way as a prototype for now and promises a new way of autonomous vehicle capabilities well into the future. 

The BeachBot concept is revolutionary

Measuring 80 centimeters wide, a little wider than 2.5 feet, the BeachBot uses onboard cameras to find cigarette butts and avoid obstacles as it navigates. It has two arms with grippers to dig into the sand to grasp butts it then collects in onboard receptacles. For now, the autonomous vehicle model can run for approximately one hour on a full battery charge.

It’s no Wall-E, says MotorTrend, but the BeachBot is certainly out to help the environment, one cigarette butt at a time. This beach rover features giant, puffy tires, ideal for sandy beach crawling. Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence platform uses the Microsoft Trove app, which provides and condenses photos of cigarette butts across all US beaches. This aids in the AI’s ability to find and dispose of those nasty butts.

Future plans for autonomous vehicles

TechTics founders were inspired by visiting Scheveningen beach, where kids found cigarette butts buried in the sand. The company as a whole seeks to resolve social issues with the development of enriched technology. Only now, the co-owners are on a new mission. Plans for the BeachBot include improving the tech capability to identify and clean up other beach debris. There are also plans to incorporate autonomous vehicle prototypes in smaller forms to assist other environmental beach efforts. Some of the other ideas involve AVs that run on solar energy, as well.

The BeachBot is here and represents a new frontier in the world of autonomous vehicles. You might even see one soon at a favorite beach near you. It promises that clean environment initiatives will continue to evolve with the help of AI technology and passionate environmentalists.

RELATED: Is Overlanding Bad for the Environment? – Inconsiderate Campers Are to Blame

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Does the World Need an Electric Nissan Pickup Truck?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Nissan is one of the industry leaders in the electric vehicle space. The Japanese automaker was one of the first companies to mass-produce an electric vehicle with the Nissan Leaf. The compact EV was introduced in 2010 and is still a popular electric car today. Now that Nissan has experienced success with electric cars, is it time for the automaker to try its hand at an electric truck?

Is Nissan building an electric truck?

Nissan company logo | Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

From the Ford F-150 Lighting to the Tesla Cybertruck, electric trucks are slowly emerging in the automotive industry. Electric cars are still a reach for most consumers, so the idea of a pickup truck that runs on electricity is mind-boggling for many. What makes these new electric trucks even more exciting are their unique designs.

The Ford F-150 Lighting features a frunk, an electric powertrain that is housed under the vehicle, and a typical modern F-150 truck bed. The Tesla Cybertruck uses cold-rolled stainless steel and is much more durable than the average truck. Even the Rivian R1T electric truck includes some innovative accessories and off-road capabilities. Electric trucks are flamboyant. So what can Nissan bring to the table with an electric truck?

Nissan has been developing and perfecting electric powertrains for over a decade. The Nissan Leaf has been championed as an affordable, great electric car to travel short distances with. According to MotorTrend, Nissan appears to be looking to produce a compact EV pickup truck because of the success of its competitors.

What would a Nissan electric truck look like?

The Nissan Frontier.
The Nissan Frontier | Scott Olson/Getty Images

Nissan’s biggest advantage in the electric powertrain space is affordability. Its recent price reduction for the 2022 Nissan Leaf makes the Leaf the cheapest mass-produced EV in the U.S. It is one of the weaker electric powertrains in both horsepower and range. As a result, an electric Nissan that uses this powertrain would likely be a variation of the compact Nissan Frontier.

We could see a hybrid compact truck similar to the 2022 Ford Maverick from Nissan. The 2021 Nissan Frontier starts at $27,190. If Nissan electrified its powertrain and found a way to reduce its price, it could make a major impact. However, a better option would be to take the same approach that the company did with the Nissan Leaf.

Does the world even want an electric Nissan pickup truck?

The Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

Electric trucks are the latest and greatest new facet of electric vehicles. Many popular automakers are capitalizing on the emerging trend and developing electric pickup trucks to satisfy the sudden demand. Electric trucks from popular truck makers like Ford are expected. Does the world really want an electric truck from Nissan?

If Nissan were to create an electric truck under a brand new nameplate, it could make a much bigger splash. The race to create the best electric pickup truck is already underway, and the automaker is falling behind despite the success of its Nissan Leaf. To compete in the electric truck space, the company will have to shock consumers with something new and exciting. None of its current models are truly up to the task of competing against Ford and Tesla electric trucks.

It’s time for Nissan to expand its electric vehicle expertise into the realm of pickup trucks. The success of the Nissan Leaf is enough reason for consumers to be interested in what the company would do with an EV truck. To really satisfy consumers, the brand’s electric truck better have some serious range and horsepower.

RELATED: The Nissan LEAF Is America’s Favorite Used EV

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The Most Expensive Chevy Trucks

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Chevy offers three different types of trucks in 2021. The Chevy Colorado WT starts at $28,295 and offers the LT and Z71 trims. All have either 2WD or 4WD. The Silverado starts at $29,300, and the Silverado Heavy Duty (HD) starts at $35,300. Whatever the budget may be, there’s a Chevy truck that fits it. Any bed fits with any cab, and Chevy offers many different packages including a power package and a safety package. These are the most expensive starting configurations for each Chevy truck.

Colorado Crew Cab Long Box Z71 4WD

Chevrolet Colorado on Display in Chicago | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The 2021 Chevy Colorado Z71 with 4WD, a crew cab, and a long box has two engine choices. The 3.6-liter V6 pairs to an automatic transmission, and produces 308 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque. This brings the price of the truck to $36,495. The second option is a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-four, which produces just 181 horsepower, but 369 lb-ft of torque. While the horsepower figure is unimpressive, the torque makes hauling much more pleasant.

Chevy offers a $1,850 power package for the V6, which includes a performance air intake system as well as a cat-back performance exhaust. Leather interior sets the buyer back $950, and a safety package including forward collision alert and lane departure warning costs $395. The truck also comes with an integrated trailer brake controller. With a crew cab, long box, and the diesel engine on the Z71 trim, the Colorado costs $43,920.

Silverado Crew Cab, Standard Bed High Country 4WD

chevy silverado on display in chicago
Chevrolet Silverado is on display in Chicago | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The most expensive Chevy Silverado has the High Country trim, equipped with 4WD, and the crew cab with the standard bed. This configuration starts at $56,595 when equipped with the 5.3-liter EcoTec V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission. The other two options are a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six or a 6.2-liter EcoTec 3 V8. The 6.2-liter sets the truck at $59,090. 

The High Country Deluxe package comes with a power sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and all-weather floor liners for $4,300. There’s a safety package available as well for $1,095. That includes a distance indicator, high beam assist, lane keep assist and forward collision alert. The High Country also has an $850 option for trailering. That has a lower gear ratio, brake controller, a bigger rear axle, automatic locking differential, and heavy-duty suspension. 

Silverado 3500 HD 4WD Crew Cab Long Bed High Country

Chevrolet Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition parked outside
2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition | Chevrolet

The Silverado HD series is where Chevy trucks bound for ultimate utility. Chevy offers a 2500 HD and a 3500 HD, which starts at $36,500. The 3500 HD can have either single or dual rear wheels. Its High Country trim with dual wheels comes with a 6.6-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and starts at $67,395. The other option is a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 with a 10-speed automatic, starting at $77,145.

The 3500 HD’s High Country Deluxe package comes with safety and technology packages. The technology package includes a rear camera mirror, bed view camera, and HD surround vision. The High Country Deluxe also includes the gooseneck/5th wheel package, which has a hitch platform with tray and bed-mounted 7-pin trailer harness. The High Country Deluxe package costs $2,465.

Chevy trucks have an answer for just about anything. The prices start out reasonably, and each package is priced fairly as well while also being comprehensive. Chevy trucks cover a lot of bases all at once, so a wrong decision can’t really be made. As a recommendation, more power in a truck is always better, so opt for the Silverado over the Colorado. 

RELATED: America’s Most Popular Car Brand As Per This Year’s First Quarter

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