America’s Rudest Drivers Might Be in Your State

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Most people will agree that not many things are worse than a rude driver. And if you don’t agree with that, you might be a rude driver yourself. Often, rude drivers create situations that do the opposite of promoting car safety. For instance, a new trend sees some diesel trucks accelerate and aim big plumes of sooty exhaust at cars or pedestrians, also known as coal-rolling.

But a rude driver isn’t always a categorically bad driver. So which states have the rudest motorists? And contrary to some beliefs, Massachusetts is not one of them. 

What constitutes a rude driver?

California has some of the nation’s rudest drivers | Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Different people might have different opinions on what actions make someone a rude driver. One person might think motorists who honk at you for seemingly no reason are impolite, and another might get upset by drivers who don’t merge correctly.

Because of this, Bankrate, which released a list of states with the rudest drivers, used multiple datasets to compose its roundup. Researchers used five studies that looked at things like states with the worst drivers, rankings for the rudest states in general (not just for driving), and other rankings of places with the rudest drivers.

One interesting thing they found is that the states with the worst drivers are not always the states with the rudest drivers.

What states have the rudest drivers?

Somewhat unsurprisingly, thanks to its large population, California has the rudest drivers. Not only did the Golden State rank high in overall rudeness, but it’s also known for having some of the worst drivers in the nation. In fact, Bankrate cited a 2019 study that showed Sacramento drivers were America’s worst.

A close runner-up is Nevada. That state ranks high in overall rudeness, bad drivers, and rude drivers. And Nevada took the number-two spot in the 2021 World Population Review’s Bad Driving Index. 

Florida placed third, with high rankings in rude drivers, overall rudeness, and bad drivers. The Sunshine State also gas the second-highest annual car insurance premiums, which would probably make most drivers unhappy.

Rounding out the top five states are Oregon and New Mexico. And for those who thought New York or Massachusetts would be high on the list, they rank 29 and 33, respectively. 

Which states have the most polite drivers?

The state with the fewest ill-mannered drivers, according to Bankrate’s rankings, is Vermont. It’s near the bottom of most lists for overall rudeness, bad driving, and rude drivers.

Nebraska and Maine ranked 49 and 48, with Nebraska not even showing up on the list of rudest drivers in the study that researchers analyzed. Maine also ranked near the bottom of all the lists.

The 47th state on the list, with the fourth-smallest number of rude drivers, is Minnesota. The only surprising thing about this ranking was that Minnesota wasn’t number one despite being known for having the nicest people in the country.

And rounding out the top five least rude states is Delaware.

One interesting caveat is that many of these rankings are subjective. Bankrate notes that, for 2021, Minnesota is ranked as the state with the best drivers, but three years ago, a different source ranked it the sixth-worst state for drivers.

And last year, MotorBiscuit published a list of states with the rudest drivers, and the top states in that list were Idaho, Colorado, and Virginia, with Mississippi, Vermont, and Kentucky having the nicest drivers.

But wherever you live, remember that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And for Pete’s sake, use the zipper method when merging. 

RELATED: Americans Admit to Some Scary Driving Habits in New Survey

The post America’s Rudest Drivers Might Be in Your State appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Tesla Reportedly Declined Pushing Super Saiyan Limits for the Model S Plaid for a Simple Reason

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Remember the movie Spaceballs? If you don’t (or, heaven forbid, haven’t seen this classic comedy), there’s a scene in which the villain, Dark Helmet, orders his starship’s crew to chase the hero, Lonestar’s, ship. In a spoof of sci-fi film scenes in which starship captains engage light speed, and the viewing audience is suddenly treated to a kaleidoscope of light, Dark Helmet orders his crew to go to the top speed, “Ludicrous speed.” The hero’s sidekick then comments on the kaleidoscope from the villain’s ship that he and the viewers see, noting they’re going so fast, “they’ve gone to plaid.” So, how does this relate to the Tesla Model S?

Well, Elon Musk took this in-joke as the basis for the name of his new Tesla Model S variant. The new Model S Plaid is also so-named because its performance metrics are, frankly, Super Saiyan-level.

The Tesla Model S Plaid’s stats

Tesla Model S logo | Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images

What makes the Tesla Model S Plaid worthy of its hyperbolic name? Its unique configuration places two motors, one by each rear axle and one at the front axle by the right wheel. With each motor producing 340 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, this setup provides the Plaid with a massive 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.

In fact, the Plaid variant of the Tesla Model S could potentially have had a further power boost by adding a fourth front motor. Such a vehicle would have an absurd 1,360 hp and 1400 lb-ft of torque. The Plaid can hit 163 mph and go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.07 seconds. It can even cut that down to 1.99 seconds in Drag Strip mode on a prepped surface, MotorTrend reported. Imagine how fast a quad motor setup would be.

However, Tesla opted not to manufacture the Model S Plaid with four motors. It’s not as if it needed to with such segment-leading stats. Still, why not? If they added three, why not four and thoroughly blow competing models out of the water in terms of power and traction?

Why not a quad motor setup?

According to a recent MotorTrend piece, a source who works at Tesla shared that the company absolutely has the capabilities, knowledge, and resources to manufacture a quad motor Tesla Model S. Such a vehicle would truly be the Super Saiyan of EVs, if not of all four-door sedans.

However, the source noted that the law of diminishing returns would be in effect. Tesla’s analysis is that a quad motor setup for the Model S would be less efficient than a tri-motor one. It would be more costly and complicated to manufacture, which would naturally bleed over to the market price and manufacturer warranty costs. Additionally, the frunk is already five cubic feet smaller in the 2022 model than in prior year models. Adding a fourth motor would shrink that feature further.

Still, the tri-motor delivers. Its handling is superb, and drivers will have great control over their ride due in part to adaptive dampers and air suspension. Beyond eye-popping stats, here’s what else the Tesla Model S Plaid delivers.

The Tesla Model S Plaid’s features

In addition to its handsome exterior, the Tesla Model S Plaid’s interior is luxurious and filled with amenities. It is, in case you were wondering, plaid-free. However, from the carbon fiber to the aluminum to the upholstery, the material is all premium and quite elegant. The interior is roomy with copious front, rear, and headroom. However, its cargo space remains average, with a trunk with 25 cubic feet of storage space and a frunk that’s 3.1 cubic feet. You may also notice a lack of air vents, but don’t worry. One of this model’s cool design features is that its air vents are hidden and can be adjusted through the infotainment screen’s climate controls.

The infotainment system is Tesla’s standard 17 inches, with a tablet-like upgrade designed to be more intuitive. Additionally, the Tesla Model S Plaid has two infotainment systems: one in the front and one in the back. Both of these screens can stream content and adjust the climate controls. The center console is abutted by two phone chargers, two USB-C outlets and includes cupholders and additional storage space. The Model S Plaid also comes with a 22-speaker sound system, among other amenities.

There’s also the steering wheel to consider. The Tesla Model S Plaid comes with a steering yoke rather than a wheel. The yoke resembles a rectangle with rounded edges, and it comes standard with all Model S series vehicles. The yoke is polarizing, and some auto industry experts think it presents a safety risk. However, if you’re looking for the massive performance metrics, the Tesla Model S Plaid provides, it’s a feature you’ll have to get used to and one that may well be worth the growing pains.

RELATED: 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid Records Unreal 0-60 MPH Time

The post Tesla Reportedly Declined Pushing Super Saiyan Limits for the Model S Plaid for a Simple Reason appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The New Thor 4×4 Sanctuary Is an Aptly-Named 4×4 Camper Van

by Gabrielle DeSantis

At this point, it feels like the camper van craze is more than a momentary trend. Thor Motor Coach is putting its money on this feeling as well. The new Thor 4×4 Sanctuary camper van is coming in hot and seems to be ready to step to Airstream, Winnebago, and other such mondo camper van builders. If this RV craze has any signs of slowing down, we sure aren’t seeing it. 

Thor 4×4 Sanctuary | Thor

What is the Thor Sanctuary camper van?

According to New Atlas, when sibling company Airstream came out with its massive Mercedes Sprinter camper van, Thor was nearly ready to spring its version on the overlanding crowd. This new 4×4 Sanctuary could not have come at a better time. 

While many camper van builders are going toward the smaller, more affordable camper vans, Many of the big dogs, like Thor, are sticking to what they do best, giant, luxurious campers with every amenity known to the explored universe. 

Americans are finally getting onboard with van life

Thor 4x4 camper van
Thor 4×4 Sanctuary | Thor

In America, bigger is typically seen as better. The massive Class A RVs have been popular here for a long time. However, the smaller, more adventure-ready 4×4 camper vans are starting to creep up on the hefty motorhomes. 

According to New Atlas, camper vans still lag far behind other RV styles in terms of total sales, but these “Class B” RVs represented the hottest, fastest-growing North American RV segment of 2020, according to RVIA sales data, having experienced a 70 percent year-over-year sales increase while Class A and C motorhome segments were down on the year.

This unrelenting boom has made RV manufacturers hungry to get a camper van model out to take advantage of this sales frenzy. Now, the all-new Sanctuary debuts as part of a six-model 2022 Thor camper van lineup that includes both Mercedes-Benz Sprinter- and Ram ProMaster-based vans. These vans have base prices ranging between $76,000 and $151,060. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Thor Sanctuary 4×4 camper van

interior of the Thor 4x4 Sanctuary
Thor 4×4 Sanctuary Interior | Thor

Thor starts off with a camper van favorite, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 144 4×4. This van sports a 188-hp turbodiesel V6. Thor clads the Sprinter exterior up with a standard suite of Thule components, starting with a power awning with integrated lighting and extending to a rear-door bike rack and a roof rack with a ladder. The Sanctuary also rolls on some serious off-road tires and rocks an LED light bar. 

Thor offers two-floor plans for customers to choose from. The one shown here is the 19p version which features a convertible rear lounge with a three-seat front-facing bench complete with three seat belts. A pair of left- and right-side seats combines with that bench to create a wraparound lounge area with a removable center table. 

When it comes time to settle down for the night, the electric folding benches unfold to create an oversized 70×72-in bed. Although the Thor Sanctuary 4×4 camper van is meant only to sleep two, this bed is nearly a king bed, meaning there is plenty of room for an additional child or two if need be. 

The whole front/ middle of the camper van is dedicated to the kitchenette and wet bath. The kitchen is equipped with a two-burner stove, sink, and a drop-down worktop. It also has a stacked fridge/microwave combo, which sits next to the bathroom with a cassette toilette, fold-out sink, and shower. 

Lastly, the Thor Sanctuary 4×4 camper van comes with a standard dual-AGM battery, 1,000-W inverter, 190-W solar charging system, and an Onan 2500 LP generator hooked up to an automatic shore-to-generator switch. Those who might need more power capacity can opt for the 400-Ah lithium battery package with a 3,000-W inverter and 170-A alternator. 

What’s next for the camper industry? 

There seems to be a massive bubble surrounding the camper van boom. But people keep buying them, and as a result, the manufacturers keep making new ones. The RV boom seems to have been born from the necessity of socially distanced vacations. Hopefully, more people learn the benefits of camper van trips, and the demand can sustain real growth and more options for every style and price. 

RELATED: The Winnebago Solis Pocket Is the Perfect Small Affordable Camper

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Strict Ferrari Rules You Should Never Break if You Want a New Ferrari

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A Ferrari is many car enthusiasts’ dream car. But sadly, it’s a dream that will never be realized thanks to the sticker price. But even the wealthy might find it difficult to score a limited edition, as it takes more than cash to snag one of these iconic cars. In fact, clients must obey some strict rules if they want a shot at purchasing a rare model hot off the assembly line in Maranello.

You have to play by these rules

Ferrari LaFerrari | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

If you thought you could walk into a Ferrari dealership and haggle for a better deal like you would for a Toyota or even a Porsche, think again. Ferrari has a lot of hoops to jump through if you want one of these gorgeous sports cars, and failing in even one area means you might never own one. The first step is a background check.

Autoevolution reports that the Italian automaker looks to see if you have a series of driving “incidents.” If you do, you’ll probably be denied. It’s also been rumored that Ferrari prefers men over the age of 40, although being female or younger than that magical age range certainly doesn’t bar you from purchasing one if you meet the criteria.

Also, you must not be a car collector who owns a Lamborghini. The rivalry between these two Italian brands is legendary, and if you own a vehicle from the Prancing Horse’s rival, you’re probably land on its no-buy list.

So, what exactly is Ferrari looking for in owners if money isn’t enough? The automaker wants pure car lovers who will hold on to and drive its vehicles, not status seekers. That leads to some rules you must obey after you become an owner.

The rules don’t stop once you own a Ferrari

Some people like to buy rare cars and then flip them for a profit. You can forget about doing that with a Ferrari. One of the stipulations you agree to when you sign on the dotted line is that you will not resell your Ferrari in your first year of ownership. That means no flipping.

You also can’t resell it after that year is up without alerting the automaker. It likes to have the option to resell the vehicle itself, which means the company carefully controls access to even used models.

You can also forget about modifying your Ferrari. Though Jeep seems to overlook, if not outright encourage, some drivers to modify their Wranglers, that’s a major no-go for Ferrari owners. It’s not the sort of thing the company will just sigh at and overlook, as music producer Deadmau5 found out the hard way after modifying his 458 Italia.

Ferrari can and will ban you from buying its cars

Adding a vinyl tribute to Nyan Cat, complete with the little Pop-Tart kitty and its sparkly rainbow trail might seem like a fun addition to a Ferrari. That’s what Joel Zimmerman, also known as Deadmau5, thought anyway. But Ferrari was not amused.

The Italian automaker was swift to send a cease-and-desist letter to Deadmau5. And he removed all the vinyl, as well as the leaping cat badges he had swapped for the Prancing Horse emblem. His antics likely banned him from ever buying another Ferrari, HotCars reported. 

Deadmau5 isn’t the only celebrity to have gotten in hot water. Top Gear’s Chris Harris got in trouble by writing a less-than-flattering article. Harris claimed Ferrari sent journalists optimized cars to ensure good reviews. The company was not happy and will no longer allow Harris to test-drive or own any of its cars, HotCars reported.

But celebrities like Gordon Ramsey and Kylie Jenner have had no problem purchasing Ferraris. They have proven themselves worthy of owning these legendary vehicles by being true car lovers, and they play by Ferrari’s rules. 

RELATED: Can Ferrari’s New CEO Lead the Prancing Horse to Electrified Glory?

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