Is the 2021 Ford F-150 Lightning Stealing the Maverick’s Thunder With Over 100,000 Preorders?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Ford F-150 Lightning has generated a lot of excitement. Within a few weeks, preorders have already topped 100,000. This comes just weeks after Ford unveiled its smaller hybrid sibling, the Maverick. Will the smaller truck make a name for itself in the U.S. market, or will it be drowned out by the storm?

Ford F-150 Lightning | Jeff Kowalski AFP via Getty Images

Move over Maverick

The announcement of the Ford Maverick was met with excitement and curiosity. The world’s first hybrid compact pickup truck is worth getting excited about. More than being a token trailblazer, the Maverick is a solid pickup.

The Maverick will see an impressive 40 mpg city and 500 miles of range with a full fuel tank. The larger electric Lightening gets an EPA estimated 230 miles of range on a full charge. The extended range battery is hoped to net closer to 300.

For twice the price of the Maverick, Lightning buyers get more than twice the towing power. Will the bigger, more powerful, and more expensive Lightening overshadow its hybrid sibling? Or is this wave of interest just a flash in the pan?

F-150 Lightning preorders soar

A backlit Ford F-150 Lightning
F-150 Lightning Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

According to the annual Vehicle Landscape Report from Sema, more than 16 million F series pickup trucks are on the road in the U.S. Last year Ford sold 787,000 of these popular pickups last year. With sales figures like that, it’s no surprise that the highly-anticipated all-electric F-150 Lightning has seen such high preorders.

Within three weeks of opening, preorders for the Ford F-150 Lightning have already topped 100,000. Demand for this electric truck and its competitors is high. Tesla’s Cybertruck sold an incredible 250,000 preorders within 5 days of opening. Hours after GMG opened sales for the Hummer EV, all 10,000 early edition preorders were sold out.

Truck buyers are sending a clear message to the industry. They’re ready and eager for all-electric options. Early adopters are always taking a risk. After an initial surge of excitement, the early half of first-generation EV buyers returned to ICE vehicles for their next purchase. Could another backflow of buyers hit the EV truck segment?

Is the Ford F-150 Lightning worth the hype?

A white Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck parked in front of a street lamp with halo glare
F-150 Lightning | Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Electric pickup trucks have seen so much interest that manufacturers have taken notice. It seems a new model is announced weekly. With all of the hype surrounding the F-150 Lightning, it can be hard to hear the truth over the buzz.

Projected F-150 Lightning could push the F series sales over the 1 million mark. Buyers have proven that high prices are not a deterrent to EV sales. As the price of EVs continues to rise, so do sales in this segment. It’s unlikely that the Maverick’s smaller price tag will be enough to coax pickup shoppers.

This wave of interest in the all-electric F-150 Lightning may seem like it’s overshadowing the blossoming hype for its sibling, but the Maverick has a card to play. There is a wide segment of buyers who like the idea of driving an electric vehicle but aren’t ready to commit fully. The hybrid fills a valid gap in the pickup truck market and will likely see success because of it.

RELATED: The New Ford F-150 Lightning Is the Cheapest Full-Size Pickup …

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3 Affordable SUVs With Ventilated Seats to Keep You From Sweating

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The temperatures are heating up this summer, and sometimes even air conditioning can’t keep drivers cool enough. Some vehicles offer ventilated seats for extra relief on hot days. You might think it’s a feature reserved for only luxury SUVs, but even the affordable Mazda CX-5 has them. The Hyundai Tucson and relatively inexpensive Jeep Grand Cherokee also offer ventilated front seats.

So, which one of these three affordable SUVs is right for you?

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee trims have ventilated seats?

Of the 12 Jeep Grand Cherokee trims available, eight can be optioned with ventilated seats. The Grand Cherokee Limited starts at $40,950, but the special seats cost extra through the Luxury II package. It costs $2,895, which also includes a panoramic sunroof and heated second-row seats.

The Grand Cherokee 80th Edition also has ventilated front seats, made from Capri leather instead of Nappa. These seats are available through the Luxury Group package for a total of $44,835. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, starting at $46,150, comes standard with ventilated seats.

Starting at $47,490, the Grand Cherokee Overland also has standard ventilated seats. The High Altitude and Summit are both within the $50,000 range and come with ventilated leather seats. Finally, the most powerful Grand Cherokee models — the SRT and Trackhawk — can have exclusive ventilated Laguna leather seats. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the most expensive, starting at a whopping $88,445. However, it justifies that price with a 707-hp V8 and several performance enhancements.

But if you’re looking for a sub-$35,000 SUV to keep you cool, keep reading.

Is the Mazda CX-5 a better value?

Ventilated seats for the Mazda CX-5 are available beginning in the Grand Touring trim, which starts at $30,560. The ventilated seats come with the optional GT Premium package, which costs an extra $1,625. But the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve, which retails for $35,385, comes with the GT Premium package included.

The CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve and the Signature model are also the only trims to get the turbo-four engine standard. It makes 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Critics usually have nothing but praise for the CX-5’s handling with the turbo engine.

Car and Driver also liked the standard head-up display and heated seats on the Signature trim. The leather upholstery is more comfortable than the standard cloth, and passengers can also enjoy peering through the moonroof. The CX-5 already comes with an expansive suite of safety features, but this trim offers optional traffic sign recognition and navigation.

The CX-5 Signature also comes with ventilated seats, but this trim is pricier at $37,505. It features Nappa leather seats complemented with real wood trim on the dashboard. Every available safety feature is included, plus some tasteful ambient lighting.

What about the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate?

Ventilated seats come standard in the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate, which starts at $32,050. It’s a fully loaded model, so it also comes with all the best tech and high-end interior features. In addition, the newly redesigned 2022 Tucson offers ventilated seats as early as the SEL trim. 

With the optional Premium package, the 2022 Tucson SEL costs $28,200. This package comes standard on the Limited trim, which retails for $34,700. This model comes packed with every one of the Tucson’s available features, including semiautonomous driving and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate is definitely the cheapest of the three SUVs on this list, but performance-minded shoppers might be more satisfied with the Mazda CX-5. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the largest of the three, so it’s the best one for bigger families, but it’s also the most expensive. However, all are guaranteed to keep front-seat riders cool with ventilated seats.

RELATED: The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Barely Made This List of Sporty SUVs Under $30,000

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This Limited-Edition 2022 Chevy Corvette Looks Like a Champion

by Gabrielle DeSantis

2021 Corvette production may have been cut short, but Chevrolet is moving right along to the next model year. However, the 2022 Corvette isn’t exactly the same car as the 2021 model. In addition to a few tweaks scattered throughout, Chevy is giving the ‘Vette an extra performance touch. Or rather, a performance look. There’s a new limited-edition Corvette for 2022, and it’s an homage to the Corvette C8.R race car.

The Chevy Corvette C8.R won the 2020 IMSA Championship

No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R | Chevrolet

First shown in 2019, the Chevy Corvette C8.R was designed to race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. As it’s based on the C8, the Corvette C8.R is Chevrolet’s first mid-engine race car. And while it shares more with its road-going counterpart than previous racing ‘Vettes, the C8.R is extensively different, MotorTrend points out.

Although both ‘Vettes have V8s, the C8.R has a 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V8, rather than a 6.2-liter one. It’s also slightly more powerful, sending 500 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. And it’s routed through a six-speed sequential transmission rather than an eight-speed dual-clutch. The upcoming C8 Z06 might use an even more powerful version of this same engine.

The Corvette C8.R is just as long as the road-going car, but it’s wider, lower, and over 800 pounds lighter. It also has larger brake rotors and wider wheels fitted with racing slicks. The race car also has a larger rear wing and aero features too extreme to comply with road safety regulations. And while it lacks the road car’s magnetorheological dampers, the C8.R has fully adjustable coil-over shocks and a bespoke suspension system.

With drivers Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia behind the wheel, the Chevy Corvette C8.R earned seven pole positions and six race victories in the 2020 season. And it earned the team the 2020 IMSA GTLM Driver’s and Team Championships, and Chevrolet its 13th GT Manufacturer’s title since 2001.

And for 2022, Chevrolet is having a little celebration to mark the occasion.

It’s not a C8.R, but the 2022 Chevy Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition borrows its looks

An overhead view of a yellow 2022 Chevrolet Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition Coupe and gray Convertible in front of the yellow No. 3 and gray No.4 Corvette C8.R race cars on a racetrack
2022 Chevrolet Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition Coupe and Convertible with the No. 3 and No. 4 Corvette C8.R overhead | Chevrolet

To be sure, the 2022 Chevy Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition isn’t a carbon-copy of the C8.R. So, no flat-plane 5.5-liter V8, no drastic weight savings or racing aero, and the standard DCT.

However, it is based on the 3LT trim with the Z51 Performance Package. That means it has grippier tires, brake cooling ducts, a transmission cooler, an extra radiator, larger brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a front splitter and multi-plane rear spoiler. Plus, it has a performance exhaust that bumps the 6.2-liter V8 from 490 to 495 hp.

A close-up view of the yellow brake calipers and black wheels of a yellow 2022 Chevrolet Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition
2022 Chevrolet Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition wheel closeup | Chevrolet

But the 2022 Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition does get something from the C8.R: its design. The limited-edition trim is available in Accelerate Yellow or Hypersonic Gray. The former mimics the No. 3 car and the latter the No. 4 car. Also included are numerous Corvette Racing graphics and the race team’s ‘Jake’ logo on the wheel caps. Plus, the IMSA GTLM Championship Edition adds black rocker panels and wheels, yellow brake calipers, and a carbon-appearance rear spoiler and mirrors.

Inside, the 2022 Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition has standard GT2 seats, though sportier ones are available. And depending on the exterior color, the interior is finished in yellow or gray to complement it. The seatbelts, though, are yellow regardless. There’s also a numbered plaque mounted inside. And rounding out the special features is a car cover that mimics the No. 3 or No. 4 racing livery.

How much will it cost?

The 2022 Chevy Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition adds $6595 to the car’s sticker price. And the Corvette is slightly pricier for 2022, Roadshow notes. The base model now starts at $62,195 after destination. Based on the 2021 model’s pricing, a 3LT with the Z51 will likely start around $80,000. So, figure about $87,000 for the limited-edition version—and that’s without the performance version of the magnetorheological dampers.

If you want one, you’ll have to act fast. Chevrolet is only making 1000 examples of the Championship Edition, and dealer orders start on July 1, 2021.

Considering it’s essentially an appearance package, $6595 extra might seem excessive. However, if you add up the cost of the decals, paint, interior colors, and other accessories, it approaches that amount. But while you can partially recreate the Championship Edition’s looks, some of its decals, and that car cover, are unique. In that sense, the limited-edition package is arguably a good deal. And it lets you rock the C8.R look on a road-legal car.

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RELATED: The 2022 Chevy Corvette Z06 Will Arrive Sooner Than You Think

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Here are 2 Commonly Overlooked Dangers When Driving a Convertible Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The warm Summer months are finally upon us and if you own a convertible car, then you’re probably itching to put the top down and soak up some rays. And while cruising around town in your drop top might sound like a motoring dream, your fun in the sun presents two large dangers that you may have overlooked.

Driving a convertible car can be bad for your ears

A Mini Cooper Convertible | Getty Images

Whenever you undo that latch or flip that switch to lower the soft top on your beloved convertible, you might not pay much mind to the fact that your ears suffer from your joyride. According to a report on WebMD, convertible drivers who consistently drive faster than 55 mph may be at risk of hearing loss over time. As you can guess, the possible hearing loss is partly due to the excessive wind noise – and wind noise spikes – at freeway speeds.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, decibel levels higher than 85 are excessive. To get an accurate test on the type of wind noise that convertibles produce, researchers used a decibel meter to test five different cars at highway speeds. When driven at 55 mph, the convertible cars’ sound levels were above 85 dB with the top down.

The results didn’t look much better when the cars were driven faster. At 75 mph, the cars produced an average of 89.9 decibels, which is equivalent to a vacuum cleaner or loud music. One interesting point is that the study was conducted using a Porsche, a Ford, a Nissan, a Saab, and a Saturn. The Saturn had more noise at slower and higher speeds with the top down, while the Porsche was the noisiest with the top up.

If anything, this study shows what kind of a detriment that top-down motoring can have on your ears.

Driving a convertible car can be bad for your skin

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales accompanied by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives, driving his 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Volante.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales accompanied by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives, driving his 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Volante. | (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

It goes without saying that when you fold the top down on your convertible, you and your passengers are exposed to the sun. If you’re planning on embarking on a long road trip, that prolonged sun exposure can easily do a number on your epidermis, which can eventually lead to skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that there are two types of UV radiation that the Sun emits that can cause skin cancer: UVB and UVA rays. The UVB rays are what normally cause sunburns, while UVA rays are what make you tan, but are also responsible for premature aging. Your car’s windshield can block over 90% of UVA rays and its side windows can block some of them too. However, with the top down, you won’t have any sun protection.

What can you do to alleviate the noise and harmful rays?

Anderson Cooper jumps out of the back of a red convertible Mustang.
Anderson Cooper jumps out of the back of a red convertible Mustang. | Getty Images

Drive your convertible with the top up. Although, that’s no fun. So instead, if you’re planning on going on a long drive in your convertible this Summer, we recommend applying some sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to prevent any skin damage. And if you want to protect your ears while driving at high speeds, then you can invest in a pair of earplugs.

You might not get the full experience with plugs in your ears, but at least you can hold onto your sense of hearing for a little longer.

RELATED: The Honda CR-V Convertible Died Before It Ever Got a Chance to Live

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