Tag Archives: 4wd

A limited edition 2021 Ford Bronco powered by V8 engine churns out 750 HP, hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds flat!

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For people who have waited with bated breath for years to own a Ford Bronco with a V8 under the hood, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Ford has made it clear that a V8 engine powered Bronco isn’t in the pipeline given the federal requirements for managing the CO2 emissions. But wait, there’s Hennessey Performance Engineering to the rescue as the Texas-based aftermarket tuner has announced the VelociRaptor V8 Bronco. Yes, a limited edition version of the 2021 Ford Bronco that roars with a 5.0-liter V8 engine under the hood. According to founder and CEO, John Hennessey, “The 2021 Bronco may be one of the most highly desired vehicles since the introduction of the Ford GT. We look forward to taking the new Bronco to the next level and beyond.”

The standard 2021 Bronco announced for next year has the turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine churning out a not so exciting (for gearheads) 310 HP (231 kilowatts). Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 Bronco changes that dimension with a V8 producing 750 HP (559 kilowatts), mated to the Ford’s 10-speed automatic engine. It propels the mid-sized off-roader to a stunning 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in just 4.5 seconds. To improve the engine performance, the tuner will fit the vehicle with a redesigned hood with a vent, optimized for air intake – along with an air-to-water intercooler, high-flow air induction, upgraded fuel system, and an upgraded stainless steel cat-back exhaust.

Since adventure seekers are going to push the limits of this custom Ford Bronco on inhospitable terrain at high speeds, Hennessey has upgraded the off-road suspension system and fitted the monster with chunky mud-terrain tires around larger aluminum wheels. To make the standard 2021 Bronco owners get jealous, there will be custom livery and exterior badges setting aside this beast from the rest.

Other upgrades to the Bronco will come in the form of front and rear bumpers with LED lighting and a mean-looking front grille. The interiors are also going to get a custom VelociRaptor V8 Interior courtesy of the leather upholstery. The off-roader will come in just 24 units for the 2021 model in 2-door and 4-door configurations for a price tag of $225,000. And yes, it will come with a 3 year/36,000-mile warranty from Hennessey, so you can go on adventurers unknown without having to worry about a thing!

Designer: Hennessey

The Original Ford Bronco

On the Road (and Off-Road) with the 2014 Toyota 4Runner

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Recently, the fine folks at Toyota were kind enough to give me the opportunity to put their brand new 2014 4Runner SUV through its paces in rural Pennsylvania. I had the chance to drive several different models of the updated 4Runner, in a variety of driving conditions.

2014 4runner 4

The updated 4Runner sports an aggressive new grill and body style which makes it stand out from the crowd, and drives home the fact that this SUV isn’t just meant for hauling groceries and kids around town.

The 4Runner is for active lifestyles, and can keep up with the best of them both on and off paved roads. Pictured above is the 4Runner Trail, which has the beefiest look of the bunch, but I also got to drive the 4Runner Limited, which has a more luxurious, urban look to it. There’s also a the base SR5 edition (not shown here).

2014 4runner 1

Having driven both the Limited and the Trail editions, I have to say that I’m truly impressed with this vehicle. While it’s still built like a truck, with a body-on-frame construction, it manages to not feel like a truck when driving it. The Limited felt very luxurious and solid while hitting the open road, and had a car-like feel other than the fact that you’re higher up than normal.

2014 4runner 3

On the other hand, taking one of the 4X4 models off-road, the 4Runner made quick work of mud-puddles, climbing huge logs and rocks, and conquering slippery uphill and downhill climbs. The Trail edition offers exceptional ground clearance, and its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System helps the axles to move more nimbly over difficult and uneven surfaces. This model also benefits from CRAWL control, which helps drivers deal with acceleration and braking steep grades automatically, keeping their focus on steering.

2014 4runner 5

All three versions, the SR5, Trail and Limited are powered by the same 270hp, 4.0L V6 found in last year’s model, and that’s a good thing. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, I say. The SR5 can be ordered in 4×2 or 4×4 configurations, while the Trail and Limited are only 4×4.

2014 4runner 6

All models come with nice touches like projector headlights, LED taillights, front and rear mudguards, a backup camera, and Toyota’s Entune system. Though you’ll have to go for one of the Premium models if you want navigation. While the SR5 and Trail offer 17-inch wheels, the more urban Limited rides on 20′s. The Limited also offers the most refined interior, with leather-trimmed seats with both heating and ventilation for both driver and passenger. It also touts an upgraded JBL audio system,.

2014 4runner 2

Overall, I’m very impressed with the 4Runner, and would be happy to park one of these in my own garage. For more information on the 2014 4Runner, check out Toyota’s website.

Ferrari FF: A Supercar That Seats Four and Has a Large Trunk

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Ferraris aren’t known for seating passengers comfortably or for having storage space, but this model has all of that and more. It has seating for four, has ample trunk space, and still comes with a roaring V12 engine.

ferrari ff luxury coupe v12 supercar

The Ferrari  fuses a shooting brake design with the supercar ethos. It has a rear-mounted 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 6.3 liter V12 develops 651 HP and 504 lb.ft. of torque. It accelerates to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and can reach 124 mph in 11 seconds. Its top speed is a whopping 208 mph. It can tackle snow and more extreme weather conditions thanks to the fact that it’s a four-wheel-drive too.

ferrari ff luxury coupe v12 supercar dunes

ferrari ff luxury coupe v12 supercar trunk

ferrari ff luxury coupe v12 supercar interior

The Ferrari FF costs approximately $300,000(USD) and has been in production for about a year. Ferrari makes about 800 of these every year.

[via designboom]

Toyota 4×4 CRAWL Control Lets You Focus on Steering While Off-Roading

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While driving off-road can be a lot of fun, it can also be a challenging and dangerous activity, especially if you’re not a skilled 4×4 driver. Well thanks to some cool technology in Toyota’s trucks you can rest a little easier when driving off-road or in challenging terrain.

2013 land cruiser

I recently had an opportunity to test out a couple of Toyota’s trucks with their new five-speed CRAWL control, a technology which helps drivers focus on steering while off-road, increasing safety and driving efficiency in difficult terrain.

toyota crawl control

At the center of the system is the ability for the vehicle to automatically regulate engine speed and braking force, while all the driver needs to do is turn the wheel. So when you’re making your way across rough ground or steep grades, the truck can do almost all of the work for you.  The system works its magic by watching the wheel speed at each corner of the vehicle, and modulates the powertrain and braking system to ensure a safe and stable speed as you navigate treacherous roads.

You can use lower speeds to navigate rocky terrain downhill, while the higher speeds are best for uphill climbs on rocks, snow or gravel. Plus it works in either Drive or Reverse. And even if you’re not going off-road, the Hill-Start assist feature is very helpful if you live somewhere with steep hills. It automatically holds the car still at the top of a hill, so you don’t constantly need to keep your foot on both the brake and the gas.

2013 fj trail teams

There’s also a nifty mode called Off-Road Turn Assist which helps you make extremely tight turns by pulsing the rear brakes individually, depending on the direction of the steer. Think of what happens if you lock up a single wheel on a shopping cart – it pivots. This same principle is at work here, and all you need to do is turn the wheel. The truck takes care of the rest.

toyota turn control

The five-speed CRAWL Control system is standard on Toyota’s 2013 Land Cruiser, and an option available on the FJ Cruiser’s Off-road and Trail Teams editions, as well as on the 4Runner Trail edition.