Ford’s top-selling non-F150 is the Explorer, 15th-best selling 2021 vehicle sold this year and 7th top-selling SUV on the market and sits as America’s all-time best-selling SUV.

Explorer was all-new in 2020, after a nine-year run with its fifth generation, redesigning the sixth-gen as a lighter, longer and more powerful vehicle.

The vehicle that is credited with mainstreaming sports utility vehicles, Explorer began as a trim package offered on Ford F-Series trucks from 1968 to 1986. It became its own model line and replaced the Bronco II in 1991 and the mid-size remained the best-selling SUV for two decades and four generations. The 2021 Explorer continues the adventure with new style, power, performance, safety and capabilities, while retaining Explorer ruggedness, toughness and a pampering environment.

Now, for 2022, Explorer will add a new ST-Line trim with a turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain, and it will be available in rear-wheel drive. High-end King Ranch and Platinum models will increase horsepower to 400hp, and can be equipped with either a second-row bench seat or a pair of captain's chairs.

For 2021, Explorer upgraded from the 2020 redesign with reduced prices on all trims with lower-priced, RWD Enthusiast ST trim added to lineup;  King Ranch and Timberline trims added to line-up; uptweaked interiors for Limited, ST, and Platinum trims with power-adjustable front passenger seat; increased wheel choice ranging from 18 to 21 inches; standard heated front seats and optional Sport Appearance package on the XLT trim; enhanced performance packs; and a hybrid now offered for the Platinum trim with RWD powertrain. New exterior colors include Carbonized Gray, Infinite Blue Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Stone Gray.

Built in North America at Chicago Assembly Plant, Explorer’s look changes subtly with each trim level, and remains Explorer confident, with a rear-wheel-drive architecture, athletic roundness and increased aerodynamics. Explorer measures 198.8 inches long (the ST trim is 199.3 inches long), 89.3 inches wide (including mirrors), and 70.2 inches high on a huge 119.1-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.2 inches, and curbweight for the 4WD Platinum version is 4727 lbs. -- the base trim is 382 lbs. lighter.

My test Explorer Platinum exterior was enhanced by body-color door handles with satin aluminum insert, a body-color liftgate spoiler, Satin Aluminum Lower bodyside cladding accent, Quad Chrome Exhaust Tips, a unique grille with satin-aluminum finish, a Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate, LED Signature Lighting, power folding mirrors with autofold and heated glass, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Rear Bumper Step ,Acoustic-laminate window glass in front and Privacy Glass in the Second and Third Rows.

The 2021 Explorer offers three engine choices (with four set-ups): The 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 produces 300hp and 310 lbs-ft of torque (same as last year); the 3.3-liter hybrid is good for a combined horsepower of 318 and torque of 322 lb-ft; and the new 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 that powered my test ride, provided 365 hp and 380 lbs-ft of torque, while another version of the 3.0 stampedes 400 horses and 415 lb-ft for the ST.

The hybrid is EPA rated at 27mpg/city and 29/highway; the 2.3 gets 21/city and 28/highway and the 3.0 version gets 18 and 24. My test Explorer Platinum 3.0 averaged 20.0mpg on the highway, around town and on soft-road excursions.

The 400hp ST can complete a zero-to-60mph sprint in 5.2 and beat 14 seconds in the quarter-mile, but my 365-horse Platinum accelerated well and finished off the sprint in 6.1 seconds (hand-timed) during a 14.6 quarter-mile.

Inside, the Explorer is spacious, well-appointed, tech-savvy, luxurious, functional and comfortable with good sightlines. With seating for six or seven, front headroom is 40.7 inches with 40.5 inches in row two (and 38.9 when there is a third row); legroom is 43.0 inches up front and 39.0 in the second seats (and a tight 32.0 inches in a third row), and shoulder room is 61.8 (row one), 61.9 (row two) and 54.6 (row three).

Explore had been awarded a 5-star safety rating and features dual-stage front airbag, front-passenger knee airbag; Safety Canopy® System; SOS Post-Crash Alert System™; Traction control; AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and Curve Control; Anti-Lock Brake System; battery saver with headlamps-off delay; four-wheel disc with Illuminated Entry System; rearview camera; SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System; perimeter alarm; and individual tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare).

The 2021 Explorer drops in price from the 2020s by from $540 to more than $5000 depending on trim level. The base Explorer is priced at $33,470 (RWD) and 4WD adds $2000. The XLT trim raises the RWD price to $35,245 and the Limited trim hybrid goes $44,167. My top-of-the-line 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum started at $55,725, a drop of $3000 from the same crossover I tested last year. It was decked out with Intelligent 4WD, Tri-Diamond Perforated Leather Seating Surfaces with Accent Stitching, Twin Panel Moonroof, Active Park Assist 2.0, Evasive Steering Assist, Remote Start, Heated Steering Wheel, Voice-activated touchscreen navigation and 12.3-inch Digital Cluster. The Premium Technology Package added $1195 for Multicontour front Seats with Active Motion®, a 10.1-inch LCD Capacitive Portrait Touchscreen with Swipe and Pinch-to-Zoom Capability and 14-speaker, 980-watt Bang & Olufsen B&O sound system. Splash Guards added $205 and the sticker added Destination Charges of $1195 and an Acquisition Fee of $645, but regional incentives of $1750 were applied (and may be available, so check with your dealer), making the price-as-tested $57,220.

You can see the 2021 and 2022 Ford Explorer as well as vintage Explorers and more than 3200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Fords that span decades, including just about everything Ford has offered since 1903, at the 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals, June 3-5, 2022 at the Carlisle(PA) Fairgrounds.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. 

The Nissan Z debuted in 1969 and has been Datsun/Nissan’s super car for seven generations. The Nissan 370Z is about to be replaced by the 2023 Nissan Z. Developed to represent an approachable sports car for the modern age, Nissan execs say "Z is the pure expression of thrill. It is Nissan's passion wrapped up on four wheels.” The all-new, 2023 Z, which drops its numerical prefix in the U.S. for the first time, is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in spring 2022.

However, as the 370Z is still out there, Nissan already has a super car, a high-performance street beast that has been an excitement provider since 2007, the Nissan GT-R.

Happy with what they have, the 2021 GT-R adds only one new exterior color, Bayside Blue, an homage to a 1990s color that was not offered in America, and a higher-performance GT-R NISMO model was added to the lineup. Last year’s 50^th Anniversary Edition has been shelved for a limited-edition T-Spec trim with wider fenders, gold-painted wheels, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, and either Millennium Jade or Midnight Purple paint.

I tested the Premium trim GT-R that just about matches the NISMO’s 600 horsepower with 565 horses of its own.

With performance bred on the racetracks, GT-R boasts of a 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine – each handcrafted by its own takumi (“artisan”) technician and supercharged for max output. In addition, the exhaust manifolds, inspired by racing technology, feature optimized turbo flange attachment points, which allow for easier servicing and potential tuning, without touching the exhaust manifold. The engine is rated at 565 horsepower with torque rated at 467 lb-ft.

The 2021 GT-R also features a standard titanium exhaust system, which better manages the high temperatures of the exhaust gases from the engine (versus non-titanium). The system includes a duct on the vehicle's undertray just forward of the muffler, which guides air into the rear diffuser section to help cool the muffler and evacuate hot air.

The base engine is the longitudinal electronic fuel-injected V-6 VR38DETT that is rated at 16/22/18. I averaged about 16.6 mpg, but I wasn’t driving it for fuel economy. I pedal-mashed and drove it for fun and for performance.

Some reports have the 2021 Nissan GT-R Premium blazing the zero-60mph sprint in 2.9 seconds (and the 600-hp NISMO version in 2.5) with an 11.2-second quarter-mile. My test drive was not done in ideal conditions and my vehicle was not light nor was it specially tuned for the tests, so I never got under 3-seconds, and my quarter-mile was closer to 11.5, but fast is fast, and this beast was fast. Acceleration is without a beat, though the shift points were not completely on target.

Vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion, aluminum steering rack, four-point mounting, with stiff insulators was auto-cross responsive, and the independent double wishbone aluminum, integral tube-frame structure front suspension and Independent and multi-link aluminum rear soften any road irregularities and maintain a balance between driver’s road feel and passenger comfort.

With seating for four, the front is roomy -- the rear, not so much. Head room measures 38.1 inches in front and a duck-your-head 33.5 in the rear seats. Legroom is an ample 44.6 inches in front and pull-your-knees-up 26.4 inches in the back. Shoulder room is 54.3 and 50.0. The Premium cabin’s front bucket seats are a leather/synthetic suede combination, with 8-way power heated driver’s seat and heated 4-way front passenger seat.

Infotainment includes a Bose® audio system with 11 speakers (9 speakers with 2 subwoofers in rear center armrest area) with AM/FM/CD, MP3/WMA playback and Bose active noise cancellation. Included is NissanConnect® with 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control and voice recognition for Nissan navigation and audio, HD Radio, SiriusXM ® Travel Link and Bluetooth hands-free phone system all with steering wheel audio controls.

Safety is attended to with an advanced air bag system of driver and front passenger air bags with dual-stage inflation, seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor. On board are driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front seat occupant head protection. Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column, hood buckling creases, knee bolsters, and high-strength side door guard beams were engineered for safety and support when needed.

The 2021 Nissan GT-R starts at $113,549 for the GT-R premium and $210,740 for the NISMO version. In Solid Red with a Black interior, Premium carbon-fiber all weather floor mats were added for $1085, and that was it. With $1795 included for shipping and handling, my 2021 test Nissan GT-R was priced at $116,420.

You can expect to see Zs and GTs, classic imports of luxury and racing lore and the newest a glitziest in an international vehicle wonderland showcasing more than 2300 unique and impressive imported vehicles from around the world at the 2022 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals, May 13-14, 2022 Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.

Also on display will be domestics, kit cars, motorcycles, trucks and high-end performance vehicles. See the top builds, restorations, clubs and brands representing the world of automobiles and performance. Get your high-octane adrenaline fix on with autocross, drifting, rolling exhaust competition, and more at the 2022 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

Ford launched its F-150 truck line in 1948 and it soon became “America’s Truck”, the best-selling truck in the U.S. for 44 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 39 years. This year, the 14th generation has begun and while it may look much as its predecessor did, Ford focused on capability rather than looks as the 2021 F-150 underwent a redesign of 92% of its parts, carrying over only its cab and pickup box structure. So far, the new-gen has only built on F-150’s legacy of success and sales.

Last redesigned in 2015, the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 was introduced for the 2021 model year through a live presentation streamed over the Internet on June 25, 2020. The all-new F-150 is purpose-built from the ground up — and according to Ford, it was redesigned to be “the toughest, most productive F-150 ever.”

Most productive or not, the 2021 F-150 is a street and work beast with options. There are six powertrains including a hybrid, three cab configurations, both long and short bed lengths and myriad options for luxury, tech, infotainment and toughness to fit any budget of lifestyle. Styling may not have been outwardly addressed, but the new Ford F-150 is new from grille to tailgate.

With a 6.5-foot styleside configuration 4x4, the 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat I tested measures 209.1 inches long, 77 inches high and 79.9 inches wide on a 122.8-inch wheelbase with ground clearance of 8.3 inches and ground to open tailgate height of 33.9 inches. With a SuperCrew Cab, those measurements increase to a 157.2-inch wheelbase and length of 243.5 inches. Curbweight with a Super Crew and 5.0-liter 4x4 was 5014 pounds.

Inside, the Super Crew gets you 40.8 inches of front headroom and 40.3 in the rear; shoulder room of 66.7 and 66.0 inches; and legroom of 43.9 and 43.6.

My test Lariat had a 12-inch digital productivity screen for driving information in such modes as Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slipper, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, Mud/Rots. Rock Crawl and 4x4. It also has a 12-inch center stack touch screen with enhanced voice recognition that runs from playlist to directions. Also inside you get dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, cruise control, delayed accessory power

dome light, fade-to-off interior lighting, grab handles, dual note horn, intelligent access with push-button start, intermittent windshield wipers, outside temperature display, power door locks with flip key, power-adjustable pedals with memory, rearview mirror, color-coordinated carpet with carpeted floor mats, black leather-wrapped steering wheel, SiriusXM® with 360L, SYNC® 4 with Enhanced Voice Recognition, FordPass™ Connect with Wi-Fi Hotspot, leather-trimmed seating, 10-way power front seats with lumbar, and more.

Safety items include six airbags, safety canopy and side curtains, Post-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Keeping System  Reverse Sensing System, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Tow Coverage, Curve Control, Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes and more.

Outside you get optional running boards, autodimming and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals with memory and power folding, LED box lighting, cargo hooks, power lock and release tailgate and more.

The F-150 has direct and quick steering making it carlike in several ways. Sightlines were good and maneuverability in tight spots made the vehicle seem than expected. The ride was a bit bouncy over rougher terrain, but smooth on the highways. My 400 hp/410-lb-ft of torque  5.0-liter Lariat accelerated smoothly and powerfully and went from zero to 60 in 5,9 seconds during a 14.5-second quarter mile (hand-timed). Fuel mileage was 20.2 mpg.

The 2022 Ford F-150 starts at $29,290, and through three cab styles, 4x2 or 4x4, six powertrains and eight trim models, can start you off as high as $73,105 before options. My Lariat trim is third on the list and started at $45,045 with a 2.7-liter Ecoboost engine. The SuperCrew cab and 6.5-foot bed moved that to $47,660. Adding 4x4 (I always make sure my trucks are 4x4) added $3835. Tough Bed spray-in bedliner added $595. Molded splash guards were $220; 6-inch extended running boards added $1005; floor liners added $200. Destination charges of $1695 and Acquisition fees of $645 put the price-as-tested at $56,655.

You can see the 2021 and 2022 Ford F-150 and more than 2,000 trucks that span decades, from lowered mini trucks, lifted 4x4s, chromed out big rigs, SUV’s, custom vans, new trucks and the perfectly restored at the Carlisle Truck Nationals, August 5-7 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Florida is a destination location and with its year-round sunshine and countless entertainment options, it’s easy to see why so many visit the Sunshine State.  Carlisle Auctions, a Carlisle, Pennsylvania based company, offers central Florida residents yet another reason to get out and enjoy themselves next month with its two-day classic and collector car auction.  The Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction returns to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus November 12-13 and offers an anticipated 400+ lots spanning automotive history; some even selling for a charitable cause.

With easy access just off the Polk Parkway, I-4 and County Line Rd., the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus has been home to Carlisle Auctions multiple times a year dating back to 2015.  This time around, and just in time for the holiday season, bidders and buyers alike can enjoy muscle cars, antiques, daily drivers, best of show gems, trucks and so much more.  Though the cars and trucks are great to look at, this isn’t a car show…it’s a car go, and go they will, with each vehicle eligible for purchase by the highest bidder.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. daily, the auction excitement is as good, if not better than those showcased on cable TV.  November 12 will feature an all-truck hour starting at 1:30 p.m., meaning those who are into the truck lifestyle can watch for 60 minutes straight, truck after truck cross the block.  Jeeps will also be part of this hour and with the popularity of Jeeps in Polk County and Florida as a whole, may offer a hopeful Jeep owner a chance to pick up a new ride at an affordable price.

Speaking of pricing, with the cost of new and used cars up 27% and a projected delay in new car inventory through 2023, the auction is THE BEST way to find something pre-owned at an affordable price point.  Lots will range from four-figures to six and each will be an investment that truly accelerates.  Inventory will also span nearly 100 years of production.

All-new for the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction, Carlisle Auctions is pleased to announce a partnership with the Rescue 22 Foundation.  Rescue 22 is a non-profit with its training facilities based in Naples, whose mission is to pair highly trained service dogs with combat veterans.  The aforementioned partnership will see a WWII era 1944 (titled as a 1957) Willys Jeep cross the block with 100% of the funds raised benefitting Rescue 22.  Rescue 22 will also have an onsite presence, showcasing their cause, and hosting combat veterans, service dogs, and more.

“We are excited to return to central Florida and this amazing facility for our Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “We’ve had a Florida presence for nearly 10 years and while Lakeland in February has been a main-stay on our auction schedule, it’s been a few years since we hosted a November auction,” continued Cline.  “We’ve had record-breaking results throughout 2021 and it all started this past February at this very same location.  We are confident that the buyers, sellers, and spectators who join us November 12-13 will be entertained and more so, happy with their results!”

Complete details on the auction are available at CarlisleAuctions.com.  In addition, the auction offers THREE great ways to bid on desired lots; in person, on the phone, or online!  Best of all, once registered as a bidder, online bidding can commence immediately.  Consignments are being added daily to the Carlisle Auctions web page.  Finally, there is onsite RV parking for those looking to make the event a multi-day adventure.  For auction details, call 717-960-6400 and for details on RV parking, call 717-243-7855.  Get involved today and don’t miss out! 

The Dodge Challenger has been a Dodge excitement-provider (albeit with a few stoppages) since 1958, when it debuted for two years as a limited-edition member of the Dodge Coronet line -- the Dodge Silver Challenger. Challenger made a lasting impression a decade later when it galloped onto the Pony car scene in 1969 as a sister to the Plymouth Barracuda. Entering the American “Muscle Car” Wars,” Challenger began with the Chrysler “E-body” short-deck, long-hood platform it shared with the Plymouth Barracuda. With powertrain choices that ranged from a 145-hp 225-cubic-inch I-6, to a 426-ci HEMI V-8 that thundered out 425 horses (there was also a larger 440-ci V-8 that produced 390 horsepower), Challenger’s first run ended in 1974.

The next generation lived from 1978 to 1983, when it was shelved until its renaissance in 2008. Back as a retro-luxury-muscle car in 2008, a re-design in 2015 built on the 1970s architecture and power has increased ever since, to promote Challenger as “the most powerful muscle car ever,” and  “The Strongest Muscle in America.” That boast is backed up by Challenger’s available supercharged SRT Super Stock model that explodes out 807 horsepower.

We won’t see the next generation of Challenger until 2023, and the 2021 version sits on the same platform it debuted on in 2008. Its last major facelift was in 2015, yet with iconic looks and power to attract, the 2021 Dodge Challenger is in a dogfight, or Pony race with Mustang for the top-selling muscle car spot this year. With few changes except conveniences in store for 2022, the 2021 beast adds a widebody package available on R/T Scat Pack Shaker and T/A 392; memory feature for driver's seat, steering column, side mirrors, and radio presets available on all trim levels; 20-inch wheels now standard on GT AWD, available on SXT AWD trims; additional SRT branding on SRT trims and Black chrome finish on the grille, spoiler, and fender badges on some SRT trims

In classic muscle car front-wheel, rear-drive configuration, the SRT Super Stock’s revised powertrain rating, combined with its larger, stickier standard Nitto drag radials, help propel the 807-hp model to a 3.25-second zero-to-60mph sprint and a 10.5-second quarter. 

Other model power numbers start at 303hp and there is a power setting for every taste, as long as you like muscle. The 2021 Dodge Challenger offers a full range of engine options, including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 on SXT, SXT AWD, GT and GT AWD models; the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 on R/T models, the naturally aspirated 392 HEMI V-8 on R/T Scat Pack models; the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 on SRT Hellcat and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V-8 on SRT Hellcat Redeye and new SRT Super Stock.

Available in 13 exterior and five interior colors, the 2021 Challenger is built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. Its unitized steel body construction measures 197.9 inches long, 78.3 inches (widebody) wide and 57.7 inches high, with 5.2 inches of ground clearance on a 116-inch wheelbase. My manual shift model weighed 4308 lbs. (curbweight)

I went with a manual shift 5.7-liter HEMI that was good for 375 hp and 410 lbs-ft of torque set up that is EPA rated at 15mpg/city and 23mpg/highway. My test driving averaged 16.8 mpg, and I did a lot of pedal mashing. My sprint speed was 5.1 seconds during a 13.8-second quarter-mile.

Inside, you get 21st century infotainment and headroom of 39.3 inches in front, 37.1 rear knee clearance of 4.4 inches;  legroom of 42 in front and 33.1 in row two; and shoulder room of 58.5 and 53.9. 

Acceleration is as quick as I can shift and stomp, and the electric steering is mildly into understeer. The indy short- and long-arm front suspension and five-link rear floats a bit for a driver, but is smooth for passengers.

With nine models in the line-up the 2021 Dodge Challenger starts at $29,065 for the 303-hp SXT and ranges on up to $82,465 for the 807-hp SRT Super Stock. Most buyers will go somewhere in the middle and my test R/T model was third up on the list and started at $35,575 with a 5.7-liter HEMI and 6-speed manual shift. In classic Go Mango (orange) paint, classic black R/T side stripes and hood cowl added $395. In the cockpit, Alcantara/Nappa leather seats were standard, along with a UConnect 4C system with 8.4-inch display. An Alpine Audi Group option with subwoofer added $995 and a power sunroof added $1295. The $3095 Plus Package added machined granite 20-inch wheels, 276-watt amp, 6 premium Alpine speakers, HD radio, 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hot Spot, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, power tilt/telescope column and much more.

Adding destination charges of $1595 and discounting a $1500 National Retail Consumer Cash deletion, my 2021 Dodge Challenger was priced at $42,540.

You can see 50 years of Challengers and all things Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth at the 2022 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, July 15-17, 2022.

The largest Mopar event in the world, the show features more than 2,800 vehicles from all eras of the Chrysler brand, along with parts, tools, memorabilia, collectibles and more.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>