One of the best selling SUV’s in Wyoming gets a completely new design, the 2020 Ford Explorer. From the ground up, the all-new Ford Explorer is now in its sixth generation. The 2020 Ford Explorer ST is the souped-up sporty version of the SUV.
Engineered by the Ford Performance team, Explorer ST uses a specially tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine with 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. A top speed target for track drivers stands at 143 mph. Photo: Ford.
A new rear-wheel-drive platform is based on the Lincoln Aviator, with front-wheel drive versions no longer available. 4WD still an option. On the ST model only, is intelligent 4WD as standard.
2020 Ford Explorer ST Specs
3.0 EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 engine
400 horsepower
415 lb-ft of torque
Intelligent 4WD
10-Speed automatic SelecShift transmission
Max loaded trailer weight for towing is 5600 lbs
Seating capacity: 6 (captains chairs in middle row)
8.3″ ground clearance
Sport-tuned suspension
2020 Ford Explorer ST. Photo: Ford.
Standard on the ST is an all-new Terrain Management System which has up to 7 choices of drive modes; Normal, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, Slippery, Sport, Tow/Haul, and Eco.
“As with Edge ST, Explorer ST offers a Sport mode for an exhilarating ride. When engaged via the selectable drive mode dial in the center console, the steering system tightens for sportier reaction, the gas pedal responds more aggressively, gears hold longer and shift quicker, and an enhanced engine note plays through the cabin,” says Ford.
Each drive mode has matching 3D graphics on the 12.3″ digital cluster.
Towing
Also included on the 2020 Ford Explorer ST trim is a Class III Trailer Hitch Package. This package includes the hitch, trailer connectors, and an engine oil cooler. This enables max towing at 5,600 lbs.
Interior
Exclusive interior features on ST consist of perforated leather sport bucket seats, ST accent stitching, and unique floor mats.
FordPass Connect, Sirius XM Radio, and SYNC 3 are standard on the Explorer ST so you can listen to your favorite tunes through the 12-speaker B&O sound system. Voice-activated touch screen navigation is also included on the ST.
Third-row power-fold seats and Second Row Captains with E-Z Entry and Step-Over Center Console allows for easier exit and entry into and out of the vehicle.
Safety
Here are some standard safety features on the new 2020 Ford Explorer ST;
Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is a package that automatically comes on ST which has advanced safety and driver-assist features comprising of;
Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, and Speed Sign Recognition
Evasive Steering Assist
BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System)
Rear View Camera
Lane-Keeping System
Automatic Emergency Braking
Auto High-Beam Headlamps
Also new for safety features on the Explorer is side-wind stabilization.
Packages and extras
There are of course so customizations that can be made to the Explorer through available extra packages.
High Performance Package
This package has 21″ Aluminum Wheels, high-performance brakes, and red-painted brake calipers and comes in at $1,595.
ST Street Pack
ST Street Pack includes 21″ aluminum wheels, performance brakes red-painted Brake Calipers for $995.
Premium Technology Package
Multicontour Seats with Active Motion® (front only), a 10.1” LCD capacitive portrait touchscreen in the center stack with swipe and pinch-to-zoom capability, and a 980 Watt B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 14 Speakers for $995.
For more information on the 2020 Twin-Turbo Ford Explorer ST or to reserve one, call your local Ford dealership.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon, Lander, Wyoming. Photo: L Baures
Power Wagon
Typically the Power Wagon is a trim level all on its own, but there is also an option to purchase a base level trim (a Tradesman) and add a Power Wagon package: RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon.
This makes the heavy-duty Power Wagon a little more reachable to get all those extreme off-road features without having to break the bank….too much. If you can live without the luxury details and interior swankiness but still want the off-road capability, and Tradesman design, it cuts the price down by around $5k.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon has a new winch design. Lander, WY. Photo: L Baures.
For 2019, RAM heavy-duty pickups are almost a completely new truck. New exterior panels and a revamped interior give the truck a refreshed look.
New for the Power Wagon part in 2019 model years is a change in the winch material and setup. It goes from a steel winch cable to a synthetic cable and a new fairlead design. This reduces weight by 28lbs and synthetic cable cannot kink.
Features on the Power Wagon package include;
Articulink Suspension
Front/Rear Bilstein Shocks (Power Wagon tuned)
Hill-descent Control
Tru-Lok front & rear axles
4.10 axle ratio
Tow hooks
Fuel Tank Skid Plate
Transfer Case
Skid Plate
Front electric 12,000-lb. winch
Black wheel flares,
Power Wagon design
Fog lamps
Bright chrome front and rear bumper
Front disconnecting stabilizer bar
17-in. X 8.0-in. cast-aluminum Power Wagon Wheel LT285/70R17D OWL Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac All-terrain Tires
Wheel well liners, rear
Factory lift
An 8-Speed rotary dial transmission is also new for 2019, allowing more freedom around the steering wheel.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon Review
Off-Road
You’re probably not reading this unless you’re interested in the off-road part, so I’ll to cut straight to it.
Approach and departure angles ( 29.4/26 degrees) on this truck along with 14.2″ of ground clearance make climbing and descending steep slopes a breeze.
With a disconnecting sway bar, traversing over rocks or uneven surfaces doesn’t seem to phase the truck. See previous Power Wagon review for examples.
Front and rear lockers are there for slippery conditions, hill descent control for engine braking and if your buddy gets stuck, winch them out.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon. Photo: L Baures
There isn’t much that can stop a Power Wagon when it comes to off-road except maybe a gas station. I know this from having put 20k miles on a 2017 Power Wagon including some extreme back county in Wyoming.
I’ll tell you exactly what it took to get stuck…5′ of snow with nothing to winch to. I’d have been very surprised if any other factory vehicle would have even made that far in the first place, but I like to test the limits.
The Goodyear Duratrac tires are good in most conditions, although they do make a droning noise on the highway as like most off-road tires.
RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon Interior
Because the Tradesman is the base model, they are about as basic as they come, although the test model I had did have a few upgrades.
Typically a Tradesman trim level is a work truck that comes with vinyl flooring and seat coverings. For an off-road truck, vinyl flooring isn’t quite such a bad idea.
My test vehicle did have the upgrade to carpet and cloth seats as part of the Tradesman Level 2 Equipment Group. (Also in that group is floor mats, power sliding rear window, rear window defroster, chrome interior door handles and a Sirius XM 1 year subscription).
Talking of seats, this is probably my one biggest complaint, which you won’t have to worry about if you’re over 5’3″. With no power seats or height adjustment, I couldn’t see over the hood. Perhaps next time I’ll use a booster seat.
Stop laughing, yeh I know. It’s still nice to be a little higher than the rest of the traffic though.
Equipped with 3 USB ports, one in the center console and 2 up front, you can plug your phone in to charge and/or listen to music through the decent 6-speaker sound system. Bluetooth is also standard.
“Meep meep, move out of my way, big red truck coming through”
Fuel economy
Not the Power Wagons strongest trait and it’s not the reason you’d buy this truck for. A 6.4L HEMI combined with a heavy truck and 4.10 rear axle ratio is not the formula for fuel economy. From the 20k miles on the 2017 Power Wagon, it would get up to 14 mpg on the highway. 2019 models with the new transmission returned 15 mpg combined city and highway driving for me, so it is a little better.
Can you use a RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon as a family vehicle?
Yes.
The tricky part here is that because the truck is 1-already higher being it’s a 3/4 ton, 2- it also has a 1″ factory lift. It’s high of the ground, which is what you want, having that extra ground clearance for off-road. Getting kids in and out of the cab requires a little extra muscle/reach. As I explained before I’m 5’3″ and I can manage this no problem with younger children. With babies in a car seat that has to be lifted into a base this may present more a challenge, but for toddlers and older it’s easier.
The toddler loves it because he can see out the windows, he thinks he’s in a monster truck and the 1st grader likes the challenge of climbing in and jumping out.
The most capable off-road heavy-duty truck on the market. A Tradesman with the Power Wagon package doesn’t change that, it’s a no-frills truck that’s a serious off-roader.
Prices start around the $50k mark at MSRP. before rebates on the Tradesman 2500 Power Wagon.
Contact your local RAM Trucks dealer for more info or take one for a drive.
Earlier this year, Chevy confirmed the mid-engine Corvette is happening. They paraded a camouflaged version of the car through the streets of New York with hidden ‘easter eggs’ on the car giving us clues to figure out more about the car.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The very first Mid-Engine Corvette has been a dream for many for a long time. It’s finally here!
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
We guessed the numbers on the license plate were perhaps a clue about the power the new mid-engine Corvette would have. Numbers the license plate were ‘063 490’ making us think maybe it would be a 6.3L with 490hp.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The official reveal happened and we weren’t too far off on our guesses. The engine will in fact produce 495 horsepower, and the engine is an all-new 6.2L V-8 called the LT2.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Chevy says, this car is the fastest ever Corvette Stingray.
This supercar can achieve 0-60mph in under 3 seconds.
The Reveal
2020 Chevy Mid-Engine Corvette Stingray features include;
8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Magnetic Ride Control dampening system.
Targa roof option (available in body color, transparent or carbon fiber).
Driver mode Selector with 12 performance variables (including MyMode and ZMode for personalizations).
Engine visible through the rear hatch window.
Fighter-jet inspired interior.
Performance data recorder.
Color Heads-Up Display.
Available Front-Lift.
Remote door open from the key fob.
Customizable engine sound.
Corvette Concierge
Chevy says, “A dedicated Corvette Concierge team will provide 2020 Corvette customers with answers to every question about the vehicle discovery, buying and ownership process. Specially trained Corvette Concierges also have access to the executives and engineers who helped develop the vehicle. When appropriate, the Concierge team can connect customers directly with their preferred dealership to facilitate vehicle ordering.”
Front Lift
Driver Mode Selector
Electronic Shifter
The Chevy Mid-Engine Corvette will be available starting at under $60k.
For the truly hardcore, an available Carbon Fiber Track Package features exposed 20-inch carbon fiber wheels with 0.5-inch-wider rear wheels(11.5-inch),custom Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, adjustable exposed carbon fiber GT4 track wing and splitter wickers with integrated dive plane.The rear seat is deleted to reduce weight. Photo: Ford.
760 horsepower, 625 lb-ft. of torque is what this supercharged V-8 has in the new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500!
It’s tempting to leave this article as just that one line above. If you’re a car person, you know exactly what those numbers mean.
Upon initial news that Ford will indeed be making another Shelby GT500, the only numbers they speculated were that the horsepower would be over 700. In order to compete with other straight-line muscle cars out there, Ford would need to exceed this number.
The all-new Shelby GT500–the pinnacle of any pony car ever engineered by Ford. Photo: Ford.
Ford says the Shelby GT500 is capable of 0-60 mph in the mid-3-second range and 1/4 mile drag strip times under 11-seconds.
This is the quickest street-legal Mustang ever.
“Carroll was always working on the next faster Shelby, I think he would love this Mustang more than any other,” said Jim Farley, Ford president, global markets. “A takedown artist, the new Shelby GT500 will surprise supercar owners with its Ford Performance racing tech, supercharged engine and visceral swagger.”
Hand built, the aluminum alloy engine is a 5.2 L V-8 with an inverted 2.65-liter roots-type supercharger and air-to-liquid intercooler.
The all-new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will produce 760 horsepower and 625 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful street-legal Ford ever – with the most power- and torque-dense supercharged production V8 engine in the world.
Shifting in less than 100 milliseconds on the TREMEC 7-speed dual clutch transmission set up.
Drive modes include; normal, slippery, sport, drag and track. Through the in-car Track App, features such as line-lock (to warm up the tires) and launch control with selectable RPMs is available.
The all-new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will produce 760 horsepower and 625 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful street-legal Ford ever – with the most power- and torque-dense supercharged production V8 engine in the world.
Other cool features on the 2020 Shelby GT500 include;
16.53″ two-piece SHW brake rotors (the largest front brakes on any American sports coupe)
6 piston Brembo fixed brake calipers
High capacity oil pan with active baffling channels oil to the center sump.
Next-generation MagneRide suspension.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires or a more aggressive Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire is available.
Double front grille with 50% more cooling than the GT350.
An updated composite material rear diffuser.
31×28″ louvered hood vent has a removable aluminum rain tray for increased air extraction and downforce.
Carbon fiber instrument panel applique.
Suede door panel inserts with accent stitching.
Available Recaro racing seats (with pass-through for harnesses).
Painted stripes available
Available Handling Package; Adjustable strut top mount and spoiler with Gurney flap.
Available Carbon Fiber Track Package; 20″ carbon fiber wheels with 0.5″ wider wheels on the back (11.5″ wide), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, adjustable carbon fiber GT4 track wing, splitter wickers with integrated dive plane and rear seat delete to save weight.
The all-new Shelby GT500–the pinnacle of any pony car ever engineered by Ford Performance–delivers on its heritage with more than 700 horsepower for the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date ever offered in a Ford Mustang.
New colors for 2020 include;Red Hot, Twister Orange, and Iconic Silver.
According to Ford Authority, an insider told them that production is limited to 5000 units, so if you want a 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500, find one and put your name on it quick.
As part of the rodeo participants NIRA membership, competitors are automatically entered into the drawing.
It’s a random drawing, where all the names are put into a hat with one winner being picked out each year.
This year, the lucky winner of the truck (which they get to keep forever) is AJ Kee from Missouri.
AJ Kee standing in front of his brand new College Rodeo RAM 2500.
The NIRA RAM Truck Winner is given the truck at the CNFR (College National Finals Rodeo) in Casper, WY.
We caught up with AJ to find out how he feels about being the NIRA RAM Truck Winner!
Tell us about when you got the phone call to say you had won a brand new RAM Truck?
“Well, I was at my rodeo team banquet at my school and my coach that morning was like ‘Hey did you get a phone call from anybody’ and I’m like well I ain’t checked my phone yet.
He’s like ‘oh alright well hey, congratulations’ and I’m like uh…thanks.
Then after the banquet, he came up to me again and asked if I’d got a phone call/voicemail.
No I ain’t checked my phone again yet, I said.
He told me to go check my phone. I checked my phone and I had a voicemail from Roger [Walters- NIRA Commissioner] to call him back.
Coach said I needed to call him back, it’s some pretty cool news.
I’m thinking did everyone draw out of the CNFR, do I win or something?
Coach said, ‘No it’s not that, but you’ll like it.’
All the coaches in the region had known that I’d won the truck way before I knew.
I called him back and Roger is like, ‘How are you today?’ and I’m like ‘Oh I’m doin’ just fine’ and he says, ‘Well…you’re about to have the best day of your life, you just won a brand new RAM Truck.‘
I said, this has to be a sick joke, who are you, this isn’t cool man, I have a pretty crappy car.
Roger replied, ‘No I’m serious, go ask your coach.’
I went back in there, the entire rodeo team was gathered and I had the biggest grin on my face. The coach had told them what I’d just won.
I still didn’t believe it. So I called here [Fremont Motors] and they’re like ‘YEAH you won a truck!’
I called my parents and my parents didn’t believe it. It took my dad 3 hrs to call the dealership and confirm it. Pretty cool.”
What do you currently drive?
“Right now nothing because I sold my car. But I was driving a 2008 Jeep Patriot.
When I got the Jeep Patriot, I took it down my buddies road back home in Missouri. Nicked the oil pan, blew the motor, ended up throwing a new motor in it with lesser miles. It didn’t even have cruise control, basic as basic gets.”
Which school do you attend and what is your major?
What rodeo event do you compete in and how do you stay disciplined?
“Bareback. Working out a lot, being positive about everything. A positive mind especially with bucking horses is very important.
My coach tells me all the time, ‘You know, every other rodeo event you can have fun… not bareback riding.’
Just the physical aspect of it, it’s like getting in a boxing match with somebody, it’s intense.
It takes everything you have to offer just to stay on the horse.
It’s so fundamentally important to be mentally strong getting on these horses. If you get on thinking you’re goin’ to get bucked off, you’re getting bucked off. “
CNFR Casper Wyoming.
How did you get into rodeo, and why did you choose bareback riding?
“My dad used to rodeo a long time ago, he retired, then he came out of retirement. He started out riding buckin’ horses, well, then he destroyed his shoulder and started fighting bulls and rodeo clowning, and I decided I was like hey, maybe I’ll pick it up and try it out. I did that for four years on a family rodeo circuit level then got offered a scholarship to come to school for it.
Just happened to be a cowboy school, it’s like horseshoeing, western arts, silver-smithing buckles, spurs, its a really cool school.”
What will you use your new truck for?
“Probably shoeing horses, it’ll be a good rig to shoe horses in. Travel, take it to rodeos and show it off. College rodeos for sure, I’ve got another year left of college rodeo.
I’d imagine people are gonna’ want me to drive it in their arena and stuff, so it’ll be pretty cool.
Sleeping in the back of it!” says AJ.
AJ Kee, 2019 NIRA RAM Truck Winner standing in the bed of the truck for a lap around the arena at the CNFR.
Congratulations AJ, for being this years NIRA RAM Truck Winner, enjoy your truck!
Mike Kolich also know as ‘Dr. Derriere’ is on the Ford global seating team. With a Ph.D. in industrial and manufacturing systems with an emphasis on seat comfort, is setting out to cure butt blues with a new design for 2020 Ford Explorer seats.
‘Dr. Derriere’ and Ford team are working on ultimate on-the-road seat comfort for the all-new 2020 Explorer to ‘cradle your bottom’.
“Road trips can be largely defined by how comfortable people are – and when you get down to it, how comfortable our seats allow them to be,” said Kolich.
“As engineers, we’re thrilled with this new seat, but really it’s what our customers say and think that matters.”
2020 Ford Explorer Seats
Ford says, the V-shape design gives torso support for a wider variety of body shapes and sizes.
The ventilation feature (in equipped models) draws warm air from the body instead of pushing cool air through the seat as current systems do.
2020 Ford Explorer seats. Photo: Ford.
Top of the line trim level (ST and Platinum) Ford Explorers get the multicontour massage seats with unique massaging patterns.
The 2020 Ford Explorer seats have a new design to the back of the seat allowing more leg room in the second row along with a new EZ-entry function.
EZ- entry functionality allows the second row to move without having to remove child booster seats, to get to the third row.
This new seat design undergoes a battery of tests to measure up to stringent Ford shape and softness standards to meet more than 100 engineering metrics for optimal comfort, Ford says.
2020 Ford Explorer seats. Photo: Ford.
Dr. Derrier adds, “What people see in a Mustang differs from what they see in an Explorer, but it’s all built on the same architecture. That architecture is the magic, in that it allows us to maintain consistency. These seats should feel similar to the seats in any other new Ford vehicle.”
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