The auto industry made it clear last week: We’re living in the future. Not only is GM officially charging for driverless Cruise rides in San Francisco, but the automaker also began fleshing out plans for a new rental service… on the moon. Meanwhile, Toyota dropped more renderings of its Compact Cruiser EV. The retro-inspired, next-gen FJ […]
Read MoreCategory: Auto
Competition Corner: July 2022 Auto Events Heat Up
The greatest month of the year is finally upon us. More than just the height of summer, July delivers the automotive events we’ve been waiting for all year long. There’s a lot on the docket, so we’ll dig right in. Note: The bigger, regularly-scheduled events you already know about have been moved to the bottom […]
Read MoreLet’s Go! Best Off-Road Trails in the Pacific Northwest
While the other regions we’ve covered in our Best Off-Road Series have their own charm and personality, perhaps none screams outdoors more than the Pacific Northwest. This nature-rich region gives us lush green forests, picturesque mountainscapes, surreal coastlines, and fiercely independent towns and cities. As an East-Coaster, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Pacific […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Recaps, Recalls, Records, & Reveals
Busy week for the auto industry, as several manufacturers debuted new 2023 models. With microchips in short supply, OEMs seem to be reserving the upgrade treatment for their top performers. The Engine Block has news on fresh designs for the Nissan Altima, Subaru Ascent, Honda HR-V, and more. Unfortunately, shoppers looking to step into one […]
Read MoreUnpacking ADAS: Safety Tech Poses Unique Risks and Aftermarket Challenges
The modern vehicle is often described as being more computer than automobile. It’s a fair assessment, considering the typical new car has roughly 100 million lines of software code. That number has jumped exponentially over the past decade or two, and will certainly climb again – by about 5x, if fully self-driving vehicles have their […]
Read MoreTruXedo Custom Covers for Classic Rides
Pickup trucks have become major sellers in the past thirty years. Mostly, these variants are late-model (i.e., vehicles built during the previous five years), but the segment’s overall growth is pushing more owners to consider retrofitting a classic or vintage truck. While this is a cool way to show up at the local car show, […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Hot Rod Power Tour Kicks Off, Bronco Engines Shut Down, Charging Network Takes Shape, & Dealerships Face an Uncertain Future
Trying to keep up with the auto industry’s rapid pace of innovation is enough to give a person whiplash these days. EVs continue to pick up in production, and automakers are exploring more than just flashy features and building materials. Many – like Ford – are entertaining entirely new retail methods, threatening to upend traditional […]
Read MoreLearning to Tread Lightly
Whether you’ve always wondered what “Tread Lightly!” actually means, or you could just use a quick refresher course, The Engine Block explains the organization, its basic principles, and how it can help you preserve off-road trails. As off-roaders and outdoor enthusiasts, we know that the preservation and protection of our land stands above all else. […]
Read MoreUnderCover ArmorFlex: The LINE-X Bed Cover
UnderCover continues to *flex* its muscle in the world of tonneau covers. Known for its premium, one-piece lifting covers, the brand’s “Flex” line of hard folding truck bed covers has gained immense popularity over the past decade. The latest addition to the series – ArmorFlex – is still relatively new to the lineup, but it […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Baja Wins, Auto Sales Losses, Electric Buicks & Flying Taxis
April showers may bring May flowers but they certainly haven’t encouraged a better vehicle supply. Automakers released their U.S. auto sale totals for May this past week, and the numbers are even more disappointing than expected. With supply chains worsening and inflation soaring, some automakers are pulling back. Elon Musk announced a hiring freeze and […]
Read MoreCar Swap Meet: Hunting for the Perfect Parts
We all have that one friend who always seems to find exactly what they’re looking for at the swap meet. And truthfully, as much as we want to hate them, we just can’t be mad that they have the process down pat. They either learned from someone who’s been around the block a few times, […]
Read MoreTake 5 With AutoMeter: Not Your Granddaddy’s Gauges (But They Can Look Like It If You Want)
We stare at our dashboard instrument panels every time we jump behind the wheel, but do we ever actually see them? More often than not, the answer is no. And one could argue that means our gauges are excelling at their job. When operating a two-ton vehicle at speed, we don’t exactly have the time […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Enthusiast Events Draw Big Crowds, U.S. Fleet Hits Another Milestone, and Hyundai Cuts Sonata
Warm weather is rolling in, and it brings plenty of automotive excitement along for the ride. At two different ends of the enthusiast scene, Overland Expo and Mecum Auctions both wrapped up their biggest events of the year – with some seriously impressive turnouts. On the industry side of things, the average age of U.S. […]
Read MoreCompetition Corner: June 2022 Auto Events Bring the Summer Fun
Spring has officially sprung and there is no shortage of outdoor fun to get into. But if food festivals and county fairs have you politely stifling a bored yawn, then maybe it’s time to find something that gets you a little more revved up. From mud-slinging Ultra4 monsters to legendary hill climbs, we’ve collected a […]
Read MoreFord Lineup: Gas-Powered 4x4s Meet EV Agenda
Whether we like it or not, our automotive future is electric. And Ford is doing its very best to set up for a smooth transition. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E brought with it a heaping helping of divisiveness at launch. Not really because of the car itself, but rather the name. Leveraging the brand’s most iconic namesake […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Summer Travel Plans Change, EV Registrations Jump, & Carvana Has Some Problems
Inflation continues to play dirty with the cost of living for millions of Americans. And while most people find ways to save a penny at the pump or in the grocery store, it seems less are willing to compromise on their long-awaited summer vacations. Recent data shows folks are making some creative changes to combat […]
Read MoreBest Off-Road Experiences in the Southwest
From the food to the culture to the picturesque vistas, the Southwest is a must-visit for anyone, especially those with off-roading in mind. For those of us trapped in the Midwest and Northeast, the Southwest must seem like a Shangri-La for outdoor activities. Indeed, with mild winter temperatures and extremely varied terrain, it’s a slice […]
Read MoreExtend The Life of Your Truck With DuraLiner
Adding a DuraLiner drop-in bed liner to your truck is an easy upgrade that pays big dividends. It doesn’t really matter how many bells and whistles or towing upgrades OEMs throw on a pickup truck – it’s the bed that makes it. Providing exceptional functionality and unique styling, the truck bed is like a little […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Crazy Corvette Markups, BIG Cadillac Power, and Red Flags at Rivian
Quite a few eyebrow raisers in this week’s news roundup. Cadillac debuted its 682-hp V-8 monster Escalade-V. A three-row, three-ton SUV capable of shooting 0-60 in under 4.4 seconds? Sure! Why not?! Folks could use a little excitement before the brand dumps all its eggs in the EV basket. And speaking of fragile things, Rivian’s bright […]
Read MoreTop Performance Vehicles for 2022
The push for better fuel economy, alternative power sources, and sustainable materials in auto manufacturing can make the car world feel pretty chaotic these days. In many ways, it feels like a threat to everything that we, as car nuts, love the most. But every generation faces big changes – and while the mainstreaming of […]
Read MoreNew & Improved: BAK Revolver X4s
As the manufacturer of America’s #1 selling hard folding cover and America’s #1 selling hard rolling cover, it’s safe to say BAK Industries understands the value of continuous improvement. The brand’s tonneau covers are well-known for their strength, durability, and stylish good looks. But that’s not enough to grab – and hold onto – top […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: Electric F-150 Power Boost, Lincoln’s Wacky Concept, AV Anxiety, & Interesting Industry Numbers
Automotive technology continues to move at lightning speed, as new electric F-150 customers recently discovered. First deliveries started last week, with EV pickups landing in driveways with more power, range, and towing capacity than even the automaker planned for. Meanwhile, Ford’s luxury brand Lincoln pulled the covers off a new concept. Intending to show off […]
Read MoreCar Show Prep: Start In The Shop, End On The Podium
Whether you’re a car buff ready to try your hand at showing a finished build at a community event, or a well-known professional ready to do the latest SEMA Show, prepping your ride before and during a show is critical. Here are some tips to help your car stand out. Working From The Bottom Up […]
Read MoreFord Mustang: Icon, Trendsetter, & America’s Darling
Even if it’s not your personal favorite, it’s hard to deny the notion that few, if any, vehicles have had an impact on American culture like the Ford Mustang. An instant hit since day one, the epic pony car remains a dream ride for countless car enthusiasts to this day. So, how has the genre-defining […]
Read MoreAuto Industry News: April Sales Down, Auto Thefts Up, & Crossovers Crowding the Market
With Q1 firmly in the rearview, the auto industry has a clearer look of the year ahead. Unfortunately, the road is looking a little bumpy… The outlook for new vehicle sales remains dismal, though it’s certainly not for lack of demand. Microchip shortages pushed automakers to cut another 33,000 vehicles from their global production plans, […]
Read MoreCompetition Corner: May 2022 Auto Events
Well, we finally made it. After a long, trying winter, we’re back to the part of our journey around the sun when we can enjoy our vehicles the right way. There’s a lot going on – which is great – but that does make it hard to decide which events you need to check out. […]
Read MoreThe Jeeper’s Guide to Shopping for a Soft Top
As a Jeep owner, I’m of the opinion that unless you’re neighbors with Santa or study the habits of emperor penguins, you NEED a soft top for your Jeep. I’ve written my local congressmen countless letters about putting this into law. Sure, hard tops are sturdy, secure, and quiet, but have you ever been in […]
Read More