Fuel Infection
Automotive Reviews
2010 Ford SVT F-150 Raptor
Jul 4th
You can practically hear the hard-edged, distorted guitar chords the moment you turn the key. Just looking at the Ford SVT F-150 Raptor, it’s clear that this truck is made of the same stuff as Mountain Dew commercials and extreme sports. Heck with a massively widened track, beefy suspension components exposed for the world to see and tires that were made for jumping over stuff, the Raptor IS an extreme sport.
The Raptor springs from the id of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. Traditionally known for pavement-rippling sports cars, SVT has gone for overland speed with this truck, which is inspired by high-riding desert racers. The Raptor isn’t just a styling exercise, either–this truck is designed to pound through merciless off-road terrain–and to do it at high speed. Ladies and gentlemen, don’t try this at home. More >
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
Jun 21st
The all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour has arrived, and it’s not like anything else on the market. Well, not exactly. Like other recent “category-busters,” the Crosstour defies easy identification. Is it a tall sedan, or a crossover utility vehicle? An SUV, or a station wagon? The thing is, it’s hard to figure out exactly why the Crosstour exists, exactly. Yes, it’s a big, useful SUV-alternative that drives like a car, but apart from giving the Toyota Venza (another nice vehicle that answers a question I’m not sure anybody asked) a run for its money, why is it here? I’m used to Hondas lacking personality, but on some fundamental level, the Crosstour seems to lack a sense of purpose.
And then, a funny thing happened. I took the Crosstour into downtown Detroit to run some errands, and this big multi-tasker suddenly made a lot of sense. Combining Honda’s comfortable driving dynamics with a raised suspension and curb-ready tires made the Crosstour the perfect vehicle for tackling Detroit’s decidedly post-industrial streets. More >
2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid
Jun 21st
Yes, the Do Not Resucitate order has been issued for Mercury, but I’ve got one more drive in Ford’s mid-range brand in me, so here goes.
Spiritual successor to the 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser? Not exactly. The 2010 Milan Hybrid doesn’t even appear to be from the same species as that chrome-frosted beast with whom it shares a parent company. Nevertheless, I cruised the turnpikes with Mercury’s hybrid sedan, and it was quite a good match. More >