Winter Tires - Do They Make A Difference?

The mid-size truck market has been very busy over the past two years, with redesigned models from Nissan, Chevrolet/GMC, and Toyota. Now it is Ford’s turn with the Ranger. The last Ranger first arrived at Benna Ford as a 2019 model, but it has been a design used worldwide for several years. The new Ranger will also be sold around the world, but its design puts US interests and preferences first. Wider and Tougher Prioritizing the U.S. market resulted in a burlier model with several more inches in width and more muscular, squared-off dimensions. It much more closely resembles a smaller  F-150. All 2024 Rangers will have the same five-passenger, four-door crew cab and five-foot (59.6-inch) bed. A key feature of the bed is that the wider rear track now enables your standard 4-foot wide plywood or drywall to fit flat on the bed floor within the wheelhouses, and this is an ability you won’t find in the Nissan, GM, or Toyota models. The tailgate now opens with a damped motion and features a torsion spring to ease closing. The Cab’s central locking mechanism also extends to the tailgate. An available deep and tall inset step just before the rear bumper on the side eases access to adjust things in the bed. All Turbo-charged Engine Lineup The Ranger was ahead of the game with its standard turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 engine, and you now see similarly sized turbocharged 4-cylinder engines becoming the standard across the category. The engine continues with the same power of 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and remains paired to the 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the GM and Toyota models, a V6 upgrade is still available in the form of the F-150's EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6, which produces 315 horsepower and peak torque of 400 lb-ft. This powertrain will be available post-launch, and Ford has not yet specified it, but this will likely be tied to 4WD drivetrains. The maximum towing case for both models with either of these engines is 7,500 pounds. There will also be a Ford Ranger Raptor model for the first time in the U.S. It will be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that is good for a class-leading 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The Raptor will also feature full-time 4WD, front and rear locking differentials, and 2.5-inch Fox Live valve dampers. Updated Suspension Models without the prehistoric moniker have their own updated suspensions. The geometry is largely the same, but the front upper and lower control arms are now aluminum for greater stiffness and lighter weight. In the rear, the dampers are moved outside the leaf springs, and the helper leaf spring is composite instead of steel. When combined with new tuning for the dampers and springs, the result is a smoother and more refined ride. All-New Cabin Naturally, the interior is fully redesigned. Anchoring the center of the dash is a vertical 12.4-inch touchscreen. Within the tall screen, smartphone mirroring from either Apple CarPlay or Android fills the top two-thirds of the screen, while the lower portion features permanent controls for climate and other controls. Physical controls for the climate remain just below. Allow-profile electronic shifters sit on the driver's side of the center console. Another new cabin feature is that the back seat folds flat when needed for additional in-cabin storage. The model line remains with XL, XLT, and Lariat trim levels, with a starting MSRP of $34,265 for the XL. The Tremor model goes away to be replaced by the Raptor, which will arrive after the launch of the rest of the model line. As of this writing, 2024 Rangers are just starting to make their way into the Benna Ford Inventory. Check our site for a model you may be interested in, or check out what’s here, and if you like what you see, we will find one that meets your specifications.

Ford is allowing owners of the all-new, seventh-generation Mustang to take their vehicle to the race track and learn from some of the most experienced professional driving instructors in the country, as well as access to a new online portal that will connect 2024 Mustang owners from all over the country, along with some lifestyle events. “The Ford Mustang is all about two things: its community of passionate fans and racing. We’re combining those qualities and giving owners the opportunity to learn some of the same skills our racing drivers will take to Daytona and Le Mans next year,” said Matt Simpson, general manager for Enthusiast Vehicles. “And they’ll do so alongside their fellow enthusiasts.” Customers who purchase a brand new Ford Mustang Dark Horse will get the chance of a lifetime at the Mustang Dark Horse Track Attack at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Owners can drive the skid pad, autocross, and Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (road course plus oval track). The event kicks off the evening prior to driving at a private reception at the CMS Champion’s Club that overlooks the track. The following morning, drivers will head to the track and get briefed in the classroom with on-track instruction to follow. Instructors will first teach owners how to utilize the no-lift-shift system in the first-ever Dark Horse before heading out onto the skid pad and the autocross portions of the track. Once you have learned how to properly take control of your car, you will be led around the Roval in a lead-follow that consists of three 20-minute sessions, with a hot lap as the passenger in an instructor’s car. Dark Horse buyers can sign up for this program starting in January 2024. For the first time, Ford Mustang EcoBoost and GT buyers will be able to take part in their own Track Attack program at Charlotte Motor Speedway, doing much the same thing that Dark Horse customers will get to do. This allows all Mustang owners to be more enthusiastic about the incredible performance of the latest generation car. The new digital portal will be a Mustang enthusiast’s paradise, letting owners gather online friends within the Mustang community. Cross-country events held in 10 U.S. markets will allow enthusiasts to meet up for automotive, lifestyle, and motorsports events. “Ford Mustang fans make this car what it is – a global icon for performance and excitement. And now, we’re giving owners a chance to connect regardless of distance and share their passion,” Mustang Brand Manager Joe Bellino said. At Benna Ford, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With more than 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

Early in 2023, Ford entered into a partnership with actress Sydney Sweeney for a line of women’s workwear. The line launched in March and the most popular items sold out in a matter of days. Ford has announced that it is extending and expanding its clothing line collaboration with Sweeney. Grew up with Mechanics Sweeney is best known for her starring role in HBO’s Emmy-winning teen drama “Euphoria” as well as the first season of “White Lotus”. She grew up in Spokane, Washington, with a family of mechanics, so cars and car culture have been a large part of her life. She contributes to that culture herself by use of her TikTok channel, where she has documented restoring her 1969 Ford Bronco. She has used both that channel and Ford’s Instagram account to display her off-roading with the Bronco in Moab, Utah. Another Ford owned by Sweeney, her beloved Brittany Blue 1965 Mustang, inspired the new line. The line is also intended to be part of a wider campaign to encourage more women to become involved with the automotive industry. For nearly 60 years, Mustang has represented freedom and self-expression. Collaborating with Sydney and her love for her 1965 Mustang celebrates what that can look like. For Sydney, it meant embracing a new hobby to restore the vehicle of her dreams, and designing a clothing line that makes women feel comfortable and empowered to do the same,” says Erica Martin, Ford marketing communications manager. Designed by Ford and Sweeney, Made by Dickies The expanded line will be produced by the well-known maker of work clothes, Dickies. The new line will include denim coveralls, a racing jacket, a corduroy hat, a T-shirt, and a keychain. Ford will display the line with an online lookbook with the products modeled by celebrity female automotive restoration enthusiasts with an online presence, such as Adi Law, Gelica Peralta, Sandy Rancatore, Isabella Rosa, and automotive expert and analyst Lauren Fix. The lookbook will also provide step-by-step instructions for basic vehicle maintenance, changing a car battery, and checking tire pressure, brake fluid, and oil. “I love working in the garage and was so excited to partner with Ford on a clothing line that’s comfortable in and out of the shop,” said Sweeney. “I was so thrilled that Ford wanted to use auto enthusiasts to model the clothing and create content that teaches people how to do basic maintenance tasks on their vehicles. Being able to take my car into my own hands has been so empowering for me – and I hope this can inspire others who may have never considered working on their vehicle themselves to give it a try.” The clothing line can be found and purchased at merchandise.ford.com. Of course, Ford vehicles can be found here at Benna Ford. Contact us today and get behind the wheel of a new Ford!