RPM Drives – Page 9 – RPM News Weekly

RAM 2500 HD Rebel; RAM’s HD Lineup Gets a New, Off-Road Ready Trim

For 2023, RAM brought the off-road-ready Rebel trim from the RAM 1500 to the 2500 HD.

It’s hard to believe that someone at RAM looked around the table and said, “You know what? The RAM Heavy Duty pickup line needs another trim configuration.”

RAM trucks already offer a dizzying array of trims, special editions, and configurations, ranging from the no-frills, work-focused Tradesmen – a classic Dodge RAM trim name revived in 2019 – to the luxurious Limited edition. When we say luxurious, we mean it. While Ford and GMC trucks have stepped up their game with impressive interiors, the top-tier RAM trims reign supreme as the king of the ‘cowboy Cadillacs.’

For 2023, RAM brought the off-road-ready Rebel trim from the RAM 1500 to the 2500 HD. Not that the HD series was lacking an off-road trim, the RAM 2500 HD Power Wagon has been available for almost a decade and a half.

Although there are similarities, the Power Wagon continues to add a few more off-road goodies including Tru-Lok locking differentials, an Articulink articulating suspension, a front disconnecting stabilizer bar, and a standard 12,000-lb winch integrated into the front bumper.

Of course, the Rebel is no slouch when it comes to off-road capability, boasting aggressive off-road tires, skid plates, and a rear limited-slip differential. Plus, the Rebel offers one thing that the Power Wagon doesn’t: a 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, delivering 420 horsepower and an astounding 1,075 pound-feet of torque.

While it might sound cliché, the RAM 2500 Rebel truly stands out as a well-balanced pickup truck capable of seamlessly transitioning from the job site to the campsite in comfort.

The Rebel also offers two Rebel Equipment Groups;

Rebel Level 1:

Leather-trimmed 40/20/40 Bench Seat
Automatic Adjust-in-Reverse Exterior Mirrors
Power Adjustable Convex Aux Mirrors
Power Heat/Fold/Telescoping Memory Mirrors
Power Telescoping Mirrors
Premium Overhead Console
Rain-Sensitive Windshield Wipers
Selectable Tire-Fill Alert
Trailer Tow Pages
Uconnect 5 Nav with 12.0-inch Touch Screen Display

Rebel Level 2:

Front Door Passive Entry and Lock
Off-Road Info Pages
Rear Power-Sliding Window
17 Speaker Harman Kardon Premium Sound
Bi-Function LED Projector Headlamps
Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly Transfer Case
Front and Rear Floor Mats
Aluminum Litho w/Black Trim Instrument Panel Bezels
Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
Leather-Wrapped Grab Handle
Luxury Door Trim Panel
Black Rotary Shifter with Silver Stripe

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Going Head to Toe To Toe With A $155K Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63

2-21-24 Photo Feature
2024 Mercedes Benz AMG GLS63

The thrill of full-throttle performance to be found in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 can be quite enticing; intoxicating even, if that weren’t such a careless use of a metaphor. Hopefully though, it’s enough to make up for some of this vehicle’s shortcomings, or should we say picadillos since everything opulent is writ large with this model.

Our week with this uber muscular premium SUV was defined less by its overt power and luxury than by its needless excesses and oddities. One could start with its $155,200 price tag – a mere trifle to some buyers, we suppose.

RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber

Granted, all that glitters about this vehicle may only be half the story, knowing that the reasons for its uncommon interior quietness and stellar on-road dynamics are hidden from view, and contribute substantially to its six-figure MSRP. Nevertheless, we could name three vehicles that collectively barely exceed that dollar figure and would match many features while making their owners perfectly happy, too.

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In any case, the foremost questions we found ourselves asking were these:

Are the power and prestige that a handcrafted hybrid assisted AMG 4.0-liter biturbo engine offers worth the EPA estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050? Our guess is that the expense is actually going to be higher in real world driving. Why? Well, for us, on a 9-mile drive, mostly Interstate highway, we achieved a paltry 13.9 mpg. (see photo). This is well below the EPA combined rating of 16 mpg. Even so, the EPA figure equates to using 6.2 gallons of gasoline for every 100 miles. How does one justify that in these times when it’s critical for all of us to lower our CO2 footprints? Or, when Mercedes-Benz has a much more enviro-friendly alternative in the EQS SUV?

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 Fuel Economy display

Next, how is it that a $155K model with nearly every winter-ready feature one could ask for not have a heated steering wheel? Yes, the website says that feature is standard, but it was not to be found in the test vehicle we drove. After much research, we concluded that the $600 credit listed on the Monroney sticker was likely for this omission and that there possibly was a supply chain issue getting some part for the feature. Regardless, the blank spot on the steering column where the switch should be led us to wonder whether the steering wheel itself was still equipped with the necessary heating element and that it was just the switchgear that was missing, or perhaps an entirely different steering wheel was installed.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 steering column control

Speaking of the steering wheel, to what extent did the design engineers examine the level of distracted driving involved in managing the umpteen functions laid out across and around the steering wheel? In a nutshell, we think it’s excessive. Just look at the photo. Then read the manual. There are even more than meets the eye! Should we suppose that if we’ve managed to set up all the amazing safety technology correctly, we won’t need to worry about being distracted?

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63 steering wheel

One more thing, redundancy is a good idea and certainly to be appreciated in the multiple ways there are to lower the rear seats in the GLS63, both electronically and manually. But the use of blazing red straps instead of integrated color coordinated latches is puzzling. Is this, too, a safety feature for emergencies? Have we answered our own question? Is this all part of the intricate layers of detail that go into making a $155,200 vehicle?

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Bronco Sport Heeds The Call Of The Wilderness

RPM News Weekly Takes The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition Through The Snowy Landscape of Hill, New Hampshire

Part Of A Week-Long Test Drive Of The Well-Equipped 4×4 Model

by Rich Taber

The Bronco Sport came onto the scene for the 2021 model year during a wave of retro reintroductions in the automotive industry. Riding on the same unibody platform as the Ford Escape and the Maverick pickup, this 4×4 SUV presents itself as a sporty, lighter weight version of the heavy-duty, body-on-frame Bronco .

Featured in our video is the top-of-the-line 2023 Heritage Limited trim. Production of this special edition was capped at 1,966 vehicles as a numerical tribute to the original 1966 Bronco. It’s essentially a Badlands trim with nearly all available options and packages.

The contrasting white roof and black roof-rack side rails complement the unique robin’s egg blue exterior. Standard 235/65R17 Falken Wildpeak all-terrain off-road tires mounted on 17-inch Oxford white wheels complete the look.

Those seeking superior off-road capability in a Bronco Sport will want to seek out the Heritage Limited trim. Its all-wheel drive system with G.O.A.T. mode selection dial performs admirably on a variety of terrains such as the snowy roads of Hill, New Hampshire as seen in the video. By the way, G.O.A.T. is a Ford acronym for “Goes Over Any Terrain” – very appropriate.

To that end, the Heritage Limited edition features a twin-clutch rear differential which allowed us to lock the differential to better navigate the more difficult snow covered trails. In addition, the vehicle provides trail control to automatically manage a set speed when driving off-road – especially useful on steep snowy hills.

As equipped, the Heritage Limited can clear 8.8-inch obstacles in its path. Standard metal bash plates provide an added layer of protection to the underbody.

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The 5-passenger interior supports the retro vibe, but still manages to incorporate plenty of today’s desirable winter-ready vehicle amenities including heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Additional niceties include a power moonroof, wireless charging, USB A and C outlets and a display-audio system with 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound and navigation. The seating is comfortable, but with the vehicle’s off-road suspension, the ride can be a bit jouncy.

For performance, the Heritage Limited trim comes standard with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, garnering 250 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. This is the same engine found in the Badlands trim. It’s important not to confuse the Heritage Limited with the Heritage trim. All trims lower than the Badlands (including the Base, Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks) offer a 1.5-liter EcoBoost as standard.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost powerplant delivers a solid 277 pound-feet of torque that won’t leave you feeling left behind at a stop light even when towing up to the 2,200-pound rating for the vehicle. A Class II trailer Tow Package comes standard in the Heritage Limited. The EPA rates combined city/highway fuel economy to come in at 23 miles per gallon, which is right on target with what we managed over a week with the vehicle.

What we found very handy is the Cargo Management System. At first glance, it looks like just a removable shelf, but underneath there are two legs folded into the unit that can be used to prop up the shelf, allowing it to extend out over the lip of the tailgate opening and making a useful workspace as you can see in the video. Priced out as a $150 option, it’s the only extra that added to the base price of $44,655. Tuck the shelf away and drop the rear seats to expand the cargo area to 60.1 cubic feet.

Total MSRP for this 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition comes to $46,400 once you add in the Destination & Delivery charge.

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Ford Maverick Tremor An Efficient & Affordable Small Pickup with Genuine Built-Ford-Tough Capability

The Ford Maverick turned the truck market on its head when it debuted in 2021. No one saw a compact pickup like this coming, especially from a company that pumps out full-size trucks by the boatload every hour.

2-20-24 Featured Vehicle
Ford Maverick XLT Tremor

RPM News Weekly Photos by Peter Ciani

The surprise didn’t end there, not only was Ford’s compact pickup a reality but it was also set to replace the somewhat forgettable Ford EcoSport subcompact SUV as the brand’s entry-level vehicle. The Maverick was also cheaper than the EcoSport in 2022 and included a standard hybrid powertrain at that time.

In 2024, Ford made some changes to the engine options, and the 2.5-liter hybrid engine is no longer standard. Instead, the previously optional 2-liter EcoBoost now serves as the base motor. While this might seem like a downgrade in terms of efficiency, the 2-liter engine offers more power than the 2.5-liter hybrid, generating 250 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft of torque. The 2-liter engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available as an option on the 2-liter. The 2.5-liter hybrid is exclusively offered with a PowerSplit continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.

It’s no surprise however that the Maverick exceeded expectations, with dealer inventories falling well below customer demand. Unfortunately, this led to some dealers imposing ridiculous markups, but thankfully Ford has begun to increase the production capacity of the Maverick.

It’s a straightforward formula: an affordable compact truck with efficient performance and a small yet practical pickup bed. Ford wasn’t the first to do it, but clearly they’ve found the right mix.

As if the Maverick needed a sales push, Ford introduced the Tremor Off-Road Package for 2023 featuring a 1-inch lift, heavy-duty transmission cooler, and a twin-clutch differential along with a few more performance tweaks.

For $3,495 The Tremor Off-Road Package can be added to either the XLT or Lariat with Advanced AWD and includes the following:

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

Like a baby duck splashing into a pond for the first time, we got to introduce this newborn 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport to its first taste of snow in New England

02-13-24 Featured Vehicle
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

Like a baby duck splashing into a pond for the first time, this newborn 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport got its first taste of snow in New England. Unfortunately, we got to introduce the SUV to its first taste of car-eating road salt along the way. Which reminds me, if your car looks like this, get it over to the car wash ASAP.

RPM News Weekly Photos by Peter Ciani

Infiniti QX60 Autograph Elevates Luxury To A Refined Art

2-14-24 Photo Feature
2024 Infiniti QX60 Autograph AWD

For some folks, luxury is a state of mind. Fortunately, there are some vehicles that can induce that state without simply slamming you with all the obvious trappings of wealth. This is called refinement, and that pretty much defines the Infiniti QX60 Autograph AWD. RPM News Weekly offers you a visual glimpse into this model with our own curated slide show photo collection below.

May it encourage you to take a test drive to see, hear and feel the exquisite nature of the QX60 for yourself. Base MSRP for the 2024 QX60 Autograph AWD is $66,100, but the vehicle that we drove had a few extras including the Lighting Package, Radiant Grille Emblem and Premium Paint which when coupled with Destination Charges boosted the price tag to $69,240.

RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber

The QX60 Autograph not only looks handsome, its got plenty of muscle, too, with its 3.5-liter V6 making 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque ready for towing up to 6000 pounds. To emphasize that capability, Infiniti includes a hitch receiver and wiring harness along with trailer sway control.

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With three-rows of seating including roomy second-row Captain’s chairs, the Autograph accommodates up to six people – lower trims allow seating for seven by utilizing a second row bench instead. Befitting its top-of-the-line status, the Autograph provides quilted semi-aniline leather surfaces in the first and second rows. In addition, the first row benefits from power heated, ventilated, massaging seats.

QX60 Autograph 2nd row — Autograph 2nd-row provides heated Captain’s chairs and a removable console

QX60 Autograph AWD Three Rows — **Third-row seats fold easily to open up 41.6 cu.ft. of cargo space; fold the 2nd row for 75.4 cu.ft.**

QX60 Autograph Third Row Seat Switches — **Third-row seats fold easily to open up 41.6 cu.ft. of cargo space; fold the 2nd row for 75.4 cu.ft.**

Safety systems run the gamut of today’s most desirable technologies including predictive forward collision warning with emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure prevention, blind spot intervention and rear automatic braking. Plus there’s an all around-view monitor that detects moving objects.

Although safety should always be a top consideration in your vehicle purchase, from our point of view, one should never consider audio on a low tier in one’s purchasing decisions. You’ll likely be owning your vehicle choices for a number of years, so having a great sound system is one of those refinements that pays for itself in the many hours of enjoyment you’ll receive over those years. Here, the QX60 Autograph hits all the right notes with its 17-speaker Bose Performance Audio System. Coupled with the sound proofing engineered into the cabin, this system will take you to new worlds even as you make your way to a destination.

There’s lots more to discover, too. Having information and entertainment accessible from two 12.3-inch displays as well as a 10.8-inch head-up display projecting images out in front of the driver are just a smidgen of the goodies you’ll find in this elegant package.

In addition to the QX60 Autograph, there are Pure, Luxe and Sensory trim levels. Entry pricing is $49,200 for the Pure. However, the Autograph rightly claims to be the “pinnacle of comfort and sophistication” for the model.

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2-21-24 Photo Feature 2024 Mercedes Benz AMG GLS63

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RPM News Weekly Takes The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition Through The Snowy Landscape of Hill, New Hampshire

Part Of A Week-Long Test Drive Of The Well-Equipped 4×4 Model

Subscribe to the RPM News Weekly YouTube Channel

2-20-24 Featured Vehicle Ford Maverick XLT Tremor

02-13-24 Featured Vehicle2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

2-14-24 Photo Feature 2024 Infiniti QX60 Autograph AWD

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2-21-24 Photo Feature
2024 Mercedes Benz AMG GLS63

2-20-24 Featured Vehicle
Ford Maverick XLT Tremor

02-13-24 Featured Vehicle
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

2-14-24 Photo Feature
2024 Infiniti QX60 Autograph AWD