Getting your player ready...
A day after Automotive Media Solutions scheduled me into a Ford King Ranch pickup, Manager Dave Piper called to say my boat should be moved off the lake at North Sterling State Park by the end of the month.
What perfect timing, and fortuitous for me, for the F-150 4-by-4 is well-set for towing. It showed up, of course, with a receiver at the rear for the hitch and ball, and, up front under hood, V-8 power for a strong pull.
With the help of Dave and Norma Wagner, trailering of the boat went smoothly and, once loaded, the Ford pulled it out of the water and up the ramp with slight effort. Fuel-mileage average for the 110-mile tow to my home was 11.1 miles per gallon, one of the highest mpg in seven summers of pulling the pontoon boat down and back. A Hemi-powered Dodge Ram 1500 averaged 10 for the same duty two years ago. Without the stretch of towing, the Ford F-150 averaged 18.1 for a split of highway/city driving.
The Ford’s 360-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8, which burns regular gas or ethanol, is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode; a button on the shifter permits the driver to shift up or down manually.
The 5.0-liter engine has been tuned for a bit extra torque at low-end thrust, with smooth performance at higher speeds. On the drive to the lake, without any load, the F-150 at 75 miles per hour is so smooth, the ride could just as well have been in the full-sized Taurus sedan.
Running boards, with grab handles at the three passenger positions, aid entry and exit for the four-door SuperCrew. It offers excellent rear-seat legroom and headroom. Its 5½-foot box shortens overall length and eases tight garage parking limits, though it can be limiting in load capability. Other box lengths are 6½-foot and 8-foot. Soft chaparral leather of reddish brown finish with tan piping and stitching highlights the interior. It is part of the King Ranch package, which also includes leather-covered console, embossed seat logos, fender brands and two-tone paint. It is named for the historic 825,000-acre Texas ranch. The leather and stitching are products from the King Ranch and its leather shop. The King Ranch edition of the F-150 4-by-4 is a pricey one – $49,395. Among amenities, other than those already mentioned, are Sony navigation, Sirius satellite radio, Sync voice-activated setup, rearview camera, power moonroof, adjustable pedals, power tilt/telescope steering column, power sliding rear window, automatic temperature control, power-fold outside mirrors, trailer-sway control and 36-gallon fuel tank. The smooth 5.0-liter V-8 replaces the 4.6-liter. Other engine options are the popular new turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, 3.7-liter V-6 and 6.2-liter V-8. Tow capacities are 11,300 pounds for the 6.2 and EcoBoost engines, 10,000 for the 5.0-liter and 6,100 for the 3.7 V-6.
Acura adds wagon
Another wagon hit the streets of Denver this year – the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon.
Good handling with quick steering response and decent economy must overcome moderate performance. Its only power offerings are a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission.
The TSX’s sticker price of $35,470 included a “tech package” of navigation, rearview camera, ELS surround sound, dual-zone climate control and power tailgate.
Built in Japan, the front-drive wagon sits on a wheelbase of 106.4 inches, is 189 inches in overall length and weighs 3,600 pounds.
Best-looking Chevy?
Best-looking Chevys of all time, determined by a vote of Denver Post readers, will be announced in early November.
It is part of a special section planned by The Denver Post to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chevrolet automobile. Among votes cast thus far, Chevy models of the mid-’50s through late ’60s are mentioned, though other years of Corvettes, Camaros and Silverados have drawn attention. Votes for “best-looking Chevy of all time” should be e-mailed to bwells@denverpost.com. Notes from e-mail Q: Bud, I really cracked up when I read the pious e-mail from someone at Audi. Sign a pledge, indeed. They really need to get their own house in order. I drive quite a bit, especially in the mountains in the winter. If I see a car doing something incredibly stupid, you can bet that nine times out of 10, it is an Audi. They all think they are John Buffum (good friend from the past) at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The other one of 10 is either a VW or a Subaru, those drivers like to pretend they have an Audi. When I see that big gaping grille sneaking up on me, I just get out of the way. – L.H. A: What is it you drive, Lee, I can’t remember? 2011 Ford F-150 King Ranch $49,395 (price as tested) MPG City 14 Highway 19 Vehicle type: Half-ton 4-by-4 SuperCrew pickup Wheelbase: 144.5 inches Length/Width/Height: 231.9/79.2/75.9 inches Weight: 5,571 pounds Engine: 5.0-liter V-8 Transmission: 6-speed automatic Fuel mileage: 18.1 mpg Fuel tank: 36 gallons Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/60,000 powertrain Competitors: Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra Built at: Kansas City, Mo. THE STICKER $44,935 base $2,495 Sony navigation $995 Power moonroof $695 Angular step bar $300 3.73 ratio limited slip axle $975 Destination PLUSES New V-8, 6-speed Tow capability King Ranch leather MINUSES Big-front style Fuel economy
Running boards, with grab handles at the three passenger positions, aid entry and exit for the four-door SuperCrew. It offers excellent rear-seat legroom and headroom. Its 5½-foot box shortens overall length and eases tight garage parking limits, though it can be limiting in load capability. Other box lengths are 6½-foot and 8-foot. Soft chaparral leather of reddish brown finish with tan piping and stitching highlights the interior. It is part of the King Ranch package, which also includes leather-covered console, embossed seat logos, fender brands and two-tone paint. It is named for the historic 825,000-acre Texas ranch. The leather and stitching are products from the King Ranch and its leather shop. The King Ranch edition of the F-150 4-by-4 is a pricey one – $49,395. Among amenities, other than those already mentioned, are Sony navigation, Sirius satellite radio, Sync voice-activated setup, rearview camera, power moonroof, adjustable pedals, power tilt/telescope steering column, power sliding rear window, automatic temperature control, power-fold outside mirrors, trailer-sway control and 36-gallon fuel tank. The smooth 5.0-liter V-8 replaces the 4.6-liter. Other engine options are the popular new turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, 3.7-liter V-6 and 6.2-liter V-8. Tow capacities are 11,300 pounds for the 6.2 and EcoBoost engines, 10,000 for the 5.0-liter and 6,100 for the 3.7 V-6.
It is part of a special section planned by The Denver Post to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chevrolet automobile. Among votes cast thus far, Chevy models of the mid-’50s through late ’60s are mentioned, though other years of Corvettes, Camaros and Silverados have drawn attention. Votes for “best-looking Chevy of all time” should be e-mailed to bwells@denverpost.com. Notes from e-mail Q: Bud, I really cracked up when I read the pious e-mail from someone at Audi. Sign a pledge, indeed. They really need to get their own house in order. I drive quite a bit, especially in the mountains in the winter. If I see a car doing something incredibly stupid, you can bet that nine times out of 10, it is an Audi. They all think they are John Buffum (good friend from the past) at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The other one of 10 is either a VW or a Subaru, those drivers like to pretend they have an Audi. When I see that big gaping grille sneaking up on me, I just get out of the way. – L.H. A: What is it you drive, Lee, I can’t remember? 2011 Ford F-150 King Ranch $49,395 (price as tested) MPG City 14 Highway 19 Vehicle type: Half-ton 4-by-4 SuperCrew pickup Wheelbase: 144.5 inches Length/Width/Height: 231.9/79.2/75.9 inches Weight: 5,571 pounds Engine: 5.0-liter V-8 Transmission: 6-speed automatic Fuel mileage: 18.1 mpg Fuel tank: 36 gallons Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/60,000 powertrain Competitors: Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra Built at: Kansas City, Mo. THE STICKER $44,935 base $2,495 Sony navigation $995 Power moonroof $695 Angular step bar $300 3.73 ratio limited slip axle $975 Destination PLUSES New V-8, 6-speed Tow capability King Ranch leather MINUSES Big-front style Fuel economy
