Auto Industry News: No US Ranger Raptor, Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk SMOKES GT, New Tesla Model 3, and a Flying Car?

I hate to be that guy, but this week is all about the false idols we worship. The Ranger Raptor will likely never come stateside, the GT gets embarrassed by a Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk, a company tries to redefine what it means to fly, and the Tesla Model 3 shows audacity. Let’s get after it!

Still a Chance for the Ranger Raptor, Right? Nope.

Brace yourselves, because the Ford Ranger Raptor is NOT coming to the US. After all the cool footage of it bombing over hills and tearing through mud, Americans will not know first-hand of its spoils. Vehicle line director at Ford Performance, Hermann Salenbauch, told Autoblog they designed it for a more global market. Not only that, but making the Ranger Raptor US-compliant would be a thorn in the company’s side… financially.

Is that so? Well, sneer at our loss all you want. It’s worth mentioning that these “global” markets are deprived of the best selling truck, the F-150, and the F-150 Raptor, soooo let’s call a draw…for now. Besides, the week brought along some good news from Ford as well. The company has been teasing what many believe to be a V8 muscle hybrid, tentatively named the Mach 1.

Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk Torches GT

Annnnnnnnd the feel good vibes for Ford are gone yet again, as the automaker is left choking on the dust of a Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk. Video surfaced of a drag race between the Trackhawk and GT, and let’s just say the Ford faithful may want to avert their eyes. With 1000 horsepower, the Hennessey Performance iteration makes quick work of the GT here.

Video surfaced of a drag race between the Trackhawk and GT, and let’s just say the Ford faithful may want to avert their eyes.

Flying Car Preorders Begin

In a completely different fashion than the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk, one company is trying to redefine what it means to fly. You might have already heard the hubbub about this new-fangled machine that can transition from car to aircraft. And to be honest, I, like many, believed it to be a joke. However, Terrafugia, the company cranking these things out, is now reportedly taking preorders. And if you can afford the nearly $300K price tag, traffic jams could be a problem of the past as you cruise over the interstate like a bird at 100 mph (company reported stat). Interesting, to say the very least, but we’ll believe it when we see it.

$45K Tesla Model 3… Wait, What?

And if you like blowing your savings on preorders of vehicles that never materialize, you’re going to love the new Tesla Model 3! At only $45,000, it’ll make the perfect Christmas gift…three years from now (sorry, couldn’t help myself). What about the promised $35,000 version of the notorious EV? Well that has since been pushed back to 2019 (saw that coming, right?). This $45K version is cheaper than the long-range version of the 3, and you get what you pay for (sometimes). It has a range of 260 miles, can go 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, and tops out at a tepid 125 miles per hour. Tesla is also trying to church it up by pairing its projected “gas savings” with the $7,500 that now only lasts until December 31st (get’em while they’re hot).

Now that Ol’ Musky is back in the law’s good graces, there’s no telling what car we can preorder next…without delivery!

And if you like blowing your savings on preorders of vehicles that never materialize, you’re going to love the new Tesla Model 3!

Around the Circuit

Red Bull’s Straight Rhythm event was this past weekend, and the high flying action was better than ever. Shane McElrath took home the victory in the 250 Class after a grueling three rounds, beating out former champion Ryan Dungey in the final. Then in the 150, Carson Brown outlasted AJ Catanzaro in a required rubber match in best-of-three, escaping by inches.

Also, the Round of 8 is now set in the NASCAR playoff after Sunday’s festivities in Kansas City. Many racers fought for the win and its crucial corresponding playoff points, but Chase Elliot ultimately came out on top. And he dominated, leading from lap 224 until the end of the race to capture the checkered flag. Plus a spot in the round of eight. Pole winner Joey Logano joins him after sitting on the bubble but then taking the first stage and an eighth place overall finish. The other six in the field will consist of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, and Aric Almirola.

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