Budd Stanley
Approach Angle 18.8 - Pioneer Days of the Supertruck
All-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor to feature high-output version of second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, producing more power with greater fuel efficiency.
Story & photos by Budd Stanley
Supercars. They were once exotic hard to drive ultra-performance sportscars owned by professional racecar drivers and wealthy driving enthusiasts. They were unreliable, but offered real men driving satisfaction you just couldn’t get from vehicles in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Of course, these vehicles represented the top tier status from the automotive manufacturers that built them, and commanded a high price. Therefore, people simply looking to impress their financial status to those around them, were snapping up these vehicles.
Now, you may be asking, why am I talking about supercars in an off-road magazine? Quite simple really, as in this issue you are going to be bombarded with the latest and greatest the off-road automotive sector can throw at you. Vehicle manufacturers are launching special edition off-road focused 4WD’s at an incredible rate, and the tidal wave of jaw dropping SEMA project vehicles nearly washed us out of Vegas.
Budd Stanley
Approach Angle 18.8 - Pioneer Days of the Supertruck
While the Nissan Titan Warrior is only a concept, it shows that even Nissan are thinking of the supertruck of the future.
You see, the lure of the supercar is starting to get watered down, yes - they are gorgeous, filled with the coolest tech, as fast around a track as many GT racers, and can only be had if you happen to own a blue chip corporation or a couple oil wells in the UAE. But the lure of relatively easy money, and an effortless way for manufacturers’ to give their brand an injection of prestige, we now have a market flooded with supercars. Hell, even Kia is working on one.
Like many of my sports car enthusiast contemporaries, I have slowly moved from the performance car scene and have embraced the off-road lifestyle. Off-roading still brings you the same thrills and adrenalin punches that a performance sport scar can, just at slower speed… usually. A lot of people are starting to realize this and there is a major shift going on, and the manufacturers are taking note. I’m telling you my friends we are amidst a revolution. We are seeing the trend of sport scar supercar move to truck and SUV-based supertruck.
Budd Stanley
Approach Angle 18.8 - Pioneer Days of the Supertruck
Like the Titan Warrior, the Ram Rebel TRX is just a concept, but we have a feeling this will be available to public rather soon.
It all started with the Raptor, then the Hennessey VelociRaptor, then the AMG G63 6x6 and now the Ram TRX (which will likely go into production). We are seeing that super-vehicles don’t have to be two seat, no trunk, single minded machines for the über rich, but can be multi-role utility vehicles that can go anywhere - and be purchased by wealthier people. Hopefully one day they will get handed down to us at a reasonable price.
The majority of supercar buyers are people that want to stand out in the crowd, and a supercar will do that. However, with hotel entrances packed full of exotics, this can make you look like just another rich dude that bought a Ferrari or Lambo. Roll up in an AMG G63 6x6, and everyone that was looking at all the shiny low-slung sportscars will instantly get a case of whiplash as their attention forcibly gravitates to what is new and different. The supertruck is the latest and ‘coolest’ vehicle on the scene, and that trend will continue to explode, as more manufacturers build attention-grabbing, awe-inspiring 4x4 (and more) machinery.