Brown Bros Racing 2017 F150 XLT Front and Logo

2017 Brown Bros Racing – Ford F150

Brown Bros Racing 2017 F150 XLT Front and Logo

2017 Brown Bros Racing – Ford F150

2017 Ford SVT Raptor is in hot demand; customers are flocking to the dealers trying to get their hands on one of these. Brown Bros Ford racing division has the answer.

They have started a Raptor factory and are cranking out their own version of the Raptor, based on a 2017 F150 XLT Supercrew 4×4 FX4.  The factory F150 starts out with a 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This motor produces 375 horsepower at 5750 rpm with 470-pound feet of torque. The 10-speed transmission allows you to save fuel for your everyday driving. Shifting more often means less time putting the twin turbos through their paces. Save that for the off-road.

Factory installed voice-activated navigation shown on a 4.2” productivity screen plots your desired drive route although does not work when you yell “get me out of this mud hole” unless you are talking about the one you created washing your truck outside your house.

The convenience package includes backup sensors, rearview camera, power sliding rear window, remote starter, 400w power inverter, LED box lighting. The truck is then customized by their in-house tech department.

Ford factory trained mechanics install a 4” Zone suspension lift with off-road shocks. This lift will enhance the truck’s abilities off-road, very similar to a Raptor the shocks will absorb the terrain without catapulting the truck in either direction; it will also give you a firm but smooth ride on-road.  The exhaust is changed in favor of a Magnaflow performance system that not only improves performance but sounds great too. The grille is replaced with an aftermarket Raptor grille that looks right at home on this truck. Addictive desert design front bumper is added with Rigid LED lights all across the front. Night becomes day with this many lights.

You can start to see the Baja race-inspired vehicle starting to claw its way out. Bushwacker flares provide ideal coverage for the new Toyo MT 35X12.5X18 tires with 18”x9 Fuel Maverick wheels. I personally have had a set of these tires and found them to be terrific on and off-road. The tires increase your ground clearance and give you much more ability to climb over obstacles such as rocks, falling trees or that futon bed your wife dragged to the curb. The interior is not overlooked, with the addition of Katzkin leather seats with custom stitching.  Add that to the already great factory interior you have yourself a sweet ride.

The 5.5’ truck box is covered by a Bakflip matte black tonneau cover that can open in two sections to allow larger items to be transported.

This truck is ready to play and looks good doing so.  Head down to Brown Bothers Ford and check them out.

Price $75,607

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That high roof is an unusual look for a van, or is it?

Driving down the road, you see quite a variety of work vehicles, Cube van’s, Flat decks, Service trucks, and pickups to name but a few. The days of the traditional van have gone except for a few that have seen more than a little action in its life. Consumers looking for a work van want more headroom in the back to carry out products to the job site or perhaps use as a portable office or shop. Enter the European vans that to us in North America look different. The Sprinter van is a classic example.

It started with a few driving the streets and now the template for other vans to inspire to be.  The 2017 Ford Transit is relatively new to us but has been around for many years in Europe, a success there and very possibly on its way to becoming a huge success here.

The looks scream European, but it fits right at home here in Canada. The headlights and front grille look just like most Ford products, and in fact, I found myself doing a double take when I first came across one.

In the cab, I found plenty of room and could see myself working in this all day, jumping out to make deliveries and working very comfortably. The Transit Van is available in three body lengths, 320 cm (126”), 363 cm (143.7”), 436 cm (172.2”), and three roof heights 211 (83.2”), 255 cm (100.7”), and 279 cm (110”).

There is an available Crew Chief option that helps you track your fleet. A GPS enabled black box is mounted in the vehicle and records detail information like location, speed, and fuel economy. It can also tell if the driver seat belt is in use.

Power:

The available engines are 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 with 275 hp, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with 310 hp and a 3.2L I5 Diesel with 185 hp all mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission

Safety:

A work van should be just as safe as a cubical when it comes to being a part of the workday. The Transit van offers driver and passenger airbags, side curtain and front thorax side airbags, anti-lock brakes, and 3-point seat belts. If the SYNC option is chosen a distress call is made for you when the airbag goes off.

Roadworthy:

The power rack and pinion steering set up helps this van drive like a dream. Turning is very easy, and backing into loading bays is a piece of cake. The optional backup camera helps to dial in the proximity of the rear bumper and a wall. I thought a van of this height would be more problematic on the highway with the crosswinds but a trip across the Port Mann being passed by a large semi I felt very comfortable. It is very much like driving a minivan.  I highly recommend a test drive.

Key Features:

  • 16.9/ 12.5 L/100 km (city/highway)
  • Starting at $30,052
  • As tested $54,000
  • 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 with 275 hp
  • 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with 310 hp 
  • 3.2L I5 Diesel with 185 hp
  • Available in three body lengths

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Quietly becoming the leader in mid-sized sedans, Ford has bolstered its Fusion with a variety of options. Quietly, due to the fact that in a mid-size sedan class it is often overshadowed by the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.  Challenging those two, the 2017 Ford Fusion has offered something the competitors don’t. This innovation is the six types of engine options and availability for front and all-wheel drive all exclusive to the New 2017 Ford Fusion.

I myself have had the pleasure of driving the 2017 Fusion S and SE. While both being the entry level options of the Fusion, they both impressed me immensely. Starting with the differences between the two; The Ford Fusion SE exclusively has LED lights, chrome front grille, signature Ford SYNC® voice communication and entertainment, and a variety of optional upgrade packages all of which aren’t available in the Fusion S.

The exterior features a couple new editions to the 2017 Fusion. First off they have added three new colours that are sure to turn heads. Ford has released white gold, lightning blue, and metallic burgundy velvet.   Ford has given the 2017 Fusion a Kardashian style surgical upgrade to the rear-end. The new upgraded on the back-end has impressed me more than any other so far. It features a new platinum trim across the trunk that causes a unique and elegant look to the taillights.

Inside the vehicle, Ford has introduced a new rotary gear shift. This gives a more smooth transition from park to drive and a quick seamless witch to reverse. It comes really in handy when backing out of a tight stall while other aggressive shoppers pass dangerously behind you. The quick transition mixed with the safety alerts on the reverse cameras assures that you won’t back into a person’s shopping buggy again. Unless you mean to after that person cut in front of you in line at Costco.

It quickly becomes apparent when you put this car into drive at how quick and smooth the ride feels.  The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine Fusion SE all-wheel drive, is accompanied by the patented Ecoboost® engine delivering 231 horsepower. While a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 horses fuels the Fusion S. Both have a multi-link suspension (the use of three or more suspension arms) in the rear allowing for a majestic and smooth as possible on any road surface.

The Ford Fusion comes with a 5 year/100, 000 km power-train warranty, 5 year corrosion warranty, and a roadside assistance program lasting 5 years/ 100, 000 km’s.

It’s a sportier, stylish, and more comfortable ride than most other affordable mid-size sedans. When you begin your drive, you will notice how quiet and smooth the ride feels on the road.  It does however lack something else in order to stand out among the competitors. The fuel economy is pretty underwhelming at 11.3L/100km city and 7.5L/100Km highway for the Fusion Se, and 10L/100km city, 7L/100Km highway for the Fusion S. For comparison sake, the Nissan Altima has 8.8L/100km city, and 6L/100km for highway.   

Fusing style, comfort, and power the Fusion has lived up to its title.   

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