AutoMatters
Online, Cross-Country Rally &
’07 Ford
Sport Trac
AutoMatters is now online, at
www.AutoMatters.net. Now you can catch up on past columns in the archives, enjoy
photos in the photo gallery, learn about late breaking news and much more.
In the news section you’ll learn all about my
cross country drive in a SMART car, starting here in California and ending in
New York City, just in time for the Press Preview days of the
New York
International Automobile Show (which I’ll also be covering).
 
2007 Ford Sport Trac in San Diego
This past week Ford introduced members of the
national press to their all-new, 2007 Sport Trac. We spent several hours driving
it on a very scenic route between San Diego and Laguna Beach. In between we
drove east to Lake Elsinore, where we experienced the formidable off-road
capabilities of the Sport Trac on a steep, rocky, challenging course.
’07 Sport Trac by Lake Wohlford
I was very impressed with the Sport Trac. On
paved roads, it rode like a luxury car. The seats were comfortable for long
distances, no doubt due in part to Ford’s relationship with Volvo – a company
well known for its comfortable, supportive seats. It features a new, fully
independent suspension. This is a well mannered vehicle on road.
 
’07 Sport Trac goes where others cannot
 
Off-road it inspires confidence. It climbs
like a mountain goat and descents were steady and controlled. This was an ATV
course but the Sport Trac, with its new 4.6 liter, 3-valve V8 engine and 6-speed
automatic transmission, powered through – with at least one novice offroad
driver at the wheel.
Those of you who are familiar with the
vehicle that it replaces may be interested to learn about some of the other
changes that Ford has made. Its cargo bed is just over 25% larger, with a
capacity of 37.5 cubic feet.
The 4.6 liter engine produces a whopping 300
lb.-ft. of torque and 292 horsepower, which represents a 42% increase.
Another huge gain comes in the vehicle’s
stiffness. Its new, fully boxed frame has 427% more torsional stiffness than the
previous Sport Trac. That’s over five times stiffer!
The projected maximum towing capacity of 4x2
models is 6,800 pounds. Electronic Roll Stability Control is standard on all
models.
On paper and behind the wheel, on-road and
off, the 2007 Ford Sport Trac is impressive. For more information, go to
www.fordvehicles.com.
Marshmallow roast
Our drive eventually took us to the luxurious
Montage Resort and Spa, where we had dinner – Sport Trac style, ending the
evening roasting marshmallows over a fire pit.
  
Laguna Beach, from the Montage Resort & Spa
The next day it was farewell to beautiful
Laguna Beach and back to work.
Be sure to visit
www.AutoMatters.net and
click on AutoMatters@gmail.com to send me your comments and suggestions. Now
it’s off to New York in a SMART car! Until next time...
Copyright © 2006 Jan R. Wagner – #183
AutoMatters
| 
AutoMatters
