2014 Ford F150 on 2040-cars

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Translogic 180: Zombie 222 Electric '68 Mustang

Translogic heads to Austin, TX for a chance to drive the all-electric Zombie 222, a 1968 Ford Mustang converted by Mitch Medford and his team at Blood Shed Motors. "I wanted to start a company that would do nothing but specialize in converting vintage iconic cars into supercars," said Medford. The Zombie 222 has classic looks, but modern performance with over 800 horsepower and 1,800 ft-lbs of torque, making it the fastest electric car we've ever driven on Translogic. Those mind-blowing specs helped the Zombie 222 conquer the Texas Mile, setting the electric speed record at 174.2 miles per hour. "The Zombie 222 has been breaking electric records, said Medford. "Now it's time to break records—gas or electric." Next up for Medford and his Zombie 222 is a Kickstarter-funded attempt at 200 miles per hour. But first, we take a turn behind the wheel. Have an RSS feed? Click here to add Translogic. Follow Translogic on Twitter and Facebook. Click here to learn more about our host, Jonathon Buckley. Green Ford Alternative Fuels Coupe Electric Performance Translogic Videos Original Video

Aluminum Ford F-150 earns five-star crash rating [w/video]

The scores are in, and the 2015 Ford F-150 has been awarded a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's testing. That makes it, according to Ford, the safest F-150 ever. "The five-star safety rating is a terrific example of One Ford collaboration and innovation," Vice President of Global Product Development Raj Nair said in a statement. "Our truck team worked together for years to deliver this accomplishment, using an unprecedented combination of advanced materials throughout the all-new F-150. The 2015 model is engineered to be the safest F-150 ever, which matters to customers who depend on this truck to not only get the job done, but also get them safely home." The new F-150's aluminum and high-strength-steel construction posed some unique challenges to truck's engineers. "The team had to invent new ways to manage crash energy, because advanced materials like high-strength steel behave differently," Matt Niesluchowski, the truck's safety manager. "We found that changing certain shapes led to a weight reduction, while also improving crash performance." Beyond the structural safety features, the 2015 F-150 is loaded with additional safety features, including an adaptive steering column and Ford's inflatable seat belts, that protects drivers in the event of a collision. Beyond that, there's the usual array of active safety features meant to prevent a crash in the first place, including Curve Control and forward collision warning with brake support. Check out Ford's full press release on its five-star score, as well as video on the truck's safety features.

National Geographic Channel balances Ford F-150 on four coffee mugs

Proving that there is still something to be learned on television these days, National Geographic Channel recently introduced a new series called Duck Quacks Don't Echo. On the first episode of this science/comedy show, host Michael Ian Black proposes the idea that a truck can be supported with a ceramic coffee mug under each wheel - yes, he says that the entire weight of a truck can be balanced on just four coffee mugs.
Looking to find out whether this is fact or myth, the show uses a regular cab Ford F-150, weighing in at 4,800 pounds, and four average coffee mugs. Lowered onto the mugs, the idea is quickly put to the test. Can the cups hold up under 4,800 pounds? If so, what, exactly, would it take to break them? Scroll down below to find out.