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Scrapple, Your Guide To The “meh”-worthy News: Texas Ranger Ram, Porsche’s Tantrum And Your Shocking New Virgin


Scrapple, Your Guide To The “meh”-worthy News: Texas Ranger Ram, Porsche’s Tantrum And Your Shocking New Virgin

What a week for the news…between Clarksongate, rumors for the New York Auto Show rumors and “oh, yeah, did you hear, Clarkson got fired from Top Gear?”, we were still able to find enough crumbs that had fallen by the wayside for another round of Scrapple.

1. Aston Martin changes the name of the Vantage GT3 to GT12 after Porsche threatens legal action

am gt12

Aston Martin’s Vantage GT3 is the no-bullshit track version that has already been sold out since it appeared at the Geneva Auto Show. Nothing wrong with it other than we will never get to drive it. But the name managed to piss off Porsche lawyers, who cried foul at the name GT3, a model moniker for a track-focused 911. In reality, both cars are meant to be homages to the GT3 racing category that they both play in, which makes sense, right? Well, either A-M wanted to shut up Porsche or Porsche’s lawyers threatened to send a large man named Günther over to “discuss things”, but Aston has recanted and has renamed the model the Vantage GT12.

2. Miss Walker, Texas Ranger? This Ram special edition should help. 

ram tx ranger

ram tx ranger 3

Meet the Ram “Texas Ranger Edition” concept. It’s white over silver because, and I quote, “that embodies the white hats and silver badges that the good guys always wear.” Unveiled at the Dallas Auto Show, this one-off build is testing the waters of a possible production version. No word yet on whether or not FCA has contracted Chuck Norris to sell the thing, or if the interior will be the same.

3. Virgin contemplating e-car to compete with Tesla. (Yes, I’m already writing the jokes.)

virgin auto

 

The comedy gods smile upon me. Richard Branson, the mogul behind Virgin, recently hinted that the brand might consider making a competitor to Tesla. Virgin already competes in Formula E, so they have some of the technology, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched for the brand that has covered everything from music to spaceflight to give the automotive game a whirl. While the appropriateness of Virgin Automotive cannot be refuted, there are plenty of questions, like will you have to buy your new Virgin, or can you just lease one? What happens if they don’t sell quickly, can you get a new Virgin cheaper? How long is the break-in procedure? How long can one go before it runs out of energy?

4. Ford’s new lineup is strong, but they’re still playing “keep away” with the new Ranger

ranger

 

Between Iraq, Kuwait, Ireland and Scotland, I’ve had the opportunity to see the version of the Ford Ranger that is sold worldwide. To call it leaps and bounds over the Ranger that was sold up until 2012 would be the understatement of the century, especially in the last few years. Now the world market gets a new version, with looks based upon the Ford Everest SUV (another one we don’t get). Three engines are available: a 2.5 gas four-cylinder (163hp/166tq), a 2.2 diesel four (158hp/284tq) and a 3.2 diesel inline-five (197hp/347tq). Picture that truck with the EcoBoost six cylinder, and call it the F-100 if you will. Yeah…we don’t get that because it’s too close to the F-150. Shame.

5. Your friendly reminder to not drive like a dumbass.

 


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7 thoughts on “Scrapple, Your Guide To The “meh”-worthy News: Texas Ranger Ram, Porsche’s Tantrum And Your Shocking New Virgin

  1. mooseface

    That Ranger-edition Ram has got me wanting to go watch some Spaghetti Westerns now.
    The Fistful of Dollars edition?

  2. starterguy

    Looks like Dodge is going after the “King Ranch” crowd judging by the interior of the thing. Mostly I wish Ford would just give us the Ranger already, mine is getting long in the tooth and this one is just the size of truck I need.

  3. Whelk

    I wonder how many folks that are in the market for a Porsche or Aston are really confused by the GT3 moniker?

  4. BeaverMartin

    No one would confuse that Aston with a rear engine, kraut mobile. The Ranger and Everest it’s based on are cool, but it’s rare for one to last more than a couple of weeks in the hands of the ANA (Afghan National Army) Now the Toyota Hilux that’s a horse of another color. I would like Ford to bring the Ranger here only in the hopes that Toyota would counter the Ranger/Canyon challenge by bringing the Hilux diesel here. As for the Texas Ranger edition Dodge, these special editions are out of control. What we really want is a Power Wagon with a Cummins.

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