Bright leaves no match for Lexus LC500
Filed under: Weekly test drives, Autos
Even dusk over Lake Superior can’t dim the Flare Yellow of the Lexus LC500.
By John Gilbert
The timing was perfect, although it’s difficult to think of a bad time for a week-long test drive of the 2020 Lexus LC500 Coupe. The LC500 is one of the most strikingly beautiful car designs on the market, but the perfect timing was explained because we beat any threat of early snow around our Duluth location on Lake Superior’s North Shore.
The LC500 comes with rear-while drive, and while the latest traction-control gizmos all work impressively, I would rather drive it in dry or wet conditions, and I prefer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive when the roadways get icy. Besides, the timing included catching the foliage throughout Northern Minnesota at nearly peak change of colors, with the bright golds, reds and oranges replacing the summertime’s green leaves.
The LC500 arrived wearing “Flare Yellow,” a new Lexus color this year, with a highly metallic base and a brilliant yellow that made even the brightest trees look a little less bright. I often admire yellow cars when other people buy them, but it’s not my personal favorite. I might, however, have to re-evaluate to make an exception with the LC500, because of the constantly positive reactions we got while driving around. We became a regional attraction without intending to be, just because of that car in that color.
The inviting interior of the LC500 is firmly comfortable, from seats to electronic controls.
It is loaded with all the latest electronic gadgets and features, and as the top of the Lexus line — which is altogether at the top of the Toyota line — the LC500 is the pinnacle. Base price is $92,950, which seems reasonable after all the options on the test car raised the ante to $106,440.
On the bright Saturday morning of our Lexus week, my wife, Joan, and I wanted to hit our area Farmer’s Market for the peak of the delectable harvest. Then we’d make a stop at Target, and then take some less-busy highways north for a scenic drive to the Iron Range. Joan went into Duluth’s Target store, as I parked in an obvious spot near the entrance, to listen as the Minnesota Twins battled through one of the final games of their abbreviated regular season. I noticed that nearly everybody walking past gazed at the car so regularly that I had to affect a nonchalant demeanor.
A young guy walking back to his car angled diagonally to approach my open window, and said, “Sorry to bother you, but — great pick! That is an absolutely beautiful car.” I smiled and thanked him, without time to explain that it wasn’t my car.
We started toward the highway, and as another car passed us, a kid in the passenger seat yelled, “I like your car, man!”
That became a pattern of admiring comments attracted by the LC500, and its Flare Yellow paint job. Read more
Ram vs. Ram in pickup battle
Filed under: Weekly test drives, Autos
The Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab has a luxury interior and 5.7 V8 with mild hybrid.
By John Gilbert
One of the biggest success stories of the 2019 model year was the amazing upsurge in sales of Ram pickup trucks, which sailed right past the enigmatic Chevrolet Silverado to displace it the No. 2 spot behind the almighty Ford F-150.
Engineers and designers at Dodge had been doing a commendable job on the Ram before Fiat took over to create Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and establish Ram as its own division, but since then, Ram has established new heights for pickup style and sophistication.
Ram buyers have been quick to boast of their perceived superiority. Such elements as coil spring suspension in the rear, which makes the Ram by far the most comfortable to ride in on roads and highways, and constantly upgraded interiors, which set new standards for attractiveness as well as function.
It may be that Ram has no illusions about overtaking the Ford, but its array of models, loaded with impressive features, puts Ram on a high plateau that deserves evaluation by anyone looking to buy a big truck — a full-size pickup — for hauling stuff, towing stuff and carrying the family in comfort as well as safety and efficiency.
If auto sales followed election-year protocol, we could all vote by November 3 with our loan or lease budgets on which pickup truck is the best. As it is, the preference hinges greatly on family tradition. Whatever the process, the Ford F-150 traditionally wins the popular vote, over the Chevrolet Silverado, the Ram, Toyota Tundra, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Titan, and midsize gems such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado and its GMC twin, Ford Ranger, and, if you can find one, a Nissan Frontier — plus, the newcomer on the scene, the Jeep Gladiator.
But Ram has upset the form chart to become top challenger for the F-150, and might be looking for more. For 2020, there is stiff competition within the Ram garage. It’s sort of like holding a national intramural tournament, while the varsity is on Coronavirus hiatus.
The Ram Rebel shares Crew Cab style but adds 3.0-liter EcoDiesel with even more power.
For example, the Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 is the company icon, but what about the Ram Rebel?
The Laramie has a potent Hemi 5.7-liter V8 that delivers 395 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds of torque. The horsepower peaks at 5,600 RPMs, and the torque hits its peak at 3,950 RPMs.
The ride and interior accommodations are luxury-car-like — no other way to put it. The technology in this huge, Flame-red Ram is mostly unseen, such as the 5.7 V8 getting variable valve-timing and an electric boost from its E-Torque engine, using a mild hybrid input to help keep all the electrics charged. It also has an enormous, dual-pane sunroof that covers the front and rear seats. Along with the classy leather upholstery, the front is dominated by a large console and an enormous, iPad-size 12-inch center stack screen. Read more
About the Author
John Gilbert is a lifetime Minnesotan and career journalist, specializing in cars and sports during and since spending 30 years at the Minneapolis Tribune, now the Star Tribune. More recently, he has continued translating the high-tech world of autos and sharing his passionate insights as a freelance writer/photographer/broadcaster. A member of the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year jury since 1993. John can be heard Monday-Friday from 9-11am on 610 KDAL(www.kdal610.com) on the "John Gilbert Show," and writes a column in the Duluth Reader.
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