jeep gladiator

Jill and Tom are joined this week by long-time cohost Damon Bell, who is currently serving as Senior Research Editor at Cars.com. Jill and Tom opened the show arguing about the two-screen dashboard found in the current Infiniti QX50 compact crossover. Jill finds the systems dated, while Tom saw the value in having a single screen dedicated to navigation functions. Damon joined the conversation to help summarize the reveals seen at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Jill, who was in attendance at the event, noted that the press activity was especially light, as was media attendance. The trio covered the reveals of the freshened Cadillac CT5, Ford F-150, Jeep Gladiator, and all-new GMC Acadia. 

In the second segment Damon reviewed the all-new Hyundai Kona small crossover, noting that the vehicle has gotten larger on the outside, and roomier on the inside. Jill, Damon, and Tom went on to wrap up their “Dead Pool” lists created in way back August of 2021. There is some question as to who did the best job picking vehicles which were soon to be discontinued. 

Jill and Damon were subjected to Tom’s “Lancia or Listeria” quiz, which—big surprise—was decided by a question about gophers. 

Led by the popular Toyota Tacoma, midsize pickup trucks are making a substantial comeback into the American marketplace. 

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If there’s one thing we know about Americans, it’s that they love trucks. But even one of the top producers or pickups in the world knows that, sometimes, even pickup drivers want some wind in their hair.

Which may be why the company has filed a patent exploring the idea of a pickup truck with a removeable hardtop. That’s right, a pickup truck convertible.

Published last week, the patent discusses a new design that would make it easy for riders and drivers to swap to a more “open air experience” and says that current available options are difficult to remove and install. Ford would, instead, develop “removable vehicle roof cap assemblies that are equipped with self-aligning mounting systems for simplifying installation and removal.”

Some industry experts believe the patent could be Ford’s way of trying to compete with the new Jeep Gladiator, whose roof is also removable, and they think it’s possible Ford is eyeing the Ranger for a convertible version.

And while we’re speculating it’s, of course, possible the company won’t ever explore the design at all. Many have tried over the years to perfect this concept, but with clunkier transitions and less durable materials, so maybe Ford is onto something here – especially as the market shifts away from cars in favor or larger vehicles. Or maybe they’re just messing with Jeep.

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