Automakers that allow vehicles to undergo rigorous testing

even under normal circumstancesreporters’ vehicles passed by a lot. When I lived in Texas, I remember a guy who worked for News Fleet Management Services telling me that the two most commonly replaced items were windshields and tires. When a specialized vehicle travels as intended or beyond its usual test radius, the potential for significant damage increases significantly. Fortunately, some automakers understand the risks and are willing to take them to demonstrate what their products can do. Below, I’ve listed some specific examples where car companies have played it safe while testing their models.

On Tracks: 2018 Ford Mustang GT, 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and 2019 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack

In 2017, I covered the ChumpCar World Series at Circuit of the Americas. One of the racers I interviewed for my story happened to own a small track south of Austin, Texas. I quickly got the bright idea and asked him if I could test the acceleration, handling and braking of some of my review vehicles there. He agrees, but will the automakers agree?

To my surprise, they did. I first contacted Ford because I planned to drive a 2018 Mustang GT with the GT Performance Package, which adds specific chassis, electric power steering, ABS and stability control tuning; suspension upgrades; and enhanced front brakes; staggered-width performance tires; and a Torsen differential with a 3.73:1 ratio. Ford allowed me to track it as long as I didn’t time it or compete with anyone on the track. Their partnership allowed me to discover just how tough the Brembos up front are, and how controllable the Mustang is when coasting.

When the 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk parked in my driveway, I pitched Jeep the idea of ​​taking it to the track, much like Ford had proposed for the Mustang. They gave me the green light. I was surprised at how relaxed I felt in this 707-horsepower super-SUV, and I quickly adapted to adding more throttle on each successive lap.

When I got the keys to the 2019 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack, I thought slightly differently. I contacted a representative from the company and asked if I could take it to the track so I could test its line lock and launch control features and get some cool photos for me to review. He agreed as long as I agreed to “use the features as intended and not do anything that would cause irreparable damage to the car, like tying the car to a guardrail to keep the tires spinning/smoking.” If you’re thinking this is an odd special condition and wondering if it was imposed because someone did this to one of Dodge’s press cars, that’s exactly what it is. In fact, the representative suggested that more than one person tied up a Charger and burned its rear tires.

Road Trip: 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel

When I was shopping for a media car in Austin, Texas, most manufacturers seemed to have a mileage limit of 500 miles per week for media loaner, either explicitly or implicitly. There’s plenty of time to discover the vehicle’s strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. But some companies are willing to raise that limit if someone comes up with an interesting story idea. Ram is one of them. My fiancé (now wife) and I planned to visit her family in El Paso, TX and Peoria, AZ. Of course, we could fly, but I thought I’d look a little further and ask around if there were any manufacturers willing to provide vehicles for the long interstate trip back and forth, which ended up being 2,646 miles. I contacted a friendly person at Ram and told him that the 1500 Rebel would be an excellent test vehicle because the trip would thoroughly test the fuel economy of its existing 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine.

My contact felt the same way and sent me a roomy and comfortable truck. Based on my calculations on five full tank fills, I averaged 20.17 mpg over a 1,812-mile trip, many of which reached speeds above 80 mph.

Off-Road: 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Press conferences can be especially difficult for media vehicles. Over the years I’ve seen or heard of clutches blowing, half shafts snapping, and expensive optional paint colors being scratched. That’s why I was surprised when Rolls-Royce brought one of its Cullinan SUVs to off-road gatherings in 2019. I drove the $406,225 rig through mud and water, using its four-wheel steering system to avoid three-point turns on the road. Test track. I left the environment of leather, chrome and wood veneer satisfied with the Cullinan’s traction and composed magic carpet ride. A few years later I heard that the Cullinan had withdrawn from racing after suffering (no doubt costly) damage to its bodywork due to being too close to nature. The fact that Rolls-Royce lets their SUVs do SUV things despite the potential dangers makes me admire their ambition, courage and belief.