Is the Ford Bronco in Rampage the Real Deal, Honda Ridgeline Hybrid and Cop Colors? [Ask Nathan]

  • Is the Ford Bronco in Rampage the real one?
  • Will there be a 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid?
  • What color will help you get pulled over?

The first question comes from a few fans who saw the New Line Cinema movie Rampage and wondered if the Ford Bronco used in it is the production version.

(Via Twitter@NathanAdlen and various emails) Did we just see the upcoming Ford Bronco in the movie Rampage?

The Rock drove it in the beginning of the movie. It is clearly the same one Ford used as a concept before.

A: Nope!

Sorry guys. What you saw in that movie was a 2004 Bronco Concept. While I agree that it looks cool, it’s a world away from the idea behind the upcoming vehicle. For one thing, the new Bronco will be a four-door, the one in the movie had two. It will be based on the new Ford Ranger platform and it will have a four-cylinder EcoBoost, not a V8 like the one in the movie.

Finally, there’s this quote from Fox News when they interviewed Ford about the Bronco in the movie: “It does not represent the future Bronco beyond sharing the iconic Bronco name.

Hopefully, the upcoming Ford Bronco will be even cooler than the one used in Rampage.

Man, I hope so.

Cheers!

N


 

The next question comes from a Honda fan who wants to know if there will be a 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid.

Honda-Ridgeline-RSF
[Photo: TFLcar]
Hi! I had a Honda question about the Ridgeline.

Hi Nathan. You guys are usually pretty fair about judgements and I respect your videos about the Honda Ridgeline. I bought one a few months back and I truly love it. Like you said, it should get better gas mileage. I agree 100%.

My question is based on a few rumors I read. Will there be a Honda Ridgeline Hybrid coming soon? If it does, will it be noticeably better than my Honda? Please let me know.

Rodney

A: Greetings!

While there is nothing official from Honda, several people in the automotive industry have stated that a hybrid is definitely in the works. Honda needs to do something to help their sales numbers. Last year, they sold about 40,000 Honda Ridgelines in North America. To put that into perspective, in 2017, Toyota sold over 200,000 Tacomas in North America.

Add to that the fact that Honda is currently testing a plug-in hybrid Pilot, (which shares many components with the Ridgeline) which we expect to see within a year or so, things begin to look positive for us receiving a Honda Ridgeline Hybrid soon.

I wonder if they will offer a regular and plug-in hybrid option. Also, I wonder if the rear wheels will be powered by electric motors. Humm, looks like there may be some interesting components on this (possible) utility truck. Let’s hope they find a way to lower the base price too, because it ain’t exactly cheap!

N

The last question comes from a reader who wants to know if there is any truth to the argument that some colors stand out to cops more than others.

(Via Twitter@NathanAdlen) Do cops look for one color over another?

Gonna buy that yellow Mustang I’ve wanted but I don’t want a ticket when I’m parked! You know what I mean?

2014 ford mustang

A:Howdy!

A friend of mine who works for the LAPD once told me that while color may grab his eye, a majority of the tickets he writes are for speeders and reckless drivers – no matter what car they drive.

On the other hand, my CHP (Colorado Highway Patrol) friend said that, with loud exhaust and colors, it makes it easier to figure out who passed you and who you’re after. That’s IF they didn’t get a reading on you with their radar/LIdar systems.

Sure a screaming Ferrari in red will get a second look, so will a poorly modified black Honda.

Speaking of colors, check out this video which has a “Plum Crazy” 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack!

N

Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com.