Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "Best Cars from Each Country; Reviews: Ranger Raptor and 2025 Cayenne GTS"
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Zack Klapman and Matt Farah return from their exhilarating experience at King of the Hammers, delving into detailed reviews of the Ford Ranger Raptor and the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS. This episode seamlessly blends firsthand racing insights with in-depth automotive analysis, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into some of the industry's standout vehicles.
1. Return from King of the Hammers
The hosts kick off the episode by sharing their recent adventures at the prestigious King of the Hammers race. They recount the intense competition, the unique vehicles, and the vibrant culture that defines this off-road extravaganza.
Notable Quote:
- Zack: "We have returned from King of the Hammers and we have a review of our Ford Ranger Raptor." [00:00]
2. King of the Hammers Experience
Zack and Matt delve into the challenges and thrills of participating in King of the Hammers. They discuss the logistical hurdles of watching off-road races in person and emphasize the superior experience offered by live feeds and expert commentary.
Key Points:
- Spectator Challenges: Viewing the race in person proved difficult due to the vast distances between obstacles.
- Matt: "Trying to watch racing in person sucks a fucking pee hole. It's terrible." [02:50]
- Cultural Insights: The event is not just about racing but also about the community of enthusiasts showcasing their custom builds and innovative solutions.
- Zack: "Watching the people mob those things around is more entertaining than watching the race itself." [05:23]
- Vehicle Innovations: Highlighting creative modifications, such as converting box trucks into RVs and adapting vehicles for the rugged terrain.
- Matt: "They just have to get something that can hold my toy because my toy has 38-inch tires on it." [09:35]
3. Ford Ranger Raptor Review
The discussion transitions to the Ford Ranger Raptor, where Zack provides a thorough evaluation of its performance and features compared to its larger sibling, the F150 Raptor.
Key Points:
- Size and Weight: The Ranger Raptor is significantly smaller and lighter than the F150 Raptor, making it more agile on trails.
- Zack: "It's 22 inches shorter, 17 inches shorter wheelbase, it's 8 inches narrower, 5 inches lower, and 600 pounds lighter than an F150 Raptor." [23:43]
- Handling and Suspension: Equipped with Fox Live Valve shocks, the Ranger Raptor offers impressive suspension performance both on dirt and pavement.
- Matt: "The Fox Live Valve shocks kick ass." [24:46]
- Braking Performance: Noted as a drawback, with longer stopping distances and a spongy pedal feel.
- Zack: "The brake feel on this thing was garbage. Car and Driver tested it at 218ft from 70 to 0." [35:11]
- Interior and Comfort: While the Ranger Raptor excels in performance, some ergonomic issues were noted, such as limited thigh support and an underwhelming V6 engine sound.
- Zack: "I wish there was more thigh support. And I can't get behind the sound of this V6." [34:03]
Notable Quote:
- Matt: "It cornered better in the loose stuff than the Ranger did." [32:50]
4. Porsche Cayenne GTS Review
Shifting gears, Zack and Matt provide their insights on the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS, exploring its balance between performance and everyday usability.
Key Points:
- Driving Dynamics: The Cayenne GTS offers a sporty driving experience with a powerful yet refined engine, though some find its aggressiveness less suited for daily commutes.
- Zack: "It's a really nice sporty thing, but it feels a little unrefined to me." [40:11]
- Engine and Performance: Equipped with a detuned Coyote V8, the GTS delivers around 500 horsepower, providing robust torque and a thrilling sound profile.
- Matt: "The GTS is making 495 horsepower, but it sounds like it's a hundred more." [47:32]
- Technology Integration: Features like rear steer and advanced torque distribution enhance handling, making it comparable to high-end AMG models.
- Matt: "It's really a stand-on it, waggle it and then pick which one you want to stay." [29:09]
Notable Quote:
- Zack: "The GTS is the most dynamic that this five-seat SUV formula gets." [46:34]
5. Off-Roading and Urban Planning Discussions
Beyond car reviews, the hosts touch upon broader topics such as urban planning and its impact on automotive culture. They honor the late Donald Shoup, an influential urban planner, and discuss how parking strategies influence city layouts and desirability.
Notable Quote:
- Zack: "Donald Shoup is one of the most important urban planners ever. His book, 'The High Cost of Free Parking,' is incredibly important." [51:07]
6. Audience and Patreon Questions
The episode features a segment where Zack and Matt respond to questions from their Patreon community, covering a range of topics from car suitability for tall drivers to the future of electric vehicles in off-road racing.
Selected Discussions:
- Cars for Tall Drivers: They debate which vehicles accommodate taller individuals best, citing models like the Porsche 911 and discussing the limitations of sports cars like the Lamborghini Huracan for taller drivers.
- Collectibility and Restomods: The hosts express their opinions on collecting cars versus enjoying them on the road, highlighting the intrinsic value of driving versus merely owning.
- Zack: "Cars are annoying and expensive to deal with if you're not going to get the enjoyment of driving them." [105:19]
Notable Quote:
- Matt: "If you own multiple 250 GTOs, you're essentially building a collection that rarely gets driven." [105:20]
7. Future Episodes and Wrap-Up
Zack and Matt conclude by teasing upcoming content, including a cross-country trip in a Toyota Corolla and a live commentary on the auction of Zack’s Bentley.
Notable Quote:
- Matt: "We should do a live show as the auction ends. That was very fun during DeLorean." [56:38]
This episode of The Smoking Tire offers a blend of high-octane racing experiences and meticulous vehicle reviews, all wrapped in the hosts' trademark candid and humorous style. Whether you're an off-road enthusiast, a Porsche aficionado, or simply a car lover, Zack and Matt provide valuable insights and entertaining discussions that keep their audience engaged from start to finish.