At Ford’s Pop-Up in Downtown Austin, TX, the Ford Bronco, F-150 Lightning and Mach E Are Giggly Fun
Scotty Reiss
|
But You Might Learn Something, Too
New cars these days can do amazing things. But you have to experience them to really understand what they can do and how they do it. The Ford Bronco, Mach E and F-150 Lightning definitely fit that both those statements: They are amazing but you gotta experience it to believe it.
A 2-minute test drive around the block just doesn’t tell the story. And your uncle’s insistence that his 10 year old petite EV is the greatest car of all time is well taken, but, not helpful when you’re buying a pick up truck to tow your horse trailer.
View this post on Instagram
Ford understands this challenge, so the company has created a pop up experience, Built to Connect, in downtown Austin. It runs through October 24th and is designed to give consumers a taste of the EV future and the off-road mastery of the Ford Bronco. Consumers are invited to a ride-along in the electric Mustang Mach E SUV, the Bronco Sport and a ride on a short off road course in the Ford Bronco. The course includes clambering through a mud pit, a dip in a creek and climbing a crazy 40 foot tall hill.
Related: The Chic, Minimalist Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E Puts The Future in Your Hands—Right Now
Ford Lightning at the Built to Connect Experience in Austin TX. Photo: Ford
See How the F-150 Lightning Puts Tesla on Notice
Consumers can also get a close up look at the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck, slated to hit the market soon and literally. The competition with Tesla’s Cyber Truck, slated to be built in Austin, will no doubt light up the truck category. Then, they can check out all of Ford’s other offerings, from the stalwart Explorer to the brand new Maverick pick up truck.
Related: Meet the Future of Hauling: The All-Electric Ford F-150 Lightning
View this post on Instagram
And Yes, There are Joy Rides!
We took an early look at the event and got the joy ride of a lifetime with pro driver Nicole Johnson (who will be on site throughout the event along with a crew of other pro drivers) and then were able to check out vintage Broncos and learn more about how EVs really are the future, not just our cars, but for our lives, at a Ford F-150 Lightning display worthy of Disneyworld.
The pop up, produced in partnership with the city of Austin and Austin Energy, both early adapters in the world of electrified driving, is an experiment of sorts. Ford, which has committed to spending $30 billion by 2025 to bolster its EV production, is watching and measuring the impact of the event before deciding whether to roll it out to other cities.
But we hope they decide to; it’s a pretty amazing event. The Lightning exhibit alone is worth your time if you have any doubts about the future of electrified trucks. But the Bronco off road course? Well, if the Lightning doesn’t raise your adrenaline, the Bronco certainly will. And the whole thing will leave you giggling and happy for the rest of the day.
Ford Built to Connect takes place at Austin’s Republic Square until October 24th; attendance is free, though consumers are required to sign a waiver in order to participate in the ride along experience.