HI, I'M JOHN DAVIS AND THIS IS MOTORWEEK !

WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT MERCEDES' NEW ELECTRIC FLAGSHIP SEDAN, THE EQS... THEN, WE'LL SEE HOW SMALL COMMUNITIES ARE KEEPING UP WITH THE EV TIMES... WE'LL TAKE A TRIP "OVER THE EDGE" TO THE OVAL AT DOMINION RACEWAY... THEN, BRING IT BACK TO THE OPEN ROAD WITH FORD'S ELECTRIC F-150 LIGHTNING...

SO, COME DRIVE WITH US, NEXT!

CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

* Announcer: MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.

FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.

LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES, AND SPECIFICATIONS.

John: WELL, THE MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAS FINALLY ARRIVED.

IT'S THE MERCEDES-BENZES EQS, AND IT'S MUCH MORE THAN JUST A LEATHER-CLAD LUXURY PLUG-IN FLAGSHIP SEDAN.

IT'S MORE LIKE, A WHOLE NEW MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT MAY OR MAY NOT REQUIRE A PILOT'S LICENSE.

SO, COME FLY WITH US.

* THERE'S NO DENYING IT, THE ELECTRIC FUTURE IS GETTING VERY REAL IN A REAL HURRY.

NOW, THE PERCENTAGE OF EV SALES MAY STILL BE RELATIVELY LOW IN COMPARISON TO ICE VEHICLES; BUT SHEER NUMBERS ARE GROWING RAPIDLY, NEW EVs ARE ARRIVING AT A FURIOUS PACE.

AND THEN, THERE'S MERCEDES-BENZ SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT THE FUTURE OF LUXURY SEDAN TRANSPORTATION WILL LOOK LIKE WITH THIS 2022 EQS.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY ALL-ELECTRIC MODELS TO COME FROM THE NEW MERCEDES-EQ SUB-BRAND, BUILT ON THEIR UNIQUE MODULAR EV ARCHITECTURE.

FOR THE EQS, THAT MEANS A SEDAN IN TWO VERSIONS; BASE 450+ WHICH FEATURES A SINGLE 245 KILOWATT REAR MOTOR POWERING THE REAR WHEELS, DELIVERING 329 HORSEPOWER FOR UP TO 350 MILES OF RANGE.

AND THIS 580 4MATIC, WHICH ADDS AN ADDITIONAL MOTOR TO THE FRONT FOR A TOTAL OUTPUT OF 516 HORSEPOWER AND 631 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE, LOSING ONLY 10 MILES OF RANGE IN THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFORMATION.

THAT'S PLENTY TO ALLEVIATE RANGE ANXIETY FOR MOST AND EVEN ALLOW FOR WEEKEND GETAWAYS, WHICH WE DID; AND AFTER ALMOST FULLY DRAINING THE BATTERY, WERE ON PACE TO GET 359 MILES OUT OF ITS VIRTUAL TANK.

AND, AT 35.5 KILOWATT HOUR PER 100 MILES, IT RATES "GOOD" ON EFFICIENCY, TOO, DESPITE WEIGHING CLOSE TO 6,000 POUNDS.

THERE ARE THE USUAL DRIVE MODES TO TAILOR THE EXPERIENCE, AND COMFORT TRULY LIVES UP TO ITS NAME; AND NOT JUST FOR THE DRIVER-- FIRST CLASS TREATMENT FOR ALL PEOPLE INVOLVED HERE.

NOW, AS SPECTACULAR AS IT IS TO DRIVE, WELL, IT'S NOT THE MOST HANDSOME VEHICLE ON THE ROAD FOR SURE.

WITH A NEW CHASSIS THAT NO LONGER REVOLVES AROUND A FRONT-MOUNTED INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE, MERCEDES TOOK A WHOLE NEW APPROACH TO THIS SEDAN'S DESIGN, HIGHLIGHTING INTERIOR PACKAGING AND PURSUING RECORD-BREAKING AERODYNAMICS.

THAT RESULTS IN A JELLYBEAN- LOOKING CAB-FORWARD PROFILE, ACCOMPANIED BY NOT PARTICULARLY GREAT-LOOKING FLUSH-MOUNTED AERO-OPTIMIZED 21 INCH WHEELS.

NOW, THE INTERIOR ON THE OTHER HAND, IS BOTH STUNNING AND BORDERLINE OVERWHELMING!

THE SWEEPING 56 INCH CURVED DASH DISPLAY IS, NATURALLY, THE HIGHLIGHT.

IT'S MADE UP OF THREE INDIVIDUAL OLED SCREENS, A 12.3 INCH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, PLUS CENTRAL AND PASSENGER TOUCHSCREENS FOR A TRUE USER EXPERIENCE.

IT LOOKS INTIMIDATING, BUT BENZ HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO MAKE COMMON TASKS VERY EASY TO GET TO WITHOUT REQUIRING MENU DIVING.

MATERIALS ARE JUST AS EXQUISITE AS YOU'D EXPECT, BUT MOST CONTROLS ARE UNIQUE.

SEEMINGLY, INSPIRED BY AIRCRAFT MORE THAN OTHER VEHICLES; AND THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING AMBIENT LIGHTING ALONG WITH MERCEDES SOUNDSCAPES TO SET THE SCENE FOR WHATEVER MOOD YOU'RE IN.

THE REAR SEAT IS PLENTY ROOMY FOR THREE ADULTS, AND TOP PINNACLE TRIM ADDS POWER ADJUSTING PLUSH SEATS THAT ARE BOTH HEATED AND COOLED.

FRONT SEATS ARE EVERY BIT AS COMFORTABLE, WITH RAPID HEATING AND COOLING, PLUS LOTS OF STORAGE SPACE AROUND FOR SMALL ITEMS.

WHILE, MERCEDES LOVES TO CALL 4-DOORS COUPES, THIS SEDAN IS ACTUALLY A HATCHBACK, WITH A WIDE OPENING AND 22.0 CUBIC-FEET OF CARGO SPACE, EXPANDING TO 63.0 WITH SEATBACKS FOLDED.

THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL STORAGE UNDER THE HOOD LIKE SOME EVSs, BUT YOU CAN SEE SOME ACTUAL MECHANICALS, WHICH WE STILL APPRECIATE.

WE PUT THOSE MECHANICALS TO THE TEST AT MASON DIXON DRAGWAY.

AND WERE HAPPY TO FIND THE INSTANTANEOUS POWER, WE'VE COME TO LOVE FROM EVs.

THE EQs SOFT SUSPENSION ALLOWS FOR A NICE SQUAT AND POUNCE OFF THE LINE, FOR A QUICK TRIP TO 60 IN ONLY 3.7 SECONDS.

AND UNLIKE SOME OTHER EVs, THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY DROP OFF IN POWER DELIVERY AS WE WORKED OUR WAY DOWN THE TRACK, CLEARING THE QUARTER IN 12.1 SECONDS AT 117 MILES PER HOUR.

WHILE, SPORT MODE DOES TIGHTEN UP THE ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION AND STEERING, THERE WAS STILL A GOOD AMOUNT OF BODY ROLL THROUGH OUR CONE COURSE.

BUT YOU'D NEVER KNOW THIS THING IS OVER 17 FEET LONG, AS ITS STANDARD REAR AXLE STEERING HELPS TO GIVE IT A PRECISE FEEL, WITH QUICK AND ACCURATE TURN INS.

BRAKING WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE TOO; PANIC STOPS FROM 60 AVERAGED JUST 105 FEET, WITH A NICE FIRM PEDAL AND STOPS THAT WERE SOLID AND SMOOTH WITHOUT TOO MUCH NOSEDIVE.

THIS IS MERCEDES-BENZ'S NEW ALL-ELECTRIC FLAGSHIP, SO BARGAIN HUNTERS NEED NOT APPLY AS PRICING STARTS AT $103,360 FOR THE 450+ AND $126,950 FOR THE 580 4MATIC.

PRICY, YES, BUT IF WE HAD THE BUCKS, WE WOULDN'T HESITATE.

AND OH YES, THERE WILL BE AN AMG VERSION, OF COURSE.

THE 2022 MERCEDES-EQS HAS EVERYTHING WE LOVE ABOUT THE S-CLASS SEDAN IN AN ALL-ELECTRIC PACKAGE THAT TRULY DELIVERS THE FLAGSHIP EXPERIENCE.

AND IT SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MAJOR BRANDS GO ALL-IN ON ELECTRIC.

THE TIMES MAY BE A-CHANGIN', BUT AS FAR AS MERCEDES-BENZ IS CONCERNED, IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.

* THOSE WHO LIVE IN OR NEAR LARGE CITIES ENJOY READY ACCESS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION, WHERE BUS, RAIL, TAXI, AND RIDE SHARE OPTIONS ARE PLENTIFUL.

BUT FOR SMALLER COMMUNITIES, GETTING AROUND CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

WELL, WE RECENTLY VISITED ONE TEXAS TOWN THAT HAS FOUND A SMART, CLEAN SOLUTION FOR SHRINKING THIS BIG PROBLEM.

* BASTROP, TEXAS, IS LOCATED ABOUT 30 MILES SOUTHEAST OF AUSTIN.

IT COVERS NINE SQUARE MILES AND IS HOME TO AROUND 9000 PEOPLE.

IT'S A PLEASANT PLACE TO LIVE OR VISIT, ON THE EDGE OF TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WITH THE COLORADO RIVER PASSING NEARBY; A THRIVING MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN AND A RELAXED VIBE ALL AROUND.

TYPICAL OF SMALL TOWNS IN THE AREA, THERE ARE NO CITY BUSES OR SUBWAYS HERE.

CARTS, THE CAPITAL AREA RURAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, OFFERS LOW-COST VAN RIDES FOR FOLKS TO GET AROUND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, OR TO CONNECT WITH REGIONAL TRANSIT OPTIONS.

AND SINCE DECEMBER OF 2019, BASTROP HAS COLLABORATED WITH THE LONE STAR CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE AND E-CABS OF NORTH AMERICA TO PROVIDE A COST-FREE AND EMISSIONS-FREE MICRO-TRANSIT RIDE SERVICE USING GEM LOW-SPEED BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FUNDED THIS TWO-YEAR PILOT PROJECT TO EXPLORE HOW WELL THESE LOW-SPEED EVs COULD MEET A RURAL COMMUNITIES' FIRST, AND LAST-MILE TRANSIT NEEDS.

THE GEMS CARRY FIVE PASSENGERS AND CAN LEGALLY TRAVEL ON ROADS WITH SPEED LIMITS UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR, THOUGH THE CABS THEMSELVES TOP OUT AT 25.

THEY CAN SUSTAIN 3 TO 4 HOURS OF CONTINUOUS DUTY PER CHARGE.

E-CABS OPERATES ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS, AND COVERS A LIMITED AREA SURROUNDING DOWNTOWN BASTROP, BUT THERE ARE NO PRE-DETERMINED ROUTES.

IT'S ALL ON-DEMAND AND ON THE RIDER'S SCHEDULE, AND THESE THINGS STAY BUSY!

THEY ALSO OFFER A PARA-TRANSPORT OPTION WITH A FOLDAWAY ACCESSIBILITY RAMP.

THE SYSTEM ALLOWS RIDERS TO REQUEST ELECTRIC CAB SERVICE THROUGH A PHONE CALL OR A MOBILE APP.

THE E-CAB DRIVER IS ALERTED IMMEDIATELY, AND PICKUP TIME IS TYPICALLY 15 MINUTES OR LESS.

BASTROP MAYOR CONNIE SCHROEDER IS A FREQUENT RIDER, AND SHE KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT RIDING IN STYLE!

Mayor Connie Schroeder: IT DOESN'T MATTER, IF YOU'RE IN A SMALL TOWN OR A BIG TOWN, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND.

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE, GO TO A DOCTOR, MAYBE GET SOMETHING TO EAT, AND THAT LAST MILE CAN BE EXTREMELY HARD.

IT CAN BE HARD, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE, IT CAN BE HARD, IF YOU'RE ELDERLY.

John: FREQUENTLY TAKING THE PLACE OF LARGER CONVENTIONAL VEHICLES, THE SYSTEM'S ELECTRIC VEHICLES TRANSLATE INTO LOWER PER-TRIP FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS.

BASTROP'S E-CABS ARE RE-CHARGED USING ELECTRICITY FROM THE TEXAS GRID, WHICH RELIES ON ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST PROPORTIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.

NATIONWIDE, ADOPTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAS LAGGED IN RURAL AREAS WHEN COMPARED TO URBAN MARKETS.

THE HOPE IS THAT THE ELECTRIC SHUTTLES CAN INCREASE COMFORT AND FAMILIARITY WITH EV TECHNOLOGY IN THE COMMUNITY, AND COULD LEAD TO GREATER INTEREST IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERSHIP, TOO.

Chris Nielsen: THIS IS A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE IT'S INCREDIBLY INEXPENSIVE TO OPERATE, IT'S EFFICIENT, THE PEOPLE LIKE IT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TRACTION, AND WE'VE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE COMMUNITY HERE.

AND WE'RE A PART OF IT NOW, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERYWHERE THAT WE'VE DEPLOYED.

John: THE E-CABS ARE BRINGING NEW MOBILITY OPTIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF BASTROP, AND SHOWING THAT EVEN A SMALL TOWN CAN SET A BIG EXAMPLE FOR CLEAN TRANSPORTATION.

Mayor Schroeder: THEY TAKE CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THEY'RE CONVENIENT, THEY'RE EASY, AND THERE ISN'T ANYTHING BETTER THAN WAVING TO YOUR FRIENDS WHEN YOU'RE IN A FREE E-CAB RIDE.

* Jessica Ray: DID YOU KNOW ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAVE A 12 VOLT BATTERY?

AND FOR THE SAME REASON WE USE THEM IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CAR: TO POWER THE ACCESSORIES.

THINGS LIKE HEADLIGHTS, POWER SEATS, WINDOWS, INFOTAINMENT.

THEY'RE ALL MADE WITH A 12 VOLT BATTERY IN MIND.

BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT SAFETY.

THE LARGER LITHIUM-ION BATTERY HAS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE TO SAFELY POWER SMALLER ELECTRONICS WITHOUT BETTER CABLING OR INSULATION.

SO, JUST ADD IN A TRUSTY LEAD-ACID 12 VOLT AND YOU'RE GOOD TO GO!

OF COURSE, THAT 12 VOLT BATTERY IS POWERED BY THE LITHIUM-ION ONE, SO IF IT DIES, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A JUMP START JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

John: SPEED PROVIDES THE KINDS OF SENSATIONS THAT WORDS FAIL TO DESCRIBE.

YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT TO GET IT.

AND THIS WEEK GREG CARLOSS TAKES US "OVER THE EDGE" WITH SOME CAR NUTS THAT SATISFY YOUR NEED FOR SPEED.

* Greg Carloss: BLASTING DOWN A FRONT STRAIGHT AT WIDE-OPEN-THROTTLE IN AN EXOTIC CAR IS THE THRILL OF A LIFETIME.

TRUST ME, I'VE DONE IT; BUT GUESS WHAT?

SO CAN YOU.

AND I'M HERE WITH A GROUP WHO HAS BUILT THEIR NAME ON GIVING THAT EXTREME EXPERIENCE.

IN FACT, IT IS THEIR NAME.

SINCE 2012, XTREME XPERIENCE HAS BEEN HOSTING TRACK DAYS AND CHECKING OFF BUCKET LIST ITEMS FOR OVER 250,000 SPEED SEEKERS.

Brandon York: XTREME XPERIENCE GOT STARTED IN A VERY SORT OF ROCK AND ROLL PIRATE WAY.

WITH OUR FOUNDERS...

THEY-- THEY SAW AN EMPTY SPOT IN THE MARKET WHERE THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF AUTO ENTERTAINMENT AVAILABLE TO THE EVERYDAY GUY.

AND SO, THEY GRABBED UP A COUPLE OF CARS, RENTED SOME TIME ON THE LOCAL RACETRACK AND GAVE IT A SHOT.

Greg: A DECADE LATER, XTREME XPERIENCE HOLDS DOZENS OF EVENTS PER YEAR AT RACETRACKS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING OUR OWN DOMINION RACEWAY OUTSIDE OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IT ALL STARTS ONLINE WITH A SIMPLE BOOKING PROCESS TO CHOOSE WHERE, WHEN, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT TO DRIVE.

AMERICAN MUSCLE, GERMAN PRECISION, OR ITALIAN STYLE.

XTREME XPERIENCE HAS WHATEVER REVS YOUR ENGINE.

AND, IF YOU CAN'T CHOOSE JUST ONE, DRIVE THE WHOLE FLEET.

Brandon York: WE'RE RUNNING THE NEW C8, THE HURACAN EVO, THE MCLAREN 570 S. WE'VE GOT THE FERRARI 488.

WE JUST GOT IN OUR GT3 RS.

Greg: PRICING VARIES FOR EACH CAR, FROM $200 TO $430 FOR A 3-4 LAP SESSION.

AN INSURANCE PACKAGE IS REQUIRED, BUT BASE COVERAGE ADDS JUST $39 TO THE TOTAL COST.

THEN, WHEN THE DAY COMES ALL GUESTS HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS.

Brandon: WE GET THEM EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO GET READY, THEY GET THE USB FOR THE VIDEO, THEY GET IT ALL SORTED OUT, BOOM, QUICK, EASY-- WAIVERS, EVERYTHING.

THEN, THEY HIT THE CLASS, AND SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE THING, SO THE CLASSROOM IS REALLY WHERE YOU LEARN A LOT ABOUT HOW TO GET THESE CARS AROUND THE TRACK.

Greg: THE CLASS IS QUICK, YET COMPREHENSIVE, BUT THOSE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE MORE INSTRUCTION CAN OPT FOR A RIDE-ALONG WITH A PRO-DRIVER.

AFTER THAT, FIND YOUR CAR WHERE AN INSTRUCTOR WILL GET YOU STRAPPED IN BEFORE TAKING THEIR PLACE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE THEY'LL TALK YOU THROUGH THE CAR AND THE TRACK.

Brandon: YOU GOT TO FIGURE THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A RACETRACK.

MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR LIKE THIS... AND SO, THOSE INSTRUCTORS IN THE RIGHT SEAT HAVE GOT TO HAVE A CALM DEMEANOR.

Instructor: AND BRAKE!

ON THE BRAKES, THE TINIEST-- SO WE DON'T CATCH THAT GUY IN THE MIDDLE THE S. SO LIFT OFF THE GAS A LITTLE... Ryan Grose: WHAT I LIKED IS THAT THE TRAINER THEY PUT ME WITH, THE OTHER DRIVER, HELPED ME TO DRIVE FAST SAFELY.

SO, EVERY TIME I TOOK A LAP, HE WAS TELLING ME, ACCELERATE A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THIS TURN, TURN A LITTLE BIT EARLIER.

SO BY THE END OF THE DAY, I WAS WAY FASTER THAN I WAS EARLY ON.

Addison Grose: I DROVE THE LAMBORGHINI HURRICANE EVO, THE PORSCHE GT3RS, AND THE FERRARI 488.

IT WAS AWESOME.

I'VE GROWN UP JUST LOVING CARS AND WATCHING VIDEOS OF THEM ALL THE TIME, BUT ACTUALLY GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL WAS INSANE.

Brandon: IF YOU'RE INTO CARS AT ALL, THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO FIGURE OUT WHY WE DO THIS AND WHY PEOPLE SPEND SO MUCH EFFORT, TIME, AND ENERGY INTO THESE KINDS OF CARS INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, YOUR BASIC COMMUTERS.

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL, UNIQUE THING.

AND WE HAVE TAKEN EVERY SINGLE PRECAUTION TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE TIME THAT YOU CAN IN THE SAFEST POSSIBLE WAY.

* John: SOME PEOPLE NEVER GET THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE IN LIFE, AND THERE ARE FEW CARS THAT KNOW THAT FEELING, TOO.

THAT'S CERTAINLY THE CASE FOR FORD'S MUSTANG II AND PINTO.

LOOKED DOWN UPON BY MANY GEARHEADS AND MOST SAFETY-NICKS OVER THE YEARS, THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN AUTOMOTIVE AND YES, EVEN RACING HISTORY SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.

DON'T BELIEVE US, GET A WHOLE NEW APPRECIATION FROM MARC CRANSWICK IN HIS BOOK "FORD MUSTANG II & PINTO: 1970 TO 1980."

YOU'RE SURE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THIS OFTEN-MALIGNED PAIR OF PONIES THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW.

AND IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH, THERE'S EVEN A FOREWORD WRITTEN BY SOMEONE YOU JUST MIGHT RECOGNIZE, MAKING IT A MUST READ PERFECT FOR BOTH FORD AND MOTORWEEK FANS.

John: IF THE FUTURE OF DRIVING IS INDEED BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WE'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE CHOICES THAN JUST ODD-LOOKING HATCHBACKS AND SUPER-EXPENSIVE LUXURY CARS.

NOW, FORD KNOWS THIS, AND IS ELECTRIFYING THE LONGTIME BEST-SELLING VEHICLE IN AMERICA, THE F-150.

AND THIS IS HOW LIGHTNING STRIKES!

* AFTER ROCKING THE CAR WORLD BY INTRODUCING A FULLY-ELECTRIC MUSTANG SUV, THE MACH-E, FORD TURNED THEIR BEV EFFORTS TO THE F-SERIES LIGHT DUTY PICKUP.

AND HERE'S THE RESULT: THE LONG-AWAITED 2022 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING.

IT'S FINALLY HERE AND IS FULLY-CHARGED TO HELP FORD CHANGE THE PICKUP GAME ONCE AGAIN.

DISTINCT, BUT NOT DIFFERENT IS THE STYLING THEME.

NO FLASHY SIX-FIGURE SHOWCASE TO DRUM UP EXCITEMENT HERE; THINK OF IT MORE AS JUST ANOTHER ALUMINUM-BODIED F-150 THAT HAPPENS TO HAVE A PLUG.

NOT ONLY DOES THAT KEEP IT FAMILIAR, BUT SURELY HELPS THEM WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING PRICES REASONABLE.

IT'S HARD TO MISS THE DISTINCT LED LIGHTING, BUT LOOK CLOSER AND YOU'LL SEE THREE NEW TRIM-SPECIFIC GRILLE DESIGNS.

THE HOOD AND RUNNING BOARDS HAVE ALSO BEEN RESHAPED TO CREATE THE MOST AERODYNAMIC F-150 EVER.

FOR THE TIME BEING, ALL LIGHTNING'S COME IN SUPERCREW FORM WITH THE 5.5 FOOT BED, AND BOTH CAB, AND BED DIMENSIONS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE REGULAR F-150.

TWO BATTERY PACKS ARE AVAILABLE; STANDARD RANGE GOOD FOR 230 MILES, AND EXTENDED RANGE WHICH STRETCHES IT TO AS MUCH AS 320, JUST SHY OF GMC'S HUMMER EV PICKUP'S 329.

ONBOARD COMPUTERS GIVE ACCURATE REAL TIME MILEAGE ESTIMATES; TAKING INTO ACCOUNT NOT JUST THE USUAL THINGS LIKE DRIVING STYLE AND PAYLOAD, BUT WEATHER AND TRAFFIC, TOO.

PLUS, AVAILABLE ONBOARD SCALES ESTIMATE THE WEIGHT OF ANYTHING YOU'RE TOWING AND FACTOR THAT IN AS WELL.

CHARGE TIMES VARY GREATLY BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE PLUGGED INTO; BUT AT BEST, 150 KILOWATT FAST CHARGING ADDS MORE THAN 50 MILES IN JUST 10 MINUTES.

LEVEL-2 AT-HOME CHARGING IS MORE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 13-20 MILES PER HOUR.

NOT HAVING TO STOP FOR GAS IS JUST THE START OF THE BENEFITS TO GOING ELECTRIC.

THERE'S A HUGE 14.1 CUBIC-FEET "FRUNK" STORAGE AREA WHERE THE ICE ENGINE WOULD BE, AND IF THE LIGHTNING IS PLUGGED INTO YOUR HOME WITH THE AVAILABLE FORD CHARGE STATION PRO; IF THE POWER GOES OUT, YOUR LIGHTNING WILL KEEP THE HOUSEHOLD CURRENT FLOWING WITH 9.6 KILOWATTS OF POWER FOR UP TO 3-DAYS; POSSIBLY LONGER, IF YOU POWER JUST THE NECESSITIES.

STANDARD 4-WHEEL-DRIVE IS PROVIDED BY A DUAL-MOTOR SETUP; 318 KILOWATTS OF JUICE FOR 426 HORSEPOWER WITH THE STANDARD BATTERY, 420 KILOWATTS PROVIDING 563 HORSEPOWER WITH THE EXTENDED RANGE BATTERY; BOTH DELIVERING A STOUT 775 POUND-FEET OF TORQUE.

ANOTHER BIG DEPARTURE FOR THE LIGHTNING IS ITS INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION DESIGN, WHICH SMOOTHS OUT THE RIDE AND STILL ALLOWS FOR A 10,000 POUNDS TOW RATING, THANKS TO THE BATTERY-ENCOMPASSING FRAME WHICH HAS THE STRONGEST STEEL EVER USED FOR AN F-150.

WHILE, NOT EXACTLY RAPTOR-SPEC, FROM OUR EARLY DRIVE TIME IN TEXAS, WE FOUND THE LIGHTNING PLENTY CAPABLE OFF-ROAD.

ITS INSTANT TORQUE WAS INCREDIBLY USEFUL FOR EASILY AND SILENTLY CRAWLING OVER LARGE OBSTACLES.

PLUS, THE ELECTRONIC-LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL HELPED PROVIDE THE TRACTION WHERE WE NEEDED IT MOST WHILE NAVIGATING DEEP RUTS, CLIMBING ROCKY INCLINES, AND EVEN CONQUERING A MUD PIT.

EVEN THE REGULAR F-150 CAN BORDER ON TECH OVERLOAD, SO IT DOESN'T SEEM ALL THAT VASTLY DIFFERENT INSIDE.

THERE IS A BIG SYNC-ENABLED 15.5 INCH TOUCHSCREEN FRONT AND CENTER; WITH A GRAPHIC INTENSIVE 12 INCH DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR THE DRIVER.

SAME SPACIOUS FEEL BOTH UP FRONT AND IN BACK AS ALL OTHER F-150 SUPERCREWS, WITH JUST ABOUT EVERY FEATURE AVAILABLE LIKE THE FOLD-OUT INTERIOR WORK SURFACE AND MAX RECLINE SEATS.

SO, WHAT'S THIS LIGHTNING LIKE TO ACTUALLY DRIVE?

WELL, AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, IT'S PRETTY MUCH JUST LIKE A REGULAR F-150, ONLY QUIETER AND WITH BIG LUMPS OF NEAR-INSTANTANEOUS TORQUE.

ALL OF THOSE BATTERIES DO BRING SOME SERIOUS WEIGHT WITH THEM, WHICH GIVES THE F-150 EVEN MORE OF A TANK-LIKE HEFT; AND, OF COURSE, BEING MOUNTED AS LOW AS THEY ARE HELPS IT FEEL INCREASINGLY WELL-PLANTED IN CORNERS.

THOSE WORRIED ABOUT FORD DOING DAMAGE TO THE LIGHTNING NAME HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, AS THIS ONE HITS 60 IN THE MID 4.0 SECONDS, WHICH IS ABOUT A SECOND QUICKER THAN THE LAST SVT LIGHTNING.

SO, HOW LOW WAS FORD ABLE TO KEEP THAT PRICING?

HOW ABOUT JUST $41,769 TO START FOR THE WORKAHOLIC PRO MODEL.

XLT COMES IN AT $54,769, LARIAT AT $69,269, AND TOP PLATINUM AT $92,669; ALL FIGURES NOT THAT FAR OFF THEIR GASOLINE-POWERED COUNTERPARTS.

MOST OF YOU WILL REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL F-150 SVT LIGHTNING, A HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORT TRUCK THAT CHANGED THE PICKUP GAME FOREVER.

THAT BECAME SORT OF BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR FORD, AS THEY SHOOK THINGS UP AGAIN WITH THE RAPTOR OFF-ROADER, NEXT ALL-ALUMINUM BODIES, AND THEN EVEN GOT TRUCK PEOPLE TO BUY INTO TURBO GAS ENGINES.

WELL, FORD IS RAISING THE BAR ONCE MORE, WITH THE NOW ALL-ELECTRIC 2022 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING.

YES, LIGHTNING HAS INDEED STRUCK YET AGAIN.

WELL, THAT'S OUR SHOW, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

NOW, FOR MORE MOTORWEEK , INCLUDING DAILY NEWS UPDATES, PODCASTS, AND EVEN COMPLETE EPISODES, CRUISE ON OVER TO PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME...

WHEN WE CHARGE UP FOR MOTORWEEK'S 42ND SEASON IN THE CADILLAC LYRIQ EV... THEN, CARVE THE FAST CORNERS IN PORSCHE'S CAYMAN GT4 RS... UNTIL THEN, I'M JOHN DAVIS WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE ON MOTORWEEK !

Announcer: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOTORWEEK , TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE, VISIT... MOTORWEEK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY... FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS HAS HELPED PEOPLE TACKLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE, MARINE, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS.

FROM OUR ORIGINAL FOUR CORE PRODUCTS... LUCAS OIL HAS DEVELOPED OVER 400 CUSTOM PRODUCTS TO HELP BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND DO IT YOURSELFERS.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT LUCASOIL.COM.

LUCAS OIL, KEEP THAT ENGINE ALIVE.

TIRERACK.COM IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MOTORWEEK .

FIRST, THERE WAS THE WHEEL.

THEN, THE TIRE.

"WE'LL CALL IT TIRE RACK."

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN.

ROCKAUTO HAS AUTO PARTS FROM HUNDREDS OF MANUFACTURERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF BRANDS, PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

* Announcer: THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

[SOUND OF CAR ENGINE REVVING] * YOUR WATCHING PBS.