Awesome Rides

When it comes to 1/2-ton pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the sleekest and most modern-looking on the market. The drivetrain and technology continue that theme with an available high-efficiency turbocharged engine, large digital displays, and up-to-date safety and connectivity tech.

Over the years, Ford Europe has created race-equipped vans to promote their production models. For 2022, they created this modified E-Transit Custom van with four electric motors and 1973 hp. It does 0 to 62 mph in under 2 seconds, and has modes for road, track, drift, rally, and drag racing. This video offers an in-depth look.

Meanwhile in the Garage took an ordinary gas-powered scooter and transformed it into a three-wheeled vehicle that looks like something from the set of a sci-fi movie. He initially had built a cockpit that kept it as a two-wheeler, but later grafted on the front of an ATV for its final appearance.

If you split a wheel in half, you shouldn’t still be able to ride on it, right? Well, watch this video from The Q, in which he cut two bike wheels and tires down the middle, connected them with a long chain and positioned them so one half is always touching the ground. Miraculously, the bike rides just fine.

When engineers want to test a vehicle’s suspension, they use a variety of methods, including test tracks, hydraulic posts, and treadmills. Brick Technology built a miniature version of the treadmill test using LEGO Technic components and used it to see how different motorcycle suspension setups absorb shocks.

Toyota vehicles are known for their durability and reliability. But even a Land Cruiser can’t stand up to explosions without the help of some armor. Vehicle security company Inkas shows how their armor systems can help protect occupants of the SUV by hitting it with ammunition, grenades, land mines, and dynamite.

Inspired by a vehicle in the 1960s action show Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Tom Scott wanted to test whether it is feasible to drive a vehicle forwards via a video screen while facing backwards. The folks at Sparkmate helped put together a rig that let Tom test the idea using a custom go kart steered by a video game controller.

The Nissan Z is back and it’s simply fantastic. We spent a week living with the 2023 Z, and it’s everything we hoped for. The new Z deftly balances nostalgia and modernity with its thoughtful design, performance, and technology. A powerful drivetrain and spirited handling make this the best Z car in years.

The S has a thing for building matchstick-powered rocket engines. This time, their goal was to create two flame-shooting vehicles out of cardboard, then crash them head-on into each other to view the fiery wreckage. It took a few attempts to get them to launch at the same time, but the money shot was worth it.

Developed by the makers of the GolfBoard, this personal mobility device is designed for getting around large resorts, campgrounds, and other places with a lot of ground to cover. Riding on all-terrain tires with undercarriage protection, it can ride on- or off-road. It runs up to 15 miles per charge on-road, and 12.5 miles off.

A one-of-a-kind collection of vintage “Silver Bullet” trailers highlight the Airstream Heritage Center inside the company’s Jackson Center, Ohio HQ. The museum documents 90+ years of innovation with displays, archives, and awesome models including a 1938 Clipper, Wally Byam’s Gold Airstream, and a painted Argosy trailer.

Pro rally driver Ken Block is road-testing his insane Hoonipigasus. The 1,400 hp AWD Porsche SVRSR racecar is a widebody pink monster built for the 100th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado on June 26. The brutal 12.42-mile course has 156 turns and an elevation gain of 4,725 feet, with the finish line at 14,115 feet.

They say, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” That’s definitely the case with the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and its top-of-the-line Summit Reserve trim. The styling and refinement of the long-wheelbase SUV benefit greatly from the design, engineering, and technology of its bigger and pricier brother, the Grand Wagoneer.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro is an insanely powerful race car with a 6.5-liter V12 engine that revs to 11,000 RPM and makes 1000 hp. Aerial Automotive shared this footage of the cars zooming around Laguna Seca Raceway and wowing gearheads with ear candy. He also shot some epic in-car footage. (Thanks, Nathan!)

The Bugatti Centodieci is an incredible car, inspired by the automaker’s 110+ year history. Just 10 of the cars were produced, at a price of $9 million each. The guys from ND Woodworking Art couldn’t quite afford one, so they built a kid-sized version out of wood. It has working lights, steering, and a basic drivetrain.

While some cars still offer the ability to wash the dirt off of headlights, today’s tech relies on powerful sprayers. Back in the day, car companies came up with all kinds of clever designs for tiny wipers to keep headlights clean. After you watch that, enjoy a satisfying montage of modern headlight washers.

The 2023 Sequoia has a muscular new look, drawing directly from its pickup truck brother, the Toyota Tundra. It has a powerful new hybrid drivetrain, excellent towing capacity, and offers a smooth and comfortable ride. Read on for our thoughts on this handsome full-size SUV from our first drive on the streets of Texas.

The fastest we’ve ever ridden a bicycle was about 35 mph downhill and that was sketchy. But cyclist Brian “Safa” Wagner has a need for speed, and he shared this video of a ride from the mountains into the desert during which he hit speeds up to 65 mph. The crazy thing is the world record is 184 mph – with the help of a dragster.

Engineer James Bruton is fascinated with omni-directional wheels. For this video, he set out to make a vehicle that rolls on three split-hemisphere balls which can move in any direction. He’s since added a seat to it, resulting in what is basically the world’s most powerful office chair.

Kammok’s innovative vehicle awning deploys with one person in just three seconds and requires no ground supports. So you can enjoy a shady outdoor space wherever you go and whenever you feel like it. Its durable polyester fabric keeps you dry even in the pouring rain. Available in 5-foot-wide and 7-foot-wide versions.

You might think that towing a trailer looks pretty easy, but there’s a lot you need to be aware of to tow a payload safely. This demonstration video from Weigh Safe shows a scale pickup truck pulling a trailer with an ATV, and how important weight distribution is, especially at higher speeds. (Thanks Steve!)

The Prinoth Panther T14R is a unique dump truck that rides on tank treads and can spin its bed around 360º. Its design allows it to load and unload its contents in opposite directions without having to make a U-turn.

So you’re cruising down the highway, when all of a sudden you’re in a traffic jam. But there are no accidents, construction, or other emergency activity, so why does this happen? TED-Ed explores the phenomenon known as a “phantom traffic jam,” what makes them happen, and how we might minimize their occurence.