Is the new Ford Bronco Raptor Coming with a Diesel?

 To see the full photo follow the link.

Yesterday's SEMA eNews had Spy Photos of the new Ford Bronco Raptor. This 2021 Raptor is concealing its identity while undergoing testing, hidden within a protective covering, no doubt for the very purpose of avoiding spy cameras.

Alas, Brian Williams of SpiedBilde wasn't fooled by the outer garb, and took these photos that were shared in the SEMA story.

I'm assuming the lock is wrapping is for that purpose, of hiding details till the full reveal takes place. Otherwise, I may recommend a name change: The Bronco Wrapped-tor. Or maybe shorten to Wrapptor?

The big question here is what kind of power block is in this beast? Cummins diesel? Or something else? I guess we'll find out soon enough. "Tis the season for the 2021s.

You can read the full story here.

 ________

There are a number of good stories in yesterday's SEMA eNews. One that caught my eye had to do with saving the Bonneville Salt Flats and another has updates about PRI.

_______

Enjoy the weekend.

Looking For Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil? Now Available at Xtreme Diesel Performance

Champion Oil has had a long relationship with racing. Their Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil has had a loyal following in the performance diesel sector. XDP has also been delivering the goods for diesel enthusiasts for almost two decades. Xtreme Diesel Performance now carries the full line of Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils, which have been around even longer.

I myself have always liked the XDP banners when attending diesel events because they stood out. It was a clean logo and wasn't muddy. You could see it from a distance and you knew who they were, and why they were there. In fact, I even recall meeting them when the company was still young. Good people all around. Happy to see how much they've grown.

According to the press release that just came out:

I first saw XDP at an event like this one.

“It is extremely important for Champion Oil to identify a partner that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide our customers with first class service, support and distribution,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of Racing and Performance. “XDP clearly fits the stringent criteria we identified to promote our “Blue Flame" line and effectively will move our business forward in this key strategic market of diesel performance.”

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are a unique, purpose built synthetic diesel engine oil that combines workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic and conventional base fluids.

In addition, Champion’s “Classic” Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, has the muscle to combat oil shear, maximizes and sustains cylinder compression, and is proven to increase engine horse power and torque.

To read the full story at Digital Journal, CLICK HERE.

_______

Noteworthy: Need to know current oil prices? Bookmark The Blue Flame Blogger and you'll learn exactly what's happening with regards to the price of WTI Crude. The numbers are live right here on the sidebar.

Are there diesel events you want our readers to know about? 

Drop me a line: BlueFlame1952 AT gmail.com

_______

Looking for a Truck? Visit PickupTrucks.com

About two decades ago I was looking at stats with regard to truck ownership and a stat caught my eye. I will phrase it here in the form of a question. Which state has the most pickup trucks per capita? To put it another way, in which state will you find that 50% of all drivers own pickups?

You can find this fighter and more at PickupTrucks.com

I'm sure that there are states with more pickups because most states have more people, but Wyoming is truly pickup country.

I remember my first trip from the Black Hills to Devil's Tower. There's a little tavern about halfway there in which the only means of transportation that I saw were horses and pickups. You gotta love those red, red hills of Wyoming.

All this popped into my head when I saw this 2021 Jeep Gladiator Diesel at PickupTrucks.com. It's a 3.0-liter V-6, ruby red and coming soon. I'm sure it will be right at home in Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and anywhere else you want something durable. Who doesn't love the name? Gladiator!

The Fiat Chrysler EcoDiesel engine has already been broken in a little. By this I don't mean it's a used engine. I mean that this 260-horsepower power plant has been used in the Wrangler SUV and I'm guessing that if there were any kinks to work out, they have been worked out. 442 pounds-feet of torque is something to boast about, and it will be available soon.

You can read Joe Bruzek's full review here.

________

Noteworthy: Need to know current oil prices? Bookmark The Blue Flame Blogger and you'll learn exactly what's happening with regards to the price of WTI Crude. The numbers are live right here on the sidebar.

Are there diesel events you want our readers to know about? 

Drop me a line: BlueFlame1952 AT gmail.com

SEMA 2020: Registration Is Open

First annual SEMA Show in the basement of Dodger Stadium.

On August 5 SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, announced its first ever cancellation of the annual SEMA Convention. Nevertheless, like many other events this year, a modified virtual variation will take place from November 2-6. It won't be "business as usual" but there will be plenty of opportunities for business to take place. More on that after a few bits of trivia.

1. DID YOU KNOW that the original SEMA acronym stood for Speed Equipment Manufacturing AssociatIon? Due to government pressure it was recommended that the emphasis on speed be downplayed. (This was the muscle car era, after all.) From another source, the hippie counterculture drug associations also led SEMA founders replace the word "Speed" with Specialty.

2. DID YOU KNOW that the first SEMA Show was held in the basement of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles? The event was held in January 1967, with 98 booths and 3000 attendees. In 1974 the event moved to Anaheim Stadium where it made its home for three years before relocating to its Las Vegas residence.

By way of contrast, the 2019 SEMA Convention had participation from more than 160,000 industry professionals. 3300 journalists also converged on the City That Never Sleeps to cover the action there, that the world might see the vibrancy of our industry.

_________

This past week SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place Nov. 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

The announcement stated that SEMA360 will be "a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers." Unlike the ten miles of show floor aisles to walk, you'll be doing business from the comfort of your office. Unfortunately, to get your daily exercise you'll need to get your walking in after hours.

Here's a link to the full announcement which has a link at the end on where to participate: https://www.semashow.com/

_______

FOR MORE COOL PHOTOS from SEMA's early days, check out
this page at Roadkill Customs.

Follow Your Passion

Picture of the Day: Hot Dawg Diesel

Photo courtesy street photographer Karl D from an NADM event.

What does NADM stand for?

Ask Google and they will tell you it stands for the North American Drought Monitor. Of course it could stand for the Nearly Analytic Discreet Method. 

Diesel enthusiasts will use the acronym for two better definitions. First, the National Association of Diesel Motorsports. In the same breath I'll add another:

Never A Dull Moment

HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY

It's Time to Sign Up for the October 20 Diesel Progress Summit

It's virtual. It's informative. It's Free.

On October 20 there’s a Diesel Progress world summit for industry professionals. Machinery and vehicle OEMs, equipment owners, engine manufacturers and distributors, and component and powertrain suppliers. As they do every year, they will highlight key developments in diesel technology as well as innovations in new power sources, including electrification. Especially important updates on regulatory issues regarding engine emissions will also be shared.

One benefit of virtual events is that you can attend from anywhere in the world with no transportation costs, no hotels, no expensive meals. It’s all about industry information, so no need to get concerned about a dress code.

Yes, most of us miss the networking opportunities live events generate, but the folks at Diesel Progress say they have devised a way for us to meet with others during this event. We’re finding new ways to do business in these new, most unusual times.

The speakers in this year’s summit will be James Kamsickas, Chairman and CEO of Dana Inc. (Keynote), Bill Robertson from the California Air Resources Board, Jeff Coad and Dave Schulenberg from Briggs & Stratton, and Andy Noble of Ricardo Japan.

As is their custom, Diesel Progress Award-winners will be revealed during the event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A REGISTRATION LINK

VISIT

 https://dieselprogress.com/

Diesel Prices Rise Around the Country

Photo by Adrià Tormo on Unsplash

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether fuel prices are going up only in your region or all across the board. An August 31 Land Line story is a reminder that you aren't the only one seeing diesel prices creeping up. According to the article "The U.S. average diesel price per gallon rose 1.5 cents from one week ago, according to a weekly federal report dated Monday, Aug. 31, to an average of $2.441 per gallon." This is the second week in a row we have seen rising diesel fuel prices.

When I was young I spent a couple months in an area called The Valley on the Texas-Mexico border. Gas prices, if I recall correctly, were a little over a buck a gallon. Diesel was lower, and across the Rio Grande you could fill 'er up for 50 cents a gallon.

Times change, and the one certainty is that nothing ever stays the same.

Here are some of the prices Land Line reported from around the country based on data from ProMiles.com:
U.S. – $2.344, up nine-tenths of a cent.
East Coast – $2.48, up nine-tenths of a cent.
New England – $2.612, up seven-tenths of a cent.
Central Atlantic – $2.673, up one-tenth of a cent.
Lower Atlantic – $2.359, up 1.6 cents.
Midwest – $2.271, up 2.2 cents.
Gulf Coast – $2.175, down 3.7 cents.
Rocky Mountain – $2.33, up one cent.
West Coast – $2.796, up a 4.3 cents.
West Coast without California – $2.493, up 2.3 cents.
California – $3.231, up 4.1 cents.

You can read the full story here:
https://landline.media/average-retail-diesel-prices-rise-for-all-regions/