2024 Ford Explorer: What To Know About The Latest SUV

Fire season in Central Oregon carries a distinct weight. Out on the open plateau of the Warm Springs Reservation, as the smoke from the Bench Fire billowed across the horizon toward Mount Jefferson, the sky shifted into a heavy, amber haze. Seeing a herd of wild horses grazing calmly in the dry grass against that towering plume was a stark, humbling sight—a vivid reminder of the raw power of nature and the quiet resilience of our local Tribal communities and firefighters on the front lines. It’s a landscape that doesn't care about trends, algorithms, or digital clutter. It is raw, unforgiving, and deeply authentic. And out here, riding a motorcycle isn't about chasing lap times or staring at complex TFT screens. It’s about balance, awareness, and connection. It’s an analog machine built for an analog landscape. Pure Mechanical Connection: The GT 650 "Mr. Clean" That raw connection is exactly what makes the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in the hand-polished "Mr. Clean" chrome spec feel so uniquely suited to Central Oregon’s backroads. While modern superbikes become increasingly digitized with traction control modes, electronic ride-by-wire throttles, and computer assistance, the GT 650 strips the experience back to the absolute essence of motorcycling: The Tactile Engine: The 648cc air-and-oil-cooled parallel twin doesn't rely on screaming redlines to impress you. It delivers honest, linear low-end torque with a deep, rhythmic twin-cylinder pulse that you feel directly through the pegs and clip-on handlebars. The Mirror-Finish Chrome Tank: The "Mr. Clean" edition features a hand-polished chrome tank with classic pin-striping that reflects the high-desert elements around it—from the golden sagebrush to the amber hues of a smoke-filled sunset. Pure Analog Gauges: Twin needle-and-dial gauges keep your eyes on the road and the scenery ahead, feeding you only the information that matters without screen glare or distractions. A Precision Harris Performance Frame: Built around a double-cradle chassis designed by legendary frame builders Harris Performance, the bike tracks with grounded, predictable stability whether you're rolling over washboard dirt backroads or sweeping through asphalt curves. Respecting the Land and the Journey Riding through areas like Warm Springs during an active wildfire teaches you to pay attention. You feel the sudden drops in air temperature near the rivers, smell the dry pine needles, and watch the wind shifts carry smoke across the ridge lines. At Auto Kings, whether we’re showcasing mountain-ready 4x4s at our Bend lot or classic two-wheeled machines out in Redmond, our goal is to honor the region we live in. We choose inventory that encourages people to get out, respect the terrain, and truly experience the Pacific Northwest in its purest form. Our thoughts remain with the residents, landowners, and emergency personnel navigating the Bench Fire. Stay safe, respect local land restrictions and emergency notices, and take time to appreciate the wild beauty of the high desert.

There is a distinct moment on a long-distance drive where the landscape completely shifts, and you realize you’ve just experienced one of the greatest automotive routes the country has to offer. That is exactly the feeling of pulling up to a coastal sunset after a cross-state run—watching the fading sun hit the immaculate lines of a Porsche 911 GT3 with the salt air rolling off the ocean. While the backdrop of the sea feels miles away from our high desert home, there is no better way to test the mettle of a pure, track-bred machine than by mapping out a journey from the pavement of Bend straight to the rugged Oregon Coast. The Route: High Desert to Pacific Surf A true driver’s road trip across Oregon is a masterclass in geographic diversity, and the 911 GT3 is the ultimate instrument to carve it up. Imagine firing up that legendary powerplant at our Bend lot, pointing the nose west, and watching the sagebrush give way to the towering pine forests of the Cascade foothills. As you climb out of Central Oregon over the high-altitude sweepers of the mountain passes, the GT3 is entirely in its element. Dropping down the western slopes, the road transitions into the lush, canopy-covered curves of Highway 126, tracing the river valleys through the heart of the Pacific Northwest. By the time you cut through the valley floor and hit the coastal asphalt of Highway 101 near Florence or Newport, you’ve experienced every type of tarmac imaginable. The final reward? Hugging the dramatic ocean cliffs, hearing the engine note echo off the rock faces, and pulling over just as the sun touches the horizon to take in a view like the one captured here. Why this Generation is a "Blue Chip" Asset In the automotive world, the phrase "blue chip" isn't thrown around lightly. It’s reserved for special vehicles that stand the test of time—machines that represent a pinnacle of engineering, command historical respect, and hold an iron-clad position as highly coveted collector pieces. This generation of the 911 GT3 is exactly that. As the automotive landscape rapidly shifts toward turbocharging, hybridization, and heavy digital driver aids, this GT3 remains a glorious holdout of pure, analog motorsport heritage. The Crown Jewel Engine: At its core is a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that screams all the way to a staggering 9,000 RPM redline. The power delivery is linear, instant, and accompanied by a raw, mechanical wail that modern turbocharged cars simply cannot replicate. Motorsport DNA: This isn't a standard 911 with a wing bolted to the back. The GT3 is developed directly by Porsche’s motorsport division. Every vent, the massive rear wing, the center-locking wheels, and the enormous brakes are there for functional aerodynamic downforce and track-level endurance. An Investment You Can Drive: What truly makes it a blue-chip vehicle is its dual nature. It is an appreciating asset that demands a premium in the global enthusiast market, yet it is robust enough to be driven hard across the state without missing a beat. It’s a collector car that begs to be utilized, not hidden away in a climate-controlled bubble. Find Your Next Journey at Auto Kings At Auto Kings, we are passionate about sourcing vehicles that don't just get you from point A to point B, but vehicles that turn every single drive into a lifelong memory. Whether your dream road trip involves carving up the mountain switchbacks up toward Mt. Bachelor, exploring the high desert backroads, or embarking on a full-scale cross-state run to the coast, we curate the inventory to make it happen. Next time you’re cruising through town, swing by our Bend location on Highway 20 or explore our active inventory online to see what world-class performance icons have landed on our floor. The road from the desert to the ocean is waiting. What keys are you taking?

There is a specific time of day in Central Oregon, right as the sun begins to dip toward the Cascade range, where the entire high desert softens into shades of gold and pale blue. It’s the exact moment we captured this beautiful white on black soft top Ford Bronco cruising just east of our Bend lot out on the open blacktop, with the windows down, the top dropped back, and nothing but miles of sagebrush and wide-open sky ahead. This isn't just about taking a scenic drive; it’s about experiencing the unique landscape right outside our front door the way it was intended. And when it comes to true open-air exploration, few platforms on earth can match the modern Ford Bronco. Since its historic revival, the Bronco has completely re-established what an adventure vehicle should be. While its retro-inspired silhouette nods directly to the iconic first-generation rigs of the 1960s, everything underneath is pure, modern engineering designed to conquer the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest. Built for the Backcountry: Key Performance Features What makes this particular platform such a weapon for the high desert comes down to a few brilliant design choices by Ford: The Independent Front Suspension (IFS): Unlike traditional solid-axle off-roaders that can feel harsh and twitchy on the highway, the Bronco utilizes an independent front suspension setup. On the washboard dirt tracks out toward the Oregon Badlands or the pavement of Highway 20, it tracks incredibly straight, soaking up bumps smoothly without sacrificing high-speed stability. EcoBoost Power & HOSS System: Packed with turbocharged EcoBoost torque and paired with Ford's High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system, the Bronco keeps its tires firmly planted. Whether you’re climbing over loose volcanic rock or airing down for deep sand, the power delivery is instantaneous and highly predictable. True Modular Freedom: Ford engineered the Bronco with utility in mind. The doors can be removed in mere minutes, and because the side mirrors are mounted directly to the cowl of the body rather than the doors themselves, you never lose your rear visibility when running completely open-air. The Ultimate Central Oregon Companion Having a rig built to this spec completely changes your relationship with the local geography. It’s a vehicle that turns a simple weekend into an expedition. You can spend the morning loading up paddleboards for the Cascade Lakes Highway, drop the top for a dusty afternoon run through the trail networks near Cline Falls, and wrap up the evening watching the sunset over the Eastside of Bend without ever needing to change gears. At Auto Kings, our goal is to curate inventory that perfectly matches the lifestyle of the people who live here. We don't just look for clean vehicles; we look for platforms that inspire you to get out, turn off the screens, and explore the incredible wilderness in our backyard. Next time you’re heading out toward the high desert or cruising along the South Hwy 97 corridor, swing by our Bend location to see our latest off-road and premium SUV arrivals. The high desert is calling—is your rig ready for the trail?