One of the more unusual collections headed for Monterey this summer is the Nick Alexander Collection. A well-known Los Angeles car dealer, Alexander amassed what is considered one of the world's finest collections of pre- and post-war wood-bodied wagons. He even built a restoration shop near of one his dealers just to work on the various cars over the years.
In August, RM Auctions will offer 52 different vehicles from the collection, all with no reserves. In other words, if you've always wanted a classic woody and you have the cash, this is the chance of a lifetime.
The news that the Chevrolet Camaro beat the Ford Mustang in June sales is being heralded by GM as some sort of breakthough, a triumph of good product over weak sales.
To some degree, GM has it right. The new Camaro is a compelling product and deserves some credit for getting buyers to pry open their wallets during one of the worst recessions of all time.
But let's face it, the Camaro hype machine has been running overtime for years now. From concept cars to movie cars to prototypes in the desert, the Camaro has enjoyed so much advanced publicity that anything less than a sell out would have been catastrophic.
To call a victory for the Camaro in the pony car war at this point seems a little premature. Let's wait until the early adopters get their cars and then see how sales pan out. Right now the overabundance of SS models being sold suggests that most of the buyers are true enthusiasts, but as we all know, it's the V6 models that end up carrying cars like the Camaro and the Mustang. We'll see how long that lasts.
Sure, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is fast and all, but next to the latest 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 the standard Camaro doesn't stand a chance. To even things up a little, we snagged a supercharged Hennessey Camaro to see how it matches up.
Contributor John Pearley Huffman was tasked with burrning the rubber off of both cars and in the end he came away with a clear winner. Which one would you choose?
After the amount of press Mr. Hennessey has been getting with his modified Camaros, we figured it was time to post a ridiculous GT500 tune: the 725 horse Shelby Super Snake.
Starting with a GT500 Coupe, Shelby engineers strap a new supercharger onto the 5.4-liter V8 that brings output to 725 whopping horsepower. The Super Snake also includes an upgraded intercooling system, cold-air intake and a high-flow JBA exhaust system. The company also offers a much more modest (respectively) 630 hp version with a Borla cat-back unit.
A racing suspension with adjustable dampers, stiffer springs and thicker antiroll bars work with the 20-inch Alcoa wheels to improve handling and give the 'Stang a new stance. Baer six-piston calipers with cross drilled and ventilated discs provide stopping power.
Shelby outfitted the exterior with a new hood with an oversized scoop, racing stripes, rear-quarter window scoops and carbon-fiber side skirts and front lip.
Pricing starts at $29,495 for the 630 hp model and goes up to $33,495 for the 725 hp kit. The first cars will be built this August. Go here for more info.
My road trip in the beige 2010 Ford Taurus Limited ends at 11:45 p.m. on Day 3. I've driven 2,667 miles.
I've used 122.5 gallons of fuel, mostly 93 or 91. The owner's manual in our Taurus says you should put 87 octane in your vehicle, but then it concedes "using premium fuel will provide improved performance." We'll take the "improved" every time.
I've averaged 22.2 mpg against an expected 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway rating for the front-drive 2010 Ford Taurus. Remember that I was driving against the clock a bit during this trip. A more relaxed pace would likely have netted mid-20s.
My best tank was 25.4 mpg. My worst tank was 19.1 mpg. My longest tank was 368.3 miles, after which I put in 17.348 gallons of fuel into the big Ford's 19-gallon tank for an average of 21.2 mpg.
I've added zero quarts of 5W20 to our 2010 Taurus Limited during or since the trip. I topped off the tires at trip's end, adding 2-3 psi to each tire. The only repair concern was the autodimming mirror housing.
#Ford Taurus -- I don't hate all foot-operated parking brakes. But I dislike it when, as in the 2010 Ford Taurus, they're the push-on/push-off variety and the linkage is so stiff that this operation actually involves physical exertion. I'm up to the exertion, mind you. But setting and releasing the parking brake is something you do so often, there's no reason it needs to be such a deliberate action.
Also, the dead pedal in the Taurus isn't quite ergonomic in its design. It's set too far back in the footwell (i.e., too close to the driver seat) and the "pedal" cuts off too soon. As such, even my average-size foot hangs off the edge. In normal commuting, I might not notice, much less care about this. But after logging 2,600 miles in 3 days, I do notice and I do kind of care.
And the cashew in the footwell? It's from the trail mix I bought at Asheville's Biltmore Estate gift shop.
#Ford Taurus -- The last day of my road trip in the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited covers 825 miles. Or at least it does until I go off on various detours, adding 5-10 miles here and there. So it's a long day. And I'm driving well after dark.
But I find that I really like being in the Taurus after sunset. Every gauge, control and container in this car lights up. And as in other Fords, you can control the color and intensity of the ambient lighting. It's a lot of lighting elements, but somehow it never feels like too much and the cabin becomes a soothing place.
#Ford Taurus -- Although you've heard me complain about Sync and other cabin details in our 2010 Ford Taurus Limited, I can't deny that this full-size sedan is a fine high-speed cruiser. And, as I continue west on Interstate 10 through New Mexico and Arizona, cruising is all I'm doing. (Although, in this photo, I've detoured into Picacho State Park.)
The extra 280 pounds that Dan wrote about in our 2010 Taurus first drive does slow the car up some when I really want to get by someone. But at no point does our Taurus Limited feel underpowered. Moreover, the upside of all that poundage is a car that feels incredibly solid at highway speeds. Putting aside the legal justifications, this just doesn't feel like a car that needs a 110-mph top speed limiter. And all that extra sound insulation mentioned in 2010 Taurus press material actually makes a difference. Wind, road and engine noise levels are all very low.
#Ford Taurus -- This one puzzles me every time I fuel up our 2010 Ford Taurus Limited. I have no access to trip computer functions in accessory mode. I can't reset or even look at the trip meter or odometer unless the engine is running.
I have never encountered this in any other vehicle, so I can only assume this particular arrangement has something to do with the keyless start on this Taurus Limited.
#Ford Taurus -- Although it's a little hard to get a sense of the scale from these photos, the shifter in the 2010 Ford Taurus is too large and tall for comfortable use by those with average-size hands (that is, unless you drive in work gloves).
Finally, though, in El Paso, I order a drink that's on the same scale as the Ford's gigantic shifter. The two of them nuzzle each other for all 8 hours it takes me to finish this 800-ounce Diet Coke.
#Ford Taurus -- Apparently, the answer is no. I'd researched KD's BBQ in Midland, Texas, before the trip, and the thought of gorging on brisket there keeps me going during my day-long drive in the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited from Longview to El Paso.
How disappointed I am to find that KD's is not open on Sundays or Mondays, apparently due to staffing cutbacks that are apparently due to the depressed economy. There's a warning on a billboard outside of town, but I don't want to believe that. So I drive into Midland and see the deserted red buildings for myself. I even wander back to the smokehouse hoping for signs of human life or uneaten brisket. (All of you who suggested I should have detoured south into Hill Country were absolutely right. I've written down all your dining recommendations and will be trying them on my next trip.)
I also swing by the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. It's too late to see the Chaparral cars, so I have to settle for the outdoor oil patch exhibit.
As I drive out of Midland, I give Sync Services another try. But my cell signal is weak and it can't understand my pronunciation of "Odessa, Texas," no way, no how. So I give the next town of note -- Pecos, Texas -- a try, but as the computer voice directs me to turn my shiny beige 2010 Taurus onto a gravel road lined with dilapidated trailers, I quickly order up a "cancel guidance."
It's late June so the whole state of Texas is baking near the century mark during the day. When I notice big cumulus clouds at the I-20/I-10 interchange, I figure our Gold Leaf 2010 Ford Taurus and I will be driving through a thunderstorm before I get to El Paso for the night.
I'm not disappointed. Those clouds quickly go all cumulonimbus. The storm is brief, but I'm struck by how quickly flash-flooding sets in. But here the P255/45R19 100V Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on our Taurus Limited prove their worth. Nope, this is not a sporty car, but considering how much water is on the road (and that the windshield wipers can barely keep up with the torrential rain), the tires don't slip much. No hydroplaning. No hasty countersteering.
This is exactly what I'd expect from a safe, conservative, front-wheel-drive, full-size sedan and the 2010 Ford Taurus delivers.
#Ford Taurus -- So I've mentioned that I'm traveling without a navigation system. I've done this before obviously, and with pre-printed Google Maps instructions and a road atlas, it's not a big deal. But one thing I really miss is the ability to look up POIs on the spur of the moment -- for instance, to find a coffee shop when I'm feeling tired.
The new Sync Services app offers the ability to find businesses along your route, but after trying it a dozen times during this trip, I'm not sold on its effectiveness. The main shortcoming is that it uses your cell phone signal as its connection, so if you don't have a cell phone signal, you can't get directions. I don't hit many dead zones (on T-Mobile), but I quickly find that the system's voice recognition capabilities are compromised whenever I have a weak signal. Combine that with, say, a multi-syllabic city and state (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), and it can be frustrating to use.
I offer this video, and another after the jump, as evidence of my hit-and-miss experience with Sync Services. Another potential issue is that without a map in front of you, it's hard to know exactly where in an unfamiliar city a particular POI will be (is it on your way or will you have to back-track?). I should note, though, that Sync Services works pretty well when I already have a specific destination in mind, like say the Microtel at 803 N. Access Road in Longview, TX. And, obviously, Sync is far better than nothing when you're really and truly lost; it stores your home and work addresses.
Finally, please enjoy the shaky, hand-held cinematography, and please know that I'll be very disappointed if you don't make fun of my voiceover work.
Just before last year's SEMA show, Ford gave us an early look at the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, a dedicated desert race truck that will go on sale in August. It was an impressive piece, far more extreme that we ever expected.
Once the production model was finalized, the SVT group decided it needed to do a little more durability testing, so it built a slightly more extreme version of the Raptor and entered it into the Baja 1000. "Born in Baja" is a feature-length film that traces the Raptor R race truck from concept to competitor.
We saw it last night at the official Hollywood premiere and, much like the truck itself, we were surprised how well it turned out. There's a great mix of behind the scenes background along with plenty of actual race footage. And yes, there's plenty of love given to Ford and the F-150, but it's not so over the top that you can't enjoy the rest of the action.
A shortened television version will air on the SPEED channel Sunday, July 12, at 4 p.m. EST with additional dates to be added later.
#Ford Taurus -- I know that individually recessed gauges are supposed to be cool, but the pods in our 2010 Ford Taurus Limited are some of the deepest I've ever encountered. Add metallic brightwork around the rims of each gauge pod and you've set yourself up for all kinds of shadows and glare in the midday Texas sun.
#Ford Taurus -- I cross the Louisiana-Texas stateline under cover of darkness. The next morning as I'm fueling up at a truck stop in Longview, two middle-aged couples notice our Gold Leaf 2010 Ford Taurus Limited and I hear them clucking to themselves about how the car looks better than last year's Taurus. These are the only people who will comment on my 2010 Taurus during the entire road trip.
"That's the 2010, isn't it?" one of the men asks me. Then, nodding in his wife's direction, he says, "You should go look at that car," as if to imply there's a strong chance she'll be getting a brand new Taurus this summer.
But this isn't a Nissan GT-R I'm driving, and she doesn't have the courage (or more likely, the interest) to come up and pepper me with questions. Had she asked, though, I would have commented on the car's pleasant ride and general feeling of refinement.
But I also would said that the two-ton sedan is a little short on passing power, even with a 3.5-liter V6 rated at a respectable 263 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 249 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. The car's six-speed automatic transmission usually needs to drop two gears for authoritative passing, and it's not especially quick to do this. Also, it could definitely be smoother during full-throttle upshifts.
#Ford Taurus -- After I finish with the Natchez Trace, I'm pretty spent as I work my way back to Interstate 20. I don't get any happier when the beige 2010 Ford Taurus Limited and I roll into Shreveport, Louisiana, around 9 p.m. and find the city's famous barbecue place, The Hickory Stick, already closed. Damn. Good thing I ordered that foot-long at Subway a few hours back.
From there, it's another 64 miles to my reasonably priced Microtel in Longview, Texas.
Good grief, it's humid here. As I peel myself out of the Taurus' leather driver seat after 13 hours, though, I'm not really sore or kinked up. The addition of a telescoping steering wheel vastly improves the driving position in the 2010 car compared to earlier models or the Ford Flex. But I still feel funny sitting up high in a chair in the SUV style, and the seat-bottom cushion exacerbates that feeling by cutting off mid-thigh.
But in practice, this funky design works. Both the shape of the seat-back and the blend of soft cushioning and firm support are spot-on for long-haul travel. And this alone makes the 2010 Ford Taurus an A-list road trip car in my book.
#Ford Taurus -- After an evening of barbecue and beer (oh, I love you, New Belgium La Folie of Fort Collins, Colorado), I'm late getting out of Atlanta, but otherwise well-rested, alert and stone cold sober.
I head west on Interstate 20 and cross into Alabama, and here the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited comes into its own. This is an excellent sedan for cruising, which is no surprise, I know, but the improvements over the 2004-2009 Five Hundred/Taurus iteration are apparent. The ride is comfortable yet controlled over seams and bumps (though Georgia and Alabama have some really pristine pavement on their interstates). Road noise is not intrusive at 70-75 mph and there's just a hint of wind ruffle around the window seals.
When I hit Jackson, Mississippi, I take exit 34 for one of the few detours I allow myself on this trip: Natchez Trace Parkway. This 444-mile two-lane starts in Franklin, Tennessee, and goes all the way to Natchez, MS. The speed limit is just 50 mph, but I've wanted to drive the Trace since my college years in Memphis.
#Ford Taurus -- On the afternoon of Day 1, our 2010 Ford Taurus road trip takes a timeout, and a professional driver on a closed course takes the wheel. In his/her/its hands, our Gold Leaf 2010 Ford Taurus Limited tops out at 110 mph, so the full-size sedan wouldn't be much of a 'bahn burner. It's the same whether you have it "D" or in manual mode (4th or 5th gear).
It's an arbitrary limit. The engine is running at a relaxed 3,100-3,200 rpm in 6th gear. Perhaps the 17-inch tires on the base SE model have a low speed rating. Or perhaps Ford just wants you to abide by the law.
The Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is badass. Its fastback retro look is straight reminiscent of the Ford pony car from the 60s - almost like Eleanor from Gone in Sixty Seconds. Sunken headlights, 20-inch Iacocca Design wheels and diamond-pattern leather seats are just a few of the special edition Stang's features.
Built on a 2009 Mustang platform, buyers have a choice between the stock 320 horsepower 4.6-liter V8 or the 400 horse supercharged version. A five-speed manual is standard, and the company has also added Ford Racing handling and brake packages.
The vehicle is the product of former Ford president Lee Iacocca, designer Michael Leone and coachbuilder Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters. The partners will build 45 of these bad boys - all silver - through Galpin Ford in Southern California.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced today the first installment of loans to promote clean energy. A total of $8B will be handed out to Ford, Nissan and Tesla in hopes of jump starting efforts to produce electric vehicles as well as cleaner internal combustion drivetrains.
Ford will receive $5.9B to to "help finance numerous engineering advances to traditional internal combustion engines and electrified vehicles." The money will also be used to convert two trucks plants into car plants.
Nissan is getting $1.6B to help defray the costs of producing an electric car and battery packs at its Smyrna, Tenn. manufacturing plant.
And finally, Tesla will receive $465M to help develop and build its Model S sedan as well as the production of battery packs in a separate facility.
For the record, GM and Chrysler were not eligible for the program because of their bankruptcy filings. The loan program specifies that any company receiving money must first prove its viability as a stand alone company separate from the loans. How Tesla, which is currently not profitable, got around this provision isn't clear.
So what do you think? Is this a good way to spend federal stimulus money?
I get into Atlanta without incident, and I feel right at home when the I-75/I-85 interchange becomes a Friday afternoon parking lot. However, as soon as I check into my downtown Hampton Inn, I manage to disassemble the housing for our 2010 Ford Taurus tester's autodimming rearview mirror while attaching the parking lot hang tag. I don't have the dexterity to reaattach it so the housing dangles for rest of the trip.
Possibly, this is a comment on the velcro Ford uses to attach the housing, but very likely, this is also an instance of a ham-handed editor manhandling a car.
I take the hint and turn my attention to ribs. If you go to Daddy D'z in Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood, you'd be wise to order the rib/dark-meat chicken combo platter with the collards as one of your sides. Later, we pay a visit to the Brick Store Pub (where you'll find more varieties of Belgian beer than even the Belgians have) in Decatur, GA. And, yes, I have the presence of mind to park the Taurus and we hop a MARTA train instead.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 199 miles (yes, still)
The first day of my road trip in the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited is actually only a half day. I pick up the car in Asheville, NC, at lunchtime. By the way, the sticker on this Gold Leaf Metallic 2010 Taurus Limited is $35,190, which reflects the two options on this test car -- Package 302A ($2,000 -- floor mats, adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers, auto high-beams, blind spot monitoring, keyless ignition and Sony premium audio) and adaptive cruise control ($1,195).
My destination for the evening is Atlanta, where I'll see an old friend from college, eat local barbecue and wash it down with microbrewed beer. First, though, I have to get out of Asheville. I'm not ready to get on the interstate just yet (I'll have plenty of time for that in Texas), so instead of I-26, I rely on previously calculated Google Maps instructions to U.S. 178, which ultimately meets up with I-85.
Our 2010 Taurus Limited has bigger, wider and lower-profile tires (P255/45R19 100V Goodyear Eagle RS-As) than the Taurus SEL with 18s that Dan Edmunds drove, but this doesn't turn it into a sport sedan through the 178's tighter turns.
I keep a good pace, mind you, but at no point do I forget that the car weighs over 4,000 pounds -- it's hard to hide that kind of physical evidence in this price range. Body roll is considerable, and although the steering is fairly precise, there's really not any feel to it. The brakes feel fine in normal driving, but on this road, the pedal seems soft and slow to react.
Still, it's surprising how well the chassis copes with those big, chrome-dipped 19s on lumpy pavement. And, really, the idea of anyone hustling a Taurus down a back road as I'm doing is silly anyway.
Yeah, we've already driven a beige 2010 Ford Taurus SEL, but now we've got a beige 2010 Ford Taurus Limited all to ourselves for the next three days. And the best way to get to know any enormous, five-passenger, beige sedan with 20-cubic-foot trunk is to take it on a road trip.
So I'm driving this beige 2010 Taurus Limited from Asheville, North Carolina, to Santa Monica, California. That's about 2,520 miles in total, which means I'll have to log over 800 miles a day to get back to LA in three days. This should give me enough time to rest my head in inexpensive motels, but the Taurus will absolutely stink of Starbucks-Subway by the time I get back.
Just to keep things interesting, our beige Taurus Limited does not have the navigation system option, so I'll be relying on the new Sync app, "Sync Services," for directional help. It's like OnStar Turn-By-Turn, except you talk to a computer instead of a live operator. Also, it uses my cell phone signal for its connection, so we'll see how well that works in West Texas.
You can follow my trip in the beige 2010 Ford Taurus Limited here on Straightline all this week.
We told you all about the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO last week. It's fast and fun and a little expensive, so it's now it's time to see how the same sedan comes off when it's not stuffed full of Ecoboost power.
This time our Director of Vehicle Testing Dan Edmunds breaks down the 2010 Ford Taurus SEL, a midgrade model with a carryover engine. The obvious question is how does it stack up against Japanese giants like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry? Quite well in many ways actually, although Dan sees a few areas where the Taurus still needs improvement.
Two Ford GTs from the Blue Oval's personal collection will hit the auction block this August at separate events.
The first car, to be auctioned off at the 15th annual Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event in Rochester, Michigan, is clad in vintage Mark IV red and white. It was the sixth GT to roll off the production line, and will cross the block on August 1, 2009.
The second supercar, a blue and white GT, will join a bunch of classics at RM's Sports & Classics of Monterey event in Monterey, California from August 13-15.
A portion of the proceeds from both soon-to-be iconic racers will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Since the day the name Ecoboost was first uttered at an auto show, it's been touted as an engine that would offer V8 performance with V6 efficiency. Well, Ford's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is finally here and the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is the most performance-oriented vehicle yet to offer the new engine.
Still, the latest Taurus is a hulk of a sedan. It weighs in at well over 2 tons and stretches nearly 17 feet long. With that in mind, it seemed only fitting to compare the SHO to one of the biggest, most muscular American sedans around (at least for now) -- the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT.
Now technically, the Pontiac G8 GXP is a closer competitor in terms of price, but the GT's power output nearly matches the SHO. Oh, and the Pontiac is 300 pounds lighter, too. We also took into consideration that our Taurus didn't have the optional performance pack that adds a shorter rear end gear, stiffer springs, a thicker rear stabilizer bar, high-performance brake pads and summer tires. More importantly, adding the performance pack also gives you the ability to turn off the stability control system completely, a big advantage when you're running numbers.
So how did the "new" SHO measure up against the "old" GT? Click for the full results; you might be surprised.
Look, we're sure we all know what it feels like to drive over the edge of a 300-foot cliff. But what does it look like?
Well, thanks to Jari-Matti Latvala's little stunt show earlier this year at the Rally de Portugal, now you know. It looks like a film student's experimental class-project/magnum opus.
Latvala scores bonus points in our book for:
1. Not dying. 2. Making sure to get the Ford blue oval in front of the camera during the crash (gotta be mindful of the who pays the bills!). 3. A fine bit of understatement in the post-crash interview: "I did not expect that it will jump."
Also, if you watch closely, we're pretty sure you'll briefly see the eyes of Satan in the footage.
We've been hearing about Ecoboost for so long now that it's almost become cliche, like some annoying piece of automotive vaporware. Highlighted in one concept vehicle after another, the turbocharged Ecoboost promise of power and efficiency has only recently reared its ugly head in something we could actually drive.
That first Ecoboost experience was in the Lincoln MKT, a vehicle that needed everyone of those turbocharged horses to get its considerable mass going. This time Ecoboost is in something a little more managable, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. It's not isn't exactly a small sedan, but its small enough to show off the 3.5-liter V6's 365-horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Test Director Dan Edmunds ran the car through its paces to file our first even drive of Ford's new super sedan.
Mustangs and Challengers in the Nationwide Series next year? That's what Fox Sports is reporting. According to Lee Spencer, when the Car of Tomorrow debuts in NASCAR's second-tier series next year, it will include the Dodge and Ford pony car designs.
"Ten-fold better than a Cup car," a NASCAR official said of the designs, which must be submitted for approval by June 26 according to the NASCAR Rule Book.
Spencer also noted a conspicuous absence of talk about the Camaro, a possible consequence of GM's financial condition. Toyota is also stuck without a coupe, so it will most likely continue with its Camry sedan.
Clearly, the move is designed to bring back fans who grew bored with the cookie cutter designs of today's Sprint Cup cars, but the "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" mantra may not have the draw even with the new designs.
Do something enough times and patterns become apparent. Dyno testing is no exception.
For example, supercharged cars usually produce their best dyno result within the first few pulls. Heat soak tends to quickly get the best of the intercooler circuit and erode the engine's output. Once this happens, we call it quits and review the data to select the run that represents the car's stabilized output.
Not so with the 2010 Shelby GT500. With each pull on MD Automotive's Dynojet chassis dyno in Westminster, CA, we witnessed the power from the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 creep up further and further. Five, six runs in and the power was still climbing.
Finally, upon the seventh run, the output of our color-coordinating GT500 stabilized. And we saw that it was good.
This new Shelby appears to have the thermal capacity of an industrial meat locker. That, and Gary and Jeff deserve a high-five for their efforts.
Jump for the dyno chart, video and the lowdown on Gary and Jeff.
In case you're wondering where all that stimulus money is going, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued a friendly reminder that it's doing its part to spread the wealth.
"On June 1, 2009, the agency ordered 14,105 fuel efficient vehicles for the Federal fleet using $210 million of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)," according to the press release.
"This brings the total number of fuel efficient vehicles ordered by GSA using ARRA funds to 17,205 at a cost of $287 million."
The breakdown includes:
2,933 Chrysler vehicles for $53 million; 7,924 Ford vehicles for $129 million; and 6,348 General Motors vehicles for $105 million.
Strangely enough there is no mention which vehicles the agency purchased, only that they will be more efficient that the ones they replace. Reassuring isn't it?
If you have never driven on a race track, you should. If your skills are weak, track time will make them better. And if you think you're an undiscovered Tony Stewart, well then, get out there and prove it. The list that follows after the jump gives some ideas where you might try your luck both on the road and in the dirt.
The saga of the next-generation Ford Ranger continues. An on- and off-again project for years, it appears as though Ford is going through with development of some kind of new small pickup.
This prototype was spotted on the streets of Dearborn, but whether or not this truck will ever be sold in the U.S. is far from certain. Ford currently sells a compact truck in world markets that uses a completely different platform than the ancient Ranger sold here.
Most speculation points to a shared platform for the next Ranger given Ford's drive to consolidate platforms across sales regions. And judging by this prototype, the new platform won't change dramatically from the current setup.
The biggest changes will most likely appear under the hood as Ford looks to improve the fuel economy of the Ranger. Expect to see Ecoboost four- and six-cylinder engines along with both manual and automatic transmissions. If it does come to the U.S., it won't be until 2012 at the earliest, so expect plenty of changes along the way.
Ignore the trippy camo for a minute and you can just make out the face-lifted 2011 Ford Edge.
Due around this time next year, the second-generation Edge looks as though it's sticking with Ford's "bold" theme a little longer. This prototype features a thicker two-bar grille up front and projector headlights that make it look like the love-child of a Taurus X and 5-Series BMW. The front bumper also has a sportier look that will fit in nicely among Ford's latest designs like the 2010 Fusion.
The clear-lens look of the rear lamps will survive the transition to the updated model, although the pattern is slightly different. A big dual exhaust sticking out behind the rear bumper screams "EcoBoost" and we expect some variation of the new 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 in this version of the Edge. Also look for the possibility of a new four-cylinder powerplant as Ford looks to improve its fleet average in the face of tougher federal CAFÉ requirements.
Compared to last year, May's sales numbers were miserable. Let's face it, when a 19% drop somehow looks good, there's still a problem.
We've come to expect such misery these days, but as AutoObserver points out, there are a few glimmers of hope in May's sales numbers.
- The Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) is at its highest point of the year at 9.9 million.
- Most sales numbers beat analyst's expectations.
- The stock market is up and car sales typically rise with the markets. Consumer confidence is also up.
Hard to tell if this trend will continue at this point. It could be a result of bargain hunting or a little pent up demand. Either way, it's the kind of news we need at this point given how deep taxpayers are now entrenched in the business.
Microsoft has released this video in conjunction with this morning's E3 press conference. Not a huge amount to see here in terms of gameplay, other than the aforementioned Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10. Ample face time for the Ford GT, too. And there's drifting -- courtesy of an E92 M3 and a 370Z.
This is the 2011 Ford Fiesta sedan, at least in prototype form. Not surprisingly, it looks very much like the Fiesta concept sedan shown at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Back then it was known as the Verve and it wasn't a bad looking little car.
It still looks better than most compact sedans, but we hope that Ford does the right thing and offers the hatchback too. It's a much more compelling car even if it's a given that the sedan would sell better.
We had no idea that the flower delivery industry was in such dire straights. With no affordable commercial vans at its disposal, it has been left schlepping roses around in clapped out Astro vans. Help is on the way, however, and our Senior Editor in Detroit Dan Pund has driven it.
Cleverly dubbed the Ford Transit Connect, the new commercial runabout has a name almost as goofy as its styling. It can carry quite a bit though, and its smallish four-cylinder engine returns decent mileage in the process. Pund says it gets lots of looks too.
We not big on the Fiesta Movement, but Pikes Peak is another story. This summer, the Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team from Sweden will campaign two Ford Fiestas in the annual "Race to the Clouds." The two Fiestas will be driven by Andreas Eriksson and rally legend Marcus Gronholm.
Although based on the road-going Fiesta, the cars will run in the Unlimited class which allows extensive modifications. Both will use all-wheel drive and have engines capable of producing more than 800 horsepower. The suspension setups were designed with help from Ohlins and Ford of Europe's Team RS engineers who are responsible for Ford's WRC cars.
"We are excited to be bringing the car to Pike's Peak and to be able to see what it can do in such a unique competition," said Eriksson. "It's a legendary event, and we've already been there to take a look at the challenge we will face. I'm convinced we'll be a top contender to break the 10-minute mark and give the Fiesta a proper racing debut in the U.S."
We've had our doubts about this whole Fiesta movement thing. It was a brilliant marketing plan as giveaways tend to be, but unless someone is going to try and jump the Snake River in one who cares what the winners do with them?
Don't worry, Ford created reasons to care. Ploy number one: pretend a Fiesta was stolen. Oh the humanity.
It was a slightly amusing story right up until the car's owner spotted the car sitting in a local impound yard. So theoretically, the thieves could have stolen the car, parked at the curb to get some post GTA cheeseburgers and forgotten to feed the meter. Or it's all crap.
We haven't had a chance to strap our test equipment to any EcoBoosted Lincoln MKS (or any other EcoBoosted product from FoMoCo, for that matter). But, last night, we did the next best thing: We took the twin-turbo V6 Lincoln to the local drag strip, in Milan, Michigan.
The direct injection 3.5-liter makes a substantial 355 horsepower (on premium fuel, anyway) but it also has a big ol' all-wheel-drive sedan to pull around. Nonetheless, the car rips off 14-second runs all night long. In the cool of the evening, the MKS EcoBoost posted one 13.9-second run, but earlier in the 75-degree afternoon repeated runs in three different cars yielded near-identical runs in right at 14 and about 104 mph. Good stuff.
For perspective, in our more formal testing the 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang ran a 13.9 @ 101.1 mph. A 2010 Mustang GT ran the quarter in the mid-13s. The MKS nips anything that could be considered a competitor by at least a few tenths. Both the Caddy STS V8 and Infinti M45 get it done in 14.4. Keep in mind, the MKS figures are are not subject to our weather correction, as the other numbers quoted here, but we don't expect the numbers would change significantly if they were.
A Flex EcoBoost, on hand for giggles, will do the deed in 14.5. Presumably, an MKT woud do pretty much the same.
Incidentally, Milan Dragway is pronounced "MY-lin," not "mee-LAHN," like some kind of fancy-pants Italian Mercury sedan.
Here's the IIHS side-impact crash test of the 2009 Ford F-150; it earned a "Good" rating. The NHTSA frontal-impact crash test, in which it earned 5 stars, is after the jump.
The Ford product most in need of a shot in the arm -- the Lincoln MKS, that is -- will be the first to get Ford's EcoBoost V6. This is the twin-turbocharged and direct-injected, 3.5-liter V6 that we experienced briefly in a Ford Taurus SHO prototype. In the MKS, it's rated at 355 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque at 1,500-5,250 rpm.
That's a nice, fat powerband, but for this much money, it better be. Consider that the $48,585 MKS EcoBoost (with standard all-wheel drive) costs $5,000 more than a 2010 Lincoln MKS with the 275-hp, normally aspirated, 3.7-liter V6 and optional AWD ($43,585).
We certainly hope there's a suspension retune in that extra $5K, too.
After yesterday's pace car clunker fest, we're proud to present some of the 500's more prestigious pace cars. These cars actually did their production namesakes some good, or at least looked great trying.
It's only three seconds long, but that's long enough to see the 2010 Ford Mustang coupe's occupant compartment hold up well in NHTSA's frontal-impact test.
And sure enough the 2010 Mustang coupe earns five stars for this performance. NHTSA hasn't issued side-impact ratings, yet, but the agency does list a five-star rollover rating.
It's not as simple as you might think. Base price is one thing, but depreciation, insurance, gas costs factor in there too. Edmunds own John Giamalvo spoke with CNBC recently and profiled several cars that represent the best value in their segment.
What we have here is a compressed air-powered water cannon sticking out of the side of a Volvo station wagon.
Now, Ford claims it uses this unit to simulate a car getting smacked in the rear-side by another car with the aim of improving future stability control systems. Okay. But somehow we're guessing the guys that developed it have built their share of potato cannons in the old days.
Anyway, the car is rigged up with an air cannon that Ford says is commonly used in mining operations and your better pumpkin-toss events. It carries nine gallons of water that at the push of a button comes blasting through a sheath of Glad Press'n Seal wrap at 130 psi.
We have no idea what we would use water-cannon-equipped Volvo wagon for, but we kind of want one now.
Ford Motor Company would like for you to know that the new pressure-based side-airbag sensors in the 2010 Taurus are not stupid. To illustrate this point the company's engineers ram a bunch of junk into the door.
The idea is to prove that the sensors know the difference between being hit by a run-away shopping cart and a car.
Incidentally, the thing in the shopping cart that looks like a 110-pound weight is a 110-pound weight. Not satisfied with the stereotypical cart demo, the Fordies rammed a bicycle wheel into the door and then shot a softball-sized nub into it.Then they threw empty bottles of Mickey's big mouths, sod, hateful people and the Volvo division at it. That last part is not entirely true.
So we didn't get to drive it just yet, but the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is still worth discussing. With the Pontiac G8 on its way out, the Taurus SHO will be one of the few remaining American performance sedans. Sure, there's no V8, but a 365-horsepower twin-turbo V6 seems like a adequate replacement.
We won't know just how good this new SHO really is until we get our hands on one for testing. Until then, we'll have to be content with a second-hand impression from the passenger seat. So far, the impressions are quite promising.
We've reported that Ford is busy gauging interest in a possible U.S.-spec version of the Ford Focus RS. And yesterday in Royal Oak, Michigan, a Focus superfan spotted a Focus RS with Michigan tags. It appears identical to the Euro-spec version we've already driven.
We'd guess there will be a few more opportunities for sightings as Ford mulls the desirability of a 305-horsepower hot hatch. Probably a few curbings, too, with those vulnerable 19s.
It's been in the works for years and now it's on hold - again. We referring to the smaller, light-duty diesel engine planned for the Ford F-150. It was scheduled to go on sale in 2010, but according to a report in Automotive News it's now on indefinite hold.
Adding a high-mileage, high-torque diesel to its most popular truck seemed like a sure thing a year ago. Now that gas prices have come down, however, diesel is far less attractive from a cost standpoint.
According to article, the program has been delayed until 2013 but if gas prices remain low compared to diesel fuel the engine could be scrapped altogether. General Motors recently delayed development of its own light-duty diesel in an effort to conserve cash.
Contrary to what you might see on the nightly news, Americans do not despise pickup trucks these days. In fact, they still buy them in huge numbers, quite possibly because they need them, or maybe just want them.
The ability to tow large things is one of the most often cited reasons for owning a truck, so we gathered four of the best half-ton crew cabs currently available and headed for the desert with trailers in tow. The players consisted of the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, 2009 Dodge Ram, 2009 Ford F-150 and a 2008 Toyota Tundra.
The premise was simple: find out which truck is a true jack of all trades. Dan Edmunds, our Director of Vehicle Testing, not only conducted an array of instrumented tow tests, he also let the trucks loose in the dirt for some off road fun. He also track tested each truck and lived with them for two weeks on his daily 100-mile round trip commute. Care to guess which truck came out on top?
The April sales numbers are in and although the market hasn't exactly turned a corner just yet, there are signs that the slump may be leveling off a bit.
The overall sales rate, menacingly referred to as SAAR (Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate), was down to 9.5 million from 9.8 million last month, but still not as bad as February when it was as low as 9.1 million.
General Motors was down compared to last year's April sales numbers, but up 14% compared to March. It market share was also up. Ford also fell compared to last April but was up 8.3% compared to March. Toyota had a tough month with sales down 42% compared to last April.
For a complete analysis of all the numbers, check out AutoObserver's take on this month's sales numbers.
One of our editors spotted this Ford Fiesta parked on the streets of West L.A. this morning and it reminded us that this marketing gimmick is now in full swing. The cars have been handed out and the website is live, so now the fun begins right?
Well, maybe.
Ford's idea for a video contest to pick the winners was brilliant, but the entertainment value of the videos, pics and tweets that will emerge over the next several months is questionable. I mean, as nice as the Fiesta may be, it's still just an entry-level economy car. If you're dying to know what it's like to drive one to the Grand Canyon, just go rent a Focus and pretend it's smaller.
Then again, maybe the Fiesta agents will prove us wrong.
Scoring great mileage figures in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid isn't difficult. It's a full-fledged parallel hybrid that can run on electric power alone if you're going slow enough.
Of course, that didn't bother the folks at Ford who were attempting to drive over 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas. It was all part of a publicity stunt that took place in Washington D.C. to reassure the folks who make all those troublesome mileage laws that Ford is doing its part.
In addition to using every hypermiling trick in the book, Ford's drivers also used the sure fire method of driving really, really slow to maximize mileage.
According to a report in Automotive News, Toyota dealers are down to a 54-day supply of the Tundra pickup. That's down from a 76-day supply just a month earlier. Toyota has reduced production by 75 percent so far this year.
Some dealers said they're surprised how much the market has picked up lately, but they're worried they won't have enough inventory as Toyota transitions to the refreshed 2010 Tundra.
Toyota chief Bob Carter has told dealers that the San Antonio plant won't return to two-shift production anytime soon.
"It's a tough decision," Early Stewart, a dealer from Florida told AN. "Carter knows it's a problem in certain markets. The F-Series is eating Toyota's lunch because they have more production."
You might remember the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R from earlier this week. It completed its second race of the season in the Best in the Desert series, but it's first dose of competition was the Baja 1000.
What does it take to tackle one of the world's toughest off-road races? Ford made a little movie to show how it's done. Here's the trailer.
You know it's bad when Ford loses over $1B in three months and the markets consider it a promising sign. Then again, the markets were predicting Ford would lose over $3B in the first quarter, so it's all relative we suppose.
Ford's stock has more than doubled in the past seven weeks to over $5. Much of the optimism is tied to the company's ability to get by without government loans.
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor made some news again this weekend. The race model, known as the Raptor R, competed in the Primm 250 and "finished second in class 8000" according to Ford's press release.
Sounds like a strong showing eh? Well, sort of.
A quick check of the official race results confirmed the Raptor's second-place finish in class 8000. Upon closer inspection, however, we also noticed that only two trucks finished in class 8000, so uh yeah, it's all in the details isn't it?
In other news, Ford also announced pricing for the production Raptor due out this summer. Base models with the 5.4-liter V8 will start at $38,995. Models with the larger 6.2-liter V8 will be available later this year starting at $41,995.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're running a feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Hyundai says it wasn't out to build a better Mustang when it was designing the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Maybe so, but it's hard to ignore the similarities between the new Korean coupe and the latest Ford Mustang GT.
They have just over 300 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and similar price tags. They also have surprisingly comfortable interiors with four seats and all the latest technology.
Of course, these cars are designed for performance above all else and they both deliver, although in slightly different ways. See how the numbers stack up and what our test driver thought as he put them through their paces in our latest track test shoot-out.
It's been the big dog on the auto show circuit for awhile now, but some behind-the-scenes political fighting threatens to derail the Detroit Auto Show altogether. Daniel Howes details the issues in his latest column for the Detroit News and it's not pretty.
It begs the question: Does anybody still care? With so much bad blood surrounding the Big Three and their respective financial issues, is Detroit still enough of a draw to lure the world's major manufacturers to a show in Michigan in the dead of winter?
The way we figure it, there have been 10 generations of Mustangs. And within each generation, there's one version of the Mustang that stands out above the rest as the most emblematic of the breed. Not always the fastest or quickest, mind you, but the one that's the quintessential Mustang of its era. And the one that looks best today, exactly 45 years after the first Mustang was introduced.
So here are the top 10 Mustangs of all time; one from each generation of the pony car.
Our only apology is for the Mustang II King Cobra. To explain ourselves, all the other Mustang IIs were even worse than the King Cobra.
It appears as though there's a bit of a Fiesta movement going on in Europe already. The bite size hatchback became Europe's best selling car in March with 52,805 units sold. Volkswagen's Golf had previously held that title.
That said, we're still waiting for the Fiesta here in the U.S. and it won't be headed our way anytime soon. Sure, Ford handed out 100 Euro-spec cars to obsessive Twitter tweakers so they could tell everybody how much they like the car that isn't costing them a dime, but actual customers will have to wait until next year to buy U.S. versions.
Since everybody has been calling the Hyundai Genesis Coupe the "Korean Mustang" since it was introduced, the folks at Hyundai figured it was only fitting that they acknowledged the Mustang's 45th birthday.
Last we heard, Mr. Keenan of Tool fame was making wine in Arizona. Thankfully, the Mustang has continued its role as a burnout machine unabated during its entire existence.
The Mustang's story of initial success is one of those fables we Americans learn alongside George Washington and the cherry tree and Abraham Lincoln's birth in a log cabin.
Exactly 45 years ago, on April 17, 1964, Ford debuted the Mustang at the New York World's fair and put it on sale at dealers across the country. Before the day was through, they had sold more than 22,000 of the new sports coupes and convertibles with prices starting at just $2,368.
Just 12 months later, a staggering 417,000 had found buyers. By early in the 1966 model year, over 1,000,000 were out on America's highways. And last year Ford sold its 9 millionth Mustang.
The 2009 Formula Drift season opened in Long Beach over the weekend. Ryan Tuerck, 23, took first place in his Gardella Racing Solstice coupe. He was joined on the podium by second-place finisher Samuel Hubinette (Dodge Viper) and third-place Tanner Foust (Scion tC).
With what passes for winter in Southern California quickly fading and summer fast approaching, it's time for the annual Fabulous Fords Forever show in Buena Park, California. This year not only marks the 24th anniversary of the show itself, but also the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, the 50th anniversary of the Galaxie and the 70th anniversary of Mercury.
Although Mustangs make up a fair bit of the cars in attendance, don't think this is a one model show. With an expected attendance approaching 2,000 vehicles, from Pintos to Panteras, if Ford had something to do with it, you're likely to find an example of it parked on the grounds.
Mark your calendars for April 19th, and set aside a good half day to soak in all the hydrocarbons and hot dogs you can handle.
Seems like a no brainer this one. Ford is apparently considering the idea of bringing its Focus RS superhatch to the U.S., but isn't sure enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic would like it.
Hermann Salenbauch, Ford's director of advanced product creation and global performance, told Automotive News that the decision to bring the Focus RS here will depend on reaction from U.S. car enthusiasts.
Ford is looking for "feedback from the media and customers," he says. "How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is."
So there you have it, the fate of the Focus RS rests with you.
Faster that we expected. Probably faster than even Ford expected. It's a monster at the dragstrip and it doesn't turn half bad either. Get the full story from Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton as he puts you behind the wheel of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500.
Ford has an idea what a family version of its Transit Connect utility van might look like. It's called the Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept and it will be shown at the 2009 New York Auto Show next week.
This is how we envisioned such a vehicle. So what do think?
As soon as the Ridemakerz press release came across our desk all we could think about was how this might be an opportunity to play with some model cars while still on the clock.
Mission accomplished. We started with the company's latest replica, the new 2010 Ford Mustang - somehow they'd managed to make the models look cartoonish but strikingly authentic at the same time. But this is no one size fits all toy.
Maybe you heard that Steve Saleen has a new company called SMS Supercars. He started it after he was more or less booted out of his old company. Soon after his departure, the new owners issued a statement saying they were not responsible for honoring the warranty on Saleen vehicles.
Given the complex ownership structure of the "new" Saleen, vehicle owners were pretty much out of luck if they were hoping to start a fight over their sudden lack of coverage. Thankfully, and quite shockingly, Steve Saleen has stepped into the fray to resolve the situation.
From here on out, SMS Supercars will honor the warranty on any Saleen vehicle purchased before February 2, 2009. "This unusual step in uncertain times is a measure to assure that my past and future customers, as well as Saleen and Ford dealers around the United States, continue to have faith in products bearing my name", said Mr. Saleen.
Remember that goofy little utility truck Ford unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February? It's almost here, and Edmunds.com has just posted full pricing and options. Want a Dewalt tool link? How about doors that open 225 degrees? It's all there for the taking provided you can live with those odd headlights and even more bizarre profile.
Ford has named Moray Callum (above right) as its new executive director for Ford Americas design. He replaces Peter Horbury (above left) who will head back to Volvo.
In case you're not familiar with Ford's bizarre job titles, Mr. Callum will be in charge of all of Ford's design activities in the western hemishpere. Prior to his promotion, the Scotsman presided over the styling of the latest Super Duty trucks. According to Ford, Callum will also guide the design of Mercury and Lincoln. Horbury, who was born in Britain, will oversee all of Volvo's design efforts.
This Taurus X-looking test mule is actually an early prototype for the 2011 Ford Explorer. Since gas guzzling body-on-frame SUVs are out of favor these days, the next-generation Explorer will switch to a car-based, front-wheel drive platform.
Only the front clip of this prototype has actual Explorer bodywork, hence the minimal camouflage. From what we can see, the nose shows only limited similarity to the Ford Explorer America concept shown in Detroit last year. We're guessing it probably doesn't have a diesel powerplant either.
In a move to reassure potential car buyers (and also to copy a successful program from Hyundai), Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation both announced today buyer protection plans. Let's have a look at how the three programs compare after the jump.
The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited FWD is the automotive equivalent of eating reduced-fat ice cream. You get the pleasure of enjoying something that may be a little better for your health and diet -- or in the case of the Escape Hybrid, driving an SUV that may be better for the health of the planet and your gas budget -- but isn't quite like the real thing.
While the payoff with the 30-plus mpg Ford Escape Hybrid comes at the pump and perhaps knowing that you're driving a bit greener, the trade-off compared to the conventional Escape -- or comparable gas-powered small sport-utes and crossovers -- is the premium price and in performance by carting around an extra 300 pounds.
But there are few downsides to the 2009 Escape Hybrid Limited ($33,725 as tested) when it comes to the vehicle's tech. And going for the top trim model comes with distinct advantages.
From the unintentionally hilarious headline department comes this (presumably) unintentionally cruel line from the March 30, 2009 edition of trade journal Automotive News.
It's been a common rallying cry from Ford enthusiasts for years. "Bring over the Mondeo and it'll be a hit," they would say. Well, now their prayers are being answered, sort of.
According to a report in Automotive News, Ford has consolidated development of the next-generation Fusion and Mondeo models into one worldwide program.
Although the bulk of the engineering will occur in Dearborn, the team will include members from Europe and Asia to assure that the car can be sold in multiple markets with only slight changes. The car will be based on the Ford's EUCD platform, a mid-size front- and all-wheel drive architecture which underpins the current Mondeo. The next-geneation sedan is expected to debut in 2012.
Ah yes, the comparison test years in the making is finally here.
The debut of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS was the final piece of the puzzle. Together with the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and 2010 Ford Mustang GT, these three cars represent American muscle at its finest - and fastest ever.
Of course, in the end, only one could come out on top. Was it Chevrolet, Dodge or Ford? See for yourself in our latest comparison test.
With deliveries of the 2010 Ford Mustang scheduled to begin any day now, Roush Performance decided it would be a good time to unveil its latest tuning kits for the revamped pony car.
As usual, there are various stages of tune available. The Stage 1 kit is nothing more than an appearance package, while the Stage 2 kit adds a retuned suspension to the bodywork of the Stage 1 kit.
The car you see here is the top-dog 427R. It's force fed by a "Roushcharger" that bumps horsepower to 435 and torque to 400 pound-feet. All models ride on 18-inch wheels and Cooper Zeon tires with 20-inch wheels available as an option.
What's a day without a Camaro post? No fun at all, so we present this impromptu weigh-in of the latest crop of muscle car re-creations.
As expected, the Camaro falls right in the middle on the scales just above the Mustang and below the Challegner. Factor in the Camaro's across the board power advantage and it looks like it should lay down the quickest numbers of this trio. Right?
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we introduced this weekly feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Ford says the four-cylinder Escape delivers best-in-class fuel economy. We'll have to take the company's word on that one as this test is all about track numbers. Meaningless you say? Not completely. Any SUV can deliver decent mileage with a small enough engine; the trick is balancing usable power with everyday efficiency.
Judging from the numbers, the Escape does a pretty good job of maintaining that balance. It surprised our test driver with its off the line punch and pulled out a respectable 0-to-60mph time. Braking wasn't a strong point, however, so the Escape has some work to do in that area. An overly intrusive stability control system hindered its handling numbers, but this is nothing new for this segment.
For more details, see the full results after the jump.
What's not to love about a 600-horsepower 1973 Ford Falcon GT coupe? That's the question actor Eric Bana will attempt to answer in his new documentary film Love the Beast.
The Ford Falcon GT coupe in question is Bana's own, a car he's owned and lived with for 25 years. After a much-needed restoration, he decides to enter it into the Targa Tasmania Rally, one of Australia's most dangerous races.
And the end? It's not pretty, but probably still worth watching.
In a surprise announcement this morning, Ford Motor Company pointed out a feature that it added to the Escape and Mariner cute-utes for the 2008 model year.
Turns out, those little buggers had standard a system that could compensate for crowned roads and heavy crosswinds, without the driver being aware of it. Who knew? The so-called Drift/Pull Compensation software built into the utes' electric-assist steering system can apply torque to offset steady-state environmental conditions. (And no, Ford is not the only manufacturer with this type of system).
Ford now notes that 90 percent of its vehicles will use electric-assist steering by 2012, and every one of them will incorporate the drift/pull compensation. By then we'll be one step closer to totally automated operation. All that we'll need then is lane-departure systems and radar-based automated braking. Unless...Ford already has them and hasn't mentioned it. We'll get back to you in 2013 on that.
Here's the first of what are sure to be many heads-up battles between the 2010 Ford Mustang GT and the 2009 Nissan 370Z. Sure, the Nissan might not have rear seats and the Mustang is more muscle car than sports car, but if you're looking to spend $30-35K what else are you going to buy?
Ok, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is another strong contender in that price range, but it's not on sale just yet. Rest assured we'll have one of those in the mix too at some point. For now, the 370Z tops the Mustang, at least in our book.
You might not remember, but Ford builds a couple hybrid SUVs. They're the forgotten stepchildren of the hybrid world despite the fact that they're both practical and quite fuel efficient.
Apparently a few enlightened souls have figured this out as 100,000 of them have rolled off Ford's Kansas City assembly line. Sales of the Escape Hybrid were up 55% in February compared to the month before, so Ford must be doing something right.
It's been all of a month now since the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO debuted at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show sporting a 365-horsepower, twin-turbo V6. Sure it might be hooked to an automatic, but the new SHO is still a formidable beast.
We can't help but wonder, however, if the Taurus might suffer the same fate as the new Mustang. That is, a high-powered muscle machine that gets lost in an economy that sees spending extra cash on horsepower as a frivolous waste of money.
Will it be much of a fight? On paper it doesn't look like it, but as Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief of Inside Line, points out in our latest road test, this Mustang is already faster than the Dodge and should hold its own against the Camaro.
This of course leads to a bigger question: Does anybody care? Are big muscle coupes like these destined to linger on dealer lots as buyers save their money for more practical purchases?
Or maybe it's the other way around. Maybe these retro-themed muscle cars will remind Americans why the Big Three are worth saving.
There aren't any 2010 Ford Mustangs on American roads yet, but there are currently two tearing up the streets of Japan. Why?
Well, Ford thought it might be interesting to send its drift ace Vaughn Gittin Jr. over with a pair of specially-prepared Mustangs to have a little fun. And in true viral tradition, it's being caught on video and plopped on YouTube for all to see.
We've heard it a million times. Why doesn't Ford bring over the "good" Focus? There are many reasons, none of which we're going to get into here.
This is all about the 2009 Ford Focus RS now being introduced to European markets. Our own Alistair Weaver secured some seat time and filed a report.
It may not do much to convince Ford execs to bring it to this side of the Atlantic, but at least you'll get some feel for what Ford is capable of when it comes to high-powered hatchbacks.
The 2009 Geneva Auto Show occupied most of our time this week, so when the February sales numbers came out on Tuesday we overlooked the bad news.
And bad it was, with almost all major automakers reporting double-digit drops in year-over-year sales. And it wasn't just the domestics either, as Honda, Nissan and Toyota all crashed by more than 37%.
Clearly, it's going to take more than just bailout money to get the auto industry going. Without foot traffic, no car company will be able to sustain its current operations. Any suggestions?
Ford of Europe released a bunch of images of the Ford Iosis Max concept, which is on display at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. The company says it's an early look at the styling direction for its next C-segment car (read: third-generation Ford Focus). Given the tall body and sliding rear doors on the Iosis Max, though, we'd say it's more specifically a look at the next Focus C-Max, a five-passenger MPV relation of the U.S.-market Mazda 5.
We've got some serious number crunchers around here at the Edmunds corporate megaplex. So serious, in fact, that they don't even have to wait until the end of the month to call the sales numbers.
And their predictions for February? Not surprising, yet still slightly shocking.
How about Chrysler down 53.1% year over year? And Ford? Down 47.5%, GM off 46.2%.
A Big Three problem? Not really.
Try Toyota down 38.9% while Nissan is expected to drop 32.9%. Even Honda could be off 32.1%.
Then again, these are only predictions. It could be worse.
Well, SVT spokesman Patrick Hespen didn't appreciate the connection. "SVT was never on hiatus, or shutdown. SVT developed the 2005-06 Ford GT and the 07-09 Shelby GT500. Both of these vehicles were fully engineered by SVT. Granted, they were not specifically badged as SVT vehicles, but they were responsible for their development," Hespen told Inside Line.
He went on to say that "SVT's health is not in question," and the vehicles that it produces are all profitable vehicles.
Yesterday we received full pricing on the 2010 Ford Mustang. Today, it's Hyundai's turn.
The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is now up on Edmunds.com, so you can consider price points that range from $22,000 all the way to $31,000. There are only two port-installed options (floor mats, iPod connection), so the rest of the features are all connected to the various trim levels.
One trim level you won't see is the 2.0-liter R-Spec version that was introduced at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Not sure what the official hold up is, but Hyundai announced a base price of $23,750 in Chicago so you can see where it fits in without much trouble.
Maybe you've heard of the upcoming Ford Fiesta. It's what's known as a "B" segment car, which is a size smaller than anything Ford currently sells in the U.S. Such cars are typically economical and inexpensive, perfect for the young and hip Ford figures.
So in order to remind Millennials that the Fiesta is indeed fun and cool, and not just cheap and small, Ford is going to give 100 Fiestas away for free. Well, actually it's just a loan and the "agents" as Ford is calling them must chronicle their experiences on video. And who are these agents?
"We intend to put the Fiesta into the hands of really awesome, socially vibrant people," Fiesta Brand Manager Sam De La Garza told AutoObserver in an interview Thursday.
To help sort through the awesomeness, Ford is asking candidates to post videos on YouTube detailing their uh...vibrancy. As you might expect, the result vary greatly.
Had your eye on the barely-new 2010 Ford Mustang? Well now you can take your obsession one step further. Full pricing and options are now available on Edmunds.com. Dream on.
#CAS09 During its press conference, Ford had the 2010 Harley-Davidson F-150 playing warm-up to the Transit Connect and the Taurus SHO.
But it's hard to ignore a huge truck with 22-inch wheels, copious badging and a shiny front grille. We weren't quite prepared for how flaky the metal-flake black cherry paint is in person. But overall it's a more tasteful-looking thing than some previous Harley editions.
The front seats are inspired by bikers' jackets says Ford and they're complete with epaulets with Harley-branded snaps and a zipper-closure map pocket. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit, Inside Line
#CAS09 After last year's initial reveal of the Transit Connect commercial van, Ford started a little contest. It asked business owners to come up with the most innovative use of the surprisingly spacious little cargo mover. The five winners would each receive a free vehicle, no strings attached.
Well, Ford picked the winners and brought them to the Chicago auto show to hand them the keys. But that wasn't all. In a shocking twist of marketing madness, Ford went one step further and outfitted each of the five vans with the new owner's business logo and preferred configuration. The winners were pleased, almost jubilant. The fact that their new vans looked no less odd than before didn't seem to bother them a bit.
The 2010 Ford Transit Connect goes on sale this summer with a starting price of $21,475. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
#CAS09 There was nothing particularly spectacular about today's introduction of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. They rolled out a couple cars, received a rousing response from a group of SHO enthusiasts imported for the reveal and called it a day.
There was no revving of the 365-horsepower twin-turbo V6, or videos of the car burning its tires off the rims. Understandable, really, given that it probably doesn't sound all that mean, and its standard all-wheel-drive setup means it can't really do a burnout without sacrificing the halfshafts.
Still looks good, though, and when it goes on sale later this year it should be one of Ford's best cars in a long time -- even if it can't do a burnout.
Is the standard Ford F-150 not quite manly enough for you? Think it needs to be butched up a little, say by adding some 22-inch wheels and a "billet-like" grille? If so, then you're going to love the 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson.
For the rest of us, this marketing exercise is growing old. No more supercharger, too much chrome and one too many zippers.
Maybe the Ford folks on the project were building up their collective lung capacity to blow up the balloon targets that are being used to demonstrate the technology at the company's Dearborn test track.
You've been asking Ford to do it for years. Yes, bring over all those cool European models and they'll fly off the lots.
Well, Ford was listening, so here you go. Straight from Kocaeli, Turkey, it's the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, a compact commercial van that's just too cool to be called Econoline.
With sponsorship money getting tight and manufacturer support looking more questionable by the week, NASCAR needs to do something drastic to maintain its popularity.
Here's one idea: Have the domestics switch to Camaros, Challengers and Mustangs instead of their current crop of "sedans".
Everyone knows that stock cars have drifted away from their production roots, so why not make them a little bit more like real cars?
You've got to give Ford credit for at least trying to look on the bright side. Despite overall sales in January plummeting 39 percent compared to January last year, the Blue Oval crew points out that its share of the U.S. retail market has risen 0.3 to 12.7 percent compared to a year ago. A rough translation of what that means is: Others have done even worse than we have. Yahoo...oh, wait...
For details and perspective on Ford's January numbers join us after the jump.
Ford announced today that it has reduced worldwide warranty repair costs by $1.2 billion over the last two years. This is impressive to read, though without seeing some kind of elaborate spreadsheet, it's impossible to know whether the reduction is primarily on the strength of the U.S. market or other markets around the globe.
Ford notes further that it's making almost 50 percent fewer warranty repairs to U.S.-market Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles today as it was in 2004 -- and that according to the latest U.S. Global Quality Research System study, "initial quality is now in a virtual tie with Honda-Acura and Toyota-Lexus-Scion for the 2008 model year."
Also in this survey, says Ford, the F-Series Super Duty, Lincoln Mark LT (RIP) and Shelby GT500 ranked at the top of their respective classes for "fewest things gone wrong (TGW)." In addition, Ford reports that the Focus pulled even with the Toyota Corolla in the TGW count.
We're not sure how many conclusions can be drawn from this announcement, but given yesterday's report that Ford lost $14.6 billion in 2008, any savings on warranty repairs has to be considered a plus.
We always thought Bob Nardelli and Rick Wagoner were a little envious of Alan Mulally while the three of them sat before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Floggings. Mulally got to say, in effect, we don't really need public money unless something horrible happens with the companies of my tablemates.
Well, Mulally is still saying that the company doesn't need public assistance in the form of bridge loans, but Ford's financial report was uglier than most expected. The low-lights: The company lost $14.6 billion in 2008. And the fourth quarter of 2008 was particularly ugly. Ford lost $5.9 for that period. It's leading many automotive analysts to speculate that Ford might end up having to ask for money after all.
Head over to AutoObserver for the full run-down and analysis on Ford's 2008 finances.
Elena Ford, great great granddaughter of Henry Ford, is the new director of Ford's global marketing, sales and service operations. The extent of her responsibilities in this role is unclear, but anything with the term "global" must be important right? She previously held roles at Mercury and Ford Credit.
Blame yet another death on last year's erratic fuel prices. A new rear-wheel drive platform that was set to underpin full-size sedans for Ford and Lincoln has been cancelled according to a report in Automotive News.
J Mays, Ford's worldwide design chief, told the industry trade paper that the company is completely focused on fuel efficiency, a change in strategy which leaves no room for large rear-wheel drive sedans.
Ford will add a dual clutch transmission to an unnamed small car in the U.S. starting in 2010. This would make Ford the first domestic automaker to offer a dual clutch transmission in the U.S. Chrysler was in the process of developing a dual clutch transmission with Getrag, but that program is on hold indefinitely.
The Ford transmission, which carries the oddly butch Powershift name, is more of a sure thing. In fact, the diesel powered Focus sold in Europe already uses a variation of the Powershift gearbox. In that application, wet clutches are used to handle the diesel's extra torque, but the North American version will use a dry clutch setup.
According to Ford, the dry clutch setup is more durable and efficient. It will be a sealed unit that requires no maintenance and because it doesn't require all the hydraulic hardware associated with the wet clutch system, it will weigh 30 pounds less than the current four-speed automatic found in the Focus.
An alert reader over at The Car Lounge spotted what looks to be a pair of 2010 Ford Taurus SHO prototypes testing in Florida recently. Larger wheels and tires, some slightly revised bodywork and a dual exhaust setup suggest that Ford's new twin turbocharged V6 could be lurking under the hood.
This doesn't come as much of a surprise, although we can't help but wonder what kind of market there is for such a sedan. We like the new look of the Taurus, but it's a big car with front-wheel drive roots. Even if this SHO uses all wheel drive to put down all that Ecoboost power, it's not going to be much of a sport sedan. Ford doesn't list a curb weight for the 2010 Taurus that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show, so it's safe to assume it's not surprisingly light. We'll see soon enough as it's expected to make its debut at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show in a few weeks.
The often hysterical atmosphere of past Barrett-Jackson auctions was missing this year, replaced by cautious bidders who rarely ventured out of their comfort zones. The resulting prices were some of the lowest we've seen in years, and a reminder that classic cars aren't any better than a brokerage account when it comes to parking money safely.
Here are just a few examples of how far the fortunes of classic muscle cars have fallen in just the last two years alone.
John Force is never at a loss for words and he proved it tonight at the Barrett-Jackson auction. They gave him the microphone to say a few words about the Ford Mustang FR500 Cobra Jet factory drag car and he took the opportunity to say a few thousand words. It was all for charity though so nobody was about to stop Mr. Force from running his mouth to get the bids going. In the end, $375,000 took this Mustang home, roughly $305,000 over the sticker price.
Ford shocked plenty of truck enthusiasts late last year when it introduced the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at the 2008 SEMA show. More than a few pundits (including us) had left SVT for dead, but after taking a ride in an early Raptor prototype we can assure you that SVT is alive and well. The crowd looked like it still needed a little convincing though as the bidding only made it to $130,00.
Movie cars are rarely what they seem. Often hastily thrown together and stuffed with a Pep Boys V8, they're built to look good on screen, not drive well on the street. This '67 fastback Mustang was slightly different. One of 11 built for the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, it looked like it was put together by someone who actually cared. According to the seller, it's one of only of three left in existence and the final bid reflected its rarity at $197,000.
It was one of the signature cars of this year's 2009 Barrett-Jackson auction and this 1955 Ford Thunderbird lived up to its billing. Certified by Ford as the very first production Thunderbird, the black '55 had been in the same family for over 40 years. They were all tears as it sat on the block, but something tells me they won't be crying when they cash that check for over half a million dollars. Noted collector Ron Pratt was the winning bidder.
Ford has announced a 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, a 2010 Shelby GT500 and a Mustang FR500CJ (an NHRA-legal Ford Racing Cobra Jet Mustang) will be on the auction block Saturday at Barrett-Jackson. Proceeds will go the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. If you have a few hundred thousand cluttering your bank account and feel so inclined, we suggest you bid on the Raptor, which is one of the most unusual products to come out of SVT in the last decade.
You can watch the auction live on Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. EST on the Speed TV network.
Ford wants to put you behind the wheel of a 2011 Ford Fiesta one year early, but only if you are "hungry for adventure" and gifted with the "ability to craft a compelling story through video." As Inside Line news reported today, Ford has launched a contest that will give 100 American drivers the chance to live with a Fiesta, all expenses paid, for 6 months.
Of course, you can't just park the car in your garage and forget about it. You'll be busy going on secret assignments from "Ford Mission Control" that will no doubt take you into all the favored haunts of Ford's target demographic.
To enter, prospective contestants must upload a 2-to-5-minute video on YouTube explaining why they are deserving of this responsibility by March 19. Details are on fiestamovement.com.
Camilo Pardo, the Ford designer credited with the Ford GT, is rumored to have left Ford design. AutoWeek magazine claims Pardo has confirmed he's done with Ford. Ford, in the person of Marcey Evans the company's Human Resources PR person, says, "He has not been fired and he has not quit. He is still an active employee with Ford."
We're sure they'll get their stories straight soon.
It might be the design of the GT that will be remembered as Pardo's highlight at Ford, but it's the driving of his personal GT in the 2006 Bullrun cross-country rally that revealed his wild-child status in the sometimes stuffy world of car design.
Videos like the one above, allegedly of Pardo hitting triple-digit speeds on I-94 through Detroit, caught the attention of local ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV which aired clips of the stunt and went on to point out that Pardo had had his driver's license suspended 10 times since 1988 and been nailed for a wide variety of vehicular offenses.
Pardo, though, was at least as well-known in the Detroit area for his paintings and parties he held at his loft, at which some women may or may not have been dipped in chocolate.
Pardo, 45, attended the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit and took a job immediately after graduation with Ford. He would remain with the company for 24 years in various posts and is credited with working on the Lincoln LS and and Ford Thunderbird in addition to the GT. No word yet on what Pardo's future plans.
Representatives from both General Motors and Chrysler have told trade journal Automotive News that neither company will have any official presence at the Tokyo Motor Show, even if there is a Tokyo Motor Show.
"If you're going to the Tokyo Motor Show to raise the corporate flag or just to it for corporate presence, I think those days are gone," GM's Asia Pacific President Rick Brown told the trade journal. "It's not a good business decision."
A written statement from Chrysler Japan said that the company would pull out of the show "in order to secure limited resources."
And Ford? According to Japan's Yomiuri newspaper, Ford missed last year's deadline to register for the show.
Last night over edibles I asked Ford CEO Alan Mulally how he wants the American public to think of Ford. His answer was a batch of quick hits. "Great car. It's cool. Great to drive," he said before pausing for a second. Then he continued "Affordable. Fuel-efficient. Ford is back. We've got the products, we just have to get the word out."
Is he right? What do you think? -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
We've already told you everything you could possibly want to know about the 2010 Ford Taurus. But today, Ford announced pricing for the new D-segment sedan. The base model SE starts at $25,995. The SEL comes in at $27,995. And the Limited tops the range and starts at $31,995. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
#DAS09 Ford released information and photographs of its new Shelby GT500 weeks ago. So what else are they going to do when their press conference for the car rolls around? You do what everyone will do in a Shelby GT500 with 540 horsepower. You do a burnout.
All right, it wasn't a full-scale, rubber-flinging smoker. But there was a respectable amount of squealing as the two GT500s exited Cobo arena's concrete floor. And it did stink in there afterward. So that's partial credit.
One of the two GT500s -- the convertible -- carried crayon-blue paint with red stripes. When Ford gave us a sneak peek at that particular car a couple weeks back, a designer introduced it by saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Superman!" We're going to have to take off a few points for that. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
#DAS09 Like virtually all other automakers at this year's Detroit show, Ford is big on electric vehicles, partially electric vehicles, vehicles that look, sound or smell like electric vehicles.
Ford, in the person of Mr. Ford hisownself, announced today some details on one of two full-electric vehicles it plans to produce in the coming few years. The first of them is a commercial vehicle for 2010. This you needn't worry about. But the other one is a Ford Focus-based electric the company plans to sell to actual private citizens in 2011. The car, done in partnership with Magna International, will be powered by everybody's favorite future-car battery, lithium ion. Ford is estimating a range of 100 miles and the company says that it will sell only about 5,000-to-10,000 annually in the first couple of years.
The company was offering drives in a prototype car around Cobo Hall. It looks exactly like a current Focus, which is not at all what the real thing will look like. We imagine driving it feels much like driving an electric car. Maybe we'll take Ford up on its offer of a drive later on this very day.
The company also announced that in 2012, it will introduce its next generation of hybrid cars, including a plug-in hybrid. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
...the Ford F-150. #DAS09 No surprise to this NACOTY juror or the world. In fact, the Ford won by a landslide over the Dodge Ram, 259 points to just 167. The Mercedes ML320 Bluetec received just 74 votes. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
You know all that blabber on TV about "if only the Big Three would just build more fuel efficient cars they wouldn't be in such a mess"? Well, here you go, the 2010 Ford Fusion with the base 2.5-liter engine is now certified as the most fuel efficient car in its class by the EPA.
It'll deliver 34 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city, numbers that put the Ford Fusion S ahead of both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in terms of fuel efficiency.
This goes along with Ford's recent milestone with the Fusion Hybrid which overtook the Toyota Camry Hybrid as the most fuel efficient midsize hybrid sedan in the class. The EPA says that car will deliver 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
So there you have it, a pair of very fuel efficient mainstream family sedans from Ford. If that doesn't get consumers to consider Ford then what will?
