March 31, 2005

Shelby Cobra GT500 Returns

Ford Motor Company and legendary car builder Carroll Shelby team up once again to create this striking high-performance Mustang.

With more than 450 horsepower, the new Shelby Cobra GT500 is the most powerful production Mustang—ever.

Ford debuted another modern interpretation of an automotive classic, the all-new Shelby Cobra GT500, at the New York International Auto Show.

The new GT500 possesses classic Shelby design cues including dual stripes, aerodynamic body parts, and 19-inch wheels. In the performance department, the Shelby Cobra GT500 is the most powerful production Mustang ever built, with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that produces more than 450 horsepower, a 6-speed manual transmission and suspension tuned by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT).

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06:04 AM in Ford | Permalink

March 18, 2005

Ford GT

Introduction:

Although clearly inspired by the original 1960s Ford GT40, the latter-day GT is, underneath its retro styling, a thoroughly modern supercar. The original concept appeared at the 2002 Detroit motor show and was not intended for production. Widespread popular acclaim, and the neat coincidence of the company's approaching centenary celebrations, saw a production car commissioned shortly afterwards. It features a mid-mounted supercharged V8 engine that gives 500 bhp and 500 lb-ft of torque, ensuring massive performance is available at almost any speed. The entire project was developed from show concept to production car in just 16 months, the first examples going to customers late in 2004.

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06:02 AM in Ford | Permalink

February 11, 2005

The Mercedes Hot Seat

Ford Focus 2000-2002Have you ever turned on the heated seat and started to sweat? How about getting the seat so hot you received second degree burns? Sounds like a painful way to get burned, trapped in a speeding car, ass on fire, literally. The mental image is pretty bad but that’s what happened to one Mercedes Benz ML320 owner as their SUV’s driver’s side seat overheated. Two other owners reported the same problem without the burns. The problem is with the 2003 model year vehicle according to the NHTSA. Ouch in related news DCX has another investigation going into its 2001, 2002 minivans for faulty headlights. And to top the day off, Dodge had to recall 26,000 Durango SUVs for fuel tank valves not fully closing, causing potential gas leaks.

But none of that seems as bad as Ford’s day. The company has to recall 360,000 Ford Foci for rear doors that may not latch properly. There are 33 complaints about the problem in 2000-2002 four- and five-door vehicles.

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06:18 AM in Ford, Mercedes-Benz | Permalink

January 27, 2005

Spy Shots: ’07 Explorer Sport Trac

From concept to reality—really, really quickly.

As Ford introduced the Sport Trac Concept at the recent Detroit auto show, TCC’s spies caught the real thing just a few miles away.

Five inches longer and two inches wider than the current Sport Trac, Ford’s 2007 model will likely be powered with a 210-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6, or by an optional 4.6-liter V-8 as displayed in the concept. The production version will also offer Ford’s roll stability control and likely some surprises in regard to cargo options.

But there is no denying as to what this is. The production version has the same headlamps and taillamps as the concept, as well as identical wheels and glass (although the concept is shown with a fixed rear window). Door handles and a tailgate latch are added to the production version, as well as horizontal bars on the grille, production bumpers, roof-top rack, tie-downs, a bed liner, and a production-styled third brake light.

The Sport Trac will make its production debut in the 2006 calendar year, arriving at dealerships after the reworked Explorer and Mountaineer SUVs arrive in showrooms at the beginning of next year.

06:34 AM in Ford, Spy Shots | Permalink

January 26, 2005

200 MPH Club: 2005 Ford GT, Lamborghini Murcielago, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and Porsche Carrera GT

We bring the Ford GT, the Lamborghini Murciélago, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and the Porsche Carrera GT together in one place. You're about to learn exactly what it's like to live with the four fastest cars on sale in America.

You've devoured every word the automotive press has written about them. You've memorized their almost unbelievable technical specifications, marveled over their futuristic constructions, pored over cutaways and power curves, and tried to get your pointy little heads around performance numbers that seem nearly incomprehensible for roadgoing production cars.

Some of you actually have plunked down the suitcase full of stacked and banded C-notes for your place on the short list for your favorite, and we suspect that more than one of you have ordered all four.

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06:25 AM in Ford, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche | Permalink

October 22, 2004

Ford gets more Sirius

Howard Stern
Ford is planning to beef up its commitment to Sirius satellite radio to counter GM’s extensive use of XM in its cars. The plan will include factory installed equipment for the first time as well as offering Sirius as an option for more cars and trucks. Ford plans on 20 models having Sirius as an option by 2007. This is just another battle as Ford and GM wage war on who offers most to customers. But Ford may have an advantage since Howard Stern fanatics might need to buy a new Mustang so they can hear the shock jock when he joins Sirius exclusively in 2006.

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11:34 AM in Ford, Gadgets | Permalink