First 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, SVT Raptor to Join First Camaro at Barrett-Jackson

Despite the dire state of the automotive industry, automakers, collectors and celebrities are donating a record 14 vehicles to the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction held January 11-18, 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Proceeds from the donated vehicles will go directly to a variety of charities. Highlighted in the bunch are the first retail production 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (whose First Look can be seen here) and 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Joining the Fords will be the first 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, which had already been announced as going on the block.

General Motors' contribution will benefit the American Heart Association and comes complete with certified VIN No. 100001. Added to the package is the lucky Camaro buyer's option to spec out the car to their exact wishes once the sale is finalized.

The pair of firsts from Ford -- the 540-HP Shelby GT500 and Baja-tested F-150 SVT Raptor -- will come with equal prestige and are slated to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Also among the lot of donated rides are a 1970 Plymouth Superbird by YearOne, a 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR driven by Tony Stewart, a 2008 Ford Mustang GT Roush P-51A, and a 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

Source: Barrett-Jackson

Thread of the Day: What Changes Would You Make to a Current Production Car?

No car is perfect for every type of buyer. Some prefer performance over luxury, comfort over styling, brand image over gas savings.... you get the point; the list could go on forever. That being said, designers and engineers aim to please the greatest number of consumers with the least amount of controversy in order to garner the most dealership sales. Since not everyone looks for the same features in a particular model, what kind of changes would you make to an existing -- otherwise perfectly fine -- model in order to suit your needs and desires? We're not talking about putting a 500-plus hp GM Performance crate motor in an Aveo or boosting your Dodge Viper's power to 1000-hp through a fantasy Mopar twin-turbo kit. We're looking for practical, more sensible options/improvements the factory could have offered its variety of buyers. As an example, TOTD author atvman says he would have preferred a 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 with an all-aluminum 5.4L V-8 instead of the cast iron 5.4L unit. An updated independent rear suspension in place of the antiquated, yet useful for some, live rear axle would be great as well, atvman explains. Other examples included a 2010 Jaguar XK with all-wheel-drive and a lighter, more performance tuned 135i (which is rumored to already be in the works).

Ford Ka to the U.S.? Maybe, maybe not

When Ford introduced the world to its latest Ka microcar last year at the Paris Motor Show, we had serious doubts as to whether the diminutive little hatch would ever make it over to the United States. A few months have passed, and we're still left wondering. A few days after the car's first appearance, it was said that Blue Oval CEO Alan Mulally would like to see the Ka make it Stateside, and now news comes that the man at the helm is still championing the car's U.S. arrival. Still, no matter how much Mulally may want to see the Ka in Ford's home country, the final decision reportedly lies with Derrick Kuzak, who is said to disagree with his boss's opinion that it would sell in sufficient quantities in America. What's the problem? Remember that the Ka is built overseas and is an inexpensive machine, so there are serious questions as to whether it could possibly be profitable in the U.S.

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After raking up the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year of award, the 2009 FordF-150 reestablished its leadership in the pickup segment after the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it 5-stars in crash-test ratings.

Ford says that the 2009 FordF-150 features more standard safety features than any other half-ton truck. Standard safety features include Safety Canopy side curtain air bags, AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and a patented “K-bag” seat-mounted air bag.

The 2009 FordF- recently earned 5-star frontal and 5-star side impact crash-test ratings - the highest possible score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Ford said that it has more U.S. government 5-star safety-rated vehicles than any other brand and more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” than any other automaker. Just another reason to go Drive One.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe, Convertible

The 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 replaces a scary beast of a car with a even more beastly but seemingly less scary car set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

When the first Shelby GT500 hit the streets, the accolades rightfully flowed – it was a substantial bang for the buck. It was fast, it looked tough and it had that marvelous supercharger whine. The thing was, unless you were oblivious to danger or a trained professional driver, the GT500 was out to kill you. It was a white-knuckle automobile under dry conditions and downright murderous in inclement weather. This was certainly part of the draw, that unapologetic, swaggering badassery, but even for our irrational inner speed freak, it was too much at times. With the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the blue oval's SVT boys are aiming to bring you more of that swaggering badassery with less of the terror and with a modicum of actual comfort. With the new hardware, Ford took lessons learned with the Shelby GT500KR and adapted them to the new GT500. Power is up to a whopping 540 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque as a result of tuning and air flow improvement. With 30 lb-ft more on hand, that power is routed through a re-geared twin disc clutch six speed manual to a new 3.55 rear gear. Ford will only commit to a “significant improvement in performance” and an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH. Aftermarket tuners, you hear that? Get to work.

All-New Ford Fusion Hybrid America's Most Fuel-Efficient Mid-Size Car

The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America's most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.
"The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford's 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "The Ford team set the bar high -- to develop America's most fuel efficient mid-size sedan -- and that's what they delivered."
The 2010 Ford Fusion's final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford's testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford's engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle's next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system's Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

"The Fusion Hybrid's ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations," said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. "For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode."

Fusion's advanced hybrid system features:

-- Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford's previous hybrid system. The battery's improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.

-- New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

-- Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.

-- Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.

-- Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

Source: Ford

Ethanol-powered Mustang reaches 252 mph

Want to prove that ponies like ethanol? Give Oklahoma corn farmer Brent Hajek a call. He helped get a FR500C Ford Mustang running on E85 up to 252.78 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats is Utah back in September. The record-setting drive (well, almost. It still needs to be duplicated to make the books) handily beat the previous record of 246 mph. The Mustang used a 5.4L Ford GT block, heads and various performance parts from Ford Racing, but that sort of support was not a given. NewsOK reports that there was little enthusiasm for the Mustang record attempt until Hajek suggested using the corn-based fuel. Once the biofuel was part of the plan, they [Ford] were hooked."

There's a video of the event -rocking guitar soundtrack and all - after the jump. For more alt-fuel Mustangs, check out these biodiesel and electric versions.

Ford Fusion Hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg on the highway

Wanna go 41 mpg in a mid-size Ford sedan? You can, starting in the spring of 2009 (and if you stay in the city). Ford announced today that official EPA certification on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid finished this week with a 41 mpg city/36 highway result. That's lower than the real-world 43.1 miles per gallon we managed to squeeze from the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and battery pack in LA not too long ago, but still good enough to beat the official numbers of the Camry Hybrid. The Fusion can also go up to 47 mph on battery power alone, something that no other hybrid in American can do (some pure electric vehicles, of course, can do this easily). The number I'm most impressed by, though, is that Ford is saying that, "A new regenerative brake system allows for approximately 94 percent energy recovery in city driving." 94 percent? Really?

Official details for production Ford Focus RS

The Focus RS will be available with three color options, including Performance Green, Indianapolis Blue & Frost White
Ford’s upcoming Focus RS sports hatch was first revealed in concept form at the London Motor Show back in July, and then again at the Paris Motor Show, but development work is coming to an end and sales are expected to start early next year. Some new details about the car have now come to light with the release of several official images of the final production verison of the car.

While most of the specs have already been confirmed by Ford, some of the new details include a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 264km/h (164mph). Pricing in Europe will reportedly be set at €39,000. Based on the same core as the Focus ST, the RS adds power, handling and appearance modifications to improve the car’s ability to put its power to the ground and direct it down the road, track or gravel path. To keep the potent engine from creating unmanageable torque steer, the engineers designed the car with a unique suspension called the ‘RevoKnuckle,’ which enables the car to keep the intended direction of travel even under heavy throttle.

This works in conjunction with a Quaife automatic torque biasing limited-slip differential. Combined, the Focus RS obviates the need for AWD and the attendant weight gains of the extra differential and driveshafts. A Quaife automatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential keeps the traction steady even on less-than-ideal surfaces.

Changes to the standard Duratec 2.5L block include unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and revised intake and manifold system. As well as the extra power, the Focus RS also receives a 40mm wider track, 19in wheels, 235mm tires, upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Ford has also confirmed that customers will have three colour options from launch, including the vibrant green seen here, as well as blue and white. Customers will also be able to match the interior trim with the exterior color or pick a full black leather option. Other features of the cabin include Recaro bucket seats, brushed aluminium accents and standard micro-fiber trim. The performance driving environment is completed by three additional gauges from the Focus ST, including a boost gauge, sitting atop the center console and angled toward the driver.

When it’s launched next year, the new Focus RS will mark the return of the storied Ford ‘RS’ badge, last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and with a heritage stretching back 38 years including Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.

First Drive: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

It's a new day and we all know what that means! Yet another post about the Mustang. Most of us here at Autoblog are unabashed Mustang fans. So when the call comes from Dearborn to drive yet another new Mustang, we invariably set about rearranging schedules. Such was the case last week. No sooner had we returned to frost-bitten Detroit after the LA Auto Show than the call came to return to SoCal. It was time to take the 2010 Mustang off the LA Convention Center stand and out into what passes for the real world in these parts.

Before we hopped into the updated Mustangs, Ford wanted to give us a refresher on what was being left behind. We were supplied with 2009 models to drive from our hotel to the staging area in Malibu. Anyone who has ever spent time in a 2005-09 Mustang is immediately aware that the weak link is its interior. In a word, it looked and felt cheap. The order of the day for the new 2010 model is refinement. Find out after the jump if Ford has made a Mustang worthy of competing in the now crowded class of modern day muscle cars.

Volvo plans to release 'micro-hybrid' in 2011

Volvo's product development unit is still hard at work, even as Ford has slapped a price tag on the brand. In an effort to develop more environmentally-friendly vehicles capable of meeting stringent emissions regulations on the horizon, the Swedish automaker has been working on some new highly-efficient vehicles. In addition to the DRIVe trio of ultra-efficient diesel-powered models, Volvo is working on an all-new micro-hybrid model. Set to join the lineup in 2011, the vehicle will be available with a choice between gasoline or diesel power, and a manual or automatic transmission. Fuel-saving technology will include a start-stop system plus brake-energy regeneration to cut consumption by nearly 5 percent. We'll see a full hybrid (with the ability to run on electric power only) in 2012 with the D5 diesel engine (Volvo's similar battery and flexfuel ReCharge Concept is above). A plug-in electric is also expected to follow down the road.

2010 Ford Mustang GT stretching its legs

The 2010 Mustang looks good, sounds great and will be available to customers in a few short months. We can't wait to get behind the wheel. But in the meantime we can watch the fleet footed drivers at the Blue Oval take the 315-hp pony car through its paces while cameras roll. Beyond the jump we have 44 seconds of the sweet-sounding Mustang doing a perfect donut and ripping a killer burnout. Wait. That's a CGI Mustang driven by some geek sporting a color-coded keyboard and a five button mouse. It may be fake but it looks really cool. We just have trouble understanding how a team of animators staring at a screen for 40 hours wouldn't notice that the GT badge out back is backwards (about 18 seconds in). Oh well, it's still cool in a Gran Turismo kind of way, and you'll love the soundtrack coming from the 4.6L V8.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

We're in the City of Angels this week to drive a bunch of new Fords, including the new 2010 Mustang and Fusion. We started off Monday afternoon with a mileage challenge in the new 2010 Fusion Hybrid. We can't share our driving impressions until Saturday, but we can tell you the results of the mileage contest. Ford hybrid applications manager Gil Portalatin used his intimate knowledge of the car to set some benchmarks the day before. Ford claims the Fusion will get at least 39 mpg city/ 37 mpg highway when the EPA numbers are calculated in the coming weeks. Portalatin got 46 mpg on the first segment of the drive route and 43.5 mpg on the hillier second part. Among the journalists on hand, Car and Driver's Steve Siler recorded a 43.6 mpg result on the first part. After Drew Phillips and I switched places for the second segment, I achieved 43.1 mpg, which is a very impressive number for Ford's new mid-size sedan.

Props for Ford

A friend of mind asked me the other day, “What about the Ford Flex?”. Admittedly, I was unaware that Ford Flex was entering production. Okay, Ford deserves some credit for bringing the Flex to market. It’s almost cool. But as much as I want to like it, I can’t quite bring myself to heap praise on it. For one, I doubt Ford would have had the guts to bring this to market if there was no such thing as the new Mini or the Honda Element, because that’s what the Flex basically is: a Mini crossed with an Element. For another, the interior doesn’t quite carry the flavor of the exterior. Once inside it feels too much like any other car, while the exterior is quite differentiated from other cars. It almost looks more like a Land Rover than a Ford. And, I don’t know why U.S. automakers are so enthralled with putting detail lines all over the surfaces of vehicles. I’ll reserve further judgment until I see it in person.

Additionally, the new Lincoln MKS is quite nice. Too bad it’s an ‘09 and not an ‘08. It’s a shame Detroit hasn’t been producing vehicles this good consistently. Unfortunately, they are going to have to make a few generations of models this good, and make sure they drive and handle well, in order to have any chance at winning new customers in significant numbers. And they are going to have to stop making the inferior designs (like the Taurus X) that detract from the good ones they do make.

Okay, enough about cars for a while.

Jay Leno and Top Gear USA’s Adam Carolla show support for bailout

While Jeremy Clarkson is showing no mercy or support for American automakers, his stateside counterpart Adam Carolla is showing the “yes we can” type of support for the Detroit Big 3 along with another NBC car buff, Jay Leno.

When PopularMechanics asked Top Gear USA host whether or not he supports the idea of bailing out the auto industry, he answered the question very politically. While Carolla didn’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’, he went on to blame Detroit for making “subpar” products saying that there is no valid reason for why there should be a separation between Europe, Japan and the U.S. automobiles.

“I don’t understand it. We can build the greatest fighter planes on the planet. It’s not like technology is the problem,” Carolla told PopularMechanics.

Leno, on the other hand, took a rather straightforward approach.

“I think we should bail them out. To me it’s like class warfare. The white-collar guys get a bailout and the blue-collar guys don’t? That’s crazy. You know, I’d rather help a guy with a wrench in his hand than some guy sitting in front of a keyboard.”

Pics Aplenty: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at Baja 1000 like a pig in mud

We recently told you how the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor fared competing in the Baja 1000. The Blue Oval's new super duper off-roader finished third in the Class 8 division, which is impressive considering it was built for the lower level Stock Full class in which it couldn't compete this time because the production version is not yet for sale. We've gone for a ride in the Raptor through the deserts of Nevada, but after looking through the gallery below, our experience probably wasn't as much fun as piloting the truck through 631 miles of the Baja Desert. Clearly the Raptor's first foray into competitive motorsports involved spending a lot of time with all four wheels either off the ground or in water up to its lug nuts. Check out the gallery below for more action shots of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor doing what it was designed for.

New details for Ford’s upcoming Focus RS leak

The Focus RS will be available with three color options, including Performance Green, Indianapolis Blue & Frost White
Ford’s upcoming Focus RS sports hatch was first revealed in concept form at the London Motor Show back in July, and then again at the Paris Motor Show, but development work is still taking place and first sales are not expected to start until the first half of next year. Some new details about the car have now come to light thanks to a slip-up by Ford’s Austrian division via its website.

While most of the specs have already been confirmed by Ford, some of the new details include a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 264km/h (164mph). Pricing in Europe will reportedly be set at €39,000.

Based on the same core as the Focus ST, the RS adds power, handling and appearance modifications to improve the car’s ability to put its power to the ground and direct it down the road, track or gravel path. To keep the potent engine from creating unmanageable torque steer, the engineers designed the car with a unique suspension called the ‘RevoKnuckle,’ which enables the car to keep the intended direction of travel even under heavy throttle.

This works in conjunction with a Quaife automatic torque biasing limited-slip differential. Combined, the Focus RS obviates the need for AWD and the attendant weight gains of the extra differential and driveshafts. A Quaife automatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential keeps the traction steady even on less-than-ideal surfaces.

Changes to the standard Duratec 2.5L block include unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and revised intake and manifold system. As well as the extra power, the Focus RS also receives a 40mm wider track, 19in wheels, 235mm tires, upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Ford has also confirmed that customers will have three colour options from launch, including the vibrant green seen here, as well as blue and white. Customers will also be able to match the interior trim with the exterior color or pick a full black leather option. Other features of the cabin include Recaro bucket seats, brushed aluminium accents and standard micro-fiber trim. The performance driving environment is completed by three additional gauges from the Focus ST, including a boost gauge, sitting atop the center console and angled toward the driver.

When it’s launched next year, the new Focus RS will mark the return of the storied Ford ‘RS’ badge, last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and with a heritage stretching back 38 years including Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.

Focus to Appear at “100 Designs to Save the World” Showcase

Ford wants you to find “Focus” synonymous with “green.” When the “100 Designs to Save the World” show starts in Thailand in mid-December, a number of Focuses, dressed with environmentally friendly-themed designs, will make an appearance. The show aims to encourage public participation in reducing impact from global warming by showcasing art works created by designers from all around the world. Ford took part by providing three Focuses to designers as blank canvases for the show. Thailand’s Focus shares components and styling with the European Focus. When introduced to the country in 2005, it was the first vehicle to offer flexible-fuel capability, capable of operating on 95-octane, E10, or E20 fuel. A 2.0-liter diesel appeared in 2007. Unfortunately, no pictures were offered in the press release, but Ford promises stunning visuals from avant-garde designers. We’ll let you know how they turn out. Source: Ford Motor Company

Kelley Blue Book Posts Most Researched Autos for 2006

The information gathered from more than 60 million visitors of Kelley Blue Books’ kbb.com, the most visited third-party auto web site in the net, comprised of the raw data of the latest most researched vehicles for the first six months of 2006. Included in the Top 20 list of America’s most trusted source of new and used automotive information are the following.

Honda Civic
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Rav4
Honda Odyssey
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Chevrolet Tahoe
Honda CR-V
Ford Mustang
Nissan Altima
BMW 325
Acura TL
Toyota Sienna
Toyota 4runner
Ford Escape
Infiniti G35
Toyota Avalon
Mazda 3

On top of the list are Asian models, Honda and Toyota. Seven slots are occupied by Toyota and five by Honda, which are all included in the Top Ten. In place of the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has fallen off from the current list, are Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Tahoe. Together with the Tahoe is the Ford Mustang, the sole domestic models that made it to the most researched line-up.

Two utilitarian minivans came in at the 6th and 7th spots, the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna respectively. Three entry level luxury vehicles also made it in the list - the BMW 325, Acura TL and Infiniti G35 (pictured above) – which according to Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com have definitely become the brands and vehicles that the public aspires to drive and own.

BusinessWeek names best American cars of 2006

Much has been said about the current financial crisis that America’s top automakers are experiencing. Sales continue its downward trend as demand for large and midsized SUV’s fall. May sales figures were down by 4.6% compared to last year. However, America’s automakers are producing much improved vehicle models generating a lot of buzz. There have been a number of exciting new sedans and coupes introduced such as the Saturn Sky and Ford Shelby GT500. Impressive new vehicle models have also come out from Detroit’s Big Three over the last few years.

To find out which among these new American vehicles are the best, BusinessWeek.com attempts to rank the newest domestic cars of 2006 according to reported reliability, government crash-safety ratings and total cost of ownership. Data were gathered from various sources such as Consumer Reports (Reliability), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Safety ratings) and Edmunds.com (total cost of ownership or TCO). TCO refers to the ownership expenses incurred over a five year time span including such costs as financing, taxes, maintenance, operating and depreciation costs. For this list, only cars with 2006 as the base model year were considered. Not all cars in the market were compared, however, due to the lack of complete safety and reliability data.

America’s best for 2006:

Small Car – Ford Focus

Sedan – Chevrolet Malibu

Wagon – Ford Focus Wagon

Minivan – Dodge Caravan

Small Truck – Dodge Dakota

Large Truck – Ford F-150

Luxury Sedan - Chrysler 300

Mid-Sized SUV - Jeep Grand Cherokee

Luxury SUV - Jeep Commander

Supercar/Exotic - Saleen S7

Hybrid - Ford Escape Hybrid

Coupe - Dodge Viper SRT10

Source: MSNBC