Archive for November, 2009
Was the North American 2011 Ford Fiesta revealed early???
If the images shown here and here at Autoblog are the real deal, then the North American spec Ford Fiesta has been revealed! The first shows a picture reportedly from Ford of Canada, with the Fiesta wearing the North American three-bar grille, while the second shows two different grilles, one on the sedan and one on the hatchback. Only time will tell though as to which is the real face of the Fiesta, when the car is unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. So stay tuned for more, and check back later next week for our live pics from the show!
(Image source: Autoblog)
The 2011 Ford Mustang V6 produces 305 hp and gets 30 mpg on the highway!
2010 saw an overall update of the Ford Mustang. It received new exterior sheetmetal, as well as an upgraded interior, that brought the car really up to world class standards. However, the powertrains were mostly carry-over from the 2009 model. That changes come this spring, when the 2011 Mustang V6 rolls into showrooms. It features Ford’s 3.7L V6, good for 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This engine isn’t just about power though, it was designed with fuel efficiency in mind as well. Ford estimates that the engine will be good for 30 mpg, making it the most fuel efficient car in its class. For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford)
Details on the 2011 Chevy Cruze slip out ahead of the LA Auto Show
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, due out around the middle of next year, is the very well designed replacement for the current Cobalt. The Cruze features some impressive sheetmetal, as well as a well trimmed out interior. It is also expected to hit somewhere in the 40 mpg range on the EPA test circuit. For more details, head on over to Autoblog or Jalopnik.
(Image source: GM)
Geiger continues to produce new packages for the Ford GT
Even though the Ford GT ended production years ago, European tuning house Geiger has come out with a new special edition package for it. The package includes a larger supercharger, larger throttle bodies and a new air filter. The result? The car’s output swells to 790 horsepower and 637 lb-ft of torque. The modifications don’t stop there, as the car is outfitted with a 60 mm drop in ride height, as well as massive 9″ x 20″ front wheels and monstrous 11″ x 21″ rear wheels. For more details, as well as Geiger’s official press release, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Autoblog)
Alan Mulally hasn’t made a statement that he intends to step down as Ford’s CEO but already the speculation has begun. Mulally first arrived on the scene in 2006 and Ford was not in good shape. Their products were so-so and their corporate mindset was even worse. Now in 2009 he has managed to completely transform their product lineup and re-energize the workforce into believing in a common goal. So who could we see as the next in line? Well the names being tossed around are Mark Fields, Jim Farley, Lewis Booth and Joe Heinrich. For more on the story, head on over to The Detroit Free Press.
(Image source: theautochannel.com)
In an interesting bit of news, General Motors announced that the 2011 Buick Regal would be entering production in early 2011 at the Oshawa assembly plant in Ontario. Then they slipped in a bit of news that the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible would also be starting production at that time. Say what!? The Mustang will finally have some drop top muscle car competition and that can’t be bad for sales. For more, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: GM)
In a post earlier this week, we brought you news on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt’s “Pedestrian Friendly Alert System,” a system that’s designed to give an audible warning to pedestrians that are visually impaired. Well today we have video of that system in action with some actual blind people giving their feedback to GM. Looks like the Domestic 3 are learning more and more every day to listen to their customers…
Video from inside the Viper ACR as it set the lap record at Laguna Seca!
The other day we posted news and some videos on the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR breaking the lap record at Laguna Seca. Well today we bring you video of that record breaking lap! Congratulations to the team at Chrysler who brought this beast to life!
An interesting article on Chrysler’s strategy going forward
I found this article today in the Detroit News about what Chrysler is doing to conserve cash, and what they will be doing in the near term to help increase sales. I think it’s a very interesting look into the struggles and cuts the automaker has had to make in order to survive bankruptcy restructuring and continue to produce and sell cars right here in the good old U.S. of A. For more, head on over to the Detroit News.
(Image source: Wikimedia)
A study from a company called Quality Planning shows the 10 least ticketed vehicles in the country and it just so happens that 8 of the vehicles are (or were) produced by General Motors. The writers at Jalopnik say that it’s because many of the vehicles are Buicks (3) or that they are a large truck or SUV (5). I however see a different spin on this, and that is that foreign cars probably didn’t make the list because they are often driven by foreigners…and that’s a story for another time. Anyway, let us know what you think in the comments!
(Image source: GM)
