2010 is shaping up to be an extremely busy year for Ford's powertrain engineering and manufacturing teams. By the end of this year, the folks in Dearborn will have launched nine engines and six transmissions that are all-new or substantially redesigned. Several of these combinations have already been revealed over the past month and more will be revealed at tomorrow's Detroit Auto Show.
On Friday morning, Barb Samardzich, VP of powertrain engineering, ran down the list at a pre-show preview. Three years ago, Ford set about the process of completely revamping its powertrain lineup, and between 2008 and 2013, a total of 60 powertrain combinations will have been introduced globally, with half of those coming by the end of this year. We already knew about the new 1.6-liter inline-four and the six-speed Powershift dual clutch automatic for the Fiesta. The Mustang is getting new V6 and V8 engines that crank up output significantly while reducing fuel consumption.
Samardzich confirmed on Friday that the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 will land in the F-150 truck later this year. The list presented also includes the previously-announced 2.0-liter inline-four Ecoboost and a new six-speed automatic transmission for transverse applications.
As we reported earlier today, while no one would get specific about exactly which vehicles these would go into, there were smiles and the usual "not ready to announce anything" when we brought up the new unibody Explorer. When the Explorer America concept debuted at the 2008 Detroit show, there was discussion of 2.0-liter and 3.5-liter Ecoboost engines, and it appears that's exactly what it will get.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Ford launch nine engines and six transmissions by 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Mcchip Ford Focus RS
Mcchip-dkr GmbH, car tuner from Germany, has released its tuning package for the Ford Focus RS. The engine of the Focus RS was completely overhauled in order to produce 401 hp.
Mcchip Power stage 1 for the Focus RS delivers 345 hp and 520 Nm of torque from the standard 305 hp and 440 Nm of torque. The top speed has also increase to 271 km/h. Power stage 1 consists of only software optimization which is priced at €799.
Power stage 2 which is priced at €4,499 increases the power of the Mcchip Ford Focus RS to 401 hp and 612 Nm of torque. The top speed meanwhile increases to 278 km/h. Power stage 2 consists of enhanced intercooler, new sports exhaust system, modified inlet manifold which includes tubes, special sparking plugs and also Mcchip engine electronics.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
2011 Ford Mustang GT and 5.0-liter V8
The 2011 Ford Mustang GT would pack a brand new 5.0-liter V8 producing 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. We thought those tidbits might hold over the internet 'till the official embargo date lifts early next week, but we were wrong and therefore are still awake at 1:30 AM on Christmas morning writing this post. Thanks to Jalopnik via MustangHeaven via BurlappCars, we have the first images of the 2011 Mustang GT and its new 5.0-liter V8.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
SMS Supercars new 460 Mustang
It appears that even while covering Saleen, Inc's warranties and protecting the brand image of his name, Steve Saleen has still found the time to build cars. After launching the 570 Challenger back in January and the 570X Challenger at the New York Auto Show, SMS has released additional renderings and information on its upcoming 460 and 460X Mustang. According to SMS, the car is in its final prototype testing changes and will hit the market some time later this year.
From the look of the CAD illustrations, designer Phil Frank stuck to much of the styling cues that made the original S197 Saleen Mustangs so popular. The front end gets a blacked-out grille with horizontal bars and the SMS logo, a more aggressive front fascia, and a dual-vented hood. Side skirts lead into the diffuser-style rear fascia, and like the Saleen S281, the rear end is elongated and the taillights are recessed, complimented to a spoiler that follows the lines of the car.
Performance upgrades sound like Saleen Mustangs of past as well. The supercharged 4.6-liter V8 produces either 470 or 655 horsepower, and each car gets upgraded brakes and suspension system including a Watts-linkage to help plant the solid rear axle. SMS claims the 460 Mustang will hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds while the 460X should do the deed in four seconds flat.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Reed Speed 700hp package for 2010 Ford Mustang
Reed Speed has released their new 2010 Ford Mustang. Reed went and reworked the engine by issuing forged rods, Total Seal rings and new pistons. Added to that is a twin turbo pack which makes the car froth a 700hp (515kW) figure. Mated to the engine is a manual gearbox.
Fitted externally are 20-inch wheels, a wider body kit that widens the track by 1.5 inches up front and 3 inches at the rear, plus 14-inch rotors with six-piston calipers. It features two-tone custom paintwork. The car will be sold via Randall Reed and other selected dealers in the US from later this summer.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
New Mustang gets the virtual Mach 1 treatment
Few Mustang variants are as legendary or desirable as the classic Mach 1. Introduced in 1969 as a high-performance package to slot below the range-topping models from Shelby, the Mach 1 was the every-man's Mustang, and after the pony car lost its way in the late '70s, the Mach 1 wasn't seen again until 2003, when Ford reintroduced the package as the top performing 'Stang this side of the GT500.
However, there is no Mach 1 for the 2010 model year, but there is at least a little speculation that the historic moniker could be revived for 2011, coinciding with the expected launch of Ford's latest 5.0-liter 400-horsepower Coyote V8 engine. What better excuse could there be for a performance edition? Fortunately for us, Edmundo Cano put mouse to Photoshop and created an enticing rendering of what a factory 2011 Mach 1 might look like.
Flat black paint running down the center of the Mustang's hood, which now features the obligatory shaker scoop. Similarly blacked-out 20-inch Torq-Thrust-style wheels look the part, and the whole package is rounded out with Hugger Orange paint and Mach 1 graphics package.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Dodge Challenger Vapor and Ford Mustang X-1 Concepts
The U.S. Air Force has spent collaborated with Galpin Auto Sports, which is widely known through its involvement in MTV's Pimp My Ride show. This help U.S. Air Force create a customized versions of the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger pony cars. The Air Force needed something a bit more spectacular than your typical TV ads to draw the attention of new recruits. The result is the air-force-inspired white Ford Mustang 'X-1' and black Dodge Challenger 'VAPOR' that will travel across the country this year.
The 'X-1' Mustang features a 'jet cockpit that includes a single-driver ejection seat placed centrally, short shifter, flight stick, and a high-tech instrumentation panel. On the outside, the heavily modded 'Stang gets a wide bodykit, dark alloy wheels and a pair of Lambo-style scissor doors. Power is provided by a custom 4.6 liter V8 engine with 500HP, courtesy of Ford Racing.
The more radical looking Dodge Challenger 'Vapor' continues the air-force theme with a 'Stealth' bodykit, carbon fiber exterior trim, a custom stealth exhaust mode that gives the driver the option to run the vehicle in complete silence, one-off carbon-fiber wheels, radar-absorbing paint, proximity sensors, and a 360-degree camera with a quarter-mile range.
Like its Ford counterpart, the Vapor's interior comes with aircraft style controls plus a passenger side steering wheel, GPS tracking, night and thermal vision via a film on the front windshield, and what Galpin calls, as the "most technologically-advanced computer system with remote control UAV-type access from anywhere in the world utilizing the internet."
Source: U.S. Air Force
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ford S-MAX Special Edition Magic Models
Ford has introduced the "Magic" moniker on the Fiesta, Focus hatchback and the Focus Coupe-Convertible, Ford has now chosen to present two limited edition versions of the S-MAX minivan called "White Magic" and "Silver Magic" for the Europe market. Exterior colors aside -no need to explain this one- the S-MAX Magic editions come with a bodykit that includes side skirts, front lip spoiler and a rear apron. The kit complemented by the chromed exhaust pipes and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside the cockpit, Ford has equipped the limited-run versions of the S-MAX with perforated leather sport seats, aluminum pedals and decorative trim, plus many extra features such as an upgraded audio system. The S-MAX Magic models are available with two gasoline units, a normally aspirated 2.3-liter engine with 160HP and a 2.5-liter Turbo with 220HP, and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel producing 175HP.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
2010 Mustang GT500 concept
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 16, 2009 – Ford Motor Company will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by auctioning the first retail 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and a pair of Mustang GT concept cars during the 7th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9-11, 2009. The three historic Mustangs will be sold for charity and are among 400-plus collector vehicles to be auctioned at No Reserve during the automotive lifestyle event at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. SPEED will provide live, high-definition TV coverage of the auction once again.
"It's rare for a concept vehicle, especially one as iconic as the Ford Mustang, to be sold to the public," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "Giving enthusiasts an opportunity to take home the ultimate keepsake is an admirable way to mark the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, which will be celebrated a few days after our event."
All proceeds above MSRP from the sale of the Shelby GT500 will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. The two Mustang concepts will be auctioned to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"During the last three years, Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised more than $2 million for charity through the auction of Ford vehicles," noted Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company's president, The Americas. "Ford and Barrett-Jackson will continue this important tradition at this year's Palm Beach auction. The winning bidders for these fantastic Mustangs will be contributing to worthy causes while purchasing automotive history."
The first 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (Lot #665) is the latest in high-performance cars and features a color scheme and equipment personally chosen by Carroll Shelby. Clad in Kona Blue with white stripes, this GT500 has world-class handling, aggressive styling, and extreme levels of horsepower and torque that are unparalleled in its segment.
The two Mustang concepts on the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach docket debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and have traveled to more than 50 auto shows around the world. The fresh design foreshadowed a new direction for the 2005 model year that is still relevant in today's Mustangs.
The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept (Lot #655) features a distinct "showbar" with a rim of billet-aluminum trim picking up where the instrument panel and console trim leave off. The dazzling red car is pure muscle from its 20-inch wheels and cross-drilled Brembo brakes to the sharp accent line that runs the length of the body and culminates in a "C-scoop" behind the door cutline. The convertible's interior, awash in supple red and charcoal leather, includes perforated surfaces on the seat backs, as well as a billet-aluminum shifter for the 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-point racing-style seatbelts and unique instrument gauges that resemble a fine watch with its face removed.
"This car began with a significantly modified Ford Thunderbird rear-wheel-drive architecture," noted Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "The platform was sectioned to achieve the proper proportion and the front-end geometry is all original. This is truly a piece of history that represents the transition to an entirely new Mustang."
The Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept (Lot #655.1) has a glass roof and lush red and charcoal leather interior accented by billet-aluminum hardware. Its upward rake angle makes the car appear to be in motion even while at a standstill. The styling matches its convertible sibling. The functional hood scoops help the supercharged engine breathe as it churns out nearly 400 horsepower.
