Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Mustang totally revealed - base V6, GT500 and interior
Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Ford
If you frequent every car blog on a daily basis, then you've probably seen these latest spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang in base V6 and GT500 trim, as well as completely uncovered views of the interior. We're acutely aware, however, that some of you rely solely on Autoblog for your daily fix. Therefore, we're bringing you these three sets of spy shots now, despite the fact they've been on the web for a week. We apologize for the delay, but some back-of-the-house complications kept us from publishing them sooner.
Regardless, it's totally apparent that Ford wants everyone to see these spy shots considering how naked these prototypes are. The batch of shots showing a blue, base V6 model gives the best view of the Mustang's redesigned front end, including the newly shaped grille, new headlights, hood and lower bumper. The two new interior shots completely give up the goods on the Mustang's new dash design, as well. Finally, the GT500 convertible shots show that the top dog model will indeed be fierce with a giant hood bulge and its own front end design.Unfortunately, we've heard that the Mustang's engine lineup will carry over largely unchanged for the 2010 model year, though could be entirely revamped shortly thereafter to keep pace with its crosstown rivals from Chevy and Dodge.
[Source: KGP Photography]Permalink�|�Email this�|�Comments
We don't need no stinking handouts: Honda doing well in downturn
Filed under: Car Buying, Honda
While most automakers have been struggling to sale their wares in the struggling US auto market, Honda has held its own -- and then some. Honda's robust selection of high volume cars has led to a 1.2% sales increase in a market that is down a disastrous 11%, and Honda expects things to continue next year, with new models like the redesigned Fit adding to already strong sales. Industry-wide, though, Honda doesn't expect a good 2009.Honda, much like Toyota, sees more of the same sullied sales for the rest of this year and next, predicting 2009 sales at a dismal 13.5-14 million units industry-wide due to financial struggles in the banking sector. Honda sales VP John Mendel doesn't think credit issues will affect the Japanese automaker, due to the typical Honda customer's better than average credit. Mendel says he has no problem with the $25 billion in loans sought by US automakers, but he would like to see some of the money go to the hundreds of suppliers that are also struggling to survive. He was quick to point out that Honda didn't need any outside help, and he even went as far as to equate the loan with "getting in a bread line." That won't win him many friends in Detroit, but then again, Honda doesn't have or need many allies in Motown anyway.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]Read�|�Permalink�|�Email this�|�Comments
Toyota iQ platform will spawn new compact cars
Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Minivans/MPVs, Hatchbacks, Toyota
Toyota developed an all-new architecture for its iQ city car, but in an effort to defray the costs the automaker will be using the platform to underpin three new models.
The first will be the next-generation Yaris, due out in 2011, which will be packaged more efficiently to improve interior volume and be a more competent competitor to the Honda Fit. A new hybrid model is also in the works that takes aim at another Honda - the new 2009 Insight - while a seven-seat people mover is also slated to be built atop the iQ's architecture.
MotorTrend sat down with the iQ's chief engineer, Hiroki Nakajima, to discuss a half-dozen innovative packaging solutions employed on the city car, including a differential moved to the front of the engine to allow more interior room, a higher-mounted steering rack and wiper motor assembly, a smaller, more efficient climate control system and a flat, thin fuel tank that lies beneath the passenger seats.
All these innovations have cost some serious coin to develop, but over the iQ's lifetime, along with the implementation of these systems on other models, Toyota is confident that the expense is worth it for both the automaker and consumers.
[Source: MotorTrend]Read�|�Permalink�|�Email this�|�Comments
Dutch collector eyes final Veyron to form tricolor "flag"
Filed under: Car Buying, Euro, Supercars, Bugatti, Special/Limited Editions
Top Gear drives three Veyrons in Abu Dhabi
You might think that owning a single Bugatti Veyron would be enough. But one collector in the Netherlands already owns two, and he's setting his sights on another. And not just any other, but the very last of the 300 being made.
Harrie van de Moesdijk already owns a blue Veyron and a white one, and wants the final one painted red and delivered to his garage to make a red, white and blue tricolor - the colors of the Dutch flag, to say nothing of the United States, France and the myriad other countries that use the combination on their national banners. Moesdijk (yeah, don't ask us how to pronounce that, either) might have a hard time securing that final Veyron, though, as it will surely command a premium over the already seven-figure price of the super-exotic hyper-car.
[Source: AutoTelegraaf via Motor Authority]
Read�|�Permalink�|�Email this�|�CommentsRumormill: BMW preparing Z2 roadster based on 1 Series
Filed under: Convertibles, BMW, Rumormill
BMW 1 Series cabrio: click above to view in high resolution
Ever since the Z4 went bigger, rumors have been circulating that BMW is considering building a smaller Z2 roadster. The time may be ripe now for the Bavarian automaker to introduce a compact sportscar based on the underpinnings from the 1 Series.
Reports suggest it would likely have a folding soft top instead of a collapsible tin roof like the upcoming Z4 replacement and a small trunk capable of swallowing just a weekend bag. Sources also hint that the Z2 would come exclusively with four-cylinder power, which could discourage BMW from bringing the vehicle to the United States where the assumption is that customers are not prepared to pay for premium cars with four-bangers. However, the development of new four-cylinder turbos potentially destined for American shores could make the Z2 a reality. Still, with the 1 Series cabrio available with the twin-turbo six, the Z2 could have its legs cut out from under it before it even materializes.
[Source: Autozeitung via Motor Authority]
Read�|�Permalink�|�Email this�|�Comments2009 Ford F-150 keeps max towing crown, adds fuel-efficient SFE model
Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Ford
Ford has revealed more details on the 2009 F-150 this morning, and what we know so far is that engineers have gone to great lengths to make the new F-Series half-ton pickup achieve greater fuel economy, and the entire range has received an 8% improvement as a result. The V6 engine option has been dropped for '09, but Ford has paired a six-speed transmission with the truck's top motors to eke out even more mileage. According to Pickuptrucks.com, Ford will continue to offer a legacy two-valve version of the truck's 4.6L V8 paired with a four-speed automatic, which achieves the same 14/19 mpg rating as the outgoing V6-powered model. A new three-valve version of the 4.6L V8 is also available with Ford's new fuel-efficient 6R80 six-speed automatic, and the EPA rates a two-wheel-drive model of this pairing at 15/20.
In response to General Motors' recently unveiled fuel-efficient Chevy Silverado XFE and GMC Sierra XFE models, Ford will also be offering the F-150 SFE for 2009. Rated at 15/21 mpg, it matches the GM trucks in fuel economy but bests them in other areas. It can tow 500 lbs. more, doesn't need a tonneau cover and its chin spoiler can stay put when going off road. The F-150 SFE gets that extra highway mpg by using low rolling resistance tires, a 3.15:1 rear axle and other items shared with the F-150 lineup like best-in-class aerodynamics, open valve injection and more aggressive fuel shut-off when decelerating. However, you can only opt for the SFE package on XLT Supercrew models with the 4.6L V8 and 5.5-foot bed.
Finally, there's the matter of the Max Towing crown, which Ford claims to keep for 2009 thanks to the '09 F-150's class-leading tow capacity of 11,300 lbs and a hauling capacity of 3,030. No other full-size pickup from Chevy, GMC, Dodge or Toyota even exceeds 11,000 lbs. for 2009.
[Source: Ford, Pickuptrucks.com]
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