Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Ford
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We love mid-size sedans if for no other reason than buyers benefit from the incredibly high level of competition between each player in the segment, and Ford's just-revealed 2010 Fusion appears ready to compete. We only have one image, but it shows the Fusion's new face with an even bigger three-bar grille, nicely contoured hood, angry-eye headlights and a sharply redesigned lower bumper. There's also a new engine lineup with three mills to choose from. The first is an all-new Duratec 2.5L four-cylinder with 174 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque (up 14 hp/16 lb-ft from prior 2.3L). The second is a reworked version of the current 3.0L V6 with 19 more horsepower for a total of 240 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque. And finally Ford will be offering the Fusion with its new 3.5L V6 for 2010, which will make a class competitive 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. The best part? All three engines will be paired with Ford's 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission.
Ford hasn't revealed fuel economy numbers yet, but says the four-cylinder's fuel economy will go up a full 10% and the sixes between 4-6% thanks in large part to the new tranny. This will also be the year Ford introduces the Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, which will feature the previously announced SmartGauge and can travel up to 47 mph in all-electric mode with a range of more than 700 miles. Unfortunately, it appears that the 2010 Fusion won't be available with any turbocharged, direct-inject EcoBoost powertrains, but the new engines and transmission, along with the nose job, are a big step forward for Ford's already competitive Fusion.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading 2010 Ford Fusion revealed with new face, new engines and new six-speed transmission
2010 Ford Fusion revealed with new face, new engines and new six-speed transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Car Buying, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials
The sun will set on an alarming number of new car dealerships this year, according to The National Automobile Dealers Association, better known as NADA. This has been an ongoing trend, but it's set to accelerate as slowing new car sales and the tough credit market makes it very difficult for dealerships to stay open. After losing about 430 dealerships last year, the total stood at around 20,700 left, of which 700 are expected to close up shop before the end of the year.
This sobering statistic will have far-reaching effects on the nation's economy, as NADA estimates that 18% of all retail dollars are made at car dealerships, and 13% of the nation's payroll is paid to their employees. Closures will account for the loss of over 37,000 jobs in the United States and will only serve to complicate the oftentimes frustrating act of purchasing a new car for many Americans, not to mention making it that much harder for automakers to reach out to their dwindling number of customers.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
NADA estimates 700 dealers will close in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Convertibles, Euro, UK
Click above for a high-res image of the new Caterham R300
Caterham has revised its best-selling Superlight R300, dropping the old Rover mill in favor of a Ford Duratec and pulling a few tricks from its range-topping R500.
The new R300's 2.0-liter four-pot is putting out 175 hp at 7,000 rpm and 139 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox. With only 1,135 pounds weighing the R300 down - giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 339 hp per ton - it can scoot to sixty in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 140 mph. Available in both build-it-yourself form for �24,995 (or �27,995 complete from the factory), the kit includes everything you need to get on the road, along with a flush-button dash and keyless ignition system pulled from its big-bro the R500. Avon CR500 tires are wrapped around Superlight aluminum wheels, and for those destined for the track, you can option the R300 up with a Stack data logging system, dry-sump oil kit and limited-slip differential.
Caterham has also revised its Roadsport 175 model, a more tame version packing a five-speed transmission with longer gear ratios, 14-inch wheels and a heater. The cost of entry for the 175 comes in at �21,995 in kit form and �24,995 built at the factory. Both models can also be had in "wide chassis" guise for an additional �1,750. We'll take one of each, equipped with the LSD option.
Continue reading Caterham unveils next Superlight R300, Roadsport 175
Caterham unveils next Superlight R300, Roadsport 175 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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