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Ford shows off 67-mpg Focus Econetic ahead of Amsterdam debut
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Ford shows off 67-mpg Focus Econetic ahead of Amsterdam debut
by Steven J. Ewing (RSS feed) on Apr 6th 2011 at 2:00PM
We may have the 40-mile-per-gallon SFE trim on the 2012 Ford Focus here in the States, but European eco-warriors will soon be able to sink their teeth into the new Focus Econetic, designed purely with efficiency in mind. Ford claims that the Focus Econetic can achieve up to 80 mpg on the European testing cycle, or about 67 mpg here in the U.S.
Ford's road to super-efficiency starts with the automaker's 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter Duratorq diesel engine. That, combined with start-stop, smart regenerative charging, Eco mode and a revised final drive ratio allow this engine to perform as efficiently as possible at all times. For reference, the standard Euro-spec Focus equipped with the 1.6-liter diesel four is good for about 55 mpg (U.S.).
Aerodynamic enhancements consist of active grille shutters on the front fascia, as well as special low-drag wheel covers. We're all for added efficiency, but it might be nice if these plastic wheel caps didn't look like they were ripped straight from a 1992 Honda Accord.
The Focus Econetic makes its official debut next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show, with the first examples hitting the streets in early 2012. Both four- and five-door body styles will be available. Follow the jump for the full details.
Gallery: Ford Focus Econetic
[Source: Ford]
Show full PR text
FORD REVEALS NEW FOCUS ECONETIC EUROPE'S MOST FUEL EFFICIENT COMPACT CAR
To achieve its outstanding fuel economy, the new Focus ECOnetic employs the latest low-CO2 technologies in its powertrain, aerodynamics and driver information systems.
Reduced engine friction from low-friction piston ring coatings and variable flow oil pump
Additional reduction in engine losses from low inertia vacuum pump and asymmetric crank sprocket design
Updated emissions system combining a diesel NOx-reducing catalyst with a coated Diesel Particulate Filter system
Low-friction engine and transmission oils
Low tension Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD)
Thermal Management Systems to optimise warm-up
Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Diesel
2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 800 horsepower headed for New York
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2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 800 horsepower headed for New York
by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Apr 6th 2011 at 2:31PM
Shelby has no qualms about constantly upping the horsepower of its range-topping Ford GT500 Super Snake. When first introduced in 2008, the base Super Snake had a mere 605 ponies under the hood with an option for up to 725. That number increased to 750 for 2010, and now for the 2012 model year, Shelby is set to unveil the latest Super Snake with up to 800 tire-shredding horsepower on tap from its 5.4-liter supercharged V8.
Like previous Super Snake models, the latest version will come with a host of other upgrades including a sport suspension system, Baer six-piston brakes, Borla exhaust system, Alcoa 20-inch wheels, fiberglass hood and more.
We'll get our first look at the 2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake when it debuts at the New York Auto Show later this month, but until then, you can read more details about the car in the press release after the jump or check out the outgoing car in our gallery below.
Gallery: 2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
An optional Shelby / Eibach handling pack is available
6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and short-throw shifter
The standard tune upgrades power to over 750 HP and 590 ft./lbs. of torque
Optional Shelby / Kenne Bell 800 horsepower tune on pump gas
Borla exhaust system
Shelby-designed Alcoa 20-inch wheels in durabright or anthracite
Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers and cross drilled / vented rotors
Front brake cooling ducts and behind the door side scoops
Unique fiberglass hood featuring classic Shelby design and pins
Shelby signature Super Snake stripes in either matte black or matte white
"Super Snake" vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM interior plate
"Shelby" lettering across the rear deck lid
Optional two tone leather interior
Shelby signature embroidered headrests, floor mats and other Shelby designed components
The 2012 Shelby GT350 coupe and convertible will also be exhibited at the Shelby American booth, #1325, during the New York Auto Show. The 2012 model year car is offered in two new body colors, Race Red and Kona Blue. Those interested in a Shelby GT500 Super Snake or Shelby GT350 should call (702) 942-7325 or log onto www.shelbyamerican.com.
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford
Fw: What We're Testing This Week: 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6
Is Ford's new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 worth its $750 premium over the company's new 5.0-liter V-8 and does it perform as well as the brawny 6.2-liter V-8? That's what we plan to find out this week during a challenging 2,000 mile road test.
The innovative small displacement 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is rated at 365 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque. It's the first application of gasoline direct-injection twin-turbo technology in a half-ton pickup.
On paper, EcoBoost outperforms the 360 horsepower, 380 pounds-feet 5.0 in both gas mileage and power. It's rated to tow up to 11,300 pounds, the same as the 411 horsepower, 434 pounds-feet 6.2.
As we discovered in February, the 5.0 is no slouch. We loved its performance in the 2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 we drove. The 6.2-liter V-8 is an off-road monster in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and it's a towing machine in the Platinum and Lariat F-150 models, as well as the Ford Super Duty.
Our EcoBoost test will push the V-6 harder than we've driven the 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s. Some might say twice as hard because we're not just testing a single EcoBoost V-6 truck. Ford has provided two identical 2011 F-150 SuperCrew FX2 two-wheel drive pickups with 3.55 rear axles.
Why are we testing duplicate EcoBoost F-150s? One pickup will be empty and the other will tow a 9,000 pound ballasted trailer. We're going to measure their individual performance and fuel economy trucking from Los Angeles to Denver in city and highway driving conditions at low and high altitudes as both trucks shadow each other.
Dyno Test
We've already completed our first test using a Dynojet Research chassis dyno, courtesy of our friends at K&N Engineering in Riverside. At the EcoBoost F-150's rear wheels, we measured 316 horsepower and 355 pounds-feet.
There are several interesting items to note about our EcoBoost's dyno results. First, peak torque occured further up the power band (4,150 rpm) than what Ford claims at the crankshaft (2,500 rpm). The turbos did an excellent job keeping torque above 300 pounds-feet from around 2,800 rpm to approximately 5,700 rpm, just ahead of fuel cutoff at 5,800 rpm. Second, horsepower showed an interesting downward blip around 5,000 rpm before hitting its peak at 5,125 rpm. Could this be for emissions reasons or to hit a higher horsepower number than the 5.0? Finally, you can see where torque and horsepower intersect at 5,252 rpm but horsepower falls from there, never crossing the torque curve.
For comparison purposes, we've plotted the 3.5 dyno results against the 5.0 that was tested on the same dyno -- corrected using SAE factors for humidity, temperature and barometric pressure.
So far, EcoBoost appears worth its $750 premium.
On the Road
We head to Colorado Monday morning to start the real world evaluation. We'll be stopping along the way for fuel and food. If you catch us, we'll be happy to chat and buy you a cup of coffee or a meal. We shouldn't be too hard to spot with the trailer and two Race Red FX2 F-150s.
Fw: Study: Female buyers not considering many domestic vehicles
Filed under: Car Buying
We don't have a demographic breakdown for Autoblog's core audience to share, but we can tell you that the overwhelming majority of our readers are men. That said, women tend to be very specific about which vehicles they choose, and according to R.L. Polk, Asian automakers ranging from Toyota to Kia are winning over women on a grand scale.
Take a look at the graphic above, which shows the top five vehicle selections by (non-Caucasian) ethnic group. The Toyota Camry takes the top spot, scoring the number one spot in five ethnic groups. The Corolla, Civic, Accord and CR-V round out the top five, which makes sense due to the fact that those five vehicles are typically among the top-selling passenger vehicles each month. But where are the domestics?
The bottom of the chart shows the top domestic model as chosen by each ethnic group. Ford dominates the list, taking the top spot in seven of the eight ethnic groups, though judging by Polk's data, it's apparent that domestics are very low on the priority list. The only ethnic groups to choose a domestic in the top 10 are African-Americans (Malibu) and Hispanics (Ford F-Series).
[Source: R.L. Polk]
Study: Female buyers not considering many domestic vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFw: The Ultimate in Super-Duty Expedition Vehicles
We've seen some well-built Super Duties in our day, but this one had us stopping in our tracks at the 2011 Overland Expo in Amado, Ariz.
Built by Global Expedition Vehicles, this UXV 550 starts with a Ford F-550 crew-cab dually frame and makes quite a few body and suspension modifications, putting military-grade airbags at all four corners with military spec rims and tires as well.
Body camper construction can be customized to order. This S84 model includes a small dining area, an oversized Teak wood bathroom, an overhead sleeping deck, all the kitchen amenities and two large swing-out windows.
The outer body uses bullet-train and marine-grade technologies to mold, support reinforce the structure and skin. Under the hood is a 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine. Two full-size spare tires are in back, with a small winch-operated bike rack held out of harm's way.
Racer (and self-described outlaw) Jesse James heard about this vehicle being built and thought it would be perfect as a support vehicle for his race team, as well as the ultimate base camp explorer. Global Expedition Vehicles doesn't sell a lot of vehicles — just a few a year — but when they do, it's something special. And it's not limited to Fords. Current models are also built on Unimog, International and Mercedes-Benz chassis.
As you might expect, these units are not cheap. Many models start at several hundred-thousand dollars and build from there. It all depends on what you want, what you need, and how deep into the backcountry you want to explore.
Fw: Ram, Mopar to Sponsor TORC Racing Series
Rendering courtesy of Chrysler Group LLC
By Dave Lee
The deal puts five PRO-class drivers at the wheel of a Ram truck during the 14-race TORC series, which is the one of the fastest and most punishing short-course racing series in the world. Ram and Mopar will be sponsoring the Traxxas Racing team, led by Mike and Mark Jenkins, as well as the Menzies Motorsports team owned by Steve Menzies.
Under the partnership, Ram will be the official vehicle of the series, and a Mopar Ram Runner will serve as the official pace truck. Fans at the races will have the chance to experience an off-road test drive.
"From the drag strip to the circle track, the Mopar brand has a proud heritage in racing," Mopar President and CEO Pietro Gorlier said. "We are excited to extend our presence into off-road racing, where many of our Mopar fanatics reside."
Mopar offers a conversion kit for the Ram Runner, which debuted last April at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari. The kit turns a half-ton Ram 1500 pickup truck into a hardened desert racer using components inspired by Baja trophy trucks. It includes custom body and suspension pieces such as 3-inch diameter Fox Racing internal bypass dampers at all four corners, custom upper and lower control arms for the front suspension and flared widetrack fenders.
The five drivers sponsored by Ram and Mopar are Rob MacCachren and Samuel Hubinette of Traxxas Racing and Ricky Johnson, Bryce Menzies and Luke Johnson of Menzies Motorsports.
The first race kicks off Memorial Day weekend in Buchanan, Mich.