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2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Diesel Boosts Power

Posted on 04. Aug, 2010 by admin.

Ford will begin production this week of the most powerful diesel engine ever installed in a heavy-duty pickup, Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain engineering, announced today at an international auto industry conference.

Introduced in April 2010, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel powering the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty will be upgraded to best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower, Samardzich said at the Center for Automotive Research’s annual Management Briefing Seminars.

“These numbers are impressive, yes, but that is not why they matter,” Samardzich said. “These numbers matter because our customers say they do. The higher torque means that fleet operators, such as Florida Power & Light, can plow through deep swamps and get to downed power lines faster and more confidently. It means that oil and gas crews in the Northwest can tow up an 8,000-foot grade maintaining a steady speed and using less fuel.” [...]

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2011 Ford Explorer Gets 30 Percent Efficiency Gain Over Current V-6

Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by admin.

The Ford Explorer has been reinvented to shatter long-held myths about SUV fuel efficiency and performance. The 2011 model equipped with an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine will be the new class leader in the mid-size SUV segment, achieving at least a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared with the current V-6-powered Explorer.

“The all-new Explorer will give a huge universe of existing and prospective customers the capability they expect and the luxury and convenience they want, all combined with the fuel economy they need,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas.

The new Explorer, due in Ford showrooms later this year, has added comfort and convenience features, while overall vehicle weight is reduced compared to the previous model. Extensive use of lighter and stronger high-strength steels such as boron add durability while saving weight. An aluminum hood is used, while a one-piece composite front bolster – the radiator support between engine and grille – is 65 percent lighter. Lighter weight equates to fuel and money saved.   [...]

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New Curve Control Technology By Ford

Posted on 28. Jun, 2010 by admin.

Ford today introduced a new innovation – Curve Control – designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles when taking a curve too quickly.  

Curve Control debuts as standard equipment on the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer going into production later this year, and will be offered on 90 percent of the company’s North American crossovers, sport utilities, trucks and vans by 2015.  

The technology senses when a driver is taking a curve too quickly – a situation found to contribute to about 50,000 crashes each year in the U.S. – and rapidly reduces engine torque and can apply four-wheel braking, slowing the vehicle by up to 10 mph in about one second.   [...]

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AmericanMuscle Mustang V6 Project

Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by admin.

How do you take a V6 Mustang from stock to super-powered? Dave Kaek from AmericanMuscle and Swarr Auto have teamed up to modify a stock 2005 V6 Mustang and see just how much horsepower they can crank out of 6 cylinders. Check out the video series to see what they did to make an average Mustang look and perform like a super-powered beast!

The first video features Dave Kaeck kicking things off at Swarr Auto with our baseline dyno run to get the raw numbers, plus a first look at the huge variety of parts we’re using on our ’05 Legend Lime V6.

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Shelby Mustang – Not Your Typical Ford Mustang

Posted on 29. Mar, 2010 by admin.

In 2007 the Ford Motor Company began reproducing one of its most desired models of all time: the Shelby Mustang GT. Prior to this, Ford in partnership with Carroll Shelby had produced modern remakes of the Shelby Mustang GT500 and the 1960s Hertz rental special, the Shelby Mustang GT-H. However, all of these models were produced in limited numbers—the Shelby Mustang GT was the first Shelby Mustang to be widely available to the public and affordably priced.

It is powered by a 4.6 liter V-8 small block which puts out 319 horsepower and 330ft-lb of torque. It also comes standard with a 90 millimeter cold-air intake package and a high flow exhaust system with an X-pipe crossover, further improving the horsepower and throttle response. Adding to the Shelby GT’s off the line acceleration is a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio and a Hurst short throw shifter for models equipped with a manual transmission.

The Shelby Mustang GT also has the styling of the classic Shelby Mustangs of the past. These styling cues include a Shelby hood scoop, and silver race stripes on the hood and side panels. The suspension of the Shelby Mustang GT also received an upgrade over the baseline factory Mustang. A coil spring kit drops the overall height of the car by an inch-and-a-half, giving the GT an aggressive stance to go with its power upgrades. In addition, stiffer dampers, a front sway bar, and high-performance tires further improve the handling and corning of the GT.

A step up from the Shelby Mustang GT is the Shelby Mustang GT500. This is a modern remake of the classic GT500 of the 1960s. Many film fans will remember the Mustang named Eleanor from the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, which was a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. The modern Shelby Mustang GT500 borrows much of its performance and styling from this classic muscle car.

The new GT500 features a supercharged 5.4 Liter V-8 which produces a massive 540 horsepower and 510 ft-lb of torque. The engine in the GT500 also features dual overhead cams, a rarity for a production street car. Like the baseline GT, the GT500 comes with a cold-air intake and high-flow exhaust system. The Mustang’s styling also adds to its performance—the front air inlets for the radiator and intercooler are sealed and routed, reducing air drag, and the raked spoiler in the rear increases high-speed stability.

With ever increasing concerns about fuel economy and efficiency, many experts in the auto industry have predicted the end of the muscle car for good. But both the Shelby Mustang GT and GT500 prove that the muscle car is still alive and rearing to fight back. This shows that the Ford Mustang will live on forever.

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Shelby GT350 Returns to Action

Posted on 09. Feb, 2010 by admin.

One of many things you can say about legendary car builder and race driver Carroll Shelby is that he doesn’t try to be politically correct.

So when he was asked about the creation of a model that still has legions of fans four decades later, he had this to say:

“In 1964, Ford Motor Co. asked Shelby American to turn their secretary’s car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs. Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350’s return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name.” [...]

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2010 Taurus Earns Five-Star Crash Ratings

Posted on 26. Dec, 2009 by admin.

The strong-selling new 2010 Ford Taurus has earned top five-star crash ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is seeing good consumer response to its suite of advanced crash-avoidance technologies.  The redesigned Ford flagship sedan previously earned a “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ford Motor Company has more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” and NHTSA five-star ratings than any other automaker.

“The new Taurus is the Ford safety flagship with top safety ratings and advanced crash-protection and crash-avoidance technologies that you may not find in luxury vehicles that cost twice as much,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president for Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “A stiffer body structure and new crash-avoidance technologies make the Taurus even safer.” [...]

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Ford Taurus is Car of the International CES

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by admin.

The smartest full-size sedan in America, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus, will be the official vehicle of the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), to be held Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas. “The all-new Taurus is Ford’s technology flagship, offering more user-friendly technology to help keep you safe and connected than cars twice its price,” said Frank Davis, executive director Product Development. “And there’s no better venue to show it off than CES.”

Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally will deliver the opening keynote address at CES, where Ford also will announce enhancements to its award-winning Ford SYNC communications and entertainment system as well as new technology that builds on the company’s connected-car leadership position. [...]

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