First Impression: Saleen Mustang

Steve Saleen has been tuning Ford Mustangs since 1984. Saleen-tuned fifth-generation Mustangs come in three categories, the S281 Mustang, the 435S Mustang, and the S302 Mustang. The S281 is the most powerful version of the Saleen Mustang.

Several Saleen Mustangs were on display at the 2011 Houston Auto Show and are frequent guests at Houston Cars and Coffee events. The Saleen Mustang is a tuned Mustang. The Saleen Mustang has a small badge on each side. It will also have SALEEN on the windshield. It has a different front end, side skirt, grill, end caps, rear diffuser, front and rear fascias, and hood. All these exterior changes makes the Saleen Mustang look more aggresive than the standard Ford Mustang.

The Saleen S281 is powered by a supercharged 281 cubic inch, 4.6L V8 engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission, that produces 485 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The S281 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 mph. The S281 costs $51,934. The S281 is not as powerful as the Shelby GT500 or the Roush 427R. It is not as fast as the GT500 or the 427R, yet it is the only one of the three Mustang variants to cost over $50,000.

The Saleen S281 is the vehicle mode for Decepticon Barricade. It is playable in Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, Test Drive Unlimited, Drag Racer 3, Speed Racing, Asphalt: Urban GT 2, Project Gotham Racing 4, Transformers: The Game, Forza Motorsport2, and Forza Motorsport 3.

Final Thoughts: This is an expensive Mustang. Both the Shelby GT500 and Roush 427R are faster the the Saleen S281. Yet the S281 is more expensive then the GT500 and 427R. If I was going to rank the three Mustangs, I would go Roush, Shelby, then Saleen. The S281 is still a good variant of the Mustang, but there are better Mustang variants out there.

CarJunkie
Photos taken from a camera phone

First Impression: Shelby GT500

Carroll Shelby tuned first-generation Mustangs from 1965 to 1970. One of the Shelby-tuned Mustangs was the Shelby GT500. He claims that the Mustangs after 1970 were too heavy. In 2006, Shelby started tuning Mustangs again and brought back the Shelby GT500 Mustang.

I frequently see the Shelby GT500 on the Houston roads as well as at Houston Cars and Coffee events. It looks just like a regular Mustang except with two racing strips, The GT 500 decal on the sides the signature Shelby Cobra badge on the grill, sides and back of the car, "S H E L B Y" on the rear where it normally says "F O R D."

The Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 550 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 179 mph. The Shelby GT500 does not get hit with a gas guzzler tax since it gets 23 mph highway. Prices start at $48,645 for the Shelby GT500. The Shelby GT500 is one of the more powerful, quickest, fastest Mustang variants.

The Shelby GT500 has been featured on Top Gear during Series 9, Episode 6 where it was reviewed by Richard Hammond. The current Shelby GT500 is playable in Flatout 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Flatout: Head On, Flatout: Ultimate Carnage, Split/Second, Need For Speed: Carbon, Need For Speed: Pro Shift, Ford Street Racing XR Edition, Highway Madness, Blur, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Ford Street Racing, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Speed Racing, Twisted Metal, Need For Speed: Nitro, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Shift, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Real Racing 2, Shift 2: Unleashed, Car Town, Driver: San Francisco, and Nitto 1320 Legends.

Final Thoughts: The Shelby GT500 is a very fast, quick Mustang variant. However, it does not like to corner. Carroll Shelby put a lot into the engine, but he did not put modern suspension on the car. The rear live axle is outdated. This causes the GT500 to have horrible handling. It is only good for going in a straight line. The GT500 is great for Drag Strip Racing, but not for race tracks that have corners.

CarJunkie
Photos taken from a camera phone and digital camera

First Impression: Roush 427R Mustang

Jack Roush created his own performance engineering company after he left Ford in 1976. In 1995, his company, Roush Performance Products, started tuning Ford Mustangs. The latest Roush tuned Mustang is the 427R Mustang.

I saw a Roush 427 Mustang at the April 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. It did not stand out since it looks like most fifth-generation Mustangs. The exterior differences between a Roush Mustang and a normal Mustang are the hood, accents, front splitter, side splitters, and a three piece wing.

The Roush 427R Mustang is powered by a supercharged 4.6L V8 engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission, that produces 435 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Prices for the 427R Mustang start at $43,901. It is cheaper than the Boss 302 Laguna Seca Mustang and has the same performance of the Laguna Seca.

Top Gear did a feature on tuned Mustangs during Series 9, Episode 6. The Roush Mustang was two seconds faster around the Top Gear test track than the Shelby GT500.

Final Thoughts: The Roush 427R Mustang is not the fastest tuned version of the Ford Mustang, it is one of the better handling Mustang variants. It may look similar to a normal Ford Mustang, but it is one of the better performing Mustangs. It is meant for both everyday driving and the track.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone

First Impression: Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition

The Ford Mustang has been an American car icon since its arrival in 1964. The Mustang came in hatchback, fastback, sportsroof, convertible, and coupe versions. Over the years there have been five generations and several different variants of the mustang. Shelby has the GT350, GT500, Super Snake, GT-h, GT500KR, and GT500E  Mustangs. Roush has the 427R Mustang. Saleen has the S281, 435S, and S302 Mustangs. There have also been Mach1, 5.0, SVT Cobra, Boss 427, and Boss 302 Mustangs. For the current generation of the Mustang, Ford is coming out with the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition. Only 750 Laguna Secas will be built.

I saw the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. This car is sick. The black paintjob with the red accents made this Mustang stand out from the other Mustangs, both classic and modern. I also saw a Boss 302 Laguna Seca Mustang with a ignot silver paintjob at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The Laguna Seca has a few modifications. The rear seats are replaced with a cross-car X-brace to improve the rigidity of the car. The suspension has been modified with unique spring and damper rates and a larger stabilizer. The front end splitter is designed to generate down-force for improved handling. This is a Mustang built for the race track and for the road.

The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition is powered by a 5.0L (302 cubic inch) V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 444 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in  4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Prices for the Laguna Seca Edition start at $47,990. It is rare, affordable, quick, but it has a decent top speed.

The Laguna Seca Mustang was featured on Jay Leno's Garage.

Final Thoughts: This is a cool car. A tuned Mustang for under $50,000 is hard to beat. It has good acceleration and a decent top speed. But the modifications should improve the handling of this Mustang. Shelby Mustangs have power, acceleration, and speed, but they cannot corner properly. The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca is built for both the road and the race track. If you get one, do not be afraid to take this Mustang to track days.

CarJunkie
Photos taken from a digital camera and a camera phone

First Impression: Ford GT

The Ford GT40 was one of the most successful American race cars. It won the 24 Hours of LeMans four times in a row, with victories in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969, beating out Ford's main rival Ferrari. The 40 in its name refers to the car's height, 40.5 inches. In 2005, Ford released the Ford GT, a supercar based on the legendary GT40. The Ford GT was 44.5 inches high, four inches taller than the GT40. The last Ford GT was sold in 2007, and 4,038 Ford GTs were produced.

The Ford GT is a regular at Houston Cars and Coffee events. Someone showed off a Ford GT with Carroll Shelby's signature on the glovebox. I have seen a few Ford GTs on the Houston roads. It has a similar hood to the Shelby Daytona Coupe. The hood design minimizes space for the trunk in the front. There is glass in the rear hood for people to look at the engine without opening the rear hood. The Ford GT is easy on the eyes and has a stunning design.

The Ford GT is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 550 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. It takes the Ford GT 3.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph and it reaches a top speed of 205 mph. The Ford GT cost $139,995 when it was first released. That is a lot of car for about $140,000.

Jay Leno featured the Ford GT on his website. Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Ford GT during Top Gear Series 3, Episode 1 and Series 4, Episode 8. He drove one while the guys were doing a road trip in France during Series 7, Episode 3. The Ford GT is playable in many games. It is playable in the Grand Theft Auto games, Forza games, Burnout games, Need For Speed games, Gran Turismo games, Blur, Split/Second, Project Gotham Racing games,  Driver games, Ridge Racer games, Test Drive games, and many, many other video games.

Final Thoughts: What a car! The Ford GT has great performance for a relatively low price for a supercar. Not many cars can match the performance and the price of a Ford GT. The Ford GT is just stunning. There have been a few things to go wrong with the GT. There have been glitches in the electrical and climate control systems, leaking power steering and engine coolant hoses, and the steering column rattles in some cars. There have been recalls of the Ford GT regarding the strength of the suspension control arms and flawed crankshafts that caused oil leaks. The Ford GT is a great car, but the recalls could scare buyers who want performance for under $150,000.

CarJunkie

Photo taken from a digital camera

Ford f 150

Ford f 150

The F-150 is undoubtedly the most popular among the F-Series – a series of pick-up trucks from the stables of Ford Motor Company. The F-150 happens to be the best-selling truck in the United States of America for over three decades. The F-series alone made up half of the profits of the Ford Motor Company in recent years. The F-150 was launched in 1975 – it was also called the heavy half ton by people. The eleventh generation of the F-series encompasses the 2006 model of the Ford F-150. The F-150 had been redesigned in 2004 with the new P2 platform.The 2006 model of the F-150 has a 4.6 litre Triton V8 engine – some of the newer trucks also have 3-valve, 5.4 litre 3V Triton V8 engines. The 2006 F-150 comes equipped with a four speed automatic transmission, along with a five speed manual transmission and the truck produces a whopping 300 HP. The pick-up is available both as a two door and a four door truck, and its side windows have an appearance similar to that of the Ford Super-Duty – the "Y" dip towards the front of the door. The F-150 also has a large closed loop design in its front tow hook, and can pull over 14,000 kg with just one hook.The F-150 is head and shoulders above its competitors, winning accolades including the Car and Driver magazine’s ‘Best Pick-up Truck’ award two years in a row. The 2006 model of the F-150 was also chosen as the ‘Fleet Truck of the Year’ by Business Fleet magazine as well as Automotive Fleet.Even though you’re always on the lookout for cheap deals, there is no substitute for class – and the Ford F-150 simply oozes class. Buy one today. Bid for the cheapest deals for your very own F-150 at auctions on the internet.
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Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, 2010

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, 2010

 

 

Since its victorious introduction at the NHRA Winternationals in 1968, Ford Mustang Cobra Jet has created a legacy of power, performance and triumph.
The 40th Anniversary 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet lived up to the legend of the original, duplicating the NHRA Winternationals victory in 2009 and dominating drag strips across the land.

Today, Ford Racing unveiled the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which marks the continued evolution of the CJ as a factory-produced turnkey race car. In honor of the SEMA introduction, Ford Racing built and unveiled a one-of-a-kind "SEMA Special" silver Ford Mustang Cobra Jet complete with a charcoal Cobra Jet graphics package.

For decades, the Mustang has been the preeminent car in many forms of racing, including drag racing. The 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet added to that legacy this season with high- profile wins at the NHRA Winternationals and U.S. Nationals, and by setting numerous track records across the country.

The 2010 Cobra Jet, like its predecessor, is a factory-built race car that is intended for NHRA Stock and Super Stock racing. The goal for the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet was to enhance the race features to further make its own place in NHRA history. The 2010 CJ will come with all of the features of the 2008 car with enhancements that include options for a full race-prepared automatic or manual transmission, drag race-specific shocks and springs, manual steering and brakes, 8.50 certified rollcage, and an Aeromitive return-style fuel system with trunk-mounted fuel cell.

Additionally Ford Racing engineers have developed for the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet a factory-first launch control/rev limiter that will allow drivers to preset the rpm after they stage the car. When they are ready to leave, all they do is put the throttle pedal to the floor; they don't have the engine speed to free rev. Previously, the launch control/rev limiter was only available as an aftermarket option.

Much like Ford Racing's previous Mustang FR500S race car, the Cobra Jet Mustang will get its start at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The entire 50-car run of 2010 Cobra Jets will be built on the same production line that produces the 2010 Ford Mustang production car. Production of Cobra Jets will commence in January, with delivery of all vehicles expected in the first quarter of 2010.

All of the additional parts and pieces for the CJ can be found in the Ford Performance Parts catalog. And since the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet is produced from a base V-6 Ford Mustang, any consumer can turn his Mustang into a Cobra Jet by purchasing the parts from the Ford Performance Parts catalog.

The 2010 CJ car features a choice for customers between two supercharged engines or three normally aspirated engines (pending NHRA approval). These options will allow the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet to be eligible for more classes in the NHRA, as well as competition with other sanctioning bodies, including NMRA, NMCA, PSCA and IHRA.

Ford Ranger, 2010

Ford Ranger, 2010

 

The new Ford Ranger, combining sleek and modern exterior design with genuine toughness and durability. Ford Ranger plays as hard as it works, both on and off-road.
Contemporary and sporty new exterior and interior design details make new Ford Ranger a credible lifestyle choice, while its versatility and 'tough truck' underpinnings make it a robust and reliable work partner.

Bold New Ford Ranger Face and Profile
In design terms, the new front styling gives Ford Ranger a sleeker, more modern look, but also shows it means business.

A large horizontal three-bar grille dominates, and is proudly embossed with RANGER lettering. Two black vertical nostrils either side of the grille plus the extended opening below the bumperline and large headlamps that wrap around each front corner create an instantly recognisable design statement. The lower bumper fascia also includes integrated foglamps.
New Ford Ranger's tough contemporary style is supported by solid, modern engineering. The sweeping, tapered front is more aerodynamic and sweeps rearward at its edges to incorporate Ford Ranger's bold front wheel arches. This key design detail communicates Ford Ranger's solid, confident stance and grippy handling character, whether in 4x2 or 4x4 configuration.

The Design features influenced by extensive wind tunnel testing also include the door mirrors. Increased in size for better visibility, the mirror's shape - incorporating the LED turn indicator on Wildtrak - was specifically designed to reduce air turbulence and wind noise.

Style, Space, Craftsmanship and Comfort
Despite its tough load lugging and off-road capabilities, the new Ford Ranger's interior offers car-like comfort and low noise levels, thanks to ergonomically crafted seats, climate control and MP3-compatible audio and a bodyshell engineered to isolate road noise from the cabin.

Ford Ranger's large centre console features a two-level design. Its top bin is ideal for accommodating smaller items such as a mobile phone, while its lower bin can house larger objects, including up to 10 CD cases.
Power window and mirror controls are a standard feature in all four Ford Ranger series. The driver's window has a one-touch down feature and the switch is backlit for better night visibility.

Ranger Tough
Ford Ranger isn't just about tough style. It's about proven 'truck toughness'.
Ford Ranger's toughness starts with a purpose-built truck backbone. Its unique overlapped, cross-braced ladder frame delivers clear strength superiority and the frame is engineered for greater rigidity than H-beam or open-beam configurations.
The frame structure is the foundation of Ford Ranger's load-carrying capacity, towing capability, durability, handling performance and driving quality.

The Load Ranger
The heart of Ford Ranger's truck capability is its extra-deep-sidewall pickup box. This design maximises load capacity and cargo flexibility.

Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010

Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010

 

 

For the 2010 model year, the Ford Fusion adds an all-new hybrid model. The Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid join the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, doubling both the size and volume of Ford's hybrid lineup.

The Ford Hybrid team has developed a powertrain system that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy. Additionally, the propulsion system for the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid transitions between gas and electric power and back more efficiently and seamlessly.

The overall system upgrade allows the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid to operate longer at higher speeds in electric mode. The hybrid vehicles can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. Plus, the city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.

The next-generation hybrid system features:
    * New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower/136 lb.-ft. of torque) running the proven Atkinson cycle mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission or e-CVT.
    * Intake Variable Cam Timing (iVCT), which allows the vehicle to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa. The spark and cam timing are varied according to the engine load to optimize efficiency and emissions.
    * Enhanced electronic throttle control reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
    * Wide-band lambda sensor analyzes the air-fuel ratio and adjusts the lean/rich mixture accordingly to keep the system in balance and to minimize emissions.
    * A new smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery has been optimized to produce 20 percent more power. Improved chemistry allows the battery to be run at a higher temperature and it is cooled using cabin air.
    * An added variable voltage converter boosts the voltage to the traction battery to operate the motor and generator more efficiently.
    * A new high-efficiency converter provides 14 percent increased output to accommodate a wider array of vehicle features.
    * Smarter climate control system monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin; it also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
    * The regenerative brake system captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by first delivering full regenerative braking followed by friction brakes during city driving.
    * A simulator brake actuation system dictates brake actuation and delivers improved brake pedal feel compared to the previous generation braking system.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more connected to the hybrid driving experience thanks to Ford's SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster execution that helps coach them on how to optimize performance of their hybrid.
SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant miles-per-gallon.

EcoGuide uses a multi-layered approach to coach the driver to maximum fuel efficiency.
A tutorial mode built into the display that helps the driver learn about the instrument cluster and the hybrid in a whimsical way that does not overpower. Technical enthusiasts will love the detailed gauges that will help them learn to become more efficient in their driving. Everyday drivers will love another new feature in this same gauge cluster. Called "Efficiency Leaves," the system "grows" leaves and vines on-screen to reward customers for efficient driving.

Drivers can choose one of four data screens to choose the information level displayed during their drives. They are:
    * Inform: Fuel level and battery charge status
    * Enlighten: Adds electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer
    * Engage: Adds engine output power and battery output power
    * Empower: Adds power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption

All levels can show instant fuel economy, fuel economy history, odometer, engine coolant temperature, what gear the car is in and trip data (trip fuel economy, time-elapsed fuel economy and miles to empty). The engine coolant temperature indicator turns green when engine conditions are warm enough to allow engine pull-down.

Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson, 2010

Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson, 2010

 

 

The exterior of the 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 offers a bold front fascia and six-bar shaped billet style grille and boasts specialized forged aluminum and Harley-Davidson® chrome badging. The truck will have a lowered appearance because of a fully integrated deployable running board.

Also standard are 22-inch low-profile performance tires - the largest in the F-Series lineup - and Euroflange forged wheels with a polished and painted center wheel cap. The paint selection is classic Harley-Davidson - Tuxedo Black and the first Ford application of Lava, a deep maroon with three-color metal flake.
The interior is customized to appeal to the truck buyer who appreciates the attention to detail for which both Ford and Harley-Davidson are renowned.

Door Handle Issue Prompts Recall of 281,000 Ford F-150s

A recall has been put out for certain 2009-2010 model year Ford F-150s built from January 18, 2008, through November 30, 2009, because of a potential problem with the interior door handles. More specifically, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that the interior door handle spring may fracture during normal usage resulting in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully stowed position.

"In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open," the government safety agency said in a filling. Ford said that as of January 21, 2011, there are no reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Owners of the affected F-150 models will be notified about the recall that is expected to on or about February 14, 2011.

The Upgradeable Car: A Software Influenced Future for the Auto Industry

As an automotive blogger that also works in the IT industry, I feel I have a somewhat unique perspective on in-car technology. Whereas a new car may have a three to five year buffer between upgrades and replacement models, for electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers it's more like six to eighteen months.

This brings up an interesting conundrum: what to do when the sat nav or Bluetooth devices in your car age more quickly than the car itself? Few people this side of Dhiaa Al-Essa can afford to replace their car every six months, so the answer - to automakers at least - is to do the same as software companies: roll out upgrades.

It could be something as simple as the dealership checking your oil and tire pressure remotely to recalibrating the transmission or updating the car's sat nav system. San Francisco based Cisco Systems has even constructed an experimental dashboard out of LCD panels that acts as a giant touch screen: driver's can drag and drop instruments, personalize the look and feel of said instruments and add new functions such as g-force meters.

1955 Ford "Beatnik" Bubbletop Custom Concept going up for Auction

Making its way down to Florida for RM Auction's annual Amelia Island even on March 2, is this 1955 Ford "Beatnink" Bubbletop custom concept inspired by futuristic design studies from the 1950s. Despite its name, the Beatnik is a fairly new creation built by Gary “Chopit” Fioto. It is based on the body of a 1955 Ford model but rides on a modifies chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car and is powered by a Chevrolet 350-cubic inch small-block V8 engine.

The brand mixing doesn't stop there as Fioto used a variety of components from Cadillac, Chrysler and Lincoln, including the canted quad headlights. The front bumper was adapted from a '59 Cadillac, while the rear bumper was fashioned from the front bumper of a '58 Cadillac. In addition, the finned taillights are sourced from a 1960 Chrysler. However, the front and rear fenders, the door skins and the entire rear section of the car were all hand formed.

The one-of-a-kind model, which took four years of hard work to create, also features a bespoke interior complete with an aircraft control yoke-inspired steering wheel and a rounded dash pod as a tribute to the late 1950s and early 1960s concept cars from Detroit.