Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque
Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM
In February, the specs on Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 were announced: 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. A month later, General Motors laid out the specs on its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel: 397 hp and 765 lb-ft. According to PickupTrucks.com, the Duramax could be shoved to the corner again later this year, when a high-output Super Duty blows out the footlights with 400 hp and 800 - or more - lb-ft of twisting gumption.
According to the unknown source within the Blue Oval, Ford's new 6R140 TorqShift six-speed transmission has strong enough guts that Ford can open up the taps on that engine a bit. And give GM something to think about. If this absurdly powerful dream does come true, the behemoth motor will be seen in the second wave of 2011 Super Duty pickups that begin production in a few months. No word on whether early adopters of the 6.7-liter will get a free upgrade.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6
Filed under: Ford
Ford has got the gas mileage goods on its 2011 EcoBoost-powered Explorer, and it's news you might like if you want one: you'll get 30 percent better mileage with the inline-four than you could with the outgoing V6. Ford did, however, leave a key detail out of the press release touting this: it didn't reveal the actual mileage number, "pending EPA certification."
Nevertheless, with the 2010 Explorer's 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 EPA rated at 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 out on the highway, you're looking at a healthy increase all over with the four-pot turbo doing the work up front. Follow the jump for Ford's press release that details all the reasons your wallet won't be so sad if you end up buying a 2011 Explorer.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6
2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsEx-Fiesta Movement cars will live on at Team O’Neil Fiesta Rally Experience
Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Hatchback, Ford
The real revolutionaries in the Fiesta Movement - the cars themselves, not the agents - have more work to do even though they're kind of on sale now and the revolution is over. Ford is giving 43 of the 100 Fiestas from the movement to the Team O'Neil Reilly Rally School in New Hampshire, where the hatchbacks will be refitted for student racing duty.
They'll form the core of the Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience, the only manufacturer-backed rally school on the continent. One- and two-day courses start at $495, and your gravel guide will be a man who's coached Travis Pastrana and Ford's WRC driver, Ken Block. Maybe while you're there you'll find out what made Reilly quip, "Driving the Fiesta is like driving an expensive German car." All the info you need on how to get there you can find in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Ex-Fiesta Movement cars will live on at Team O'Neil Fiesta Rally Experience
Ex-Fiesta Movement cars will live on at Team O'Neil Fiesta Rally Experience originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Chung, Mullaly, Winterkorn named top car company CEOs
Filed under: Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen
Automotive News has put together its list of 2010 auto industry all-stars, and taking first place in American, European and Asian CEO categories are Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Volkswagen CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn, and Hyundai-Kia CEO Chung Mong-koo. Hard to fault the choices, and it shouldn't come as a surprise at all that the same three gentlemen took slots two through four of Motor Trend's list of top 50 auto execs for 2009.
Mulally was cited because his "steadfast plan to turn Ford around is bearing fruit in impressive fashion" and Chung was lauded for having " turned the Hyundai brand into a superpower." Winterkorn, who could have been awarded based on VW's Hulk-like growth, was actually noted for his "Strategy 2018," by which time he plans for the VW group to be selling ten million cars per year. Check this spot in eight years to see if he's still an all-star. For now, though, congrats to all.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd.]
Report: Chung, Mullaly, Winterkorn named top car company CEOs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX configurators up and running
Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury
The 2011 Ford Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX configurators have gone live for your shopping - or time-wasting - enjoyment. The Edge SE starts at $27,220 for the 3.5-liter V6, but you can hit it out of the park before even leaving the first page by selecting the Edge Sport all-wheel drive for $38,070. That'll get you a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 canvas to play with. There isn't much more you can add to it, but after stuffing it like a turkey we got it up to $45,171. For those with a mind to be a kinder on wallets and Mother Earth, there are SEL and Limited trims on offer, as well as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine (...eventually).
The Lincoln MKX puts less on the table when it comes to varieties: the front-wheel drive starts at $39,145, the AWD at $40,995. Both get that 3.7-liter V6, six-speed SelectShift transmission and SYNC as standard fit. If you go the package route, your work is just about finished, because they cement quite a few exterior and interior choices. But don't take our words for it - click the links and get to configuratin'. Hot tips, Drew and Tony!
[Source: Ford, Lincoln]
2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX configurators up and running originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Detroit Three’s average transaction prices better than Japan, Korea
Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials
Hyundai has had the largest jump in transaction prices so far this year, but the Detroit Three have made the kinds of gains they haven't seen in years. Overall, according to Edmunds.com data, consumers spent an average of $29,217 on a car through the first five months of this year, with the domestics all meeting or exceeding that number. Only Chrysler fell a hair short, with an average transaction price just seven dollars below the industry average. However, all three Detroit companies posted percentage increases that beat the industry.
While the popularity of full-sized pickups, crossovers and SUVs has made a difference for Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, the "more disciplined approach" to running their business caused by the recession and their own financial issues, has also been credited for reducing inventory and incentives. Additionally, buyers with good credit make up more of the consumer pool now, and they're choosing more technology and options for their cars. If they keep this up they might one day be The Big Three again. Eventually...
[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Edmunds.com]
Report: Detroit Three's average transaction prices better than Japan, Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Focus chief engineer leaves Ford for… yacht builder?
Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford
Jens Ludmann, the German engineer in Ford's European arm who led the development of the S-Max, Mondeo and 2012 Focus, is departing the automaker after a successful 10-year run. Where to? He's leaving the Blue Oval to join the deep blue sea, taking over as CEO of Bavaria Yachtbau, a German builder of sailing and motor yachts.While his industry and title will change, the aim of his job won't: turn compelling ideas into profitable products. Having done that with three of Ford's best known vehicles in just ten years, Bavaria Yachtbau could have made a great score, and Ford has a massive gap to fill.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]
Report: Focus chief engineer leaves Ford for... yacht builder? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns
Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Work, Ford
In a recall scheduled to begin in about 10 days, Ford dealers will be repairing headliners in Transit Connect vans due to faulty retention pins. In the event of an accident, passengers could be at increased risk of injury due to the faulty trim. Full details on the recall involving 33,728 of the popular vans can be found after the jump.
[Source: NHTSA]
Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns
Ford recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Ford loses $445M judgment against IRS
Filed under: Government/Legal, Ford, Earnings/Financials
Toward the end of the last millennium, Ford thought it might owe the IRS some money for possibly underpaying taxes between 1983 and 1994. To convince the IRS to halt the accrual of interest on any amount Ford might have underpaid, Ford gave the IRS a lump sum of cash.
However, turns out that Ford had overpaid its taxes, so the IRS had to return the lump sum of cash that Ford used to halt the interest. The IRS did so. But while the IRS held onto Ford's money, that money had gained $445 million in interest in the IRS account. When the IRS didn't pay Ford the interest, Ford sued to get it... and Ford lost. A U.S. district judge declared that the extra amount is not subject to refund. Not that it will make you feel any better, but now you know that it's not just the little guy who gets caught up in the arcanum of the U.S. tax code.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
Report: Ford loses $445M judgment against IRS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsIIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs
Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has completed a round of rollover testing on 12 mid-sized SUVs (though most are technically CUVs, but whatevs), and the results show that some carmakers are exceeding federal rollover standards. Six of the haulers scored a Good rating, led by the 2010 Jeep Liberty, one scored Acceptable, and the remaining five were Marginal. The Good rating means a tested car has a roof that is twice as strong as the current government safety standard.
Five of the top six - the Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander and Venza, and Kia Sorento - also scored Good marks for front-, side- and rear-occupant protection, and so earn the coveted classification of being an IIHS Top Safety Pick. If your CUV isn't listed, fear not, as the IIHS is testing them in groups.
Follow the jump for the full release, and you can have a look at the entire batch of tested vehicles in the high-res gallery below.
[Source: IIHS]
Continue reading IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs
IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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