2010 Mercury Milan Spy Shots Reveal Mercury’s New Design Direction

Ford believes the future of the automobile industry lies in the compact, crossover market and to prepare, they’ll be introducing two new vehicles to the Mercury line up in 2010. First on the list is a redesigned Mercury Milan sedan, which spy shots pictured above captured recently wearing heavy camouflage. Tentatively planned to be introduced in both standard and hybrid versions, the new 2010 Milan will be based on Ford’s already existing small car line up and sit on the redesigned FWD Ford Focus platform.

Mercury’s second new introduction will be a crossover version of the Mercury Mariner, but isn’t schedule to begin production until 2011. Along with the two new additions to the family, Ford also says that consumers can expect more distinctive styling from Mercury in the future. “You can expect similar differentiation to what we have today,” Auto News quoted Ford’s product chief, Derrick Kuzak as saying, “It has been reasonably successful.”

No word yet on what projected buyer response will be, but Mercury’s current clientele, which is largely comprised of the design department’s supportive mothers, is reportedly very excited.

[Photo Cred: AutoNews.com]

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Carmakers Are Looking Into Turbochargers to Help Boost Fuel Economy in Their New Cars

With gas prices on everyone’s mind these days, government regulators are pushing for better fuel efficiency in vehicles over the next few years. The thing is, hybrid, electric, and hydrogen cars aren’t the short term answer, it’ll be a while before they become mainstream. Car companies need something they can use now to modify their traditional engines during the interim.

That something is turning out to be turbochargers.

If you’re curious how superchargers and turbochargers work, check this page out. Over the next few years, engines will continue to get smaller, with V-6s replacing V-8s, and four-cylinders replacing V-6s. I’m not sure what’ll replace four-cylinders, maybe a mouse on a wheel. Either way, automakers are going to try to preserve some of the power that the largest engines had. Turbochargers will help keeping those power levels up.

Several different carmakers have turbocharged engines in the pipeline. Starting next year, Ford plans to sell a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine in its Lincoln MKS luxury car. Chevrolet plans on giving it’s upcoming Cruze compact car a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, which will be 36 percent smaller than the engine in the Cobalt, the vehicle the Cruze will replace. That should make for a car with about 20% better fuel economy, while maintaining the Cobalt’s power.

Turbo engines 101

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2009 Ford F-150 Arrives, Places New Dodge Ram In Full Nelson

The New 2009 Ford F-150

Heavily redesigned for ‘09, the Ford F-150 is now the truck equivalent of that guy at the gym who can bench press double his body weight, graduated magna cum laude from Yale, and has a hot girlfriend. Undergoing a massive overhaul, the 2009 F-150 is bigger, faster, stronger, and - surprisingly - lighter, putting Ford squarely back on top as king of the pick-up trucks. On a corporate level, the new F-150 also represents Ford finally cashing in that reality check and realizing that knocking down your supporting column isn’t exactly the best business strategy, $4 a gallon for gas or not.

View Specs and Gallery After Jump Known for their power and durability, Ford has re-engineered the F-150 with a fully boxed frame and hydro-formed high strength steel side rails. With a sturdier, lighter chassis, the F-150 now boasts an estimated 1mpg boost in overall fuel efficiency, higher crash test ratings, and a significant increase in max towing and payload capacity. Realizing that 6-cylinders have no place beneath the hood of an F-150, new engine offerings include a 5.4L 3-valve Triton V8, 4.6L 3-valve V8, or a 4.6L 2-valve V8 - nary a V6 in site. Last year’s herd of V8’s averaged 300-hp, 275-hp, and 250-hp respectively, but this year’s body design is supposed to increase those offerings significantly, though official specs have yet to be released.

Externally, the most obvious change is its menacing grin with Ford’s chrome Super Duty grill becoming the new face for the F-150. An exercise in practicality, new retractable tailgate steps make mounting the beast a little less like an Olympic pole vaulting event while the fold-able bed extender has been upgraded from tubular aluminum to a durable plastic composite, making it stronger and more flexible. Overall bed length extends by about a foot, in part to accommodate the extra space taken up by Ford’s new dual bed organizers.  

On the inside, the ‘09 F-150 reveals a man whose personal pampering falls somewhere in between “Occasionally Showering” and ”Total Manscaping”. The key is moderation, and the F-150’s interior does a perfect job of blending the durability needed on the job site with the comfort and luxurious wanted for date night. Gaining 6-inches of total interior space [effectively become the first pick-up that isn't bullshitting when it says it can seat 4 adult men comfortably], the plastic and aluminum interior has been upgraded in favor of leather and wood-grain [or DuraTec and wood-grain "finish", if the first choice is a little too frou-frou for you].

2009 Ford F-150 Platinum

After several nasty, public break-ups between Ford and F-series, the ensuing steamy makeup session that bought the F-150 all its shiny new baubles also yielded another little miracle for 2009, a big bundle of Platinum joy. Set to replace the Lincoln Mark LT luxury pick-up, the 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum pick-up has all the rugged capability of its siblings as well as more bling than a gangster rap posse. Lauded by some of the more “sensitive” auto bloggers as an egregiously masculine, laughably compensatory truck, the F-150 Platinum comes standard with a Triton V8, satin chrome grill, and a tuxedo-stitched leather interior.

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What We Have Here Is A[n Epic] Failure To Communicate

Warning: Hilarity extraction requires attentive reading. From failblog.org

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The Terrafugia Transition: Roadable Aircraft and Total Mind[aggressive fornication]

Yesterday Carl Deitrich, CEO of the new company Terrafugia Inc, introduced his brainchild, the Terrafugia Transition, to the consuming public. Dubbed the “Modern Day Chitty Chitty Bang Band”, the Terrafugia Transition is a roadable aircraft designed for travel on the road and in the air, the ultimate goal being convenience. As such, the Transition’s fully retractable wings are expected to provide for easy storage in a single car garage while its diminutive overall stature will allow the operator to utilize the 5,000 small-craft airports that currently dot the U.S. [Dietrich averages there is at least 1 such airport within any 25-mile point in the continental U.S.].

View photos taken at the Terrafugia Transition’s Proof of Concept unveiling at the EAA Air Venture “Read More”

According to Deitrich the Terrafugia Transition features a standard aircraft engine and cockpit controls, making its target demographic general aviation pilots, or those who are already familiar with aircraft navigation. Despite its aeronautical inclination, the Terrafugia Transition will not only be completely street legal but surprisingly fuel efficient as well, averaging about 30-40 mpg on the ground [28-30 mpg in the air]. Deitrich expects fully operational models to be available later this year with prices to start at around $194,000.

The Terrafugia Transition at the EAA Air Venture, Oshkosh, WI.

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Smart ForTwo Receives High Marks in US Crash Tests: Still Afraid To Go Small?

2008 smart fortwo - NHTSA side impact crash test 

The Smart ForTwo has been selling in the US for months and yet it is not until now that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed its crash testing of the minuscule auto. Ofcourse, with the car being the size that it is in comparison to most other vehicles on the roads of America safety is a primary concern. Then again in spite of a lack of reporting from the Crash-Ologist’s of the US Government the Smart ForTwo has been selling faster than they can arrive on our shores.

The video at the top of the page demonstrates the side-impact test on the Smart ForTwo. The NHTSA gave the ForTwo a 5 star rating, their highest award, despite the driver side car door becoming unclasped and opening. An open door in a crash is never a good sign, as the NHTSA noted it could lead to passenger ejection, but it did not worry the NHTSA enough to lower the score accredited to the car.

The video below demonstrates the frontal-impact test for the Smart ForTwo. The combined score for the frontal assault was 4 stars; 4 star rating for the driver with a 3 star rating for the passenger. With a 3 star rating on the passenger side you should make a note to yourselves - always volunteer to drive when getting into a Smart ForTwo. (more…)

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Mitsuoka’s LHD Orichi is the Latest Supercar Export from Japan

After stepping out with their first supercar at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2007, a left hand drive version of the Mitsuoka Orochi is ready to stretch its wheels beyond the borders and across the Sea of Japan. But do not get your hopes up Americans, as so far the plans are only for a few particularly wealthy countries in the Middle East and Thailand.

The Orochi was originally built and sold just in Japan, but after being approached by a wealthy collector out of Qatar Mitsuoka decided to engineer the Orochi for sale outside of Japan. Hmmm… I wonder what kind of persuasion was used by said wealthy tycoon from Qatar? Other Middle Easter countries to receive the LHD Orochi are Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

The grinning snakes head front end of the Orochi is certainly a unique design, if not slightly cartoonish. It does maintain a sleek performance appearance housed around a questionable Toyota 3.3 liter V6 powerplant. However, with light-weight construction there may be plenty to surprise from the mid-engined Orochi. It would fit right in with what the Wachowski Brothers are using in the latest Speed Racer Movie.

Be sure to check out the Photo Gallery and Video footage of the Orochi after the leap. (more…)

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The Green Mile vs. the Quarter Mile; EPA vs. Horsepower

There is a conflict brewing in the auto industry and it is not just with the designers and decision makers. The conflict is in the consumer as well. There are Green forces that are encouraging us to want fuel efficient, low emissions vehicles while at the same time there are Performance forces that encourage us to desire the vehicle that goes faster or hauls more. It is a Frosted Mini Wheat of a conundrum and until there are sufficient cars on the road that satisfy our Frosted Side for performance and our healthy Wheat side with low environmental impact we are going to continue to have this fight.

According to Wards Auto  (via the Motor Authority) the EPA, the federal agency that regulates emissions and determines MPG ratings for cars (among other tasks), is calling for an end to the horsepower wars that they see being waged within the auto industry. Apparently the Gas Guzzler Tax that is slapped on high horsepower and low fuel mileage cars is not deterrent enough. They are calling on the auto industry to scull back the horsepower battle and to refocus their energies on Greener projects. (more…)

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What do want in your car?

Well according to a survey done by Gartner Inc, there is a list of gadgets or features that people would like to see in their cars. The list does not really have any surprises in it, so there are no really outrageous wants, like beer on tap, or a microwave oven built into the dashboard for those snacks on the move.

1. Embedded, hands-free phone system - some cars have these, they are ok, but it means having another cell phone to take around with you.

2. Way to plug a cell phone into a car’s audio system - now this one is a bit more realistic, and would be very useful is the audio system actually had a docking station, rather than having to use wires and phone holders.

3. Emergency call function - great idea for lone drivers, but would need to be more than just a button to push to prevent accidents.

4. Theft recovery - same as above, some car have them already.

5. Digital satellite radio - some like Sirius is good.

6. Satellite navigation with wireless map updates - this is a must, as the road networks are changing all the time.

7. Radar-controlled cruise control - this would be ok, provided the system works fine, it is no excuse to blame the radar if you get caught speeding.

8. CD player that can play MP3 discs - ok if you love music.

9. Lane departure warning system - essential now days, it is all too easy to make this mistake; many accidents are caused by a simple error.

10. Way to plug portable music player into audio system - ok if the system has a docking station, otherwise there are wires and equipment loose inside the car.

These are course what people desire, most are available in today’s cars, but not everyone needs or wants them, my car has a built in sat nav, and I have never used it. It is down to the individual.

Source [LA Times]

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Pagani will build the Zonda R

For a while there was the possibility that the Zonda R would not be built, however after much deliberations and probably the fact that the company has been given six deposits for six of the ten cars to be built, it did not take much thinking about.

The price of the car is going to be just 1.2 million euros and production is going to be limited to only ten cars. But do the math that not a bad turnover and the first car is due to be delivered in march 2008 and will be powered by a 7.3 liter V12 engine, that will deliver around 750 bhp.

It must be a sign of the times that a car that has such a high cost attached it is in such a great demand that the company could not possibly fulfill this demand, all those millions of euros hanging around just waiting to spent, it is such a hard life.

Pagani will be replacing the Zonda R in 2009 with the low profile name of C9 (Sounds like a Citroen!) although even with this model of the cars certified for sale, over 50% will become available for the first time in the US and Japan.

Source [eGM Car Tech]

http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/07/06/pagani-zonda-r-production-confirmed/

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