Blast form the Past: Ford and Shelby to Make Mustang R-Model
May 30, 2009
Some four decades ago, Ford and Shelby made race-only Mustang 350R models in a limited-run of exactly 37 units. Now, it has been announced that the car will be revived, in the form of the Shelby R-Model Jerry Titus edition—so named for the racing great who drove a 350R to the ’67 Trans-Am title.
The R-Model will be based off the 2007 or the 2008 Mustang GT by Shelby, and it will feature specs that have high-performance racing in mind. For one, the R-Model will have a modified 4.6-liter V8. The engine will also feature a Whipple Twin Screw supercharger made by Ford Racing. The combination allows this setup to go for 550 horsepower.
Drivers will have a six-speed manual at their disposal, a T6060 transmission based on the GT500’s. The body has been heavily modified for race performance, featuring a full roll cage compliant with Grand Am requirements, a high-quality side exhaust, transmission and differential cooling along with the cooling system upgrade, and improved brakes. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels round out the package.
The body features carbon-fiber wings, the Shelby badge with custom R-Model nameplates, and the white-with-silver-stripes paint scheme that pays homage to the original cars. Neat.
Source: Motor Authority
Mini to Launch Diesel-Powered Hatch
May 29, 2009
Mini has plans of launching a new range powered diesels by 2010, and the range will be bannered by a new hatch fitted with a BMW 120d four-cylinder diesel engine. This range of Minis will already be in the pilot build phase starting in May.
While the BMW 120d engine is designed for longitudinal application, Mini engineers have managed to find a way to incorporate it in the Mini hatch’s transverse orientation engine bay. The engineers found the process to be quite “tricky”, but they were able to do it nonetheless.
The engine was tuned to tone down the power a bit, from 177 brake horsepower to somewhere nearer to 150 bhp. The test cars will see the engine mated to an automatic transmission, but chances are the production cars will be given manual transmission systems. Mini has also confirmed the possibility of providing this new model with stop-start technology.
The pilot build phase starts in May, and the pre-production models will be assembled at BMW’s Munich headquarters. Mini is targeting a 12-month development process and a 2010 Geneva Motor Show debut for the upcoming Mini diesel range.
Source: Autocar apocalypto dvdrip download
Chrysler, UAW Deal Paves Way for Fiat Partnership
May 28, 2009
Chrysler LLC and the United Auto Workers managed to get a deal worked out, after long-winded talks that threatened to jeopardize Chrysler’s pending alliance with Italian company Fiat SpA.
“We recognize this has been a long ordeal for active and retired auto workers and a time of great uncertainty,” said Ron Gettelfinger, president of the UAW. “The patience, resolve and determination of UAW members in these difficult times is extraordinary and has made it possible for us to reach the agreement we will present to our membership.”
Chrysler likewise had good words for the UAW, citing the labor union’s “endless determination and perseverance,” according to Al Iacobelli, the chief bargainer and VP of employee relations for Chrysler. Translation: That took long enough. But now, Chrysler can breathe a little sigh of relief.
Chrysler needed to secure the concessions agreement with the UAW by Thursday if the Fiat deal was to push through, which would give the company an additional $6 billion in federal loans.
Source: Detroit News
Toyota President to Race Lexus GT500 at Nurburgring
May 28, 2009
Toyota President Akio Toyoda will be at the driver’s seat of the new Lexus GT500 prototype when the 24 Hours Nurburgring runs on May 23 through 24. The car, also referred to sometimes as the Lexus LF-A, will be running in the race for the second time.
Toyoda banners the four-man driver lineup for the GT500 sports car. He had previously been at the wheel of the car for the Toyota Motorsports Festival back in November, which was held at Fuji Speedway. He drove the car for 2 laps around the track.
The LF-A prototype first saw action at the Nurburgring 4 hour VLN endurance race, winning the SP8 class. The car had a decent showing at last year’s 24 Hours Nurburgring, but lagged behind the times of other cars such as a Dodge Viper.
The car runs on a 4.8-liter V10 that gives it power of over 500 horsepower.
The LF-A has been one of those cars that aren’t deemed fit for production because of the recession. But its continued race participation shows hope for the future. The prototype, after all, is participating in the 24 Hours Nurburgring as part of the company’s development program for the car.download spider woman the divx free ghost town the movie movie download
SMMT Exploring Alternatives for British Motor Show
May 28, 2009
If the British Motor Show will push through anytime soon, chances are that it won’t be anything like the previous traditional motor shows. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are exploring alternative methods to hold the event, including making it take the form of an “automotive summit.”
The SMMT is looking at an option to pattern the British Motor Show on the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland. The SMMT is planning to coordinate with the Motor Expo at Canary Wharf , a move that should combine media events and displays for new car models.
The core of the motor show will be held in proximity to the financial and media centers of London. That kind of strategic location will make it possible for spin-off events to be held nearby, just like in the Davos forum.
The best thing about the idea is that the costs this kind of motor show would entail are relatively cheaper than the cost of traditional motor shows. That’s a good incentive for struggling automakers, as they can show off their new models and get excellent media coverage at a more manageable price and effort.
Chrysler Submits $448M EV Plans
May 28, 2009
Chrysler has just submitted three proposals to the US Department of Energy, in which the company outlined its $448-million plan that would bring its electric vehicle and hybrid vehicles to the market fast.
The proposals are in line with two of the DOE’s recent initiatives, namely the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative and the Transportation Electrification Initiative. With these initiatives, the DOE will be shouldering half of the cost outlined in the plans—that means $224 million will be from the government’s coffers, with Chrysler spending the other $224 million. Of course, the plans would still have to be approved.
Both the initiatives foster the creation of EVs and hybrids, from the development stages up to production. Chrysler will use the potential funds to create a fleet of plug-in hybrids and EVs along with a new-vehicle electrification technology and manufacturing center in Michigan.
Chrysler says that, if approved, the center could be operational as early as next year and will have the capacity to turn out around 20,000 units annually.
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