MUST WATCH Shelby Cobra 289 FIA Specification & Video

Vital Stats

Engine:

NA 5.7L V8

Power:

400+ HP (est)

Transmission:

5-Speed Manual

Drivetrain:

Rear-Wheel Drive

Curb Weight:

2,200 LBS (est)

Seating:

2

MSRP:

$133,215 (as tested)

  





     
   

   

 For the ultimate rush, drive a Shelby Cobra. It is about as close as one can get to climbing on top of an American V8, wrapping gloved fingers around red-hot exhaust manifolds and then holding on for dear life as it tries to buck you off.

We just spent an hour behind the wheel of a brand-new fiberglass-body Shelby Cobra 289 FIA. The CSX7000 is a faithful recreation of the legendary race cars that circled tracks around the world from 1962 through 1965. Under the hood of this particular Jet Black sports car with a bright yellow transverse stripe is a stroked FordRacing Boss 302. With its side pipes cackling, the 347 cubic inch eight-cylinder generates more than 400 horsepower to motive a featherweight 2,200-pound chassis. "Overpowered" is an understatement.

We met up with the 289 FIA at Shelby Distribution USA, located in Irvine, California. The company has been selling Cobras for six years, all legally under license from Shelby American, Inc. (based in Las Vegas, Nevada). Shelby Distribution offers a variety of Shelby Cobra and Shelby Daytona Coupe models with aluminum or fiberglass body panels and they also sell a wicked-looking GT40.

A Cobra boasts an old-school design that makes it physically unlike everything else on the road today.

Our test vehicle was a Shelby Cobra CSX7000 289 FIA with a base price of $79,995 – priced as a roller minus the engine and gearbox. A slew of customizing options, including Raydot-style mirrors, full leather interior, fuel cap deflector, Salisbury differential and ceramic-coated headers pushed the price up slightly. But the big ticket item was the muscular Ford Racing Boss 302 Stroker 347 and Tremec T5 five-speed manual gearbox. With options and powertrain, chassis R0003 carried a list price of $133,215.

A Cobra boasts an old-school design that makes it physically unlike everything else on the road today. First of all, it is a front-engine rear-drive sports car with all of the mass of the engine set behind the front axle. The driver sits very far back on the chassis, aligned with the front of the rear wheels, and there is very little rear overhang. This arrangement helps to offset what would typically be a nose-heavy footprint (the Cobra has a decent weight distribution with about 48 percent of its mass over the front wheels).


Second, the driver and front passenger sit to the outside of the platform, with a large transmission tunnel separating the two. The driver's footwell on most of today's exotics is compromised by the front wheel well (feet are pushed to the right). In the Cobra, on the other hand, legs and feet are pushed to the left by the intruding tunnel. There is plenty of room for shoes and toes, but they are shifted to the outside.

The only thing holding you in place is a three-inch comp-style vintage seat belt with a metal quick release latch.

Lastly, the cabin ergonomics are focused on racing. While the tachometer and primary analog gauges are in plain view, the speedometer is on the passenger side of the dashboard, allegedly added smugly by Shelby to please officials. The turn signal lever is on the right side of the column and nearly all of the secondary controls, including lights, fuel pump and fan, are toggle switches. All mirrors are manually controlled, and the all-important rearview cabin mirror is mounted at the top of the dashboard, peering through seats and safety tubing.

Dropping a six-foot, two-inch frame into the passenger compartment wasn't difficult, but one needs to avoid leaning on the windshield surround or soft bodywork as they don't like to be overstressed – your author found the sturdy roll bars best to use as a brace. Understandably, the Cobra lacks all modern safety equipment (no three-point belts, airbags, head restraints or side-intrusion door beams) so the only thing holding you in place is a three-inch comp-style vintage seat belt with a metal quick release latch. The wood-rimmed steering wheel is fixed in place (its lower right half resting firmly against your author's thighs).



A lack of overhead structure means visibility outward is only limited by the ozone layer. It is essentially unlimited as far as other traffic on the surrounding roadway is concerned. The door sills are low, great for resting elbows, but unpadded so we didn't rest them there. However, the retro-cool low-back leather racing seats are much more comfortable than they appear, even after more than an hour in the saddle.

At idle, the engine shook the chassis and everything else as it angrily popped, burbled and snarled.

Customers have many choices when it comes to powerplants and exhaust (427s and 289s are popular), but we grew very fond of how our test vehicle was configured. Under its forward-hinged hood was a race-tuned Boss 302 V8 from Ford Racing stroked to 347 cubic inches (horsepower was estimated at "more than 400") mated to a Tremec T5 five-speed manual gearbox. The exhaust, lacking all choking emissions controls, exits via side pipes just in front of each rear wheel. At idle, the engine shook the chassis and everything else as it angrily popped, burbled and snarled.

While aluminum-bodied Cobras are available, they are expensive and honestly quite fragile. Those who intend to drive and enjoy their purchase most often opt for fiberglass (like our test vehicle). The synthetic skin is light and durable; the curb weight on our black beauty was only about 2,200 pounds.


As is often the case with classics, all of the oddities were quickly forgotten after we turned the left-mounted key. After twisting and holding it for about two seconds, the Ford V8 roared to life with the subtleness of Leo, the MGM lion.

Around town in choking city traffic, it was easy to drive but far from perfect.

The Tremec gearbox has a very short throw, its movement stiff and very mechanical in operation, but the clutch was nicely weighed and easy to engage without stalling. The noise of the engine is a constant reminder that there are big explosions going on up front, with the concussions blowing dust and dirt off the pavement below the ferociously loud exhaust pipes. The Cobra does indeed put on a great show.

Around town in choking city traffic, the Cobra was easy to drive but far from perfect. The unassisted steering was heavy (as expected) while the heat from the engine began to find its way into the passenger compartment. Things got hot, a problem compounded by the warm summer sun. A toggle activates an auxiliary electric radiator fan up front, and it did a nice job dropping the engine temperatures. Your author, on the other hand, turned pink and was burnt by the sun before day's end.

If it were up to us, we'd slap on some R-compound tires for some genuine cheap thrills.

When pressed hard in first gear, the V8 responded quickly. It wasn't difficult to break the rear tires free at low rpm, but power built much more strongly as the tachometer swept around the dial. Above 5,000 rpm, the engine was thundering and the Cobra 289 blasted forward. Redline wasn't indicated on the dial, but it was easy to feel when the power dropped and it was time to slam it into the next gear. Lift slightly, clutch, shift, clutch and then apply full throttle (for best results, repeat four more times in rapid succession). The aggressive driving seemed to feed the Shelby's ego, and it howled each time the accelerator was floored.

Handling isn't the Cobra's strength (suspensions and steering have come a long way in five decades). Despite independent front and rear geometry, the Shelby was a handful. Even after acclimating to its mannerisms, the slow turn-in and heavy steering is archaic by today's standards, and a slippery wood steering wheel didn't help build confidence. Our test car was wearing retro Cooper Radial G/T tires with white lettering. They looked stellar, but simply lacked the grip and rigidity of modern high-performance rubber. If it were up to us, we'd slap on some R-compound tires for some genuine cheap thrills.

The stint in the Shelby was every bit as educational as the experience was exhilarating.

Nevertheless, there are few things more intoxicating to a car enthusiast than fresh air in the face, the stench of hot exhaust and the roar of a stroked V8 under wide-open throttle. But the fun had to end. After an hour behind the wheel, we were wind-blown, sunburned and pretty much exhausted, but with cheeks creased from grinning ear-to-ear.

The stint in the Shelby was every bit as educational as the experience was exhilarating. It was academic, because the replica faithfully recreates the driving experience endured by the racers in the 1960s, right down to the sounds, smells and physical effort required to manhandle such a crude machine. It was thrilling because the Shelby was so engaging, never seeming to relax or settle down. Some will argue (correctly) that today's crop of computerized sports cars run faster and corner harder, yet they often leave a traditional enthusiast feeling empty-handed. In sharp contrast, the meticulously recreated and timeless Cobra 289 FIA delivers raw driver involvement in 40-foot bulk containers.

Read More

Check it out How does a 700-HP twincharged Ariel Atom sound?

It sounds like the flittering of fresh $100 bills, or at least that's what we assume it sounds like. DDMWorks in South Carolina has released the first 700 conversion kit for the Ariel Atom 2. By strapping both a turbocharger and a supercharger to the Ecotec 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the company has managed to wring a full 700 horsepower from the mill. Of course, the internals required a bit of massaging. DDMWorks threw in Darton mid sleeves, ceramic-coated Wiseco pistons, H-beam Carrillo rods and ARP hardware throughout. A set of 1,100-cc fuel injectors keep the engine fed, and a custom air-to-water heat exchanger keeps the supercharger output serviceable. The turbo, meanwhile, relies on an air-to-air intercooler.

DDMWorks went with 275-mm wide rear tires on custom 17x9 wheels to get the power to the ground. The company has even supplied the driver with the option of three power levels, including 450 hp, 575 hp and the Full Monty. Sound perfectly sinister to us.

Read More

MUST READ:- IIHS considering autonomous braking, other tech as part of crash evaluations.

Automakers are constantly working to make their vehicles safer than ever before, and while much of that effort is spent in areas the public will never see, recent years have welcomed a rash of more highly visible advancements. Those include autonomous-emergency braking (AEB) systems like Volvo City Safety andMercedes-Benz Pre-Safe Braking, as well as lane departure warnings and adaptive headlights. While most of these systems still function largely as optional equipment on luxury vehicles, there's a growing push to see some of them go mainstream. The European Commission and Euro NCAP have indicated AEB technology will be a part of European crash evaluations beginning in 2014.

According to The Telegraph, studies suggest the move could save as many as 8,000 lives per year by reducing accidents by up to 27 percent while saving more than $6.12 billion. Given the push for ever more interchangeable global products, it seems unavoidable for U.S. crash evaluation bodies to follow suit. Russ Rader, a spokesperson with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, tells Autoblog his organization has already commenced research on that front.

"The IIHS is looking at a number of crash avoidance technologies to determine how effective they are in real world driving," Rader said.

IIHS has compiled significant insurance data for crashes involving vehicles both with and without ABE systems.

"Based on the evidence of the effectiveness of auto-brake systems, we expect them to be added to our evaluations in the future."

When is that, exactly? Rader isn't certain, though when it happens, the difference between having AEB and not will likely differentiate between which models go home with a Top Safety Pick designation and which do not.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was not immediately available for comment as to whether or not the government agency is considering a similar move for its crash worthiness evaluations.

IIHS has also seen evidence indicating adaptive headlight systems greatly reduce the risk of crashes as well, which means the lighting may also play a part in crash evaluations moving forward.

Despite the substantial human and trickle-down monetary benefits, additional lighting and AEB systems remain expensive and not widely available. The Telegraph found AEB to be available on just 22 percent of vehicles on sale in Europe right now.

Read More

The UAW invokes civil rights movement in bid to unionize Nissan plant.

The United Auto Workers continues to pursue the unionization of a foreign automaker's plant in the U.S. and has redoubled its efforts on the Nissan facility in Canton, Mississippi. According to Reuters, the union plans to paint the organization effort as "the civil rights battle of the 21st century." Gary Casteel, one of the UAW's highest-ranking officials in the South has been quoted as saying the civil rights experience was fought in Mississippi. Since 70 percent of the Canton workforce is black, the UAW hopes the civil rights card will bring more votes toward unionization.

It's unclear whether the tactic will resonate with workers as the UAW has had little luck getting a foreign-owned plant to organize over the past 30 years. The union has pressed Nissan especially hard by attempting to unionize the company's Smyrna, Tennessee plant twice. Workers voted against the move both times.UAW President Bob King says that his organization needs to incorporate foreign-owned plants if it intends to survive. The UAW has seen membership slide off to a quarter of its numbers in 1979.

The Canton plant employs 3,900 workers and will soon be home to the next-generation Sentra. According to the Reuters report, the average full-time worker there earns $59,600 per year, with five hours of overtime per week. Veteran UAW workers, meanwhile, bring home $69,500 per year.

Read More

London's special traffic lanes for Olympians branded 'Zil lanes'

The British have a unique sense of humor – think Monty Python and Benny Hill – and there's no reason that the 2012 Olympics shouldn't be cause for celebrating it. 

So when we caught wind of this story from the BBC, we had to smile. It seems Londoners fed up with the Olympic intrusion into their daily lives have dubbed the special lanes of traffic used by athletes and IOC officials "ZIL lanes," in reference to the notorious practice of having dedicated lanes of traffic for Communist Party poobahs in the Soviet Union.

ZIL was the manufacturer of the giant black limousines – like the 114 model pictured above – that denoted party power in the old USSR. Despite having little traffic at the time, Moscow had a few of these rezervniye polosy lanes, according to the BBC, one of which is still in operation. While the ZIL limos are now resigned to history, Kutuzovsky Prospekt now sees plenty of high-powered German machinery ferrying Russian officials past the proletariat.

Read More

BREAKING NEWS:- Diesel vehicle sales up 27.5% so far in 2012.

Through the first six months of the year, Americans purchased 61,214 diesel-powered vehicles, not including heavy-duty diesel pickup trucks, according to a study by HybridCars.com and Baum and Associates. That figure represents a 27.5-percent improvement over the previous year.

Not counting HD trucks, .8 percent of vehicles sold in the States are diesel cars; including pickups brings that number up to three percent. Some of the best sales performances are being turned in by Audi,Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, with the A3 TDI accounting for almost 65 percent of all A3 sales.

Hybrid sales are also up, according to the report, increasing by 63.5 percent over 2011's levels, and, with a slew of new models coming in the next few years, clean vehicle sales aren't likely to slow down any time soon. And we'll welcome them with open arms. 

Read More

BAC Mono slithers around in the wet with Chris Harris.

Chris Harris has gotten his hands on the BAC Mono on a closed track. With 280 horsepower and a curb weight of just 1,190 pounds, the machine may very well be the king of the open-wheel, street-legal hooligans.

With the track wet enough to boast plenty of standing water, Harris gets a notion for just how controllable the Mono can be. The rest of us get to soak up plenty of shots of him sticking the tail out four our enjoyment. With the machine's gorgeous carbon fiber body work, exposed piston suspension geometry and angry vertical projector lenses ensure it won't be missed on public roads, either.

Harris isn't one for hyperbole, which makes his comments on the vehicle's dynamics all the more interesting. He says the BAC Mono is the best car he's ever driven in the wet. It certainly looks that way. You can check out the full clip below to see his impressions for yourself. Just be warned: he audio quality takes a dip when he mics up under his helmet.

Read More

The Lexus shows off LS Reveal Video, reminds us how strange debut events can be!!!!!!

Lexus has revealed more of the 2013 LS through a video 'news broadcast' of its unveiling ceremony. Through the party footage, we are able to seem more angles of the Japanese automaker's spindle-grilled flagship, which shares quite a lot visually with the slightly smaller GS. The Lexus shindig also has its own on-air correspondent, Jeff Krapf, to guide video watchers through the San Francisco event. Prior to the debut, Krapf recorded a canned interview with Lexus Global Marketing Chief, Mark Templin, which is here,too.

Things get weird (at least for a vehicle debut) when Lexus brings in designer power couple Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler to direct an art exhibit, highlighted by photographers displaying photos of what they feel 'attraction' is.

Perhaps more interesting is a second trailer-like video that has Lexus reflecting on the history of the LS range, including the model's many range of industry firsts.

Click here to watch both videos.

Read More

AOL Autos Mini Countryman winner picks up prize, what else should we give away?

Remember when we announced that our sister site, AOL Autos, was giving away a Mini Countryman? That was the beginning of AOL Autos Giveaway, a new program in which the site will give away cars and auto accessories to its Facebook fans. At the same time, we at Autoblog ran our own series of sweepstakes and gave away fun stuff like a LEGO set and R/C car, and more useful swag like a battery charger and garage wall organizing system.

We're going to make these giveaways a regular thing for both sites. More cars. More stuff. We're gathering up radar detectors, GPS devices, bike racks, cargo carriers, etc., so stay tuned for more stuff, and keep liking AOL Autos and Autoblog on Facebook, because that's all we ask in return for entering the sweepstakes.

In the comment section below, let us know what stuff (including cars) you would most like to be in the running to receive. We are taking these suggestions seriously.

We know what you are thinking? Ugh....nobody ever wins that stuff. Wrong. And to prove it, check out this post from AOL Autos that retraces the program and includes some of what we thought about our long-term Mini Countryman, as well as who won the car we gave away. Hint: The winner could be doing your knee replacement in about seven or eight years.

Read More

Breaking News:Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners

Toyota has announced that it will recall a total of 778,000 units that may have been manufactured with improperly-tightened nuts on the rear suspension. The manufacturer says around 760,000 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 models and 18,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h units may have fasteners that were not torqued to the correct specification during alignment.

If that's the case, excess wear could occur and pave the way for rust and separation, which in turn could cause an accident. Toyota says the company is currently working on a solution. Once available, the manufacturer will notify owners and ask them to make an appointment to bring the vehicle by the closest dealer for a free repair.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced earlier this month that it was investigating RAV4 models for this very issue after receiving complaints of tie rod failures due to rust.

Read More

Penske Racing drops AJ Allmendinger after positive drug test

You could see this one coming like the draft around the high banks at Talladega. Penske Racing gave beleaguered NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger his walking papers today, a week after the sanctioning body indefinitely suspended him for failing a drug test. Allmendinger is currently ranked 25th in the points in the series.

While neither Penske nor Allmendinger got into the details about the test, ESPN is reporting that amphetamines were found in the driver's testing sample, which was corroborated by Allmendinger's business manager. The doctor administrating NASCAR's drug testing program told ESPN that it wasn't likely that the test could have been caused by any supplements or over-the-counter medicine. Allmendinger has pledged to immediately begin NASCAR's Road to Recovery rehab program, which, if successfully completed, would allow him to be reinstated. Allmendinger's seat in the No. 22 Dodge has been handed to former Indy Car champion Sam Hornish Jr., who has long ties to the Penske Racing organization.

Read More

Koenigsegg Automotive AB is a non-listed free traded Swedish Public Company. The Company has around 90 shareholders. As the company is free trading the number of shareholders can vary. Christian von Koenigsegg is the CEO and a major shareholder.

Read More

Mercedes SL65 AMG Gets Chrome Purple Wrap and ADV.1 Wheels

We can’t help but start this piece of news with telling you that the V12 technical masterpiece in the SL65 AMG you see in the adjacent images is probably crying its valves out due to the fact that the metallic package that holds it has been covered in a color like chrome purple.

We don’t know why the owner chose this shade that falls i

nto the “overkill” category, but we’re happy that at least he chose a proper set of wheels. The rims on this car come from ADV.1 Wheels, which gifted the SL65 with its ADV05DC goodies. As their name suggests, these come with a deep concave profile.

The new wheels use a matte black finish that matches the color of the various details used by the front and rear fascias of the vehicle.

Read More

Lamborghini Aventador Gets ADV.1 Wheels and... Elephant

US wheels specialist Advance One Wheels has developed a passion for the Lamborghini Aventador and while this might be true for every automotive enthusiast in the world (probably with the exception of a few Prancing Horse fans), ADV.1 Wheels can also do something more than just dreat at it or drive it.

The company has already shows us an A

ventador wearing its rolling goodies, but now it has prepared a new set of shoes for the Raging Bull. The Aventador was gifted with ADV5 rims that use a concave design at the rear and come with a chrome finish that definitely isn’t for everybody’s taste.

The company went to great lengths to promote its development, using an... are you ready? elephant for the Aventador photo shoot. In fact, ADV.1 Wheels has offered us a teaser for this, but now we get the rear deal.

PS: if you don't like the association between a car and an elephant, maybe a car and a camel work together better for you.

Read More

John Mayer Selling Ford GT Heritage Edition

With 10 million albums sold in the US and 20 million worldwide, as well as collaboration with many well known pop and blues artists, you could say that John Mayer has had his fair share of success in his musical career.

The 34-year old is reportedly dating Katy Perry now. However, it seems he’s also trying to put his rocker years behind him and is se

lling the Ford GT supercar that he owned on eBay.

The car is listed at a staggering $265,000 but considering it’s also a special edition, we’d say it’s not a completely unfair price. The GT also comes with all the goodies, like a trick sound system, a wrap in 3M body protection, and tinted windows.

The 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition was built to commemorate Ford’s Le Mans victories in 1968 and 1969. It features a paintjob in Heritage Blue and Epic Orange, the same colors used by the original Golf Oil racing cars.

 

Read More

Porsche, VW finally says "I Do"

If you weren't paying close attention, you probably missed the climax of the Volkswagen and Porsche union.After three years of trying to plan the perfect wedding – and by "perfect" we mean one in which VW didn't have to pay $1.9 billion in tax on the transaction – and two years in which Porsche inadvertently played Bridezilla, the consummation has resulted in matter-of-fact announcements and a jargon-filled press release from VW.

So now that Porsche belongs 100-percent to VW, what does it mean? For the moment, not much that outsiders will be able to see. The eagerness to tie the knot has been about unlocking the cost savings of the unified firm, said to be €700 million ($856M U.S.), and clearing out Porsche's debt burden of something like €2.5 billion ($3.1B U.S.). The two companies already work together on models like the Panamera andMacan, and have a platform-sharing future already mapped. Filing the final paperwork means they can continue their collaboration even more closely and without regulators peering over shoulders.

Read More

July 2012 - Not Enough Time Edition!!!!!

Ever hear the expression that there aren't enough hours in the day? For General Motors and Ford, there weren't enough days in July. These two domestics sold fewer vehicles last month than the year before, but they also had two fewer days to work with, July having only 24 selling days to work with this year versus last year's 26. So you may hear some news reports decrying these two automakers for slipping sales, but in actuality, the average number of vehicles that each sold per day in July increased, and that's what really counts.

All that said, both GM and FoMoCo barely did well last month, and some of their brands were legitimately down, including GMC (-9.05 percent by volume), Buick (-14.71 percent) and Lincoln (-10.74 percent). Both the Ford brand and Chevrolet were down by volume (-3.5 and -6.75 percent, respectively), but managed to eke out increases for their daily average sales rate.

Crosstown rival Chrysler Group had no such trouble, posting a healthy 12.55-percent sales gain across its many brands. Not even a resurgent Chrysler, however, can catch up to Honda and Toyota, both of which are still enjoying conspicuously large sales compared to the production-strapped months of summer 2011. A good example of this year's Japanese about face is comparing the difference in sales between FoMoCo and ToMoCo last year and today. In July 2011, Ford sold 50,063 more vehicles than Toyota. Last month, that number shrunk to just 9,068 and Toyota's trajectory suggests it will catch the Blue Oval and pass it in short order.

Check out how the entire auto industry did in the monthly sales chart below, and visit our By the Numberssection to see all past months.



*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 24 selling days in July 2012 versus 26 selling days in July 2011, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.

Read More

The Dartz previews wild Nagel Dakkar luxury off-roader

Dartz, builder of absolutely wild and rare SUVs, has just announced its latest future product offering. The Russian automaker is promoting a new soon-to-be-built vehicle, called the Nagel Dakkar. According to the company's spectacularly awkward press release, the aggressive beast you see above will define a new class of vehicle; B.N.U.D.S., which stands for Bespoke Noble Urban Desert Safety. How's that for acronyms?

Dartz promises this class of vehicle will be more exclusive than a Lamborghini Urus, and more capable than one of Bowler's Land Rover-based ground-pounders.

According to the press release, the "Nagel" in Nagel Dakkar comes from Andrew Nagel, a Russian driver who won the 1912 Monte Carlo rally.

Dartz has provided a rendering of the vehicle from German designer Pochwatta, as well as a pair of sketches from designer Alex Isaev. Dartz says that these bodystyles can be modified and customized to the buyers liking.

At the heart of the Dartz is a Mercedes-Benz 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8 making 650 horsepower and 626 pound feet of torque. Power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to a capable four-wheel drive system.

According to Dartz, the bodywork will be rendered in carbon Kevlar and the vehicle will ride on a titanium tube frame chassis. It will cost anywhere from $390,000 to $486,000, and Dartz plans on rolling out ten units in 2013, 20 units in 2014, and aims to max out capacity at 40 units per year for the following three years. That would make it one exclusive luxo-ute.

Read More

The Lincoln MKT Town Car to get 2.0-liter EcoBoost

Livery operators can thank Ford for shaving a few extra bucks from their fuel budgets, courtesy of a new four-cylinder engine option for the Lincoln MKT Town Car. Lincoln is offering its professional version of the MKT, the replacement for the venerable Town Car, with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost in front-drive configuration for 2013, though the powertrain won't be available to the general public.

The four-cylinder in the MKT Town Car makes 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque and garners an EPA rating of 20 miles per gallon city, 28 on the highway, and 23 combined. That's considerably better than the 17/24/19 rating of the other option, a 3.7-liter V6 making 300 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. The bigger engine's inferior fuel economy isn't just a matter of its larger displacement, however, as it is only offered in all-wheel-drive guise.

We imagine livery operators in warm weather states would just as soon do without the added weight and mechanical complexity, especially if it means getting an extra four miles out of every gallon of gas. They'll be saving some dollars up front, as well, with the base price of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost MKT Town Car coming in at $49,845, some $1,100 less than the V6 model.

Read More

Porsche Macan snapped testing, first glimpse of interior seen

What's this? More spy shots of the same Macan test mule we saw a few months ago? Yes. But this time, we've also got a few glimpses into the interior.This Macan is also wearing different wheels, has roof rails, and sports quad exhaust pipes.

We're still waiting for some concrete information about Porsche's Audi Q5-based crossover, which goes into production next year, especially regarding powertrain. The obvious assumption is that the Porsche will be powered by a tweaked version of the Q5's supercharged 3.0-liter V6. New for 2013, it makes 272 horses, though we've also heard rumors of an S version with a more potent powerplant like the one in the Audi S4 that is rated at 329 horsepower. Then there's the mother of all rumors: The Macan might be had with a 370-hp, twin-turbo V6.

Perhaps Stuttgart will end the speculation and drop some official news on us at this year's Paris Motor Show?

Read More

You can catch more flies with a Mercedes-Benz

The intersection of automobiles and art is always an interesting locale, and one french sculptor has spiced things up a bit with a Mercedes-Benz covered in flies. The premise sounds a bit shaky to be sure, but artist Natacha Mercier says the concept was inspired by something she witnessed back in 2007. While standing on a side street, she saw a BMW owner drive up, park and get out of the car. Clad all in white and with plenty of gold chains around his neck, the driver then proceeded to spit-polish a spot on his chrome wheels. According to Mercier, the girls around him (including herself) were "dropping like flies" while he strutted around like a peacock.

Mercier decided to turn the situation on its ear with this project. Mercier coated an old Merc in fly paper, parked it a greenhouse and released 100,000 flies – much to PETA's dismay, we imagine. When the body was fully coated in insects, the artist, her brother and two friends piled in to drive around the streets of Toulouse, France. The mixed media artist is no stranger to working on auto-related subjects – she previouslydressed up a Mercedes in a wedding gown and is now working on a new piece involving an Opel Corsa.

Read More

Honda Accord, Fit and Pilot to receive Dreamy new engines, CVTs

Honda is set to unveil its new "Earth Dreams" family of engines, and while the lineup will make its debut in the all-new Accord, the more efficient powertrains are poised to spread throughout the lineup.

According to an Automotive News report, the direct-injected, dual overhead cam powerplant range is said to be good for a 10-percent increase in fuel economy over the current lineup.

Also mentioned in the story is the possibility of getting a 1.6-liter diesel with 220 pound feet of torque here in the States, and possibly a large-car hybrid setup. Will Honda renew the short-lived Accord Hybrid?

The report is not limited to engine technology, as Automotive News says Honda will move to Continuously Variable Transmissions in a much larger way. We've known for some time that the Japanese automaker is poised to go the belt and pulley route, but it hasn't been clear what vehicles will receive the transmission. Not every vehicle will get a CVT, as the report states that "performance models and off-road vehicles will retain geared transmissions."

AN also provided a breakdown of future product plans, which include a redesigned Fit in summer of 2014, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a CVT. Europe will get a hybrid Fit, but American plans for the hybrid version have reportedly been nixed. Honda's smallest offering, may also spawn a compact crossover, slotted below the CR-V, but it's not expected until Spring, 2015.

In other portfolio news, the aging Pilot three-row crossover will receive a new 3.5-liter Earth Dreams V6 when the model is redesigned for 2014. Power is expected to be on the order of 310 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, and a CVT is also part of the program, but only on front-drive models. Also included is additional confirmation that the Civic will get an emergency refresh, a mere 18 months after its launch triggered a lackluster response from critics.

Finally, the AN report also dangles the possibility of reviving the S2000 to compete with the Scion FR-S andSubaru BRZ, but then dashes hopes by saying that its not a priority for the Japanese automaker.

Read More