Auto Mobiles

Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Ford

It is one of the most loved and hated cars on Autoblog.com - the Ford Mustang, particularly the latest generation produced from 2005-2009 known as the S197. Its proponents rave about its bang for the buck and handsome retro looks, while retractors nag about the ancient solid rear axle and cheap interior. Whatever your opinion, no one can deny that the latest generation of Mustangs has been incredibly popular, both with consumers as well as the aftermarket. Perhaps too popular, according to many of you. It seems that a new version of the Mustang surfaces weekly and sometimes even daily. Whether from big time manufacturers like ROUSH, Saleen and Shelby, or simply one-off "special edition" Mustangs built by random companies looking to make a quick buck, there has never been a shortage of Mustangs from which to choose.

With the new 2010 Mustang's official debut at the LA Auto Show just a few weeks away, it looks like the sun is setting on the current generation of Ford's pony car and its never-ending stream of variations. To commemorate its passing, and because it's been way too long since we had a Mustang post (at least a day!), we've decided to come up with a list of every single variant of the 2005-2009 Mustang that we could find... all of them. Follow the jump to see just how many Mustang variants were produced over the last four years.

Continue reading Ode to the 2005-2009 Ford Mustang

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Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Ford

Ford and PML Flightlink -- the same company that created the Volvo ReCharge concept -- will be showing off a plug-in hybrid electric F-150 pickup truck at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas. Like the ReCharge, the F-150 will be a series hybrid, so the truck should be powered by the electric motors until the battery is close to being depleted. At that point, we assume a stock Ford V8 would recharge the trucks on-board battery pack. The motors themselves are pancake-style wheel-mounted units and use permanent magnet technology. Each wheel is powered by a separate motor, ridding the truck of its normal axles, driveshafts, transmission and transfer case. At this point, we're not sure what kind of range or performance figures the automaker is claiming for this concept, but we'd expect more details to filter out closer to the show's November 4th start-date.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Mercedes-Benz

BMW, the Munich-based German automaker, is reportedly in discussion with other automakers -- rivals in some cases -- to sell their engines and transmissions. Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of development, told Auto Motor und Sport that the automaker is in advanced talks with Mercedes-Benz about licensing engines to its Stuttgart-based competitor.

Specifics have not been announced, but one likely candidate would be BMW's new V-12, set to debut in the new 7 Series and baby Rolls-Royce sedan. Mercedes would drop it under the hood of their flagship S-Class and Maybach. There was no mention about the possibility of BMW's twin-turbo inline-six finding itself under the hood of a Mercedes (while BMW continues to refine their award-winning inline-six powerplant, Mercedes dropped their popular straight-six in the mid-1990's and replaced it with a V6), but Draeger did hint that other automakers have approached the company about diesel engine technology. Engine and transmission sharing isn't uncommon in the industry, but such a move would be a first for the two companies, each longstanding rivals with products selling in the identical segments.

[Source: Autocar]

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Audi

Last month, Autoblog's long-term fleet (AKA our daily drivers) grew by one when we picked up a thoroughly reworked, late-model German sedan. It's a masterpiece of modern engineering, complete with the amenities our spouses have we've grown accustomed to (heated seats) and over $20,000 in modifications to the engine (new turbo, Inconel manifold), suspension (Ohlins) and brakes (Alcons, anyone?).

But there was a problem. It's coated in our least favorite color: Brilliant Red. Thankfully, ABT Sportsline has an option that doesn't involve a full re-spray.

The German tuning firm has partnered with the Kempten Company to create a "foil" for the A4, A7 and R8, which coats the Audis in a high-tech synthetic material that matches the weave of carbon fiber. Judging by the images ABT offered, the application of the "foil" is seamless, matching every crease and curve to the T.

While the idea of a faux-carbon fiber wrap for our rides reeks of poseur, we're seriously considering a matte black treatment for our new purchase. If anyone knows of a firm based in the Bay Area to do the work, drop us a line in the comments. And if you know of anyone in Ohio, maybe we can persuade John to get his Alero coated in olive and black camouflage.

Continue reading ABT wraps Audi R8 and Q7 in carbon fiber-look vinyl, Alero is next

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Filed under: Gadgets, Tech, BMW

Automakers have been adding electronic gizmos to vehicles for decades, and operating systems have been developed to allow each system communicate with one another. The OSs are different from one brand to the next, but BMW wants to help develop a system using an open-source Linux platform it's helping to create along with Google and Wind River Systems.

Using Linux as a base would allow anyone with a background in coding to make changes to the system to suit each manufacturer's needs. Plus, a single platform would make it easier for third-party vendors to create hardware or an application and be sure that it would work correctly in any vehicle using the OS. Automakers such as General Motors and Chrysler sound interested in the idea, while Ford and Honda, which already use a Microsoft OS in their cars, have a few more questions that need answering before they are ready to jump on the open-source bandwagon. In any case, in-car gadgetry's not going anywhere and it will take years for any one system to made standard.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Filed under: Gadgets, Tech, BMW

Automakers have been adding electronic gizmos to vehicles for decades, and operating systems have been developed to allow each system communicate with one another. The OSs are different from one brand to the next, but BMW wants to help develop a system using an open-source Linux platform it's helping to create along with Google and Wind River Systems.

Using Linux as a base would allow anyone with a background in coding to make changes to the system to suit each manufacturer's needs. Plus, a single platform would make it easier for third-party vendors to create hardware or an application and be sure that it would work correctly in any vehicle using the OS. Automakers such as General Motors and Chrysler sound interested in the idea, while Ford and Honda, which already use a Microsoft OS in their cars, have a few more questions that need answering before they are ready to jump on the open-source bandwagon. In any case, in-car gadgetry's not going anywhere and it will take years for any one system to made standard.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, Lexus, Toyota

The Lexus RX is one of the most successful luxury crossovers of the past decade, with sales doubling or even tripling that of its competition. Remarkably, the RX has achieved its considerable success without a major overhaul, but that will change when the next gen RX is unveiled this November in LA. Details on the new RX have been scarce to this point, but we can be sure that a hybrid version will continue to be available and that a plug-in version is a possibility.

The RX is also expected to grow by around five inches, just like its Highlander sibling, though Lexus will likely use the extra room to improve rear passenger leg room. We've seen spy shots showing more evolutionary styling changes, along with a few cues pulled from the LF-xh concept, with tweaks to the front and rear fascias and a curvier C-Pillar.


[Source: The Car Connection]

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Filed under: Chrysler, LLC., Daimler, Earnings/Financials

So, just what is a 19.9% stake in America's third largest automaker worth? Um, nothing. So says Daimler, which owns exactly that amount. The German company claims that, for accounting purposes at least, there is absolutely no value in its part-ownership of Chrysler. Just about a year ago, Daimler estimated that its share of Chrysler was worth some $1.17 billion. The remaining 80.1% was sold to Cerberus Capital Management last August for $7.4 billion.

According to Chrysler, Daimler's idea of its stake in the company is a totally different animal than its own. The two companies use different accounting techniques to arrive at earnings figures and net worth, and the privately-held American automaker doesn't release its internal figures. As we've covered, Daimler is currently in talks with Cerberus to rid itself of any attachment to its former partner by selling its remaining shares of Chrysler to the American company, which it would need if it were to make any sort of deal with General Motors, Renault or any other automaker for that matter. So, just how much is Chrysler worth as a whole? We could soon find out.

[Source: The Detroit News]

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Filed under: Time Warp, Celebrities

The first official trailer for Clint Eastwood's latest film, Gran Torino, which opens on December 17, has arrived over at Apple's movie trailer web page. Available in a variety of sizes including HD, but unfortunately not embedable, the trailer shows Clint using the gruffest voice possible to disparage the Asian family who moved in next door. Clint's character, however, becomes a hero after saving their teenage son. How does he do that? By pointing a shotgun at some gang bangers and saying, "Get off my lawn." Classic, classic Clint. The title character of the movie, Clint's 1972 Gran Torino Sport, makes an appearance in the trailer, but it's quick and there's no mention of how the car fits into the larger plot. Who cares? Clint Eastwood and a classic muscle car are enough star power to get us to watch. Throw in Asian gangs and a shotgun and you've got our Oscar vote. Click here to watch the trailer over at Apple.

[Source: Apple via Dumb Drum]

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Ford

Being a Democrat or Republican is like being a Ford fan or Chevy supporter. While there are undecideds who might choose a Mustang or Camaro based on their spec sheets alone, most us already know where our allegiance lies and will defend our choice regardless. The analogy between your political party and pony car preference just got a little more interesting thanks to a study by Landor Associates and research firm Penn, Schoen and Berland. They issued a survey asking respondents to compare the top two political contenders with brands in the marketplace, and the results weren't shocking so much as reflective of the prevailing perceptions of each candidate.

Barack Obama, for instance, was associated with brands like Google, James Bond and Target, while John McCain was linked to AOL, Jack Bauer and Wal-Mart. When it came to auto brands, Obama was buddied up with BMW and McCain paired with Ford. We would have gone a bit more granular and pegged Obama as an M3 and McCain a Shelby GT500, as that would certainly be a race more exciting than the one we're watching now.

[Source: Adweek]

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