One of the highlights of Ford’s display at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will be the debut of the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that has been blessed by 86-year-old Ol’ Shel himself. The GT500 is equipped with the same powerplant that was fitted into last year’s limited-edition GT500KR, a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 cranking out 540 hp at 6,200 rpm and 510 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.

The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission with an improved short-throw shifter. A new twin-disc 250-millimeter clutch made from organic material provides a smoother engagement of all that torque. A new 3:55 limited-slip differential is standard.

While the powertrain is virtually the same as on the KR, the new GT is fitted with some new sheetmetal that puts an even more aggressive-looking Mustang on the road. The exterior is dominated by the large-mouth front grille and an increased power dome in the hood. A functional air extractor in the hood helps to vent hot air and keep things cool.

Speaking of cool, the Shelby cobra logo was moved from the traditional left side of the grille to the right to make way for a snorkel that routes cold air to the V8’s intake.

Jamal Hameedi, chief program engineer for the car, said that Shelby blessed the change. “Shelby said, ‘Does it make more power?’ I told him it did, and he said, ‘I like it.’ ”

The car rides on standard 18-inch wheels and tires, with new 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels optional. At the rear of the car, a large spoiler with a Gurney flap adorns the decklid, and the letters spelling out “Shelby” stretch across the entire width of the rear.

Inside, the exterior racing stripes are picked up in the seats, stitched into the leather. Aluminum surrounds the gauge bezels in an understated treatment.

“We were charged with creating the ultimate GT,” Hameedi said. “I think we did that, but I’m a bit biased. This car is the direct result of all the work we did on the KR. But this car has a better ride, better handling and a more refined powertrain. The better chassis balance gives us the better ride and the new tires [Goodyear F1 Supercar] provide better grip.”

The GT500 has been fitted with new springs that are 13 percent stiffer in the front and 7 percent stiffer in the rear. Four-piston Brembo calipers clamp everything down.

The electronic controls have been upgraded as well, with a three-mode electronic stability-control system. The system can be switched on, off or to sport mode. The car is electronically limited to 155 mph, and while Ford would not release a 0-to-60-mph time, it is expected to be in the range of the KR at 4.3 seconds.

Hameedi said the GT500 has gained 20 pounds from the old model, thanks in part to more sound deadening to improve the car’s NVH. “It’s quieter and faster,” Hameedi said. “This is a better car in every respect than the car it replaces.”

The Shelby GT500 will be available in both coupe and convertible models, with the take expected to be 70 percent coupes to 30 percent ragtops. The car should be in dealer showrooms in June.

 

2010 Shelby GT500

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Total Performance Inc. is at it again. The Wichita, Kan., boutique builder that brought us monsters like the RCR Camaro is now offering the Pit Viper–a 1967-68 Mustang built up from an original fastback Mustang.

The Pit Viper features a 427-cubic-inch, 580-hp, 540-lb-ft V8 sucking fuel and air through an honest-to-God Holley four-barrel carburetor with ram air. Power transfers to the wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

The Pit Viper gets an array of performance upgrades, including coilover shocks, Supertrap dual side exhaust, and 14-inch Baer brakes with six-pot calipers.

A complete racing roll cage and racing seats are fitted inside, while exterior mods include a longer front clip and revised rear bumper, fascia and taillights. The Pit Viper rides on HRE brand 20-inch rear wheels and 19-inch fronts, shod with Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

Total Performance Inc. president Brook Phillips says his company will build one your custom specifications for $150,000 to $200,000, including the resurrected fastback Mustang body and chassis. Get more information at www.TPITotalPerformance.com.

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After so many spy photos that we feel we already knew the truck pretty well anyway, Ford finally unveiled the F-150 Raptor way out in the Nevada desert the day before the SEMA show opened.

“This is a high-speed off-road performance truck,” said Hermann Salenbach, director of SVT, hitting every truck category hot button possible in a single sentence. “It has the DNA of a Baja pre-runner,” he then said, adding one more.

The Raptor is based on the F-150, of course, and will debut next summer with a 320-hp, 340-lb-ft 5.4-liter V8 driving all four wheels. The following winter a 400-hp, 400-lb-ft 6.2-liter will become available.

The truck comes in SuperCab configuration only, with wheel travel bumped up to 11.2 inches front and 13.1 inches rear as well as seven more inches in track. Wider fenders front and rear accommodate the big BFG Goodrich 315/70R17s. Most impressive were the internal bypass shocks engineered by Fox for better control over sustained off-highway driving. Ford engineers gleefully flung Raptors about the desert with members of the press strapped into the passenger seats, rattling off shock calibration stories while the scribes held on for dear life. The trucks were capable of soaking up plenty of rut wallop with a surprisingly smooth ride inside the cab.

But that was just in the production Raptor. In a couple weeks, a Raptor R will start the Baja 1000 in Class 8 with a 500-hp 6.2-liter engine powering all four wheels. The goal of that truck is just to finish.

So why go the off-road route in its specialty truck instead of following the paved route of the last SVT Lightning?

“Most of the major manufacturers have focused (on) on-road performance, so when we looked at what was available in off-road truck performance, it was somewhat limited,” said Mark Grueber, Ford product marketing manager for pickups and large SUVs. “This was the perfect opportunity for Ford to further differentiate the F-150 from other trucks on the market.”

It certainly does that.

Prices will be announced closer to the truck’s summer debut.

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Move over Bugatti Veyron and watch out SSC Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo, there’s a new supercar on the block promising to be the top speed king. British sports car manufacturer Keating unveiled two new supercars today, one of which could very easily overthrow the SSC Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo as the world’s fastest car.

Keating took the wraps off its race-ready TKR and more streetable SKR at an event on Wednesday in the UK. Both cars will use the steel spaceframe — with a carbon fiber design optional — and will be motivated by either a 6.0L or 7.0L GM-sourced V8. Power will be sent to the cars’ rear-wheels via a Porsche five-speed gearbox.

A fiberglass body will be standard on the TKR and SKR, but buyers can also opt for a carbon fiber shell to help reduce weight.

In SKR-guise, the 6.0L and 7.0L mills will produce between 404 and 656 horsepower, based on whether customers choose a naturally aspirated or supercharged setup.

Keating is still putting the final touches on the TKR, but sources say the TKR will be available with a twin-turbocharged engine rated at a mind-numbing 1,500 horsepower — besting the mighty Bugatti Veyron by a Corvette Z06. With that kind of power on tap, the TKR should be capable of speeds approaching 270 mph.

Audi used the Beijing Motor Show on Saturday to launch its all-new Q5 crossover. Building on the success of its larger Q7, Audi hopes the Q5 will allow it to capitalize on the growing demand for more compact SUVs.

Nearly a year ago, Audi announced it would build the Q5, following a 300 million euro investment in the Ingolstadt production facility. The crossover is Audi’s answer to the X3 from BMW and Mercedes’ upcoming GLK.  

At 2.81 meters (9.22 feet), the wheelbase is the longest in its segment – creating a roomy interior on board the Audi Q5. Measuring 4.63 meters (15.19 feet) long and 1.88 meters (6.17 feet) wide, the Audi Q5 is just 1.65 meters (5.41 feet) high, giving it a sporty appearance. 19-inch wheels further bolster this look.

The Q5 shares a platform with the A4 and A5. The platform’s layout will make it possible for Audi to offer a full range of engines, meaning that the brand’s various FSI-equipped four and six-cylinder engines, plus some high efficiency diesel models will be offered. It’s even possible that the 4.2 litre V8 will find its way under the hood for an S-line version.

Current global engine choices include: a 2.0 TFSI (211 hp / 258 lb-ft), a 2.0 TDI (170 hp / 258 lb-ft), and a 3.0 TDI (240 hp / 369 lb-ft). It’s not know which engines will be offered in the U.S. market.

The Q5 has an updated version of the quattro all-wheel-drive system with a six-speed manual or the new seven-speed DSG gearbox. It comes equipped stahdard with hill-descent control and an adjustable air suspension. The Q5 is a five-seater, unlike the seven-person Q7.

Despite being a car-based crossover, the Q5 is still capable off-road. Its climbing capability of 31 degrees of incline is very respectable. The overhang angle is 25 degrees thanks to the short front overhang. The ramp breakover angle, determined by the wheelbase, is 17.5 degrees. Ground clearance is an impressive 7.87 inches, with a fording depth of up to 19.69 inches when driving through water.

The Q5 can be ordered with a number of luxury features. These include the Audi parking system advanced with rearview camera, Audi lane assist (the lane departure warning system) and Audi side assist, which warns of hazards when changing lanes. Adaptive cruise control maintains a constant distance between the performance SUV and the vehicle in front.

Additional extras for the Audi Q5 include the advanced key for keyless access to the vehicle, a tire pressure monitoring system, the large panoramic glass sunroof with additional tilting function, the triple-zone climate control system, sun blinds for the rear side windows, the dynamic cornering light system known as Audi adaptive light, an electric tailgate and a swiveling trailer hitch. The high-beam assistant automatically switches between the high and low beams. On request, the front seats can be electrically adjusted, heated and ventilated.

Credit to Leftlane news

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Mitsubishi’s Prototype S wasn’t supposed to make its world debut until next month’s Geneva Motor Show, but, thanks to an internet leak, we have our first glimpses at the Sportback. Although the Prototype S is currently listed as a concept, a production version is expected to be announced in the coming months.

Based on the Mitsubishi Concept Sportback first shown two years ago at the Frankfurt auto show, the production car will join the new Lancer Sedan and Lancer Evolution, but probably only at European dealerships. Mitsubishi hasn’t officially announced that the production version of the Prototype-S will be for Euro consumption only, but one press release indicated that will likely be the case.

The Prototype-S is powered by the same 235 horsepower 2.0L turbo-four found in the Lancer Ralliart, first shown at the Detroit Auto Show. That power is sent to all four wheels via Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST transmission. The concept also uses Mitsubishi’s Active Center Differential to split power between the front and rear wheels.

Check back for more details and live images after the concept’s official unveiling.

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2009 Ford Flex

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First the good news: The Ford Flex looks as good as a production version of the Fairlane concept could have looked. We still have to go check it out up close, but from the shots below it looks nice. The bad news? The 2009 Ford Flex won’t go on sale until the summer of 2008. That’s more than a year after its debut here in New York, and Ford could use a hit long before then.

It’s powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6 found in the Edge crossover and many others in the Ford family. Here it’s matched to a six-speed automatic transmission; Ford says it will have more than 260 hp.

There are side airbags and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, as well as standard stability control. Ford is touting the Flex as a safe family transport with style. For now, we’ll agree. We just have to wait a while to make a final judgment. More photos below.

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So far, the only 2011 Jaguar XJ prototypes spy photographers have spotted are for mechanical testing only, using old XJ bodies instead of the much-rumored redesigned exterior. However, based on what we’ve been hearing from sources, our artists were able to create an illustration of how the finished car could look.

Jaguar has reportedly previewed the car — codenamed X351 — to VIPs in the dealer world and elsewhere. One source who has seen a preview of the new XJ described it as similar to the Aston Martin Rapide in appearance. Larger than the coupe-like Mercedes CLS, the new XJ has a sloping roofline and very sleek exterior overall, sources say.  

Jaguar’s design chief Ian Callum has even openly stated the new XJ will be a fair bit more daring than the new XF, since it’s a lower volume model. We’re expecting to see sleeker headlamps like those on the popular C-XF concept, plus an especially low-slung profile.

The new XJ will continue to use its predecessor’s all-aluminum chassis — and that’s a good thing. We might see a concept previewing the new XJ in the next year, but the production is still 18 to 24 months away.

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In late January, Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off the 2009 SL-Class roadster. Since then, photos of the high-performance SL 63 AMG leaked online, and today images of the even more powerful SL 65 surfaced on the web.

While the old SL55 has been replaced by the more powerful SL63, the SL65 offers the same V12 twin-turbo motor as its predecessor by the same name. Peak output is 604 horsepower at 4800 rpm. Peak torque is 738 pound-feet between 2000 rpm and 4000 rpm — an obvious benefit of turbocharging.

 Further details are not yet available, but more information on the SL 63 and SL 65 should be available soon.

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