Thursday, November 5, 2009

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Starts at $29,670

Honda has released the pricing for its controversial new 2010 Accord Crosstour crossover.

The 2010 Accord Crosstour starts just under $30k at $29,670 for the base 2WD EX model. The fully optioned 4WD EX-L with navigation will set you back $36,220. The EPA numbers have also been released and the 2WD model gets a combined 18/27 mpg, while the 4WD model gets 17/25 mpg. The Accord Crosstour comes standard with Honda's 3.5L V6 with Variable Cylinder Management.






2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Packs a 411 Horsepower 6.2L V8 and Starts at $41,995





When Ford launched the F-150 SVT Raptor it was powered by Ford's 5.4L V8, but Ford promised that a new 6.2L V8 was in the works. Well Ford has announced the introduction of the 411-hp 6.2L V8, which is the most powerful engine available in a half-ton pickup.

The new 6.2L V8 puts out 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft. of torque and according to Ford it has 1.5 seconds faster 0-60 mph time than the standard 5.4L.

Pricing for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with the 6.2L V8 starts at $41,995.

PRESS RELEASE:

F-150 SVT RAPTOR MOST POWERFUL HALF-TON AVAILABLE, NOW EVEN MORE CAPABLE OFF-ROAD

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with an available all-new 6.2-liter V-8 engine produces 411 horsepower and 434 ft.-lb. of torque, making it the most powerful half-ton truck on the market today

Building on the success of Ford Racing's vehicle programs and Raptor's success in the 2008 Baja 1000, Ford Racing will offer the FR Raptor XT

The FR Raptor XT offers the capability of the Baja race truck, with the comfort of the production Raptor

The FR Raptor XT off-road-only truck will have a production run of 50 units, priced at $99,950

LAS VEGAS - Just one year after Ford unveiled the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor at the SEMA show, Ford today is announcing the long-anticipated power figures for the all-new 6.2-liter premium V-8 engine now available in this ultimate high-speed off-road performance truck.

When this optional powertrain in the Raptor arrives in showrooms in early 2010, the 6.2-liter V-8 will produce 411 hp and 434 ft.-lb. of torque, making Raptor the most powerful half-ton pickup available. Customers will now have the choice of two V-8 engines in the Raptor, Ford's proven 5.4-liter Triton V-8 or the new 6.2-liter V-8, which can be ordered beginning Dec. 1, with an MSRP of $41,995 including destination and delivery.

The F-150 SVT Raptor, launched in August with Ford's proven 320-hp 5.4-liter Triton V-8, is off to a strong start. Orders for the Raptor equipped with the standard 5.4-liter stand at more than 3,000, and the plant is at maximum capacity producing the ultimate high-speed off-road truck. In addition, Ford Racing will soon offer the 2011 FR Raptor XT, making Raptor even more capable in the rough stuff, but without giving up the control and comfort found in the production Raptor.

Considered an off-road-only pre-runner, the FR Raptor XT from Ford Racing builds upon the production Raptor's already impressive capabilities. The FR Raptor XT is nearly the same truck that finished the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, but with all the comfort and convenience you'd find in a production Raptor. Essentially, FR Raptor XT is a turnkey professional pre-runner.

Key specifications of the FR Raptor XT include:

* 500-hp (est.) 6.2-liter naturally aspirated engine
* Six-speed automatic transmission
* Electronically selectable 4x4; 4.56 gear sets; front and rear e-lockers
* A-arm with uni-ball front; four-link RR suspension
* 15-inch front/18-inch rear wheel travel
* Coil-over with bypass shocks front and rear
* Chromoly "4130" rollcage; extensive skid plating
* Full featured interior, including power windows/windshield and air conditioning
* Factory seating with five-point restraints
* Off-road beadlock wheel/tires
* Unique appearance package including tubular front and rear bumper and integral lighting

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 3 Series Shows up on a Flatbed

Here's our first look at what we can expect for the next BMW 3 Series, which is expected to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model. From these photos its clear that the proportions of the next 3 Series are not going to change much. The next-generation will also see the return of four-cylinder engines in the US market.

Click here to see the rest of the photos.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Lincoln to Downsize with its Own Version of the Ford Kuga

Lincoln is poised to downsize its current lineup with the addition of new smaller vehicles that are a huge departure from its other vehicles like the Navigator SUV.

Lincoln has shown off the possibility of small Lincolns with its recent concept cars and It's rumored that Lincoln could be working on a new compact car that would share its platform with the new global Focus. But it's not certain if Lincoln is ready to take a risk that its other luxury rivals have shied away from, fearing that the US market isn't ready for smaller cars.

But in the meantime a new compact crossover based on the European Ford Kuga is expected to be offered in late 2011. Redesigned versions of the Kuga will be released by Lincoln and Mercury. The Kuga is also expected to replace the Ford Escape.

Ford Reports Third Quarter Profit of $997 Million

Ford has reported a third quarter profit of $997 million compared to the $161 million net loss for the same period last year. The announcement represents Ford's first operating profit in nearly two years.

"Our third-quarter results clearly show that Ford is making tremendous progress despite the prolonged slump in the global economy," Ford CEO Alan Mulally stated. "Our solid product lineup is leading the way in all markets. While we still face a challenging road ahead, our One Ford transformation plan is working and our underlying business continues to grow stronger."

Ford expects its positive cash flow to continue into the fourth quarter.

Acura Changes Direction...No Longer Shooting for a Tier 1 Luxury Brand


Acura has been trying to change its portfolio to become more of a Tier 1 luxury brand, but it looks like those plans have changed. Acura had been working on developing new high-performance vehicles and its first V8 engine, but those plans have been canceled.

There is "a certain level of confusion" about Acura in the marketplace, Honda Motor Co. CEO Takanobu Ito told Automotive News at the Tokyo auto show. "We are in the midst of big changes. We've changed the direction of research and development."

Prior to the collapse of the economy Acura had plans to finally match the other top tier luxury brands with its first V8 engine and rear-wheel-drive, but those plans have been scrapped sending engineers back to the drawing board.

Instead of focusing on going head to head with brands like BMW, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito stated, "I see the future of Acura as a merger of BMW and Audi--something between high technology and high performance." Eighteen months ago Acura dealers were promised five new models, but as a result of the changes Acura will be in a "low-growth period of developing new products."

"We were thinking that we could come up with glamorous, gorgeous products that would sell. Now, our premium products will be expressed in advanced environmental technologies, rather than glamorous things attached to the product," Ito said.

It has been rumored that Acura is going to return to the entry-luxury market with a vehicle to compete against the BMW 1 Series.

"They talked a lot about smart, efficient and sensible luxury vehicles, not big, in-your-face luxury cars that don't make sense," said Jim Brown, general manager of Ron Tonkin Acura in Portland, Ore. "They said there will be a new product introduced every year. ... But there also is a delay in the pipeline."

This winter Acura will release the ZDX crossover and by the fall of 2010 the TSX Sport Wagon will also launch.

Full Story: AutoWeek









Monday, November 2, 2009

Parade of tuning versions Suzuki Kizashi in Las Vegas

Sedan Suzuki

The car has not gone on sale yet, and to demonstration are already ready four showcar from the known North American tuning companies.

Suzuki Kizashi for the US

Suzuki Kizashi will enter the market of the United States in December, but month before in Las Vegas the annual exhibition where the car will be one of appreciable participants, thanks to four tuning versions created Road Race Motorsport, Delta Tech, Westside Auto and experts of edition Import Tuner will take place.

The version from Road Race Motorsport receives name Platinum Edition. The car have equipped with an aerodynamic weather-cloth of working out Carbontrix. Also the car is allocated with a non-standard lattice of a radiator, an air inlet on a cowl and unusual colouring, including a black roof.

All cars are completed by sports springs and stabilizers of cross-section stability Progress Technology. A place of regular brake mechanisms have replaced improved Rotora (330 mm in front and 260 mm behind). Under a cowl — the high-efficiency inlet system, improved operating electronics, sports system of release and many other things.

Kizashi sedan

Sedan Kizashi

Sedan Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki Kizashi sedan

Suzuki sedan

Suzuki Kizashi (sedan)

Delta Tech Engineering at tuning Kizashi has paid special attention on an audiosystem. Having used components Kenwood, authors count on quite good result. Appearance is improved by means of aerodynamic weather-cloth RK Sport, sports armchairs are developed Katzkin, and sports elements of a suspension bracket — Koni. The light engineering practically is completely replaced on light-emitting diode.

Perhaps, the most expressive appearance possesses Kizashi from Westside Auto Group, received name Soleil. Two-ton colouring of a body (colours Napa Merlot and Bronzed Amber are used) is unusual.

After tuning the car has lost door handles and many acting elements in a back part. Car "sounding" will be improved by final system Yoshimura. Carbon wheel disks R-Worx painted in golden colour with tyres Bridgestone Potenza complete a picture.

As to Kizashi under magazine Import Tuner version the edition yet has not published any photo of the working out, suggesting to wait the exhibition beginnings.

Related Posts: Suzuki