Dodge Challenger

For 2010, the five-speed automatic finally replaced the four-speed across the board, and a deceleration fuel cutoff should improve gas mileage on both automatics and sticks. Super Track Pack is confirmed an R/T option with the manual transmission, including summer tires. Stability control is standard on all models; automatic headlights with LED cup holder and door-handle lights are standard on R/T. Changes to the Challenger SRT8 are a new limited edition Plum Crazy model, serialized dash plaque, and plum accent seat-stripe insert. The Furious Fucshia model is open for orders.
The 2012 Dodge Challenger SE’s mileage and power will improve with the upcoming Pentastar V6 engines, generating 280 horsepower or more; this may happen in the 2011 model year.
Gas mileage for the Dodge Challenger V8 is good for a car of its size and power, with the 5.7 liter Hemi getting 16 mpg city, 23 highway (automatic; the manual transmission drops down to 15 city, 23 highway, and requires premium rather than midgrade gas). On the highway, you can maintain 27 mpg if you have the stick.

Mustang 40th Aniversery

At the New York Auto Show in 2008 Ford unveiled the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 KR "King of The Road" limited edition Mustang. The Shelby GT500 KR Mustang features a 540 horsepower 5.4L supercharged V8 with Ford Racing Power Pack upgrade, 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, short throw shifter and a beefed up suspension. The exterior of this beast gets a unique Carbon composite hood, 18-inch wheels and special 40th Anniversary badging along with GT500 KR striping.

This is the most powerful production mustang ever produced. "This was a great effort between Ford and Shelby Automobiles," said Gaffka. "The Shelby team and I were in constant contact melding Carroll's classic design cues with some modern concepts and ideas and finessing them into the design of the new KR." Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, upgraded from the standard GT500's 3.31:1. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut on the KR. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter is 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, sharper shifts.

New Powerstroke

It all started with the 6.9L Indirect Injection (IDI) engine. That engine's output was a modest 170 Horsepower and 315 foot-pounds of torque. The next version of a diesel engine in a Ford truck was the 7.3L IDI. The engine was produced from 1988-1993. A major change happened in 1994. The 7.3L was converted to a Direct Injection (DI) engine, a turbocharger was added and the Power Stroke ® name was born. The 7.3L engine was in production until early 2003 and this engine's performance and durability is what made the Power Stroke ® name legendary. Some of the engine features were a waste gated turbocharger, HUEI fuel injectors and an air to air intercooler. In March of 2003 the 6.0L was introduced. This was the first engine design driven by emissions requirements. The 6.0L saw a significant increase in horsepower and torque (325 HP and 560 ft-lbs Torque) even with a drastic reduction in engine displacement. The 6.0L also introduced Power Stroke ® customers to the variable geometry turbocharger, exhaust gas recirculation system and generation two fuel injection system.



To ensure that this legendary product line continues its success we have released the 6.4L Power Stroke ® Diesel engine. This engine's technology and reduced emissions output is a long way from the early 6.9L days. The latest Power Stroke ® boasts a whopping 350 HP @ 3000 RPM and a peak torque output of 650 ft-lbs at only 2000 RPM. The 6.4L is the quietest and cleanest diesel engine ever to power a Ford Super Duty ®. It features twin turbochargers and a high-pressure, common-rail fuel injection with piezo electric fuel injectors. The 6.4L meets the 2007 emissions requirements and has been tested over 10 million miles to ensure this is the most durable engine yet.



We sure have come a long way in the last 25 years. Today, the Power Stroke ® is the best selling diesel engine in America. Approximately 3 out of 4 Super Duty ® owners pick the Power Stroke ® option when ordering their trucks. That's because vehicles powered by Power Stroke ® Diesel engines are as versatile as they are rugged. The Power Stroke ® Diesel engine's family of vehicles currently includes the Ford F-250 through F-550 Super Duty ® pickup trucks and chassis cabs, E-Series vans and cutaways as well as the new Low Cab Forward. The Power Stroke ® can also be found in past Excursion ® and the F650/F750 vehicles. They're on the job every day in just about every application you can name - from construction, to ambulance use, to snow plowing to farming.

Technology Advancment For Fords 351 motor

The 351 Windsor featured an even longer stroke thanks to a taller deck. It produced 250 hp (186 kW) with a 2 barrel carb or 290 hp (216 kW) with a 4 barrel. There were many other changes to this engine, including the intake, heads, rods, and firing order. Though the engine family is the same as the 289 and 302, and employs the same bell housing and head interchange as well as a few other small parts, the block itself is different. The block is taller and wider than other windsor small blocks, with larger main caps and thicker connecting rods. Also the distributor is slightly different to accommodate a larger oil pump shaft and larger oil pump.

The 351W was introduced for the 1969 year model rated at 250 hp (186 kW) with 2 barrel carb or 290 hp (216 kW) with a 4 barrel. The four barrel version actually produced 320 to 325 hp (239 to 242 kW). Though the 351 Cleveland was given higher power ratings, the 351W can be modified to run the same level of performance. The reduced performance was due to rather restricted airflow in the cylinder heads (the Cleveland heads were larger).

The 351W was produced from 1969 to 1996. It was installed in everything from Mustangs to the full size cars, and all the way up to the F350. It has been one of Ford's most successful motors.

In the late 80s the Windsor was made fuel injected. This meant better air flow, fuel economy and emissions. But with restricting emissions you lose power. With a carb it is raw fuel and with fuel injection its restricted to just the right amount of fuel to run efficiently but lacks the power of raw fuel. So in a way fuel injection is better for the hippies but not for rednecks.

Ken Block

Jan. 6, 2010 – Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.

Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube. In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.

"I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford. They are an impressive force in the sport," said Ken Block. "From the days of the 1970s Escorts to the Group B RS200 to the modern-day Focus and now the Fiesta, Ford just does an excellent job at rally and I couldn't be happier to now be part of this amazing heritage. Not to mention my dad would be proud. He was a dedicated Ford guy."

"Ken Block has established himself as an action sports competitor and a rising star in the world of American rally racing," said Jamie Allison, director Ford North America Motorsports. "We are excited to have him on our team to help promote our new global products, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2012 Ford Focus."

Rallying is a crucial part of Ford's global motorsports strategy and provides the company with the opportunity to showcase the true performance capabilities of Ford's products. Since its support of rallying began, Ford has won three WRC titles and 73 individual events. And, last year in North America, Ford's participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and X Games 15 were key elements for the launch of the Ford Fiesta for the U.S.

"Thanks to our participation in WRC, rallying has always played a key role in Ford's global motorsports programs," said Allison. "Ford is the only manufacturer that could provide Ken with global rally opportunities."

"We're delighted that Ken Block has chosen to team up with Ford to develop his rallying activities beyond America and into the global arena," said Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe's senior motorsports manager. "Ford and its U.K.-based rally partner, M-Sport, is looking forward to welcoming Ken to the wider team of talented rally drivers using Ford vehicles to compete in this demanding sport at the highest level internationally."

New Ford SVT Raptor motor

•The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor launches with the proven three-valve Triton 5.4-liter V-8 engine delivering 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque; a new 6.2-liter engine with an estimated 400 horsepower and 400 ft.-lb. of torque becomes available shortly after launch
•Both engines underwent extreme laboratory testing, including running the engines at over 6,000 rpm for more than 150 hours
•The engines also were put to the test in the desert on a 62-mile evaluation loop to prove out the durability demanded by high-performance, off-road enthusiasts
BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif., Aug. 17, 2009 – Mike Harrison’s enthusiasm for V-8 engines is apparent. Harrison, Ford Motor Company’s premium V-8 systems manager, is particularly excited about the availability of the new 6.2-liter V-8 that will power the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

Producing an estimated 400 horsepower and 400 ft.-lb. of torque, Harrison rattles off the new engine’s components and features quickly and easily, pointing them out and explaining them with more than a trace of pride.

Harrison wants that engine to perform to its maximum capabilities so that customers of the F-150 SVT Raptor won’t have anything to worry about. In short, if the engine can withstand the rigorous testing Ford demands during the development cycle, it can withstand almost anything the most enthusiastic off-roader can dish out, even desert racers.

The testing is intense. It’s cruel, dusty and dirty. By working in the lab to push the engine to its limits, the process simulates how a customer would use the engine. But then it goes a little bit further.

“Running it over 6,000 rpm for more than 150 hours, which is over the peak power limit of the engine, really puts it through its paces,” Harrison said. “We’ve tested it in harsher operating conditions on the engine dyno than would ever be seen by a customer who races.”

Beginning in fall 2006, Harrison and his team tested more than 50 engines, with each running through a dozen separate tests. Evaluations included high-speed durability, crank-torsional testing, aeration and a thermal cycle where the engine is “shocked” from one temperature extreme to another.

As with all Ford programs, attention to detail was a hallmark of the testing process.

“We did a careful teardown of each engine at completion of testing to ensure there absolutely are no issues with the hardware,” Harrison said. “These are very demanding, very stringent tests – far more stringent than anything you would see on a truck – racing or otherwise.”

New Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger

When GM stopped producing the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, the Ford Mustang reined as the only low priced muscle car available. Notice the word ‘low price’, so as not to be confused with the pricey Chevy Corvette.

Well that has changed as the Chevy Camaro has been reintroduced as well as the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger both with 5.7L Hemi’s and the retro styled Mustang saddled with a small V-8. Ford dropped their big block back in 1986 but now must revive it in order to compete with the Camaro. Seems that the new Camaro has outsold the Mustang every month since June and Ford is feeling the hit on sales.

The new 2010 Mustang will come with a V-8 that has 412 HP which is still less than the beefy 426 HP that the V-8 Camaro produces. What about gas mileage? Surely you jest. You don’t buy one of these bad boys if gas mileage is a concern. Though Ford states that their new 305 HP Mustang will get 30 mpg on the highway. That mileage is figured going downhill with a tailwind! LOL

But there is one other thing that Ford needs to change to compete with the Camaro. The Camro styling is new and refreshing while the Mustang looks old school

As you've undoubtedly noticed, those are honest to goodness "5.0" badges affixed to the 2011 Mustang's fenders. Not only are residents of A1A Beach Front Avenue stoked, but Mustang fans everywhere are finally getting their 302 back. That's right, the new 5.0 is just like the old 5.0 -- 302 cubic inches or 4.9-liters or 4,951cc. But we think the gumption this baddie stonks up will allow even the most pedantic amongst you to forgive the missing 49 cubic centimeters.

Employing 32-valves and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing(Ti-VCT), the new 5.0 produces a mighty 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque (check out our Deep Dive for more details). No word on performance figures, but expect a mid-four second 0-60 sprint and a quarter-mile in the high 12s. At least. Especially as the current Mustang GT (315-hp, 320 lb-ft of torque) hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and runs the quarter in 13.5. Oh, according to Ford, the new 5.0 weighs just ten pounds more than the outgoing GT. We like that last bit very much.


In Pictures: 2011 Ford Mustang GT Also new for 2011 is a choice of either a new six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Normally we have absolutely no reason to ever recommend a slushbox over a proper row-your-own, however, together with that variable cam technology (Ti-VCT) and EPAS (Ford's electronic power steering), an automatic Mustang GT will be able to achieve 25 mpg on the highway. That's up from 23 mpg for the current Mustang GT with an auto 'box. Both the 2010 and 2011 get 17 mpg in the city, while the six-speed manual Mustang gets 24 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the big city, same as the current car.

The 5.0 badging get repeated on the engine's cover (thankfully the pretty, composite intake manifold is exposed -- sadly the gorgeous exhaust headers are buried) and the speedometer's top end rises to 160 mph. More importantly, the redline climbs from 6,500 to 7,000 rpm. There's no final word on price (we'll definitely keep you updated on that regard), but as Ford's PR folks explained to us at the 5.0 reveal in Detroit, they can't raise the price too much or they'll push the Mustang out of its segment.

Speaking of its segment, the current 2010 Mustang GT is already top of its class, independent rear suspension detractors notwithstanding. Aside from better brakes, the only legit knock on the 'Stang was the lack of power when compared to the Hemi'fied Challenger or burly Camaro SS. That knock, so to speak, is now out the door. Also, if you want Brembo brakes on your 2011 Mustang GT, Ford will sell them to you. If you haven't guessed, we're very much looking forward to this particular launch/car. And here's one more thing to chew on until we see the 5.0 in Detroit -- Ford assured us that with the new Mustang making 412 horsepower, it very well can't leave the GT500 as is.