At least we are willing to bet Taurus SHO will be on highway patrol duty. As far as local police (you know, the townies who pull over tourists and teenagers to fill a quota) can expect a regular front wheel drive 3.5 liter V6, minus the boost. Other assumptions can be made about the future 2011 Ford Taurus-based Police Interceptor, including upgraded suspension, cooling system, electrical system and brakes.

Source: Autoblog

2010′s Sno*Drift is one of the most anticipated rally races of the year. Just when February approaches, and early night/extreme cold begins getting to you, Sno*Drift swoops in at 300 horse power to brighten your day.

Block didn’t make it to the end, unfortunately – his Fiesta suffered suspension issues extreme enough to keep it from crossing that icy finish line. Block did pick up a WIN during Sno*Drift’s first stage, topping off at speeds of almost 110 miles per hour. Remember, turn into the spin! Even though he couldn’t finish, Block had a blast: “Everything started great, which was unexpected with this being my first time really racing the Fiesta. The conditions were really bad, possibly the iciest roads I have ever raced, so my plan was to drive on the conservative side, which I was doing. Then the suspension went after taking a few minor impacts and I was out, just like that. And while obviously disappointed, I am really looking forward to [the rally of the] 100 Acre Wood [in February]. The Fiesta has so much torque and was running so strong; it will be great to see what it can do with proper traction.”

The Source: Jalopnik

Ford upgraded the engine in 2011′s Mustang from a 4.6-liter V8 & to 5.0-liter V8-powered GT, which produces 412-horsepower and up to 390 ft-lb of torque – pushing the racer to 60 mph in under 4.7 seconds. Using the six-speed automatic the car generates a 17/25mpg rating.

Also on display was the Special Edition BOSS ‘stang, with addition paint and trim options. No word on the enhancement of horse power on this particular model – but just wait until Shelby gets their over-charging mittens on 2011′s model. Enjoy these sexy photos of Ford’s new Mustang below:

The Source: WorldCarFans

Currently the role of site reconnaissance is predominantly carried out by light tankers or QAVs (Quick Attack Vehicles), typically these are modified single cabin commercial utility vehicles such as the Toyota Landcruiser. While the off road performance and maneuverability of such a vehicle is sufficient, its ability to actively suppress a fire threat is severely limited by the considerably small water supply (500lt) and distinct lack of survival engineering, fundamentally making it inadequate for its role.

CREW LAYOUT – Typically medium and heavy tankers require 5-6 crew members to be operated effectively. AMATOYA requires only 2. More military in its approach, reducing crew numbers per appliance will allow for greater dispersion of resources during a fire response.

Principal concerns when developing a vehicle of any nature are driver position, ingress/egress and vision angles. These elements become even more crucial in a vehicle purpose built for reconnaissance. A central, forward and high driver and ROSCO operator position akin to the Apache assault helicopter with generous down vision will assure functionality.

Access is via two gull wing doors, an optimal solution to accommodate the unconventional bodyside form. The distinct lack of a traditional b-pillar will provide uninterrupted views for the ROSCO operator situated above and behind the driver.

SURVIVABILITY – Cabin temperature and vehicle survivability are central to the AMATOYA concept. Existing approaches in survival engineering on fire tankers consistently appears as augmentation rather than integration. Methods are passive, typically reactive and often incapacitate the appliance when in use. A key example is the use of curtain heat shields, while effective, when employed render the appliance out of operation.

To create a homogenous directive towards survivability AMATOYA incorporates state of the art clear aerogel laminated insulation in the windows and bodywork, a dedicated auxiliary water supply to operate a highly efficient, intelligent temperature controlled spray down system, military grade sacrificial thermo ceramic intumescent paints, and a mechanically injected large displacement diesel engine specifically engineered for the unique conditions experienced on the fire ground.

These measures will assure that even in the case of an extremely prolonged and high intensity burnover the vehicle will not only maintain cabin integrity, but opposed to existing appliances AMATOYA will remain fully operational.

SUPPRESSION ABILITY – A Remotely Operated Suppression Cannon Outfit (ROSCO) coupled with a generous 1800lt + 400lt auxiliary water supply, offers a unique dynamic to vehicle operation. Current suppression techniques require large crew numbers (at least 5 per appliance) to perform through intermittent periods of strenuous labour to have any form of impact on a fire. The ROSCO system utilizing IFEX3000 impulse technology is not only a hugely efficient means of fire suppression, but vitally will eliminate crew members being subjected to the elements and stresses of extended high intensity work on the fire ground, while constantly maintaining vehicle mobility. A highly rated thermal imaging camera along with directional spot lights will assist in ‘hotspot’ location to determine the most effective direction of attack.

OFF ROAD PERFORMANCE – AMATOYA represents the pinnacle of specialized performance in the fire appliance design field. Off road capabilities reflect enthusiast 4WD methods, including generous approach, departure and over ramp angles, suspension travel, ground clearance and minimized turn circle.

Central tire inflation (CTI) and run flat tire (RFT) technology coupled with beadlock tires will allow an extensive band of dynamic pressure control to aid in traversing the complex terrain often encountered on the fire ground.

MANUFACTURING – The vehicle adopts many conventional fabrication techniques associated with low production run specialized vehicles. The point of difference which separates this concept from existing appliances is the proposed monocoque steel body, comparable to military MRAP vehicles. A conventional fire tanker is built body-on-frame from a standard cab chassis truck base. While this approach is successful, the lack of integration results in certain performance issues. Body roll due to the on board water supply is an notable problem, however by creating a fully integrated solution, water reservoirs can be strategically located central and low in the vehicle to dramatically improve the centre of gravity.
-From Liam Ferguson, Designer

Via WorldCarFans: Facebook and Twitter are the moles/ deep-throats of the new generation. It was on these social networks that confirmation broke of the new iconic 5.0-litre V8 for the 2011 Mustang GT. Ford has not sent out anything official yet but these details are definitely legit. They guys at Inside Line say it’s all true.

The new aluminum 32 valve engine codenamed Coyote, is to produce a highly respectable 412 horsepower which compares well aginst the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS’s 422hp and the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8′s 425hp. Peak torque is expected to be 542Nm (400 lb-ft).

The Blue Oval’s finest may be notably short on stallions but counting in its favour is a lighter body compared to its two traditional rivals. An upgraded Track Pack will also make sure that corners are taken as nimbly as the straight lines.

Not much more info is available but Ford will be unveiling the new pony at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Underneath its rear-mounted hood is quad-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12, putting out an estimated 720 horsepower. GT90′s body is constructed of carbon fiber, and top speed is somewhere in the 250 mph range. Check out the full press release below – and if you can make your way out to Arizona, we suggest giving a bid up for it.

Est. 720 bhp, 6.0 liter quad-turbocharged mid-engine V12, five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension, and four wheel ventilated disc brakes. Wheelbase: 116″

The one-off GT90 Concept Car, labeled immediately as “the world’s mightiest supercar” by Ford Motor Company on December 6, 1994, was the spiritual successor to the Ford GT40, the product of a colossal feud in the early 1960s between the Blue Oval from Dearborn and the Prancing Horse of Northern Italy. The GT90 draws from the design cues of its heritage and pays homage to the famed Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s of the 1960s, which were created after the failed attempt by Ford to buy out Ferrari.

GT40 Heritage

The failed acquisition of Ferrari only strengthened Henry Ford II’s resolve to beat Ferrari, and he therefore decided to take on the Commendatore head-on in international sports car racing. There was very little interest in this form of racing in America at the time, but Ford was prepared to gamble that European wins, Le Mans in particular, would capture the country’s imagination. He was right.

After the Ferrari debacle, Henry Ford II declared that he wanted to win Le Mans in 1966, and Ford’s Lee Iacocca and Leo Beebe were given the job of forming Ford Advanced Vehicles. Instructed by Henry Ford II to spend whatever money necessary to develop a racing program that would beat Ferrari in the most public of ways, the team went to work.

Ford’s idea was to develop a car that could be built around the 1963 Indianapolis 4.2-liter pushrod engine. The mid-engined coupe that the company had in mind was to be the very cutting edge of modern GT car design with careful attention paid to aerodynamics. Ford realized that many of their plans were echoed in the Lola GT, designed and built by Eric Broadly at his workshop at Bromley in England. Broadly, too, had seen the potential of the Ford V8 as a GT racing engine and incorporated a stock 260 cubic inch version in his car, first exhibited at the London Racing Car Show in January 1963. As it happened, the Lola GT was 40 inches high. The Ford GT would also be this height, and it is for this reason that the car was christened the GT40.

The first two prototype Ford GT40s were launched in April 1964, and the GT40′s first race was the 1,000 kilometer at the Nürburgring on May 31. Phil Hill qualified the blue and white coupe second to John Surtees’s Ferrari 275P, and although the car retired with a broken suspension bracket, the GT40 had shown its potential.

In 1965, when the project was handed over to the Shelby-American team of Cobra fame, a total of ten cars had been built. By the end of February 1965, a number of significant changes had been made to the car under the direction of Carroll Shelby, his chief engineer Phil Remington, and Ken Miles, Shelby’s test driver. The 4.2-liter dry sump Indianapolis engine was replaced with the famous wet sump 4.7-liter, 289 cubic inch V8 that powered Shelby’s Cobras and developed 385 brake horsepower.

The first race the re-worked car was entered in was the 2,000 kilometer Daytona Continental Race on February 28, 1965. The car, driven by Lloyd Ruby and Ken Miles, won the race with Bob Bondurant and Richie Ginther in a second car finishing third. Suddenly, the GT40 was on the map and a force to be reckoned with.

With the GT40 now fully developed, Roy Lunn was given the job of overseeing production of a Mark II version of the car. Work on two new cars began in the spring of 1965 at a new Ford racing subsidiary, Kar Kraft, in Detroit. The GT40 Mark II was fitted with Ford’s mighty 7.0-liter V8. The engine had tremendous torque and a wide power band and had been very successful racing in other formats. The Mark IIs were immediately quick, finishing first, second and third in the 1966 Daytona 24 Hour race; this was followed by victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the famous clean sweep at Le Mans, where Ford GT40s once again crossed the line first, second, and third. Ford’s gamble had paid off, and the GT40 dominated sports car racing, as intended, making it one of the most successful road/competition cars ever built.

The Source: Autoblog

They say it’s cold in the D – apparently not cold enough to keep this cabbie awake. Yes, that taxi is #666 – so it was only a matter of time before it went slamming into a house, a crowd of people…or maybe not as there are not enough people living in Detroit to get a crowd together. The building in question is the Cobo Hall downtown. Our condolences to it. via Jalopnik

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“In the real world, a fuel economy saving of 10 percent can make a major impact on running costs. Transit has always been the vehicle business people choose when they want value for money and low cost of ownership. With this new ECOnetic version, we now have the best in class CO2,” Ford’s commercial vehicle directory Steve Kimber said in a statement.

The Ford Transit ECOnetic is priced around $25,000 in Britain and is based on the front-wheel drive Transit 280 panel van with short wheelbase. It is powered by a 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi engine and runs on diesel. Yes, I said that right, it runs on diesel fuel.

The Ford van is only available in Britain and parts of Europe. However, this vehicle is similar to the 2010 Ford Connect which will soon be available throughout the United States. The Transit Connect is a spacious fuel-efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles and was first unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.

Ford Transit Connect has front-wheel drive with an upgraded powertrain. It is powered by a Duratec 2.0-liter dual-overhead cam (DOHC) four-cylinder engine. The Transit also has several design enhancements including the grille and interior touches. It is probably the best fuel efficient commercial van that will hit the market.

“This workhorse is like nothing available today in the American market,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “We’re offering small business owners a real choice to meet their needs, instead of asking them to pull seats out of minivans or compromise on one or more of their needs.”

Ford hybrid vehicles, including the Fusion and the Escape SUV, are top performers in the United States. The Ford Transit Connect will only add to a successful line-up. For example, shipping companies can save on gas while helping the environment. Ford Motor Company is providing technologies in vehicles that reduce carbon emissions in the commercial transportation business.

via newsoxy.com

Yes friends, Ford is BACK with a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 SHO, and the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT are getting them too. The redesigned 2010 Taurus SHO power plant is a twin-turbo, direct-inject engine, which Ford claims can deliver “V8 power with V6 economy.” SHO’s EcoBoost produces 365 horse power and 350 lb-ft. of torque. This bad boy is already available for pre-order at some Ford dealers.

Inside and out, the 2010 Taurus SHO is a classic sleeper. The vehicles design is as basic as a rebranded Ford 500 series can be – with the added ‘SHO’ badge and a slightly up-angled rear spoiler. Leather interior and a flashy dash, including on board nav-screen and slap-stick shifter, compliment this high performance 4-door. We’re excited to see just how well SHO does in the coming years.

Source: Autoblog / RSportsCars