August 17, 2011
Ford. The Dearborn-based automaker bet big on V6 engines for its F-150 pickups several years ago in the development phase - when the skeptics said it wouldn't work - and now they're reaping the benefits of that decision. Ford's 3.7-liter normally-aspirated V6 and its 3.5-liter direct-injected turbocharged EcoBoost V6 now account for more than 55 percent of F-150 truck sales, combined. This business is fun when things come together, right?
Fiat. Not a month past intro and here come the "special" editions already. First up? A Gucci Edition. We can hardly wait. Not.
Saab. The company is pulling out of next month's Frankfurt auto show to preserve cash and pay bills. Buh-bye now.
The Dream Cruise. The manufacturers are back, big-time, but the authenticity of the Dream Cruise remains blissfully intact. It's the biggest run-what-you-brung car happening in the world and there's nothing else like it. And that's a very good thing.
(Jaguar Cars)
Here's a hint of the Jaguar C-X16 production concept that will make its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13. The C-X16 concept is said to be a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology. "Great Jaguars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future," Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars, commented. "The finished C-X16 concept has the potential to do these things while retaining the ability to surprise, to excite and invigorate." We'll see.
(Ford)
2012 Mustang Boss 302 owners now have a unique opportunity to participate in a “track attack” of their own. As part of a complimentary program offered by Team Mustang and Ford Racing, instructors at the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park are offering 2012 Mustang Boss 302 owners a chance to learn what their car is really capable of. The one-day Boss Track Attack program provides owners with a full immersion into the Boss experience, with driving instruction and extensive track time with professional instructors. Boss owners need not bring their own cars, because Miller Motorsports Park has a fleet of track-ready Boss 302s on hand for this driving experience. 2012 Mustang Boss 302 owners can now get all the details and register for their complimentary Boss Track Attack sessions slot at www.bosstrackattack.com or by calling 435-27-SPEED.
(Photo by Steve Fecht for Chevrolet)
From the "You Think You Know The Car Business?" File comes Suzanne Cody, a woman who defies any preconceived notions associated with engineers. By day, the 34-year-old mother of two works in the wind tunnel to make the all-new upcoming Malibu more aerodynamically efficient. At night, she is “Shovey Camaro,” a member of the Bath City Roller Girls derby team from Mt. Clemens, Mich. Her derby number is “6.2L” which pays homage to the power and size of the V-8 engine in her 2010 Camaro SS, and her blue hair displays her passion for GM (!). “When all the other moms pull up to school in their minivans or crossovers, I arrive in my Inferno Orange, 426-horsepower Camaro Coupe with my blue hair and twin child seats in tow,” said Cody. “I usually get a few laughs and some stares, but roller derby has given me the confidence I need to aggressively work toward my goals. For a lot of people, their work and private lives are fairly well segregated, but that doesn’t work for me. I apply the same passion at the roller derby and at work, to benefit our customers.” Uh, wow.
(Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)
Suzanne “Suzy” Cody and John “Moose” Bednarchik, the lead aerodynamic engineer for the all-new 2013 Malibu. After four years of development and more than 400 hours testing and fine-tuning the new Malibu in GM’s wind tunnel, Bednarchik achieved the lowest wind drag for a Chevrolet midsize car in the past 100 years, nearly as efficient as the Chevrolet Volt's rating of .28 Cd.