Ford Expands its Range of Crate Engines for 2012,

Ford Racing has released details on its new crate engines that will be available for 2012. Apart from the usual powerplants that range from the nine pushrod engines to the new, high-tech “Coyote” 5.0-liter V8, Ford has expanded its lineup to include a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

The I4 "Concept" is the first of a line of four cylinders to follow and is a naturally aspirated, direct-injection, 2.0-liter unit with variable valve timing, 12.0:1 compression ratio and an output of 160HP to 175 HP.
The 2.0-liter will be available in the spring of 2012. Later, the I4 line-up will expand with more production-based performance engines including the new, turbocharged EcoBoost units.
The “Small-Block” V8 is part of the performance engine range offered by Ford, with displacements from 302 to 427 cubic inches and outputs of 340 to 600 HP.
The X427, designed for street use, joins the Ford Racing Z427 that was introduced in 2010. Based on Ford Racing's new Boss 351 block, this new 427 crate engine delivers 520 lb-ft of torque thanks to the fitment of Ford Racing X-Heads.
The Z363 pushrod engine, which replaces the Z347, is based on the Boss 302 block. It features aluminum heads, Mahle pistons, a forged crankshaft and forged connecting rods, floating piston pins and a high performance oiling system. The result is an increase of 50HP, for a total of 500 ponies. It is also available as a short-block, for buyers who wish to customize it to their own specifications.
Ford Racing also offers three 5.0-liter crate engines for the Mustang. The Mustang GT-based “Aluminator” with Ti-VCT variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder bolts on directly to 2011-12 model year Mustang GT models. The second “Aluminator” V8 also features four valves per cylinder as well as forged pistons and H-beam connecting rods to handle the demands of forced-induction applications.
Last, but not least, is the new “Coyote”-based racing V8 that is eligible for cars participating in the National Mustang Racer’s Association series’ new “Coyote Stock” class. Ford noted that all units come sealed from the factory and feature a spec engine controller.

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2010-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercy Milan Sedans

The Blue Oval has issued a new recall on certain 2010-2011MY Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans that are equipped with 17-inch steel wheels because the wheel studs may start fracturing and split over time, potentially leading to one or more wheels falling off the car. No other types of wheels are affected by this recall. 

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that the recall affects 128,616 Ford Fusions and Mercury Millans built from April 1 to 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through November 13, 2010.
Ford said that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to this issue.
According to the automaker, dealers will replace the wheel lug nuts on all four wheels while also inspecting the rear-brake disc surface for flatness and replace the discs as necessary. The safety recall will begin in January 24, 2012.

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Take a Spin in a Tank and Destroy a Car for $1,000

So you want to blow off some steam and crash a car with tank, do you? Minnesota-based company 'Drive-a-Tank' has you covered. The name leaves no ambiguity as to what it is all about. 

For $499, you can take a three to four hour drive in one of the available British tanks after some necessary lessons, while adding another $499 for a total of $998 will allow you to run over a car. If that's not enough, you can always opt for the double car crash package that will cost you $1,190 in total.
CNN Money's Poppy Harlow took a ride in one of the tanks, and as you can see in the video after the break, she had plenty of fun.

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Senior U.S. Car Buyers Try to Cling on to their Youth by Choosing Good Ol' American Iron

Oscar Wilde famously said that “to get back to my youth I would do anything in the world except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable”.
Sadly, the 19-century novelist and poet is no longer among us to reveal if buying a car to remind him of his youth, no matter how far behind the competition it is, would be one of the sacrifices he would or wouldn’t be willing to make.
A survey by TrueCar.com reveals that cars bought by people aged 65 and above in the States belong mostly to domestic brands they remember from their youth, such as Cadillac, Lincoln and Buick.
The study covers a two-year period and shows that the Top 10 is dominated by those brands with only two exceptions: the Hyundai Azera, which is preferred due to its low price and is in sixth place, and the Toyota Avalon that finishes off the Top 10.
Here is the list along with the percentage of each car that is bought by senior customers. As you can see, the top five have such a high rate among seniors that they would be extinct if not for those who fondly remember the cars of their youth.

1. Lincoln Town Car: 90 percent
2. Buick Lucerne: 87 percent
3. Cadillac DTS: 85 percent
4. Cadillac CTS: 74 percent
5. Cadillac STS: 71 percent
6. Hyundai Azera: 25 percent
7. Chevrolet Impala: 51 percent
8. Buick LaCrosse: 59 percent
9. Lincoln MKZ: 54 percent
10. Toyota Avalon: 54 percent

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Luxgen5: TheTaiwan's Luxgen First Sedan Model

Mazda isn't the only automaker to use its name as a designation for its model series. Taiwan's aspiring new automotive brand Luxgen has adopted the same nomenclature for its range of models that has now been expanded with its first ever four-door sedan, the Luxgen5 that joins the Luxgen7 MPV and Luxgen7 SUV.

The newly revealed Luxgen5 is the production version of the Neora EV concept study that was exhibited at the Auto Shanghai 2011 in China earlier this year.
The Taiwanese automaker says it is targeting the medium-large sedan market with the new Luxgen5 that will make its world premiere at the 2012 Taipei Auto Show next April.
According to Luxgen, the four-door model has been created for global markets in mind since its inception. The chassis has been designed with the support of US engineering analysts Altair, while the car was tested by UK safety organization Mira to meet the chassis configuration requirements of local and overseas markets.
Power comes from a choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines, a 1.8-liter VVT Turbo producing 150HP and 23.5kgm (230Nm) that's matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.0-liter VVT Turbo delivering 170HP and 26.1kgm (256Nm), coupled to a 6-speed automatic from Aisin.
The larger displacement engine allows for 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h (131mph).
Other highlights include a full suite of safety features such as ABS, EBD electronic brake-force distribution, a BAS brake assist system, an ESC electronic stability control system and a TCS traction control system, along with a 'jet fighter-style' HUD display and the LUXGEN THINK+ Touch infotainment system developed in collaboration with smartphone maker hTC that comes with a large touchscreen incorporated in the center console.

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Rinspeed Shows “Dock+Go” EV Extending Range Add-On Concept At Geneva Salon

Rinspeed is a Swiss-based automobile manufacturer and tuning designer with a very vivid imagination. Although it produces “normal” tuning products like the 600HP Porsche 911 Turbo, it is projects like the James Bond-like submersible Lotus Elise or the BamBoo EV study that are its hallmark.

Now, the innovative design house is planning to launch a new “mobility concept” at the 2012 Geneva Salon next March. The “Dock+Go” is the brainchild of Frank M. Rinderknecht, who describes it as a docking “backpack on wheels”.
The idea behind its creation was born out of most electric vehicles’ problem: their restricted range. Although any EV can serve as a basis, Rinspeed chose the electric Smart ForTwo for displaying its solution.
The “Dock+Go” is like a trailer that, as its name suggests, docks to the rear of the car. The Vario-Hybrid can be fitted with a normal internal combustion engine, a range extender, a battery pack or a fuel cell, and it drives the rear axle of the car, thus extending its range.
Rinspeed doesn’t limit its use to EV vehicles, though. Apart from the range-extending Vario-Hybrid, the “Dock+Go” can also be fitted with a variety of “packs”, from an integrated heated box suitable for pizza delivery, a toolbox, camping, golf, skiing or even a party package.

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Gisele Spends Some Time in a Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

The first thing most of our readers [sic…] may notice about this video is that the featured Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is equipped with an automatic transmission. Do we really need to tell you what else your eyes will rest upon after that? 

 

And oh, it's probably a good idea to tell you that both videos are somewhat NSFW (probable less about Work, more about Wife). If staged clips about girls taking a ride in a fast car is your kind of thing, all you have to do is follow the jump to watch Gisele and her ride in the automatic Caddy.

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