Filed under: Classics , Coupe , Performance , Ford , Celebrities , Reviews 1967 "Eleanor" Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery H. B. Halicki was a used car salesman who wanted to make a movie. With a little money, one big idea, and a 1971 Mustang Mach 1, he made Gone in 60 Seconds . And in that particular way that movies, especially '70s movies, can be, it wasn't all that good, but it was awesome. Fast forward to Michael Bay's remake in 2000, and the Mach 1 was replaced by a 1967 Shelby GT500. When we got a call offering us the actual car from that movie for the weekend, we felt obliged to say yes... and then drive it like we stole it. The verdict: Eleanor is the hottest piece of car we've spent a weekend with in quite some time. Gallery: Review: 1967 Classic Recreations Eleanor Mustang Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Filed under: Motorsports , SEMA Show , Videos 2010 Ford Mustang FR500CJ testing - Click above to watch the video after the jump Testing is well underway on the 2010 version of the Cobra Jet Mustang, and from the looks of this new video released by Ford Racing, things are going very well. During a recent test of a development model with the new 2010 powertrain, the FR500CJ pulled a huge wheelie off the line in a perfect display of massive torque and traction. The ability to launch the front wheels off the ground is no doubt helped by the new aluminum-block motor underhood, which weighs far less than its iron counterpart. Will a version of this new lightweight motor make it into the 2011 Shelby GT500 ? We sure hope so. Watch the brief but awesome video after the jump . Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Testing [Source: Ford Racing] Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Ford Mustang FR500CJ catches air VIDEO: 2010 Ford Mustang FR500CJ catches air originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost For $50,000, you can put your rump in vast automotive acreage, or opt for something smaller and more practical. The Audi Q5 fills that need with a host of amenities, and a ride that finally puts the "sport" in Sport Utility. Porsche club hits the road to celebrate Ferry's 100th September 19, 2009 would have been Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche's 100th birthday, and to celebrate his centennial, the Porsche Club of America's Long Beach Region (PCA-GPX) threw a little shindig and we were on hand for the festivities. Corvette ZR1 matches Nissan GT-R around N

Filed under: Motorcycle Ducati Hypermotard 796 - Click above for high-res image gallery There's no doubt that the Ducati Hypermotard is one of the most talked about new motorcycles in recent memory, but at $14,995, it is priced out of many buyer's budgets. If you're slightly shy of coin, we have some good news to share: Ducati has just officially announced the Hypermotard 796, and it carries a more reasonable $9,995 asking price. At this point, Ducati isn't saying much about the new engine that powers the Hypermotard 796, except that it's air-cooled, sports two valves per cylinder and puts out 81 horsepower and 56 lb-ft of torque. We've heard, though, that the new mill will displace around 800cc and is a development of the mill used in the Monster 696. Those power figures coupled with the new bike's low 368-pound (unverified at this point, naturally) package provide an attractive power-to-weight ratio. Other features will include an APTC clutch and a single-sided swingarm along with redesigned top and bottom fork clamps and a revised steel trellis frame. Color options will include Ducati red and matte black in addition to the cool matte white scheme seen in our photo gallery below. Click past the break for the official press release. Gallery: Ducati Hypermotard 796 [Source: Ducati] Continue reading Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K Ducati launches 2010 Hypermotard 796, prices it below $10K originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

Filed under: Aftermarket , Motorsports , Convertible , Performance , Ford 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car - Click above image for hi-res gallery We've seen a rendering of the 2010 Hurst Mustang pace car , but this is the first time we're seeing the car in the flesh pixels. And... not bad at all. Sure, perhaps the wheels are a bit much, but we love the stripes. The basket handle doesn't even look too bad and at least it's functional - it serves as a home for the low-profile light bar. Lest we forget, the Mustang Challenge pace car features a Roush supercharger that boosts horsepower from 315 all the way up to 435, and there are also some suspension tweaks to go along with the extra grunt. Suddenly, racing under caution looks a bit more entertaining. Best of all -- to future owners -- only fifty copies will be made. Full press release after the jump . Gallery: 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car photos [Source: Mustang Blog ] Continue reading 2010 Hurst Mustang debuts as droptop pace car 2010 Hurst Mustang debuts as droptop pace car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:58:00 EST.

Filed under: Performance , Auctions , Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster - Click above for a high-res image gallery Supercars like the SLS AMG and SL65 AMG Black Series might be the flagships for the current Mercedes-Benz lineup, but back in the late 1990s it was all about the CLK GTR -- an all-out race car slightly disguised as a road car. The street version you see here was built to homologate the race car that competed in the FIA's GT1 class in 1997 and 1998 (wining the championship in 1997). Each came with a 6.9-liter V12 putting out 612 horsepower as well as features found on modern supercars like a sequential six-speed transmission with paddle shifters and carbon fiber brakes. Just 25 examples were built including five roadsters, making the CLK GTR one of the most exclusive supercars ever built. It's for this reason that the auction of two CLK GTR road cars immediately caught our attention. Both will be offered at RM Auction's Automobiles of London sale on October 28. One coupe and one roadster will go across the block, each completely brand new and unregistered with delivery miles only. Interestingly, both cars are right hand drive, custom built for the original owner. RM lists the estimated price for each CLK GTR at around 1/3 the original cost to build the cars, meaning some lucky collector might take home a supercar for a bargain. Follow the jump for more details about both cars, or check out the stunning high-resolution gallery below.

Filed under: Aftermarket , Coupe , Performance , Ford , Earnings/Financials Shelby GT500KR - Click above for high-res image gallery When we drove the Shelby GT500KR at Miller Motorsports Park last May, we were impressed with the steps that Ford and Shelby had taken to make its new King of the Road a special vehicle. Not only was the KR a huge improvement over the GT500 (which led to the development of the 2010 GT500), but the car featured trick items like a carbon fiber hood and lightweight wheels wrapped with R-compound tires. At that time, Shelby also proudly told us that none of the KR-specific parts would be available for sale separately to ensure that owners of lesser Mustangs could not make shadetree replicas that might compromise the KR's image. Of course, all of this exclusivity and performance came at a price: $79,995 to be exact. $18,400 for a new hood, $3,392.50 for a front spoiler, and $632.50 for a set of hood pins Unfortunately, as one GT500KR owner has learned the hard way, replacement parts for this pony car can be surprisingly dear. After an unfortunate incident with a critter on the road resulted in a modestly damaged front end, the owner in question was shocked to learn about the high cost of his vehicle's replacement parts. And as is increasingly the way these days, he aired his displeasure on the web. That initial report has since touched off a firestorm in the online Shelby community, with the issue spreading to numerous forums and chat rooms. So just why were these replacement parts such a contentious issue? In the main, it's a numbers thing.

Filed under: Coupe , Performance , Technology Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita - Click above for high-res image gallery With much of the recent news regarding Koenigsegg being about their acquisition of Saab, you might have forgotten that the Swedish auto manufacturer builds supercars. Well, probably not, but it was refreshing to see Koenigsegg throw a changeup and release details of their latest special edition model, the Trevita. Based on the CCXR model, the limited-edition supercar appears to have a simple silver paint job from a distance, but a closer look reveals a bare carbon fiber body coated with a unique diamond finish put directly into the weave using a process specially developed by Koenigsegg. According to the company, use of the "Koenigsegg Proprietary Diamond Weave" (catchy, eh?) means that "When sunlight hits the car, it sparkles like millions of silvery white diamonds infused inside the visible carbon fiber weave bodywork." Along with diamond weave finish, the Trevita, which evidently means "three whites" in Swedish, features a double carbon wing, paddle shifters, an upgraded exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes, an infotainment system, and more. There's no word on pricing, but just three will be produced and we're guessing that they will demand a hefty premium over the "standard" CCXR. No official word yet on whether the Trevita will roll out at next week's Frankfurt show, but we'll have our SLRs at the ready just in case. For now, though, you'll have to content yourself with the high-res gallery below. Gallery: Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita [Source: Koenigsegg via GTSpirit.com ] Continue reading Limited-edition CCXR Trevita to shine like a diamond. Well, millions of them, actually. Limited-edition CCXR Trevita to shine like a diamond.

OEMs go all out to defend fuel cells... but hide hydrogen angle Hydrogen cars are now "electric vehicles with fuel cells," capice? Survey says... nearly half of Americans want to buy something like the Volt, but do they want to pay? What would you pay? Officially, official: Jay Leno to put stars in (un)reasonably priced car Celebs in a battery powered car sounds good to us. Other news: Honda still plans 200 FCX Clarity leases, showroom sales by 2015 Proof in Pictures: Brammo Enertia in full production Energy Secretary Steven Chu plans to ensure hydrogen funds invested wisely AutoblogGreen for 09.10.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising , Videos , Ford The '10 Unleashed Mustang Body Ink - Click above to watch the video after the jump As part of Ford's The '10 Unleashed program you've seen a blind man realize his dream of getting behind the wheel of his favorite muscle car and a student get to drag race against his shop teacher on Pinks All Out . The latest person to get their Mustang dream granted by Ford is Daniel Verlarde, a 24-year-old Los Angeles student that takes his commitment to Mustangs more seriously than most. Already an owner of a '69 Mustang, Verlarde wanted to permanently display his love of Ford's pony car with a custom tattoo that would match the graphics on a brand new 2010 Mustang. With Ford's approval to make the dream a reality, High Voltage Tattoo in Hollywood stepped in to create the artwork on Verlarde's arm, Luis Lopez worked his magic on the side of the car, and Galpin Auto Sports helped customize the Mustang with a set of 20-inch wheels, a hood scoop, FR3 handling pack, and more. Watch the entire video after the jump to see Verlarde's wish come true. Permanently. [Source: Ford] Continue reading A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink