“Makes a great boat anchor.” That’s how our editor-in-chief, Angus MacKenzie, neatly summarizes the V-6 engine in the 2010 Ford Mustang. The so-called “Cologne” six, produced by Ford of Germany in varying displacements for more than FOUR DECADES (currently it’s a single-cam, 4.0-liter), is rough, noisy, and underpowered (210 horses) and probably cheats on its taxes. Single-handedly, it knocked the Mustang out of contention for our 2010 Car of the Year award (the V-8-powered Mustang GT and GT500, in contrast, earned raves). We admire this motor like we admire Balloon Boy Dad.
But now — and none too soon — it’s gone. For the 2011 model year, starting this spring, the Mustang jettisons the stinky Cologne in favor of a sophisticated new DOHC 3.7-liter V-6 that banishes the taint of its predecessor like a rainbow after a hurricane. Ford graciously provided MT with an exclusive, preproduction ride (no wheel time yet, though) at the maker’s Arizona Proving Grounds. Listen up: The news is very good indeed.
We brought along the Mustang’s… read full caption.
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The secret to a successful vehicle launch event, in addition to offering all-day access to food and nightly binge drinking, is scheduling events that help put the hack journo in the mindset of the vehicle’s target customer. For the launch of Land Rover’s heavily freshened Land Rover LR3, rechristened LR4, the itinerary included an opulent dinner with his Grace, the 10th Duke of Roxburghe (say ROX-bruh), at his residence, Floors Castle in southeast Scotland. Owing to the go-anywhere nature of the brand, we dressed up in carry-on-wrinkled Yank interpretations of appropriate attire, boarded our dapper Landies, and set out along the historic carriage approach to the castle, which fords the River Tweed. Water that would have been just above knee high on a horse and well below the floor of a proper carriage lapped midway up the doors and submerged the new proximity-view cameras mounted in the front bumper, affording us a salmon’s-eye view. It was also moving swiftly enough to push the 5850-pound Rovers just a bit downstream. Read more »
Gemballa has unveiled their new Mirage GT Gold Edition.
Based on the Porsche Carrera GT, the Gold Edition follows in the footsteps of Gemballa’s previously revealed Mirage GT, Mirage GT Carbon Edition, and Mirage GT Matt Edition. Read more »
Official pictures and details of the new 2010 Jaguar XF-R have finally emerged. The executive British cat was designed to take on cars like the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63/ CLS 63 AMG. Read more »
The much predicted GT-R SpecV model that comes to the market only a year since the standard GT-R’s debut, was officially displayed today by Nissan. 2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV On the outside, the GT-R SpecV’s new features include a carbon fiber rear spoiler, a carbon fiber grille, and carbon fiber brake channels whilst Nissan has additionally introduced a new exclusive Final Black Opal ( RP ) body color. Read more »
Given the absence of anything actually new to offer, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a special edition version of its not long ago updated CLS four-door coupe model. The CLS Grand Edition is a part of Merc’s new factory program called “designo” that offers buyers more exclusive options and differentiation inside a model’s line-up. Read more »
The 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover has been made officially revealed. A mid-size bliss crossover, the following generation SRX will be prominently displayed in Detroit. Featuring a choice between 2 different direct injection V6 engines, it appears Cadillac is a bit uncertain what the genuine point of this vehicle is. On the one hand, Cadillac is saying this SUV crossover to be terribly fuel efficient. Read more »
