Monthly Archives: June 2010
Ford reveals refreshed 2011 Mondeo with 237-hp 2.0L Ecoboost
Ford of Europe has dropped the first official photos of the refreshed 2011 Mondeo, along with some details on the mechanical updates. The only substantive visual change is a reshaped front fascia with a larger trapezoidal lower grille similar to the Fiesta and the upcoming 2012 Focus, as well as reworked driving lights.
Behind that new grille Ford has added the same type of active shutters the Focus is getting to restrict air-flow at higher speeds or colder temperatures, reducing turbulence and aerodynamic drag.
The rest of the engine compartment is occupied by two new powertrain options, including a more powerful 237 horsepower version of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost inline-four that debuted earlier this year. At 179 grams per kilometer of CO2 emissions, the new Ecoboost will have the same fuel consumption as the lower power unit and 20 percent less than a V6 of similar power. This more powerful unit is likely the one that we will get in theEdge and Explorer for 2011. All of the Ecoboost engines are mated up a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift gearbox similar to the unit that just debuted in the Fiesta in North America.
The second new engine is a reworked 2.2-liter diesel inline-four that now puts out 197 hp, a 12 percent bump from the previous edition. The new Mondeos will will be shown publicly at the Moscow Motor Show in August and go on sale in the fall.
BREAKING: Lexus recalls HS250h over risk of excessive fuel leakage
Back in the 1970s, the Ford Pinto was the focus of many headlines due to a fuel tank issue which caused excessive amounts of gasoline to leak during a rear-end collision. Now, three decades later, Lexus is having a similar problem with its HS250h hybrid, and has filed a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a voluntary recall of these vehicles. Up to 17,000 of the luxury hybrids are affected.
In the case of the HS, excessive fuel leakage occurred during rear-end collisions at speeds of 50 miles per hour. We don’t need to remind you about the dangers of excessive fuel spillage, but let’s just say that the end result can be very, very bad.
As of this writing, Lexus has not advised NHTSA about what steps will be taken to fix the defective HS models. Make the jump for the full details.
Report: Chrysler prepping manlier minivan
Is a “macho” minivan even possible? Toyota’s exploring the ”Swagger Wagon” angle with the Sienna SE, andDodge is apparently going to try and find out with a new variant of the Grand Caravan. Minivans are generallynot aspirational vehicles; people buy them because they need the utility. Of course, that’s not a bad thing – people haulers were created for a reason.
However, Dodge is going to try and spread the appeal beyond kiddie-schlepping moms to attract more men into the fold. A “sportier-looking” front end paired with a black-and-grey interior doesn’t seem like it’d be enough to swing much of the male demographic. After all, how sporty can you make a big box without a total redesign?
The new model will reportedly draw from the Caravan R/T concept that was quietly displayed at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, and it could debut within a few months. The Chrysler minivans have a lot to offer in terms of packaging, but their interiors leave much to be desired. If Chrysler substantially upgrades the look and feel there, its vans could land a few body blows in the battle against the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. But adding a hood scoop and big wheels? Not the answer.
Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales
With Mercury vehicles set to disappear from showrooms in the next few months, Ford hopes to jump-startLincoln sales with a free maintenance deal from now until Labor Day. Anyone who buys or leases a Lincoln this summer won’t have to pay for any regularly scheduled maintenance during the first three years or 45,000 miles of ownership.
The promotion applies to all 2010 and 2011 model year Lincolns and follows similar moves in recent years from brands like BMW and Volkswagen. At many Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States, Mercury accounts for a significant percentage of store sales. Those dealers will need programs like this to boost volumes until two new Lincoln models arrive in the next couple of years. So far, Lincoln has only confirmed that a compact is forthcoming. The seventh member of the Lincoln family remains a mystery.
eBay Find of the Day: 1957 BMW 507 is a black beauty
The BMW 507 is arguably the most beautiful and certainly among the rarest production models ever to emerge from Munich, with only 253 produced between 1956 and 1959. The 507 was the first BMW built with a V8 engine and remained the only model to use one until the 740i debuted in 1992. The 3.2-liter pushrod V8 under the 507′s bonnet was rated at either 150 or 160 horsepower.
Unfortunately, as attractive as the 507 was, its $10,000 price tag made it a bigger commercial failure than the more recent Z8. Following the 507′s demise, BMW didn’t build another roadster until the 1989 Z1.
This particular example appears to be in very good condition aside from its slightly foggy rear window. It spent a good part of its life at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, where it was purported to be one of two owned by Elvis Presley. As this is written, the $400,000 top bid has not cleared the reserve price, so you still have a chance to remortgage the house and get in on this action.
