Find Whirlpool Deals at Lowe’sWe take a look at the coolest, and nutties cars from the LA Auto Show and give you the long and short of that Toyota gas pedal issue. Also, Audi wants drivers to scribble on their dashboard. Have you seen the latest in high tech auto seats? We also go for a ride in the Lincoln MKT.
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EPISODE 147
SHOW NOTES• CNET's L.A. auto show coverage
• Audi intros in-dash handwriting recognition
• CNET's review of the 2010 Mazda6
(Credit:
Josh P. Miller/CNET)
When Ford launched the revised Mustang last year, we were pretty bummed to learn that there wasn't a new power plant to go along with the improved aesthetic. At the 2009 LA Auto Show, this inequity has been rectified with a new 3.7-liter Duratec V-6 that boosts engine output to 305 horsepower while raising fuel economy to an estimated 30 mpg on the highway. For the first time ever, a V-6 Mustang is nothing to be ashamed of.
We've already taken a look at how the Duratec achieves such power and economy through a combination of weight and friction reduction, along with a new variable valve timing system. Spinning the crank to the tune of 305 horsepower means that the Mustang is now more powerful than the Chevrolet Camaro (304 horsepower). Of course, a one pony gap isn't much to write home about, but bragging rights are bragging rights.
Along with the new heart, the Mustang receives a few aero tweaks to the front end and undercarriage that will likely be invisible to all but the most diehard 'Stang lovers. Revised spring rates and a new thicker rear anitroll bar also help the Mustang V-6 to handle slightly better, but an optional Performance Package adds the suspension and stability control programming of the Mustang GT, bringing the V-6 model dangerously close to the V-8 in terms of performance--at least, until the new GT is revealed at the Detroit Show in January.
Check out our gallery of the 2011 Mustang V-6 at the 2009 LA Auto Show.
This promo video looks more like a video game as professional skateboarders Pat Duffy and Jake Brown take on a 2010 Mustang. The car (with the help of professional drivers and CGI) lands ollies, 360s, and kickflips.
Yesterday's clip was all about some blazing hot custom made Ford Mustangs making their presence felt at the 2009 SEMA Show last week in Las Vegas. Chevrolet reportedly also got in on the act with pimpin' out Camaros a plenty for SEMA insiders and car enthusiasts alike. Well, if you're thinking Dodge didn't have something similar up their sleeves, then like Judas Priest says "you've got another thing coming."
Today's Web video features Edward Loh from Motortrend.com gushing over some flashy custom 2009 Dodge Challengers, and with damn good reason. These Challengers are spectacular to look at, and a hot green convertible in particular is given a lot of camera time for its blingtastic wheels and 560HP V-8 engine. Roughly half way through the video, we get to scope a red Challenger that's been infused with a Viper V-10 engine and all sorts of custom options built in. Anyone who thinks that modern American muscle cars aren't something to get excited about should probably think again.
Earlier this week, we took a quick glance at a few of the many production and concept cars making their debuts at the 2009 SEMA Show last week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Well, today's video needs little explanation, simply because I don't have much extra information to give you. This Web clip shows off four nice customized Ford Mustangs that were exhibited at the most recent SEMA Show in Vegas, and really, this video is just a lot of nice eye candy for Mustang enthusiasts. Observe...
This video is more or less a commercial for Stage 3 Motorsports and TheMustangNews.com. Stage 3 Motorsports specializes in building custom Ford Mustangs and is also a supplier of Mustang engines and components. TheMustangNews.com boasts that it is "the Web authority for Mustang and Ford News," and its home page has profiles and reviews of several different Mustangs and Ford products that were on display at the 2009 SEMA Show. It's not the most intellectually stimulating Web clip you'll ever see, but if you just enjoy seeing some pimped-out custom Mustangs, then you will be more than satisfied.
This last week saw yet another big auto show in the form of the 2009 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show ran from November 2 to Friday November 6, and boy, was there a ton of eye candy for us car enthusiasts. However, the SEMA Show was not open to the public--only auto industry insiders were allowed inside these doors full of what SEMA refers to as "automotive specialty products." This video is a teaser of some of the many automotive delights that were on display at this year's event.
Here we go with another quality highlight video from the folks at Inside Line courtesy of Edmunds.com. This highlight reel features Camaros galore, plenty of Ford mods, and the stateside debut of the $375,000 Lexus LFA. Other notable vehicles include the Hyundai Genesis (with the midcar engine), Kia's first foray into racecars, and the Brooks & Dunn sponsored Toyota Tundra with an onboard barbecue grill--yummy.
Daniel Velarde, a longtime Mustang fanatic has a new custom Mustang pony logo tattoo. Velarde also has a tattoo-inspired custom paint job on his new ride.
Check out other Mustang films and stories at 2010 Mustang.
Ford mechanics lowered the suspension and added a few racing bells and whistles to this 2010 Ford Mustang GT to get it ready for its racetrack debut. All the parts they used are available through your Ford mechanic.
As I am currently putting together this web video blog, I am overlooking the beautiful hills and horizon of the unique American city known as San Francisco. So given this week's blog theme and my current city of residence I found it wholly appropriate to pay tribute to another of my favorite American muscle car classics, the timeless Ford Mustang GT...
The Ford Mustang has a rich 40 year history in American culture. The Mustang's humble origins were that of a "secretary" car that was transformed into a performance vehicle by racing designer Carroll Shelby. Since the late '60's the Mustang has become renowned as a world wide sports car staple. This video here features a modified 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 in action as driven by an American bad ass in his own right - the inimitable Steve McQueen. This car chase scene comes from the 1968 action flick "Bullitt" which is filmed on the streets of the San Francisco bay area. Interspersed with the car chase are stills of a Highland Green Ford Mustang GT fastback which gives the lucky audience a closer look at the exquisite interior and exterior of this classic automobile. Although Ford never produced a "Bullitt" edition of the Mustang, this particular make of Mustang is almost synonymous with the movie of the same name.
The 2009 1/2 model comes in silver and will be sold through Galpin Ford in Los Angeles. The car will have a classic Mustang look and comes standard with the Ford 4.6-liter V-8 rated 320 hp, or optional with a supercharged V-8 rated 400 hp.
(Source: Iacocca)
