Just as General Motors announced it’s GM Total Confidence plan earlier today, Ford is getting into the incentive game with its new Ford Advantage Plan.

The “Plan” one-ups GM’s offer by covering 12 months of car payments for anyone who loses their job. Better still, the Ford will make those payments up to $700.

“Consumers remain anxious about the economy and their own outlook for the future. We at Ford want to do our part to rebuild faith in the marketplace by offering payment protection on every new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle for up to a year if our customers lose their jobs,” said Ken Czubay, vice president of Sales and Marketing.

The Ford Advantage Plan also includes zero percent financing on select Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

Ford is not, however, offering a “negative equity” plan like General Motors, instead citing that FoMoCo cars have a high residual value.

“Ford’s improvements in quality have contributed significantly to our year-over-year improvements in residual values,” said Czubay.

“This is the strongest product lineup we have ever offered. When you combine these great products with payment protection, 0 percent financing and support for local charities, customers can feel confident about getting back into the market for a new car or truck.”

The Ford Advantage Plan runs from today until June 1st.

Official release after the jump:

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German BMW tuner G-Power has just released details on its latest project, a supercharged widebody BMW X5 called the Typhoon.

The widebody kit is the obvious addition to the X5 xDrive48i’s otherwise conservative shell. The new front bumper, side skirts, fender flares and rear bumper make quite an impact. All body parts are manufactured from OEM quality PUR-R-Rim (aka polyurethane) and are designed to not only increase airflow to the brakes and engine, but also reduce lift on the front axle – which is important as G-Power rates the Typhoon at a top speed of 171 mph.

Inside those massive fenders, which increase the width of the X5 by 2.8-inches, are some impressively sized 23-inch wheels. Up front the wheels measure 11-inches in width and outback 12-inches. Both front and rear receive 315/25/23 tires.

As for the all-important engine modifications, G-Power worked with sister company ASA Engineering to develop a supercharger for the 4.8-liter V8. The ASA T1-521 hd blower bumps output by 170hp for a total of 525hp at 6100 rpm. Torque gets an equally serious boost to 443 ft-lbs at 5300 rpm.

Because of all the extra air the new supercharger introduces into the V8 engine at 8.7 lbs of boost, G-Power also upgraded the fuel system with high flow injectors and reprogrammed the ECU to make it all work smoothly.

G-Power claims a 0-62 mph time of 5.0 seconds with 124 mph coming in just 18.4 seconds.

For additional information visit:

www.g-power.de

GALLERY: G-Power Typhoon

More on the G-Power Typhoon after the jump:

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Subaru has decided not to wait until the show floor opens in New York next week to unveil the 2010 Legacy.

The new Legacy isn’t quite as bold a beast as the concept car first shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, but it is quite a looker – which is rare from Subaru.

The car is based on an entirely new platform that has a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model for a total of 108.3-inches. Height and width are also up by 3.2-inches and 3.6-inches respectively. Vehicle length has increased by just 1.4-inches.

The benefits of the platform are seen mostly inside, with rear seat legroom increasing by 4-inches.

Also new for 2010 are several of the engines.

The Legacy 2.5i models (the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited) will all get a 2.5-liter boxer engine that makes 170 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. A new six-sped manual will come standard with a “Lineartronic” CVT transmission optional. Subaru says both trannies will offer better acceleration and fuel economy.

Legacy 2.5GT models (2.5GT Premium and 2.5GT Limited) will come equipped with a new turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine with the turbocharger mounted below the engine for better response, improved emissions and a better center of gravity. Power is rated at 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 22hp and 17 ft-lbs of torque over the outgoing model. Subaru says the 2.5GT will be able to hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

The 2.5GT models will also come standard with a new 6-speed manual transmission that is more than 50 lbs lighter than the one in the 2009 Legacy 2.5GT spec.B.

As for the top level 3.6R models (3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited), they will feature a new 3.6-liter boxer engine that makes 256hp and 247 ft-lbs of torque – an increase of 11hp and 32 ft-lbs over the ’09 model. All 3.6R models get a five speed automatic transmission and only require regular octane fuel (not premium).

The suspension setup for the 2010 Legacy also gets an adjustment – as promised. The front maintains it’s MacPherson-type strut setup, while the rear gets a double-wishbone setup (as opposed to the old multi-link design). This, says Subaru, gives the 2010 Legacy a better ride, along with improved stability and handling.

We’ll bring you more details from the New York Auto Show starting April 8th.

GALLERY: 2010 Subaru Legacy

More on the 2010 Subaru Legacy After the jump:

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In a bid to help pump-up auto sales in the month of April, General Motors has just announced a new list of incentives. Called “GM total Protection” the package includes some added GM bonuses as well as a few new items aimed at protecting the buyer.

Two two major incentives are what GM calls Payment Protection and Vehicle Value Protection.

Payment Protection will cover monthly car payments on a financed vehicle for 9 months, in the case the the owner loses his or her job due to the economy. It applies to the first 24 months of ownership and GM will cover car payments u to $500.

As for Vehicle Value Protection, this incentive is aimed at helping buyers out down the road. (Not to mention it will likely keep a GM buyer coming back to GM). The way it works is that after a customer has completed half of a finance contract, they are eligible for negative equity assistance if they purchase a new GM product. In other words, if after 30 months of a 60 month contract you wish to trade in your Impala on which you owe $15,000 (but which is only worth $12,000) GM will ignore the difference – making purchasing another GM product down the line an attractive offer.

The other two incentives in the “GM Total Confidence” program are a 5 year/100,000 mile limited powertain warranty with roadside assistance, as well as one free year of OnStar.

“Our Total Confidence plan is an unprecedented offer that reinvents the ownership experience in an extremely positive way,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “Unlike other programs out there, ‘GM Total Confidence’ provides comprehensive coverage for new vehicle owners – from protecting their new vehicle investment to protecting their family’s income. GM Total Confidence provides customers peace of mind in uncertain times.”

The GM Total Confidence package is available from April 1st to 30th.

For more info visit: www.gmconfidence.com

Chrysler Canada Headquarters in Windsor, Ontario

While President Obama outlined his plan yesterday for General Motors and Chrysler, the Canadian government was forced into some more immediate action.

Chrysler Canada, which is currently threatening to remove all of it’s manufacturing facilities from the country if the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union cannot make concessions, made an emergency request to the Canadian government for an advancement on a government loan.

The Canadian government has agreed to loan Chrysler Canada $4 billion to help restructure the company if they meet certain requirements. One billion of that was set to be advanced, however, Chrysler Canada is in such dire straights that it made a request yesterday for a $250 million immediate advance, without which it could not make payroll.

“Very clearly, if the money had not been forwarded today, they would not have been able to meet payroll today or tomorrow,” said Industry Minister Tony Clement. Without the funds Chrysler Canada would have had to file for bankruptcy.

[Source: The Globe and Mail]

Current Commodore-based Lumina SS as sold in the Middle East and Africa

Even if General Motors survives its current financial woes, it has a serious problem on its hands regarding future products. Take the Chevy Impala for instance. Sure it’s not very exciting, nor is it much to look at, but its a top seller for GM and not something they would want to mess up – or do without.

GMinsideNews (GMI) is reporting that their sources inside General Motors are indicating a switch to a rear-wheel drive platform for the next Impala. The only problem is, this new version of the car wouldn’t be until 2015. Even worse, the current Impala is slated to stay in production until 2013, leaving a two year gap.

Worse still, just think how outdated the already long-in-the-tooth Impala will be four more years from now. Yikes!

According to GMI, this is how it will play out. The next generation Impala was supposed to be built on the RWD Zeta platform bu that was recently axed in a bid to cut costs. In Australia the Holden Commodore, which rides on the Zeta platform, will use a version of the Camaro’s platform starting in 2011. Once that Commodore is ready to be retired, both it and the next generation Impala will arrive (in 2015) sharing GM’s upcoming Alpha platform – much like how the current G8 shares most everything with the current Holden Commodore.

It sounds like a stretch to us, but as “world cars” are becoming more popular as automakers search for ways to save cash, there is certainly an economic argument for the report.

GMI says the use of the Alpha platform for both the Commodore and Impala in 2015 is under “serious consideration” by GM execs, but these days nothing is certain.

Case in point, just last week GMI reported that the Impala would get a long wheel base of the front-wheel drive Epsilon II platform (which is planned for the next generation Malibu).

[Source: GMInsideNews]

The 2009 SEMA Show is still over half a year away but contrary to popular belief, not every vehicle is assembled in a mad rush at the last minute. Wheel manufacturer iForged has already released details of what its big SEMA project will be and after last year’s 996 to 997 Porsche Turbo conversion, complete with GT3 RS green paint and TechArt goodies, we would expect nothing less than a serious performer.

Company owner Vincent Wong posted on his personal blog that the 2009 SEMA iForged project is a convertible (or roadster) version of the SL65 AMG Black Series. To be more accurate though, the vehicle will actually be an SL65, but will be converted with all the necessary bodywork to resemble the Black Series. But that’s not all.

IForged will also work with JE and Crower to build up the bottom end of the 6.0-liter V12 engine and Artisan Performance will assist with some larger turbos. The final engine output numbers are expected to be in the 1,000hp range.

Fox Marketing is also getting involved in the project, likely taking care of the body modifications. We just hope they can resist the temptation to paint the SL bright orange.

[Source: VincentWong.com]

Those clever folks over at Acura sure must be having a good laugh right about now. The company has just announced that it will debut a “luxury four-door sport coupe” called the ZDX at the New York Auto Show.

“The ZDX prototype is unlike anything you have ever seen before from Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president, Acura sales. Apparently it also looks like nothing else from Acura, as we were confident this new vehicle was set to be a sporty SUV, based off of the teaser images that looked alarmingly like a rip-off of the BMW X6.

“The prototype showcases a new level of luxury, style and refinement for Acura and speaks volumes towards our commitment to advancing the brand,” Conrad continued.

Acura is the latest auto manufacturer to explore the four-door coupe idea, with Mercedes starting the trend with its CLS and Volkswagen recently delivering the CC.

By the look of the concept, this vehicle might be more in line with the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, or the upcoming Audi A7, both of which feature a hatchback or “sportback” trunk.

The ZDX, which will be unveiled April 8th at the New York Auto Show will be a concept car, however, it is slated for production with sales starting as early as this Fall.

GALLERY: Acrua ZDX Concept

*** UPDATE *** Moments after Chrysler released an announcement that a partnership with Fiat was a done-deal, the American auto manufacturer released another statement with slightly revised wording stating that it had just a “framework” of a deal in place. *** UPDATE ***

Hours after President Barak Obama gave Chrysler a deadline of 30 days in which to solidify a partnership with Fiat, a deal has indeed been made.

“We are pleased that Chrysler, Fiat and Cerberus have reached agreement on a framework of a global alliance, supported by the U.S. Treasury,” said Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli in a press release issued by Chrysler. “Chrysler has consistently said that the alliance with Fiat enhances its business model that expands its global competitiveness. We appreciate the willingness of the Task Force, along with industry and financial experts, to consult closely with us in order to achieve this significant step”

The new partnership will see Fiat provide Chrysler with technology, products and several vehicle platforms for global distribution.

“Fiat strengthens Chrysler’s ability to create and preserve U.S. jobs; gives U.S. consumers more choices for environmentally advanced vehicles; gives its dealers more of the products they need to be successful; helps stabilize the supplier base; and allows Chrysler to pay back government loans sooner,” continued Nardelli.

“I want to personally assure all of our customers, dealers, suppliers and employees that Chrysler will operate ‘business as usual’ over the next 30 days. While we recognize that we still have substantial hurdles to resolve, Chrysler is committed to working closely with Fiat, the Administration, U.S. Treasury and the Task Force to secure the support of necessary stakeholders.”

The final details of the Chrysler and Fiat partnership (whether it be a merger or ownership) must still be worked out over the next 30 days, after which Chrysler is still seeking $6 billion to get the new Chrysler on its feet.

No doubt you remember the gold C63 AMG from a few months back, well, those crazy guys in Dubai are back at it again. Thanks to our friends over at Luxury4Play.com we have these images of a tremendously hideous gold SLR. Even the wheels weren’t spared in this ocular abortion. Thankfully our source tells us this is a wrap.

If you look closely in the pictures you can also spy a an SLR that appears to have Mansory’s Renovatio package. And what’s that even further back? Yup… that’s a black and gold Bugatti Veyron. Some guys have all the fun… and none of the taste.

GALLERY: Gold SLR

GALLERY: Gold C63

[Source: Luxury4Play]