Back when it was first introduced to the F-150, there were many who questioned Ford‘s logic for installing a twin-turbocharged V-6 in a pickup truck. However, it appears the Blue Oval has proved the naysayers wrong; in recent months, V-6 sales have been really gathering steam.

At the beginning of the calendar year, six-cylinders accounted for around 35 percent of all F-150 sales, now the total is around 56 percent, with 41 percent of those being EcoBoosts (the remainder are 3.7-liter base V-6s).

In terms of individual engines, the 5.0-liter V-8 still leads the way, being installed in 44 percent of all F-150s snapped up by the public. But if the V6 continues to gain acceptance and fuel prices rise, it’s very likely that by the end of the year, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost alone will equal if not surpass it in terms of overall volume.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Smart is looking to increase its ForTwo sales and perhaps generate some buzz around its lone model by releasing a limited edition Pearlgray version to the European market. (It’s currently unknown whether or not it’ll make its way to the United States).

Based on the ForTwo’s Passion model, the limited edition Pearlgray will be available in coupe or convertible form and features a unique paint scheme of graphite grey with a contrasting silver safety cell. Larger 15-inch wheels also give the ForTwo a sportier look.

Since the Pearlgray is based on the Passion model, it will come with power windows, automatic temperature control air conditioning, and a transparent panoramic roof. The interior does get a similar color treatment with contrasting crystal gray leather and fabric. Optional equipment on the Pearlgray include heated seats and navigation. Two engine choices will be available, a 71-hp or 84-hp three-cylinder powerplant.

The Pearlgray starts at around $20,850 and can top out at $26,100 with all its options.

GALLERY: Smart ForTwo Pearlgray Limited Edition

Are your kids starting to wear on your nerves as summer vacation drags on? Put them to work – by designing and decorating their own 2012 Toyota Sienna.

Kids can win their parents a Toyota Sienna just by watching TV and putting their creative skills to good use. All they need to do is go online to DisneyJunior.ca and customize a Toyota Sienna using elements from Disney Junior shows. In August, you and your kids watch to see if their Sienna rolls across the screen during Disney Junior shows.

If you’re a mom, you can get in on this contest as well – 10 Disney Junior Mom Bloggers will have the chance to road-test the Sienna and blog about their experiences with this minivan.

“This contest is all about kids having fun personalizing their Sienna and for parents, it’s the opportunity to win a vehicle that is about family fun, safety, comfort and convenience,” said Stephen Beatty, Managing Director at Toyota Canada Inc. “The Sienna has received many third-party accolades from safety to reliability and fuel efficiency, but we really can’t wait to hear the real world impressions from Disney Junior Bloggers.”

Kids can decorate their 2012 Toyota Sienna until July 31. Every day between August 1 and 21 on both the English and French-language Disney Junior networks, a new design and the name of the child who submitted it will be aired during shows such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Stella and Sam. If you or you child sees their design, they need to log DisneyJunior.ca to enter the date, time, and show where they saw it. They will then be entered for a chance to win a new 2012 Toyota Sienna, which will be given away at the end of the contest. The more they spot their design on television, the more they can enter and the more chances they have to win.

Forty years after Mercedes took home an historic 2nd place finish at the 24 Hours of Spa, the German automaker will look to recreate history with a new SLS AMG GT3 race car styled after the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG that competed there in 1971. That car surprised everyone taking second place overall and first in its class in the endurance classic, inaugurating a successful start for the first-ever AMG to compete in motorsports.

And to draw an even stronger historical tie, one of the drivers, Kenneth Heyer, is the son of Hans Heyer, who along with Clemens Schickentanz piloted the big Benz to the winners circle.

“It’s a great honour, exactly 40 years after my father’s success, for me to be bringing the Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3 to the starting line of the 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps.” said Heyer. “Together with my team colleagues, I will be trying to achieve at least second place. The car will no doubt attract plenty of attention in the line-up with its look reminiscent of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, but naturally the focus will be on a good racing performance. The SLS AMG GT3 has the potential for a place on the winner’s rostrum, but as we all know, a 24-hour race obeys laws of its own.”

In addition to this car, Mercedes-Benz will field six more SLS AMG GT3s at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, which runs July 30th and 31st.

To help celebrate the occasion, Mercedes got the two cars together for an on-track photo shoot that any car nut can’t help but drool over.

GALLERY: SLS AMG GT3 and 300 SEL 6.8 AMG

McLaren hasn’t competed in endurance sports car racing since the F1 GTR ran at Le Mans back in 1995. That, however, will all change on July 30th with the storied British marque announcing a three car team of MP4-12C GT3 race cars will attempt to endure the 24 Hours of Spa.

Two teams will compete in the GT class, while a third will hit the track in the Pro-Am Cup class, with a total of 10 drivers.

Earlier this year McLaren did run the MP4-12C GT3 in the British GT Championship, but this marks the first 24 hour race for the vehicles.

“I’m delighted with the quality of the drivers we have enlisted as we take the 12C GT3 to its first 24 hour race,” said McLaren Automotive Chief Test driver Chris Goodwin. “This level of endurance racing is a crucial test for the car technically, and we need the best possible team working with us to ensure we receive intelligent, objective feedback on the 12C GT3 driving experience. We will use this feedback as we continue to develop the car in readiness for customers to go racing next year.”

In total, McLaren is planning to deliver 20 MP4-12C GT3 race cars to customer teams to compete in motorsports in 2012.

GALLERY: McLaren MP4-12C GT3

Hit the jump for a run-down of the cars and drivers for the 24 Hours of Spa.

Continue Reading…

While not often talked about, Honda‘s Pilot SUV has grown to become a staple of the brand’s U.S. model lineup. With the second-generation model introduced in 2009, it’s about time for an update and so Honda has decided to refresh the truck for the 2012 model year.

Included in the makeover is a new three-bar corporate front grille and a few other mild tweaks that actually do a lot to improve the ‘ute’s look.

Planning to continue on a long tradition of fuel economy, Honda has also replaced the 5-speed automatic transmission with a 6-speed unit, promising that it will rank as the most fuel efficient three-row crossover on the market. Currently the Pilot gets a best of 17/23-mpg for 2WD models or 16/22-mpg for 4WD versions.

In addition to those updates look for a mild workover for the cabin, a new navigation system and some small trim upgrades – including the wheels shown.

The bright yellow Corvette Racing C6.Rs may have raced to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but the team’s efforts at home have been met with less spectacular results. To be fair, Corvette Racing cars have landed a spot on the podium twice this season, but the team has also suffered some major setbacks in other races. As perhaps a sign that Corvette Racing may reclaim some of its former glory the No. 4 car of Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen finally clinched the top spot on the podium at the Grand Prix of Mosport over the weekend.

A combination of hard driving, excellent pit stops and a bit of luck put the Corvette in first. Starting in just sixth position in the GT class the No. 4 Vette emerged from the pits in 3rd place after the first round of stops. With Oliver Gavin piloting the car for the first half of the race, Jan Magnussen took over, passing one of the Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italias near the end of the race. Then, with just laps to go, Dirk Werner, driving the No. 55 BMW was forced to pit for a stop-and-go penalty after making contact with one of the slower GTC cars, allowing Magnussen to move into first.

He held on to take the checkered flag and subsequently end BMW’s dominance in the series. “We got our first win on the board and we’ve broken BMW’s stranglehold on ALMS victories this year. I’m absolutely delighted!” said Oliver Gavin.

The No. 3 Corvette driven by Tommy Milner and Olivier Beretta managed a sixth place finish, starting 8th on the grid and eventually climbing to 4th until contact with the very gold No. 11 Porsche GTC car resulted in a spin.

The next race on the ALMS calendar is at Mid Ohio in two weeks time.

GALLERY: Corvette Racing at Grand Prix of Mosport

GALLERY: Corvette Corral

For any car guy worth his mettle, the one Fiat to look forward to hasn’t been the cabriolet, the electric one, or even the Gucci edition—it’s been the fire-breathing Abarth, the one we thought would only be sequestered in the Italian boot.

But we Yanks are indeed getting the Abarth, and we’ll get a glimpse of our version at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The American Abarth will get a 1.4-liter Multiair engine that will give it more power than its MINI Cooper rival—175 horsepower, to be exact. Fiat made the official announcement via its Twitter account, and just like on the elementary school playground, there’s no takesies-backsies after this.

Pharmacy giant Walgreens is planning to add electric car chargers to 800 of its stores, which will be handy if you actually spend a lot of time at Walgreens.

So far, 60 stores across the country have been upgraded with Level 3 chargers, which can refill a Nissan Leaf to 80% of full capacity in just half an hour. These stores are in Chicago and Texas, but Walgreens locations in Los Angeles, Boston, Denver, New York, and Washington DC are expected to get them as well.

After Walgreens finishes installing all of their chargers, they’ll have provided the nation with a whopping 40% of public chargers—and other major businesses are expected to follow suit. It’s commendable for Walgreens to make this progress in electric infrastructure, especially if you spend that time there waiting for your Vicodin to get refilled.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

While fuel efficiency is a top priority when consumers buy new cars, that’s only part of the story. As technology improves, four cylinder engines are cheaper, more reliable, and more powerful then ever before. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder in a compact Ford Contour in 1999 produced 120-hp getting 19/28 city/highway mpg. By contrast, the 2011 Ford Focus 160-hp and gets as much as 40 mpg on the highway.

[Source: Left Lane News]